2011 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD

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2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 165
Fog light switch ................... 168
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 169
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 171
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ...................... 172
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with auto
anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) ....................... 176
Driving assist systems ........ 184
Hill-start assist control ......... 191
Downhill assist control system .............................. 193
Four-wheel drive lock switch (4WD models) ........ 196
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions ....................... 197
Cargo and luggage ............. 202
Vehicle load limits ............... 208
Winter driving tips ............... 210
Trailer towing ...................... 214
Dinghy towing ..................... 224 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
3Interior features

When driving2
133
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 134
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart
key system).................... 143
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system).................... 147
Automatic transmission .... 150
Turn signal lever .............. 153
Parking brake ................... 154
Horn ................................. 155
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 156
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 159
Trip information display .... 162
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............... 165
Fog light switch ................ 168
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 169
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 171 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control ................... 172
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with auto
anti-glare inside rear
view mirror) .................... 176
Driving assist systems ..... 184
Hill-start assist control ...... 191
Downhill assist control system ........................... 193
Four-wheel drive lock switch (4WD models) ..... 196
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions .................... 197
Cargo and luggage .......... 202
Vehicle load limits ............ 208
Winter driving tips ............ 210
Trailer towing ................... 214
Dinghy towing .................. 224

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N while the
vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if
the engine is not running.
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 151)
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not a 4WD vehicle designed for real off-road driving. Proceed with
all due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

140 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stu ck or bogged (4WD models)
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud etc. This may damage the drive system components or
propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

142 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (4WD models), rear differential (4WD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (4WD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.

152 2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshifting restrictions
The shift lever cannot be downshifted if the following speeds are exceeded.
4-speed models (2WD)
mph (km/h)
4-speed models (4WD) mph (km/h)
5-speed models mph (km/h)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
4-speed models
Engine braking will not occur when downshifting from D to 3. (P. 172) 5-speed models
Engine braking will not occur when downshifting from D to 4. (P. 172)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 459
DownshiftingMaximum speed
3  2 75 (121)
2  L 37 (60)
DownshiftingMaximum speed
3  2 72 (117)
2  L 36 (58)
DownshiftingMaximum speed
4  3 100 (161)
3  2 62 (99)
2  L 26 (42)

160 2-2. Instrument cluster
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer for details.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 153)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
( P. 165)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 166)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 165)
(if equipped)
Downhill assist control
system indicator
(P. 193)
(if equipped)
Front fog light indicator
( P. 168)
Slip indicator
(P. 185)
(2WD models)
“AUTO LSD” indicator
( P. 186)
(4WD models)
Four-wheel drive lock
indicator ( P. 196)
VSC OFF indicator
(P. 186)Cruise control indicator
( P. 172)
Engine immobilizer sys-
tem indicator ( P. 92)
(4WD models)
“TRAC OFF” indicator
(P. 187)
*1
*1, 2*1
*1“AIR BAG ON”
and “AIR BAG
OFF” indica-
tor ( P. 110)*1
*1
*1

161
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning light
not come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems
are not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in
death or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately if this occurs.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the
vehicle’s systems. ( P. 426)
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key system) or
the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few
seconds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not
come on, or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer for details.
*2: The light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
(U.S.A.)(U.S.A.)(if equipped)(if equipped)
(if equipped)(4WD models)
*1*1*1*1*1*1*1*1
*1*1*1*2*1*1
*1