2023 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

3134-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Rock & Dirt mode
Suitable for driving on bumpy
roads, such as on unpaved for-
est roads.
■Normal mode
Suitable for normal driving. Use
Normal mode when not driving
off-road.
■Dynamic Torque Control
AWD vehicles (if equipped)
Pressing the switch switches the
mode as follows:
1 Switches to Mud & Sand
mode
2 Switches to Normal mode
3 Switches to Rock & Dirt
mode
When the mode is switched, the
state of the indica tor/warning light will change a
s follows:
• Mud & Sand mode
Mud & Sand mode indicator, VSC
OFF indicator ( P.80) and PCS
warning light ( P.78) illuminate.
• Rock & Dirt mode
Rock & Dirt mode indicator illumi-
nates.
• Normal mode
The indicators and /or warning lights
above turn off.
■Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD vehicles (if equipped)
Operating the dial switch
switches the mode as follows:
1 Switches to Mud & Sand
mode
2 Switches to Normal mode
3 Switches to Rock & Dirt
mode
When the mode is switched, the
state of the indicator/warning light
will change a s follows:
Changing the mode

3144-5. Using the driving support systems
• Mud & Sand mode
Mud & Sand mode indicator, VSC
OFF indicator (P.80) and PCS
warning light ( P.78) illuminate.
•Rock & Dirt mode
Rock & Dirt mode indicator illumi-
nates.
•Normal mode
The indicators and/or warning lights
above turn off.
■Multi-terrain Select
●Multi-terrain Sele ct is intended for
use when driving on rough roads.
Drive in Normal mode during nor-
mal driving.
●The Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt
modes control the vehicle so that
it can maximize the drive force
and improve the drive force on
rough roads. As a result, fuel effi-
ciency may diminish when com-
pared to driving in Normal mode.
■When Multi-terrain Select brake
control is operating
The slip indicator flashes when
Multi-terrain Selec t brake control is
operating.
■AWD control for Mud & Sand
and Rock & Dirt modes
If the vehicle s peed exceeds the
speeds listed below, the same level
of AWD control for Normal mode is
performed, even if Mud & Sand or
Rock & Dirt mode is selected.
●Mud & Sand mode: Vehicle speed
is approximately 25 mph (40
km/h) or more
●Rock & Dirt mode: Vehicle speed
is approximately 16 mph (25
km/h) or more
If the vehicle speed drops below the
above speeds, the system automati-
cally returns to the AWD control for
each mode.
■When “Traction Control Turned
OFF” is displaye d on the multi-
information display
Multi-terrain Select brake control is
temporarily stopped due to overheat
of the brakes.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location
as soon as possible and wait until
the message disappears from the
multi-informat ion display.
■When the system switches to
Normal mode automatically
In the following situ ations, the sys-
tem switches to N ormal mode auto-
matically:
●When the driving mode is
changed ( P.310)
●When the engine switch is turned
off
■Sounds and vibrations when
driving in Mud & Sand or Rock
& Dirt mode
Any of the following conditions may
occur when Multi-terrain Select is
operating. None of these indicates
that a malfunction has occurred:
●Vibrations may be felt throughout
the vehicle or steering wheel
●Sounds may be heard from the
engine compartment
■When the slip indicator illumi-
nates
The system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■When the indicator for each
mode does no t illuminate
The system may be malfunctioning
if the indicator does not illuminate
when selecting the mode other than
Normal mode. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

3154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Dynamic Torque Control
AWD vehicles
Press the snow mode switch.
When the switch is pressed, the
system switches to snow mode and
the snow mode indi cator illuminates
on the multi-information display.
When the switch is pressed again,
the snow mode indicator turns off.
■Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD vehicles
Press the snow mode switch.
When the switch is pressed, the
system switches to snow mode and
the snow mode indi cator illuminates
on the multi-information display.
NOTICE
■In order to ensure that Multi-
terrain Select operates prop-
erly
Do not continuously use Multi-ter-
rain Select for a long period of
time. Depending on the driving
conditions, the load on related
parts increases and the system
may not operate properly
Snow mode switch
(AWD vehicles)
Snow mode can be selected
to suit the conditions when
driving on slippery road sur-
faces, such as on snow.
System operation

3164-5. Using the driving support systems
When the switch is pressed again,
the snow mode indicator turns off.
■When changing to snow mode
The background of the multi-infor-
mation display changes.
■Canceling the snow mode
Snow mode is automatically can-
celed when the engine switch is
turned off or Mud & Sand or Rock &
Dirt mode is selec ted for Multi-ter-
rain Select.
*: If equipped
Press the “DAC” switch
The downhill assist control system
indicator will come on and the sys-
tem will operate. When the system
is in operation, the slip indicator
light will flash, and the stop
lights/high mounted stop lights will
be lit. A sound may also occur
during the operati on. This does not
indicate a malfunction.
Downhill assist con-
trol system*
The downhill assist control
system helps to prevent
excessive speed on steep
downhill slopes.
The system will operate
when the vehicle is traveling
under 15 mph (25 km/h) with
the accelerator and brake
pedals released.
WARNING
■When using downhill assist
control system
Do not rely overmuch on the
downhill assist control system.
This function does not extend the
vehicle’s performance limitations.
Always thoroughly check the road
conditions, and drive safely.
System operation

