TOYOTA RAV4 2008 XA30 / 3.G Owners Manual

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
When the vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h
(25 mph), the four−wheel drive lock will
be cancelled automatically.
The four −wheel drive lock indicator will
come on for a few seconds when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position or the four −wheel drive lock
switch is pushed, contact your Toyota
dealer.
NOTICE
Use the fourwheel drive lock only
when driving on the loose surfaces,
such as sand, gravel, or deep snow,
or if the vehicle gets stuck. After the
fourwheel drive lock is used to pro-
vide traction, cancel the fourwheel
drive lock. Using the fourwheel drive
lock at other times may cause dam-
age to the fourwheel drive system.
SYSTEM FAILURE WARING
The “4WD” warning light warns that there
is a problem somewhere in the active
torque control 4WD system.
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
When the system works properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle. If the “4WD” warning light flashes...
This indicates that the driveline tempera-
ture has become too high. Without turning
off the engine, do either of the following
to cool the driveline:
Reduce vehicle speed until the light
goes off.
Stop the vehicle at a safe place and
allow the engine to idle until the light
goes off.
If operation of the vehicle is continued
while the light is flashing, the system au-
tomatically shuts off the engine torque that
is applied to the rear wheels to protect
the driveline. If this happens, the light will
flash faster.
When the driveline temperature falls
enough, the light will go off.
If the “4WD” warning light remains on...
This indicates that the system may not
work properly. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service your vehicle.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of the
front wheels (twowheel drive models)
or 4 wheels (fourwheel drive models)
when the vehicle is started or acceler-
ated on slippery road surfaces.
When the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the system automatically
turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power to the front wheels (twowheel
drive models) or 4 wheels (fourwheel
drive models) cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control sys-
tem is in operation. Do not drive the
vehicle under any speed or maneuver-
ing conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. If the
road surface is covered with ice or
snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at a speed that is appropriate
for the present road conditions.
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode. This sound
does not indicate a malfunction. When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
front wheels (two
−wheel drive models)
or 4 wheels (four −wheels drive mod-
els). At this time, the slip indicator light
blinks.
The vehicle may vibrate or make a
noise due to brake operation. This indi-
cates the system is functioning proper-
ly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the engine switch is turned
to the “ON” position. If the indicator light
does not come on when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position, contact
your Toyota dealer.
Traction control system

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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
When the systems are work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The “AUTO LSD” system aids traction
by using the traction control system to
control engine performance and braking
when one of the front wheels begins to
spin.
This system is used only when wheel
spinning occurs in a ditch or on a
rough surface.
This system is effective in case one of
the front wheels is spinning.
NOTICE
Do not use the “AUTO LSD” system
in conditions other than the above. A
much greater steering effort and more
careful cornering control will be re-
quired.
“AUTO LSD” system
(twowheel drive models)

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
To turn on the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch when the vehicle is
stopped.
The “AUTO LSD” indicator light will come
on and remain on while the system is on.
While the system is operating, the slip
indicator light will also flash.
To turn off the system, push the “AUTO
LSD” switch again and the “AUTO LSD”
indicator light will go off.
If the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h (31
mph), this system will be cancelled auto-
matically.The “AUTO LSD” indicator light will come
on for a few seconds when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the indicator light does not come on when
the engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position or the “AUTO LSD” switch is
pushed, contact your Toyota dealer.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high, a buzzer will sound for about 3
seconds. (The slip indicator light will also
be lit.) The system will temporarily stop
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. Although “AUTO LSD” system is
not operating, it is still possible to contin-
ue your driving.
The operation of the system will be auto-
matically restored after the actuator cools
down. After operation is restored, the slip
indicator light will go off.“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill
−start assist control system
When the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light will come on.
When the systems are work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
such systems as the antilock brake,
brake assist, traction control, engine
control, electric power steering. This
system automatically controls the
brakes, engine and power steering to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road sur-
face or operating steering wheel abrupt-
ly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed exceeds about 15 km/h (9 mph).
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self
−check mode. This sound
does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid death or serious injury. Reck-
less driving will result in an unex-
pected accident. If the slip indicator
light flashes, and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while
driving.
Use only tires of the specified size.
The size, manufacturer, brand and
tread pattern for all 4 tires should
be the same. If you use the tires
other than specified, or different
type or size, the vehicle stability
control system may not function
correctly. When replacing the tires
or wheels, contact your Toyota deal-
er. (See “Checking and replacing
tires” on page 410 in Section 72.)
In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
Enhanced vehicle stability
control system
(twowheel drive vehicles)

