2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Transmission

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Automatic transmission
Vehicles without smart key systemWhile the engine switch is in t he “ON” position, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with smart key system
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Shifting the shift lever

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4-2. Driving procedures
■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 or paddle shift switch (if equipped) is oper-
ated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Operation of the air conditio ning 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. 488, 495). To improve
air conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed
* or turn off Eco drive
mode.
*: Vehicles with 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 or dynamic radar cruise control acti-
vated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or dynamic
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
● While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( →P. 207)
● While driving in the D position, downshifting to 5 or 4.
(Vehicles with paddle shift switches only: → P. 206)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D.
(→P. 205)
■ If the shift lever canno t be shifted from P
→P. 657
■ If the “S” indicator does not come on or the “D” indicator is displayed
even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)

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2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■If the warning light comes on or the warning message is displayed (AWD
models only)
Vehicles with the multi-information display (with monochrome display)
When the warning light goes out, the vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning light does not go out after waiting a while, have your vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Vehicles with the multi-information display (with color display)
*: If any shift range in D is selected ( →P. 206), make sure to return to normal
D position driving. (Vehicles with paddle shift switches only)
When the warning message goes out, the vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning message does not go out after waiting a while, have your vehi-
cle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to S cancels the function.) If the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature warning light comes on while
driving, make sure to return to D position
driving and reduce speed by easing off
the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehicle in
a safe place, shift the shift lever to P and
let the engine idle until the warning light
goes out.
If the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature warning message is displayed
while driving, make sure to return to D
position driving
* and reduce speed by
easing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever
to P and let the engine idle until the warn-
ing message goes out.
WARNING
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.

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4-6. Driving tips
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case (AWD models), reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake drums and around
brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system
components.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

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7-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( →P. 676)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( →P. 676)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicl e with a wheel-lift type truck
from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. ( →P. 608, 611)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck,
use a towing dolly. ( →P. 608, 611)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck

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NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when
the engine switch is off. The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough
to hold the front wheels straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
■ Recreational towing (beh ind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system (AWD mod-
els) and transmission. (→P. 195)

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Charging system warning light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system;
• The electronic automatic transmission control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low engine oil pressure wa rning light (if equipped)
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.