Page 215 of 513

215
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turns.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive.
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 225 of 513
225
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is off.
Page 233 of 513
233
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the wind-
shield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is off.
Page 235 of 513
235
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■The defogger can be operated when
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Outside rear view mirror defoggers (vehicles with outside rear view
mirror defoggers)
Turning the rear window defogger on will turn the outside rear view mirror
defoggers on.
CAUTION
■ Outside rear view mirror defoggers (vehicles with outside rear view
mirror defoggers)
The surfaces of the outside rear view mirrors become hot. Do not touch
them to prevent from burning yourself.
Page 236 of 513
236
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Windshield wiper de-icer
■The de-icer can be operated when
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
CAUTION
■ When the windshield wiper de-icer is on
Do not touch the glass at the lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars as the surfaces can become very hot and burn you.
This feature is used to prevent i ce from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.
On/off
The de-icer will automatically
turn off after approximately 15
minutes.
: If equipped
Page 239 of 513

238 3-2. Using the audio system
CAUTION
■For vehicles sold in U.S.A. and Canada (for U.S.A. and Canada)
● Part 15 of the FCC Rules
FCC Warning:
Any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment will void the
user’s authority to operate this device.
● Laser products
• Do not take this unit apart or attempt to make any changes yourself.
This is an intricate unit that uses a laser pickup to retrieve information
from the surface of compact discs. The laser is carefully shielded so
that its rays remain inside the cabinet. Therefore, never try to disas-
semble the player or alter any of its parts since you may be exposed to
laser rays and dangerous voltages.
• This product utilizes a laser. Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other
than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation expo-
sure.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary when the engine is
off.
■ To avoid damaging the audio system
Take care not to spill drinks or other fluids over the audio system.
Page 301 of 513
300
3-4. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list
Your Toyota is equipped with the illuminated entry system to assist
in entering the vehicle. Owing to the function of the system, the
lights shown in the following illu stration (except the luggage com-
partment light) automatically turn on/off according to the presence
of the electronic key (vehicles with smart key system), whether the
doors are locked/unlocked, whethe r the doors are opened/closed,
and the “ENGINE START STOP” switch mode or the engine switch
position.
The luggage compartment light tu rns on/off according to whether
the back door is opened/closed.
Interior light ( P. 302)
Personal/interior lights ( P. 301)
Engine switch light
Foot lights (if equipped)
Luggage compartment light (turns on/off according to whether
the back door is opened/closed)