2012 TOYOTA RAV4 lights

225
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Connecting trailer lights
Please consult your dealer when installing 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. 494)
● 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 c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all 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.

227
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently w hen towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious in jury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
NOTICE
■ When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■ Brakes
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
■ Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

Interior features3
233
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system ........................... 234
Automatic air conditioning system ....... 240
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defoggers ............ 248
Windshield wiper de-icer ............................ 250
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types .......... 251
Using the radio ................. 254
Using the CD player ......... 260
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 267
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 274
Using the AUX port .......... 277
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 278
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features .......................... 281
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ......... 285
Making a phone call ......... 293
Setting a cellular phone ... 299 Security and system
setup .............................. 304
Using the phone book ...... 307
3-4. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ............... 315
• Personal/interior light main switch ..................... 316
• Personal/interior lights .... 316
• Interior light ..................... 317
• Luggage compartment light ................................. 317
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features .... 319
• Glove box........................ 320
• Console box .................... 321
• Overhead console ........... 322
• Cup holders .................... 323
• Bottle holders .................. 324
• Auxiliary box ................... 326
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors ........................ 327
Vanity mirrors ................... 328
Clock ................................ 329
Power outlets ................... 330
Seat heaters..................... 335
Armrest ............................ 337
Coat hooks ....................... 338
Floor mat .......................... 339
Luggage compartment features .......................... 340

315
3
Interior features
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 wit h 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. 317)
Personal/interior lights ( P. 316)
Engine switch light
Foot lights (if equipped)
Luggage compartment light (turns on/off according to whether
the back door is opened/closed)

316 3-4. Using the interior lights
Personal/interior light main switchType A Door position
The personal lights and interior
light come on when a door is
opened. They go off when the
doors are closed.
Off
The personal lights and interior
light can be individually turned on
or off.
Type B
Personal/interior lights
Type A On/off
Personal/interior light main switch and personal/interior lights

317
3-4. Using the interior lights
3
Interior features
Type B
On/off
Interior light
Door position
Off
On
Luggage compartment lightOn
Off
Personal/interior lights and interior light and luggage compartment light

318 3-4. Using the interior lights
■To prevent battery discharge (excl uding luggage compartment light)
If the lights remain on when a door is not fully closed and the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in door position, the lights will go off automatically
after 20 minutes.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 510)
Luggage compartment light

348 4-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ Antenna installation and removal precautions
●Before driving, ensure that the antenna is installed.
● When the antenna is removed, such as before entering an automatic car
wash, make sure to store it in a suitable place so as not to lose it. Also,
before driving, make sure to reinstall the antenna in its original position.
■ To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side
wiper arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning
the wipers to their original position, do so from the passenger side first.