Page 172 of 732

172
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
Page 173 of 732

RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other\
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
Page 174 of 732

174
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 627)
Page 190 of 732
![TOYOTA RAV4 2014 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual 190
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 F [30C]) when driving
up a long TOYOTA RAV4 2014 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual 190
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 F [30C]) when driving
up a long](/manual-img/14/6705/w960_6705-189.png)
190
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 F [30C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If t he engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 653)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
Page 197 of 732
197
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position to start the engine.
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (The key
can be removed only when the
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be
used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Page 200 of 732
200
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The smart key system indicator light (green) will turn on. If the indicator
light does not turn on, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Performing the following operations when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Page 201 of 732
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (P. 215)
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the smart key system indi-
cator light (green) is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing th e engine switch with the brake
pedal released. (The mode changes ea ch time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The smart key system indicator
light (green) off.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
The smart key system indicator
light (green) flashes slowly.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
The smart key system indicator
light (green) flashes slowly.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode, not
to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
5
Page 202 of 732
202
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-2. Driving procedures
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that the smart key system indicator light (green) flashes
slowly and then press the engine switch once.
Check that the smart key system indicator light (green) is off.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4