2012 TOYOTA RAV4 towing

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
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 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
3Interior features

60 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Stowing third seats (vehicles with third seats)
■ Before stowing the third seats
Stow the third seat belt buckles.
Pass the seat belts through the
seat belt hangers.
This prevents the shoulder belt
from being damaged.
Lower the head restraint to the lowest position. ( P. 66)
Pull the seatback lock release
strap to fold do wn the seatback.
Make sure it is locked securely.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

61
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
■Stowing third seats
Pull and hold the seat lock
release strap and lift up the seat
rearward and then push the seat
down.
Push the seat on the front side
against the floor and push the
seat on rear side against the
floor.
Make sure it is locked securely.
STEP 1
STEP 2

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.

72 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
■Releasing method
The second center seat belt can be completely released only when
necessary such as when folding down the second seats.
To release the tab “A”, insert the
tab “B”, key (vehicles without a
smart key system) or mechanical
key (vehicles with a smart key
system) (P. 24) into the hole
on the buckle.
Retract the belt slowly when
releasing and stowing the seat
belt.
Stow the seat belt tabs in the
cover located on the roof as
shown.
Seat belt pretensioners (front seats)
The pretensioner helps the seat
belt to quickly restrain the occu-
pant by retracting the seat belt
when the vehicle is subjected to
certain types of severe frontal
collision or a vehicle rollover.
The pretensioner may not acti-
vate in the event of a minor frontal
impact, a side impact or a rear
impact.
STEP 1
STEP 2

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

182 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

211
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a tr
ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Cons ult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are
riding in your vehicle, the ava ilable amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity will be as follows:
Without third seat
Total load capacity: 825 lb. (370 kg)
825 lb. - 366 lb. = 459 lb. (370 kg - 166 kg = 204 kg)
With third seat
Total load capacity: 1155 lb. (520 kg)
1155 lb. - 366 lb. = 789 lb. (520 kg - 166 kg = 354 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more pa ssengers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on , the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
Without third seat
459 lb. - 388 lb. = 71 lb. (204 kg - 176 kg = 28 kg)
With third seat
789 lb. - 388 lb. = 401 lb. (354 kg - 176 kg = 178 kg)