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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC/Trailer
Sway Control, TRAC and hill-start assist control systems
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC an d VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems off, the sys-
tems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without
smart key system) or off (vehicles with smart key system).
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases.
If both the TRAC and VSC/Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off,
automatic re-enabling will not occur when vehicle speed increases.
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
3214-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
WARNING
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
4856-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
■Changing the air flow mode
Turn the air outlet selector dial
to change the airflow mode.
The positions between the air
outlet selections can also be
selected for more delicate
adjustment.
Air flows to the upper body.
Air flows to the upper body
and feet.
Air flows to the feet.
Air flows to the feet and the windshield defogger operates.
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between outside air mode (indicator off) and recir-
culated air mode (indicator on) each time is pressed.
■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Turn the air outlet selector dial to position.
Set the outside/recirculated air mode button to outside air mode if recir-
culated air mode is used.
Adjust the fan speed and temperature setting.( →P. 484)
If the dehumidification function is not operating, press the “A/C” but-
ton to operate the dehumi dification function.
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.
1
2
Other functions
3
4
Page 492 of 741
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
4916-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
■Adjusting the fan speed setting
Press “∧”on to increase the fan speed and “ ∨” to decrease
the fan speed.
Press to turn the fan off.
■
Change the airflow mode
To change the air outlets, press “ ∧”or “∨ ”on .
The air outlets used are switched each time either side the button is
pressed.
Air flows to the upper body.
Air flows to the upper body
and feet.
Air flows to the feet.
Air flows to the feet and the
windshield defogger oper-
ates.
Press .
The dehumidification function begins to operate. Air outlets and fan speed
are automatically adjusted according to the temperature setting and
humidity.
Adjust the temperature setting.
1
2
3
4
Using the automatic mode
1
2
Page 493 of 741
492
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Automatic mode indicator
If the fan speed setting or air fl ow modes are operated, the auto-
matic mode indicator goes off. However, automatic mode for func-
tions other than that operated is maintained.
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between outside air mode (the indicator is off) and
recirculated air mode (the indicator is on) each time is pressed.
■
Micro dust and pollen filter mode button
Operates micro dust and pollen
filter mode on/off.
Outside air mode switches to
recirculated air mode. Pollen is
removed from the air and the air
flows to the upper part of the
body.
Usually the system will turn off
automatically after approxi-
mately 3 minutes.
Other functions
Page 523 of 741
522
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
6-4. Using the other interior features
An assist grip installed on the ceil-
ing can be used to support your
body while sitting on the seat.
Assist grips
WARNING
Do not use the assist grip when getting in or out of the vehicle or rising from
your seat.
Doing so could damage the assist grip, or could cause you to injure yourself
by falling over.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the assist grip, do not hang any heavy object or put a
heavy load on the assist grip.
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7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
●Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors
• Turn off the power back door (if equipped)
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
● Rear spoiler may not be washable in some automatic car washes.
There may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
■ When using a car wash (vehicles with smart key system)
●If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key in a posi-
tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being
washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
● If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet
during a car wash, a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the
alarm, lock all the doors.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
7-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using a high-pressure car wash
● When washing the vehicle, do not let water from the high-pressure washer
directly hit the camera (if equipped) or the area around the camera. Due to
the shock from high-pressure water, it is possible that the device may not
operate normally.
● Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts.
The parts may be damaged if they come into contact with high-pressure
water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts