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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 posi-
tion driving, the “+” paddle shift
switch must 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 nor-
mal D position.
Selecting shift ranges in the D position (vehicles with paddle
shift switches)
1
2
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RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
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 accord-
ing 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. 210)
■
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
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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)
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without smar t key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.
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RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■If the shift lever canno t be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by y\
our
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with smart key system:
Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ 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.) Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5
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4-2. Driving procedures
■If the warning light comes on or the warning message is displayed (AWD
models only)
*: 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 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.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turn signal lever
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■ If the turn signals stop flashing before a lane change has been per-
formed
Operate the lever again.
■ To discontinue flashing of the turn signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direction.
■ Customization
The setting of the turn signals flash during a lane change can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 701)
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
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RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Headlight switch
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e A
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights
turn on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above turn on.
The headlights, daytime
running lights (→P. 215)
and all the lights listed
above turn on and off
automatically.
(When the engine switch
is in the “ON” position
[vehicles without smart
key system] or IGNITION
ON mode [vehicles with
smart key system])
Off
The daytime running
lights turn on. ( →P. 215)1
2
3
4
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
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RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
2154-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
Vehicles with halogen headlights
● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the engine is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch off or in
/ position. (Illuminate dimmer than the headlight lights.) Daytime run-
ning lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
Vehicles with LED headlights
● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving,
the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the engine is
started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch off or in
/ position. (Illuminate brighter than the parking lights.) Daytime run-
ning lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2