2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor o verheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-
information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 585
■ Operation of the engine switch
When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
→P. 658 A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( →P. 605)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■ To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the engine
switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

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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
*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 nor-
mal driving.
If equipped, by selecting shift ranges using paddle shift switches, you can
control engine braking force.
*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. 207)

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2054-2. 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 light
will come 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 light will
come on.
Press the button again to cancel
sport mode.
Selecting the driving mode

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4-2. Driving procedures
To drive using temporary shift range selection, operate the “-” or “+”
paddle shift switch.
When the “-” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be
downshifted to a range that enables engine braking force that is suit-
able to driving conditions.
When the “+” paddle shift switch is operated, the shift range will be
one gear upper than the gear in use during normal D position driving.
Changing the shift range allows rest riction of the highest shift range,
preventing unnecessary upshifting and enabling the level of engine
braking force to be selected.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 5, or D will be displayed in the meter. To
return to normal D position driving, the “+” paddle shift switch m\
ust be held
down for a period of time.
When a shift range higher than 5 is selected, the shift range will return to
the normal D position.
When the vehicle comes to a stop, the shift range will return to the normal
D position.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
1
2
Ty p e AType B

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2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift ranges of
your choosing. The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.
Vehicles with paddle shift switches: Shift ranges can be selected by
the shift lever or operating the “-” and “+” paddle shift switches.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to 6, will be displayed in the meter.
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT
has operated while the shift lever was in D. ( →P. 209)
■
Shift ranges and their functions
● Automatically selecting shift ranges between 1 and 6 according
to vehicle speed and driving cond itions. But the gear is limited
according to selected range.
● You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force and engine
braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine
speed will also increase.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2
Ty p e AType B

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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.)