2013 TOYOTA RAV4 tow

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3-3. Adjusting the seats
■Before folding down the rear seatbacksStow the rear center seat belt. ( P. 3 2 )
Stow the rear seat belt buck-
les.
Lower the head restraint to the lowest position. (P. 147)
■Folding down rear seatbacks
Pull the seatback angle adjust-
ment lever and fold down the
seatback.
Folding down the rear seatbacks
1
2
3

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3-3. Adjusting the seats
CAUTION
■After returning the rear seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Make sure the seatback is securely locked by pushing it forward and rear-
ward on the top.
● Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught in the seatback.
NOTICE
■Stowing the seat belts
The seat belts and the buckles must be stowed before you fold down the
rear seatbacks.

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
1493-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Operation of each component
Rear seats
■ Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the rear center seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using. Align the head restraint with the installa-
tion holes and push it down while press-
ing the lock release button.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.
CAUTION
■Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
● Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
● After adjusting the head restraints, push down on them and make sure
they are locked in position.
● Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Lock release button

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4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 164
Cargo and luggage ........... 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing ................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 197
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 200
Automatic transmission ..... 207
Turn signal lever................ 214
Parking brake .................... 215
Horn .................................. 216 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 217
Automatic High Beam ....... 221
Fog light switch ................. 228
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 229
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 234
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 237
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control .................... 241
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) .... 245
Intuitive parking assist....... 253
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ..... 259
Driving assist systems ...... 260
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 266
• The Blind Spot Monitor
function ......................... 270
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 273
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 276
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 281

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4-1. Before driving
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially 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 sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
● When the accelerator pedal is released
● When the brake pedal is depressed while sport mode is selected
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●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 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.

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4-1. Before driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity)  (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug- gage load capacity.
For example, if the “ XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your v ehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150) =
650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight ma y not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( P. 180)
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

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4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
● Aerosol cans
■ Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or pas-
sengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possible.
● Do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the seat-
backs.
● Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover (if equipped)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
● Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
● When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be place directly
behind the front seats.
● Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not designed
for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat belts prop-
erly fastened. Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer serious bodily
injury, in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.

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4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 5 5 2
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆TWR (Trailer Weight Rating): P. 185, 552
TWR means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■ Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
( P. 454)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
TWR (Trailer Weight Rati ng) and cargo capacity.
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.