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4-2. Driving procedures
*1: Shifting the shift lever to D allows the system to select a gear suitable forthe driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to D is recommended for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 210)
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RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions.
■Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating.
Press the “ECO MODE” button
to select Eco drive mode.
The “ECO MODE” indicator
comes on.
Press the button again to cancel
Eco drive mode.
■
Sport mode
Use sport mode for sporty driving or driving in mountainous
regions.
Press the “SPORT” button to
select sport mode.
The “SPORT” indicator comes
on.
Press the button again to cancel
sport mode.
Selecting the driving mode
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RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■S mode
●When the shift range is 4 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 6.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a higher shift range may automati-
cally selected when the fluid temperature is high.
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed
* of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( P. 304, 313). To improve
air conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed
* or turn off Eco drive
mode.
*: Vehicles with an automatic air conditioning system only
■ Deactivation of the driving mode
●Eco drive mode will not be canceled until the “ECO MODE” button is
pressed, even if the engine is turned off after driving in Eco drive mode.
● Sport mode will be canceled if the engine is turned off after driving in sport
mode.
■ When driving with cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will not be
canceled.
●While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 210)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D.
(P. 209)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 645
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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Automatic light off system
When the light switch is in or : The lights turn off 30 seconds after
the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a smart
key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system) and a door is opened
and all of the doors are closed. (The lights turn off immediately if on the
key is pressed while all the doors are locked.)
When the light switch is in : The lights turn off after the engine switch is
turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or off
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehi-
cles without a smart key system) or to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a
smart key system), or turn the light switch off, then turn it to or to .
If any of the doors is kept open and the engine switch is in the “LOCK” posi-
tion (vehicles without a smart key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key
system), the lights automatically turn off after 20 minutes.
■ Light reminder buzzer
Vehicles without a smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position, the
key is removed and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
Vehicles with a smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off and the driver’s door is
opened while the lights are turned on.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 687)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.
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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
■Temporarily lowering sensor sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be temporarily lowered.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position while the following conditions are met.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off while the fol-
lowing conditions are met.
• The headlight switch is in .
• The headlight switch lever is in high beam position. Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “ON”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to IGNITION
ON mode.
Within 5 seconds after , repeat pulling the headlight switch lever to the
original position then pushing it to the high beam position quickly 9 times,
then leave the lever in high beam position.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) may turn on even the vehicle is stopped.
■ If the Automatic High Beam indicator turns to yellow...
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Customization
The Automatic High Beam can be turned off.
(Customizable features: P. 687)
CAUTION
■Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, taking care to
observe your surroundings and turning high beam on or off manually if nec-
essary.
1
2
32
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled to prioritize fuel
efficiency by regulating the engine speed and compressor operation to
restrict the heating/cooling capacity.
To improve air conditioning performance, turn off Eco drive mode. ( P. 209)
■ Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effective
in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During cooling
operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle interior
effectively.
■ When outside air temp erature approaches 32 F (0C)
The air conditioning system may not operate even when is pressed.
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RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
3055-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 568
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not set the air outlet selection dial to during cool air operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the
outside air and that of the windshield can cause the outer surface of the
windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is off.
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RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
3135-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Operation of the air conditioning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to pri-
oritize fuel efficiency:
●Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cool-
ing capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 209)
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
■ Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effec-
tive in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.