Page 196 of 513

196 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
Page 201 of 513

201
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
As shown in the above example,
if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in th e number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the
item may get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the
pedals from being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit
the driver or passengers, causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Luggage cover
• Instrument panel
• Dashboard
• Auxiliary box or tray that has no lid
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an acci-
dent.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
Page 207 of 513

207
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size. Side chain
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
1.18 in. (30 mm) in length
Cross chain
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the front tires.
● Retighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released. If necessary , block the wheels to prevent
inadvertent sliding or creeping.
Page 216 of 513
![TOYOTA RAV4 2010 XA30 / 3.G Owners Manual 216 2-5. Driving information
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicles engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the TOYOTA RAV4 2010 XA30 / 3.G Owners Manual 216 2-5. Driving information
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicles engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the](/manual-img/14/6691/w960_6691-215.png)
216 2-5. Driving information
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 456)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel bloc ks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
Page 340 of 513
339
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes • Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
Page 394 of 513

393
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
9 ACC
7.5 AAudio system, power outlets,
power rear view mirror control,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, main body ECU, clock,
smart key system
10 MIR HTR 10 A Outside rear view mirror defoggers
11 PWR OUTLET 15 A Power outlet
12 RR FOG 10 A No circuit
13 IGN 7.5 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, steering lock system, front
passenger occupant classification
system, smart key system, SRS
airbag system
14 GAUGE 2 7.5 A Gauges and meters
15 S-HTR 15 A Seat heaters
16 FR WIP 25 A Windshield wipers
17 RR WIP 15 A Rear window wiper
18 WSH 15 AWindshield washer, rear window
washer
19 ECU IG 1 10 AElectric cooling fan, ABS, TRAC,
Enhanced VSC, AUTO LSD func-
tion, downhill assist control system,
hill-start assist control system,
active torque control 4WD system,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, air conditioning system,
main body ECU, electric moon
roof, stop/tail lights, electric power
steering system, clock, AC inverter,
auto anti-glare inside rear view mir-
ror
20 ECU IG 2 10 AAir conditioning system, rear win-
dow defogger, emergency flashers
FuseAmpereCircuit
Page 395 of 513
394 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
*: Vehicles without smart key system
21 OBD7.5 A On-board diagnosis system
22 STOP 10 AStop/tail lights, high mounted stop-
light, automatic transmission shift
lock system, multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, ABS, TRAC,
Enhanced VSC, AUTO LSD sys-
tem, downhill assist control system,
hill-start assist control system
23 DOOR 25 AMain body ECU, power door lock
system
24 ACC-B 25 A ACC, CIG, fuses
25 4WD 7.5 A Active torque control 4WD system
26 FR FOG 15 A Front fog lights
27 AM1* 7.5 A Starting system
28 DEF 30 ARear window defogger, MIR HTR
fuse
29 P/SEAT 30 A Power seat
30 POWER 30 A Power windows
FuseAmpereCircuit
Page 450 of 513
5
When trouble arises
449
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there
may be a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flat-
head screwdriver or equiva-
lent.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5