2012 TOYOTA RAV4 brake

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 ........................... 50
Rear seats ............................ 55
Head restraints ..................... 66
Seat belts ............................. 70
Steering wheel ..................... 78
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 79
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 81
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .................... 83
Moon roof ............................. 87
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 91 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ................................ 95
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................... 98
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 99
SRS airbags ....................... 101
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 113
Child restraint systems ....... 119
Installing child restraints ..... 123
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 136
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart
key system) ...................... 145
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 149
Automatic transmission ...... 152
Turn signal lever ................. 155
Parking brake ..................... 156
Horn .................................... 157
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 158
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 161
Trip information display ...... 164
1Before driving
2When driving

11
C
Shift lever P. 152
Outside rear view mirror switches P. 81
Parking brake lever
P. 156
AUX port P. 277
Cup holders P. 323
Shift lock overridebutton
P. 469

19
Installation of a mobile two-way radio system
The installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could affect
electronic systems such as:
●Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system
● Cruise control system
● Anti-lock brake system
● SRS airbag system
● Seat belt pretensioner system
Be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or spe-
cial instructions regarding installation of a mobile two-way radio system.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo-
nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con-
trol batteries.

64 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
CAUTION
■When folding second seats
●Stop the vehicle on level ground, set the parking brake and shift the shift
lever to P.
● Do not fold the second seatback when passengers sit or luggage is placed
on the seat.
● Do not allow passengers to ride on the folded seat or in the luggage com-
partment while driving.
● Make sure that no passengers or luggage are on the rear seats.
● Make sure the seatback is securely locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the seat belt from operating properly.
■ When stowing third seats
●Make sure that no passenger or luggage are on the seats. Then, hold the
seat and slowly move it.
Otherwise, people may be injured or luggage may be damaged if the seat
hits them.
● Make sure the seat is securely locked by pushing forward and rearward on
the top of the seatback or by trying to pull up the edge of the bottom cush-
ion.
Failure to do so will prevent the seat belt from operating properly.
● Make sure the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback and are
arranged in their proper position ready for use.
● Do not stow or return the seats when you are inside the vehicle in order to
prevent pinching your hands or feet in the seat.
Be sure to stow and return the seats from outside the vehicle.

When driving2
135
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 136
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart
key system).................... 145
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system).................... 149
Automatic transmission................... 152
Turn signal lever .............. 155
Parking brake ................... 156
Horn ................................. 157
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 158
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 161
Trip information display .... 164
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............... 167
Fog light switch ................ 171
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 173
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 177 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control ................... 179
Rear view monitor system ........................... 183
Driving assist systems ..... 191
Hill-start assist control ...... 198
Downhill assist control system ........................... 200
Four-wheel drive lock switch ............................. 203
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions .................... 204
Cargo and luggage .......... 209
Vehicle load limits ............ 215
Winter driving tips ............ 217
Trailer towing ................... 221
Dinghy towing .................. 231

136
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the engine
P. 145, 149
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P. 152)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 156)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P or N. ( P. 152)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 156)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 152)
When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
to the “LOCK” position to stop the engine.
Vehicles with smart key system: Press the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5

137
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting on a steep uphill
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodi-
cally or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bedding-down.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

138 2-1. Driving procedures
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P. 488)
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine run-
ning. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident
that could result in death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator
pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or st op the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving
position, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehi-
cle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a
serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.