2011 TOYOTA RAV4 transmission

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 24
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system................. 26
Wireless remote control ....... 38
Side doors ............................ 42
Back door ............................. 46
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 49
Rear seats ............................ 54
Head restraints ..................... 65
Seat belts ............................. 68
Steering wheel ..................... 76
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 77
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 79
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .................... 81
Moon roof ............................. 84
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 88 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ................................ 92
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................... 95
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 96
SRS airbags ......................... 98
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 110
Child restraint systems ....... 116
Installing child restraints ..... 120
2-1. Driving procedures Driving 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
1Before driving
2When driving

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.

150
2-1. Driving procedures
Automatic transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
4-speed models
5-speed models

157
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Brighter
Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned on, the brightness will
be reduced slightly unless the
control dial is turned fully up.
Trip information display
P. 162
Automatic transmission shift position indicator lights
P. 150
Odometer/trip meterOdometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
Displays the distance the vehi cle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to
record and display different distances independently.
Odometer/trip meter switching and trip meter resetting button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and hold-
ing the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being dis-
played.

195
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Conditions which may affect the downhill assist control system opera-
tion
● Do not rely too heavily on the downhill assist control system. On extremely
steep inclines, icy surfaces or muddy roads, the vehicle may slip and the
system may not be able to maintain the constant low vehicle speed of
about 3 mph (5 km/h), leading to an accident causing death or serious
injury.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while driving forward, or to D while driving
backward. Doing so may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to an acci-
dent causing death or serious injury. In addition, excessive stress will be
applied to the automatic transmission, possibly resulting in damage.

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.

218 2-5. Driving information
Connecting trailer lightsPlease consult your dealer when inst alling trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to the vehicle's lights. Please take
care to comply with your state's laws when installing trailer lights.
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 484)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights must work in order to be legal.
● Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the t\
railer.
● Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any
new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bear-
ings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner's Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.