2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Transmission

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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 166
Cargo and luggage............ 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing.................... 195
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without
smart key system) ........... 196
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with
smart key system) ........... 198
Automatic transmission ..... 203
Turn signal lever................ 210
Parking brake .................... 211
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 212
Automatic High Beam ....... 216
Fog light switch ................. 220
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 221
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 225 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap................................... 228
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ...... 231
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..... 238
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 252
Dynamic radar cruise control.............................. 260
Cruise control .................... 272
Intuitive parking assist ....... 277
Rear view monitor system ............................. 286
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ...... 296
Driving assist systems ....... 297
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 305
• The Blind Spot Monitor function.......................... 309
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 312
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 315
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 319
4Driving

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2. Instrument cluster
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position(vehicles without smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with
smart key system), to indicate that a system check is being performed.
They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few seconds. There
may be a malfunction in a system if the lights do not come on, or turn off.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
*3: The light comes on to indicate that the intuitive parking assist sensor is dirtyor covered with ice.
*4: This light illuminates on the center panel.
Seat belt reminder light
(→P. 616)*1
(if equipped)
Low washer fluid
warning light ( →P. 618)
Low fuel level warning
light ( →P. 617)*2, 3, 4
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator ( →P. 618)
*1
(if equipped)
High engine coolant
temperature warning
light ( →P. 617)*1
(if equipped)
Master warning light
(→P. 626)
*1
(U.S.A.)
(if equipped)
Maintenance required
reminder light ( →P. 617)
*1, 2
(if equipped)
PCS warning light
(→P. 618)
*1
(if equipped)
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature
warning light ( →P. 617)
(amber)
(if equipped)
LDA warning light
(→P. 619)
*1
(if equipped)
Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system warning
light ( →P. 617)*1
(if equipped)
Tire pressure warning
light (→P. 619)
(yellow)
(if equipped)
Cruise control warning
light (→P. 617)

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4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 166
Cargo and luggage ........... 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing ................... 195
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without
smart key system) ........... 196
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with
smart key system) ........... 198
Automatic transmission ..... 203
Turn signal lever................ 210
Parking brake .................... 211
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 212
Automatic High Beam ....... 216
Fog light switch ................. 220
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 221
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 225 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 228
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ..... 231
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .... 238
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 252
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................. 260
Cruise control .................... 272
Intuitive parking assist....... 277
Rear view monitor system ............................ 286
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ..... 296
Driving assist systems ...... 297
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 305
• The Blind Spot Monitor function ......................... 309
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 312
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 315
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 319

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4-1. Before driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steerin\
g
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in
death or serious injury.

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1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D. If in the S mode, the transmis sion shift range position must be in
4 or lower.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

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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 [30°C]) 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. 664)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking 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 bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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4-1. Before driving
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed
of less than 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■ 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 approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs (if equipped)
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.).
● After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

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4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system.