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
156
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the engine switch is turned
to the “ON” position. If the indicator light
does not come on when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position, contact
your Toyota dealer.“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
When the systems are work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
157
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The vehicle stability control system
helps provide integrated control of the
such systems as the antilock brake,
brake assist, traction control, engine
control, electric power steering, active
torque control 4WD. This system auto-
matically controls the brakes, engine
and power steering as well as driving
force to all the 4 wheels to help pre-
vent the vehicle from skidding when
cornering on a slippery road surface or
operating steering wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed exceeds about 15 km/h (9 mph).
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self−check mode. This sound
does not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the vehicle stability control sys-
tem is operating, you must always
drive carefully and attentively to
avoid death or serious injury. Reck-
less driving will result in an unex-
pected accident. If the slip indicator
light flashes, and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while
driving.
Use only tires of the specified size.
The size, manufacturer, brand and
tread pattern for all 4 tires should
be the same. If you use the tires
other than specified, or different
type or size, the vehicle stability
control system may not function
correctly. When replacing the tires
or wheels, contact your Toyota deal-
er. (See “Checking and replacing
tires” on page 410 in Section 72.)
In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the engine switch is turned
to the “ON” position. If the indicator light
does not come on when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position, contact
your Toyota dealer.
Enhanced vehicle stability
control system
(fourwheel drive models)

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
158
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
When the systems are work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The downhill assist control system as-
sists the deceleration of the engine
brake when you drive down a steep hill.
When you are driving down a hill,
pushing the “DAC” switch turns on the
system. If the vehicle is traveling at a
speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) or less, you
can descend at a constant speed.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the down-
hill assist control system. It may not
be able to maintain a low speed over
road surfaces or offroad surfaces on
which sliding can easily occur, such
as extremely steep slopes or icy or
muddy roads.
TO ACTIVATE THE DOWNHILL ASSIST
CONTROL SYSTEM
1. In order to make full use of the en- gine brake, put the transmission se-
lector lever in “L” (forward) or “R”
(reverse).
Downhill assist control system

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
2. Push the “DAC” switch to turn thesystem on. The downhill assist con-
trol system indicator light will come
on.
If the downhill assist control system indi-
cator light flashes, the selector lever may
not be in “L” or “R”.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the switch is pushed, or the indica-
tor light flashes when the selector lever is
in “L” or “R”, contact your Toyota dealer.With the vehicle traveling at a speed of
25 km/h (15 mph) or less, release the
brake pedal and accelerator pedal to acti-
vate the system. The vehicle will descend
the hill at a low speed.
While the system is operating, the slip
indicator light will flash and the stoplights
and high mounted stoplight will be lit. A
sound may also occur during the opera-
tion. This does not indicate a malfunction.
If the brakes are applied while the system
is operating, a kickback from the brake
pedal may result and a sound may occur.
This does not indicate a malfunction. If the “DAC” switch is pushed to turn the
system off while it is in operation, the
system will stop operating gra
dually. The
downhill assist control system indicator
light will flash to alert the driver. To con-
tinue driving at a low speed, push the
“DAC” switch to turn the system on.
The slip indicator light and downhill assist
control system indicator light come on for
a few seconds when the engine switch is
turned to the “ON” position. If any of the
indicator lights does not come on when
the engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, contact your Toyota dealer.
If the brake actuator temperature becomes
too high, the downhill assist control sys-
tem indicator light will flash and a buzzer
will start to sound intermittently. This indi-
cates that the system cannot operate for
much longer. In this case, stop the vehicle
immediately in a safe place.
If the system continues to operate while
driving, the buzzer will sound for about 3
seconds. The system will temporarily stop
operating in order to protect the brake
actuator. Although the downhill assist con-
trol system is not operating, it is still pos-
sible to continue your driving.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
The operation of the system will be auto-
matically restored after the actuator cools
down. The downhill assist control system
indicator light changes from flash to re-
main on after operation is restored.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the following systems:
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill−start assist control system
When the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light will come on.
When the systems are work properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. If the light comes on while driving, all the
above systems will not work. In such a
case, the brakes will operate when applied
(no electronic assistance will be avail-
able), and it will be possible to continue
driving the vehicle.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
The warning light remains on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.