3174-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
Press the “DAC” switch while
the system is in operation.
The downhill assist control system
indicator will flash as the system
gradually ceases operation, and will
turn off when the system is fully off.
Press the “DAC” switch while the
downhill assist control system indi-
cator is flashing to start the system
again.
■Operating tips
The system will op erate when the
shift lever is in a 1 range of S mode
or R.
■If the downhill assist control
system indicator flashes
●In the following situations, the indi-
cator flashes and the system will
not operate:
• The shift lever is in a position other 1 range of S mode or R.
• The accelerator or brake pedal is depressed.
• The vehicle speed exceeds
approximately 15 mph (25 km/h).
• The brake system overheats.
●In the following si tuation, the indi-
cator flashes to a lert the driver,
but the system will operate:
• The “DAC” switch is turned off
while the system is operating.
The system will gr adually ceases
operation. The indicator will flash during operation,
and then go off
when the system is fully off.
■When the downhill assist con-
trol system is operated continu-
ously
This may cause the brake actuator
to overheat. In thi s case, the down-
hill assist control system will stop
operating, a buzze r will sound and
the downhill assist control system
indicator will start flashing, and
“Traction Contro l Turned OFF” will
be shown on the mu lti-information
display. Refrain from using the sys-
tem until the downhill assist control
system indicator stays on and the
message goes off. (The vehicle can
be driven normally during this time.)
■Sounds and vibrations caused
by the downhill assist control
system
●A sound may be heard from the
engine compartment when the
engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This
sound does not indicate that a
malfunction has occurred in down-
hill assist control system.
●Either of the following conditions
may occur when the downhill
assist control system is operating.
None of these are indicators 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.
■System malfunction
In the following ca ses, have your
vehicle checked by your Toyota
dealer.
●The downhill assist control system
indicator does not come on when
the engine switch is turned to ON.
●The downhill assist control system
indicator does not come on when
the “DAC” switch is pressed.
●The slip indicator light comes on.
Turning off the system

3184-5. Using the driving support systems
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys-
tem)
Helps to prevent wheel lock
when the brakes are applied
suddenly, or if the brakes are
applied while driving on a slip-
pery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of
braking force after the brake
pedal is depressed when the
system detects a panic stop sit-
uation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Con-
trol)
Helps the driver to control skid-
ding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road sur-
faces.
WARNING
■The system may not operate
on the following surfaces,
which may lead to an acci-
dent causing death or serious
injury
●Slippery surfaces such as wet
or muddy roads
●Icy surface
●Unpaved roads
Driving assist systems
To keep driving safety and
performance, the following
systems operate automati-
cally in response to various
driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these
systems are supplementary
and should not be relied
upon too heavily when oper-
ating the vehicle.
Summary of the driving
assist systems

3194-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced
Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of
the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintai n directional
stability when swerving on slip-
pery road surfaces by con-
trolling steering performance.
■Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control trailer
sway by selectively applying
brake pressure for individual
wheels and reducing driving
torque when trailer sway is
detected.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power
and prevent the drive wheels
from spinning when starting the
vehicle or accelerating on slip-
pery roads
■Active Cornering Assist
(ACA)
Helps to prevent the vehicle
from drifting to the outer side by
performing inner wheel brake
control when attempting to
accelerate while turning
■Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward
movement of the vehicle when
starting on an uphill
■EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing)
Employs an electric motor to
reduce the amount of effort needed to turn the steering
wheel.
■Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system (AWD models)
(if equipped)
Automatically controls the drive
system such as to front-wheel
drive or AWD (all wheel drive)
according to various running
conditions including normal driv-
ing, during cornering, on a
uphill, when starting off, during
acceleration, on a slippery roads
due to snow or rain, thus con-
tributing to stable operability and
driving stability.
■Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD system (AWD models)
(if equipped)
Automatically controls the drive
system such as to front-wheel
drive or AWD (all wheel drive)
according to various running
conditions including normal driv-
ing, during cornering, on a
uphill, when starting off, during
acceleration, on a slippery roads
due to snow or rain, thus con-
tributing to stable operability and
driving stability.
Also, drive torque distribution is
precisely controlled during cor-
nering, contributing to improve-
ments in operability and
stability.
■The Secondary Collision
Brake
When the SRS airbag sensor

3204-5. Using the driving support systems
detects a collision and the sys-
tem operates, the brakes and
brake lights are automatically
controlled to reduce the vehicle
speed and help reduce the pos-
sibility of further damage due to
a secondary collision.
■When the TRAC/VSC/Multi-ter-
rain Select/Trailer Sway Con-
trol systems are operating
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Multi-terrain
Select/Trailer Sway Control systems
are operating.
■Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt
or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the engine to the
wheels.
Pressing to turn the system off
may make it easier for you to rock
the vehicle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off,
quickly press and release .
The “Traction Control Turned OFF”
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. Press again to turn the system
back on.
■Turning off the
TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway Con-
trol systems
To turn the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control systems of f, press and hold
for more than 3 seconds while
the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will
come on and the “Traction Control
Turned OFF” will be shown on the
multi-informat ion display.
*
Press again to turn the systems
back on.
*: PCS (Pre-Collision System) will
also be disabled (only pre-collision
warning is available). The PCS
warning light will come on and a
message will be disp layed on the
multi-information display.
(  P.249)
■When the message is dis-
played on the multi-information
display showing that TRAC has
been disabled even if has
not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If
the information continues to show,
contact your Toyota dealer.
■Operating conditions of hill-
start assist control
When all of the fo llowing conditions
are met, the hill-star t assist control
will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position
other than P or N (when starting
off forward/backward on an
upward incline)
●The vehicle is stopped
●The accelerator pedal is not
depressed