2011 TOYOTA RAV4 steering

200 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.

206 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking con-
trol which may cause death or serious injury.
■Roof luggage carrier precautions
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier, observe the following:
●Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed evenly between the
front and rear axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the vehicle overall length
or width. (P. 474)
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof
luggage carrier.
●Loading cargo on the r oof luggage carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of
control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly
and result in death or serious injury.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop
the vehicle now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 102.6 lb. (46.2 kg ) cargo weight on the roof luggage
carrier.
■Cross rail adjustment
Make sure the cross rails are locked securely by pushing forward and
rearward them.
Failure to do so may cause an unexpected accident or severe injury in
the event of emergency braking or a collision.

209
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti
res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.

221
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.

Interior features3
225
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system ........................... 226
Automatic air conditioning system ....... 232
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defoggers ............ 240
Windshield wiper de-icer ............................ 242
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types .......... 243
Using the radio ................. 246
Using the CD player ......... 252
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 259
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 266
Using the AUX port .......... 269
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 270
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features .......................... 273
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ......... 277
Making a phone call ......... 285
Setting a cellular phone ... 291 Security and system
setup .............................. 296
Using the phone book ...... 299
3-4. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ............... 307
• Personal/interior light main switch .................... 308
• Personal/interior lights ... 308
• Interior light .................... 309
• Luggage compartment light ................................ 309
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features .... 311
• Glove box....................... 312
• Console box ................... 313
• Overhead console .......... 314
• Cup holders ................... 315
• Bottle holders ................. 316
• Auxiliary box .................. 318
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors ........................ 319
Vanity mirrors ................... 320
Clock ................................ 321
Power outlets ................... 322
Seat heaters..................... 327
Armrest ............................ 329
Coat hooks ....................... 330
Floor mat .......................... 331
Luggage compartment features .......................... 332

244 3-2. Using the audio system
■Using cellular phones
Interference may be heard through the audio system's speakers if a cellular
phone is being used inside or close to the vehicle while the audio syste\
m is
operating.
Without navigation system (type C)
CD player with changer and AM/FM radio
TitlePage
Using the radioP. 246
Using the CD playerP. 252
Playing back MP3 and WMA discsP. 259
Optimal use of the audio systemP. 266
Using the AUX portP. 269
Using the steering wheel audio switchesP. 270

270
3-2. Using the audio system
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Turning on the powerPress when the audio system is turned off.
The audio system can be turned off by holding down until you hear a
beep.
Changing the audio sourcePress when the audio system is turned on. The audio source
changes as follows each time is pressed.
Type A:
FM1 FM2 CD AUXAM SAT1 SAT2SAT3
Type B and C:
FM1FM2 CD changer AUXAMSAT1 SAT2SAT3
Some audio features can be cont rolled using the switches on the
steering wheel.
Vo l u m e
Radio: Selects radio sta-
tions
CD: Selects tracks, files
(MP3 and WMA) and discs
Turns the power on, selects
audio source
: If equipped

272 3-2. Using the audio system
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.