trailer TOYOTA RAV4 2015 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 164
Cargo and luggage............ 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing.................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 197
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 200
Automatic transmission ..... 207
Turn signal lever................ 214
Parking brake .................... 215
Horn .................................. 216
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 217
Automatic High Beam ....... 221
Fog light switch ................. 228
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 229
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 234 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap................................... 237
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control .................... 241
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)..... 245
Intuitive parking assist ....... 253
Rear view monitor system ............................. 259
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ...... 270
Driving assist systems ....... 271
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 277
• The Blind Spot Monitor function.......................... 281
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 284
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 287
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 292
4Driving

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
4Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 164
Cargo and luggage ........... 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing ................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 197
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 200
Automatic transmission ..... 207
Turn signal lever................ 214
Parking brake .................... 215
Horn .................................. 216 4-3. Operating the lights
and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 217
Automatic High Beam ....... 221
Fog light switch ................. 228
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 229
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 234
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 237
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control .................... 241
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) .... 245
Intuitive parking assist....... 253
Rear view monitor system ............................ 259
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ..... 270
Driving assist systems ...... 271
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 277
• The Blind Spot Monitor function ......................... 281
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 284
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 287
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 292

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
● When the accelerator pedal is released
● When the brake pedal is depressed while sport mode is selected
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.

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4-1. Before driving
Cargo and luggage
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity)  (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug- gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your v ehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150) =
650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight ma y not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tr ailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. ( P. 180)
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

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4-1. Before driving
Vehicle load limits
◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 6 6 0
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆TWR (Trailer Weight Rating): P. 185, 660
TWR means the maximum gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(  P. 562)
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
TWR (Trailer Weight Rati ng) and cargo capacity.
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, resulting in an accident.

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
4
Driving
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-car-
rying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on
handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consump-
tion. For your safety and the safe ty of others, you must not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are
using appropriate towing equipmen t, that the towing equipment
has been installed correctly a nd used properly, and that you
employ the requisite driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brakes,
the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with your trailer’s characteristics and operating
conditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes. Contact your Toyota dealer for fu rther information about additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
■GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum
of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the
trailer).
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the total weight of
the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehi-
cle weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue weight.
Towing related terms

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1834-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
axle weight. The gross axle
weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming
base vehicle with one driver,
one front passenger, hitch and
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the
vehicle will reduce the trailer
weight rating so as not to
exceed GCWR, GVWR and
GAWR.
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
(With brakes)

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4-1. Before driving
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for tow-
ing a trailer without a trailer ser-
vice brake system.
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer
hitch ball. (P. 186)
(Without brakes)

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1854-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed 1500 lb. (680 kg).
● The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR
described below.
2WD models: 6025 lb. (2735 kg)
AWD models: 6140 lb. (2785 kg)
● The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated on the Certifi-
cation Label.
● If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■GCWR*
2WD models: 6025 lb. (2735 kg)
AWD models: 6140 lb. (2785 kg)
■TWR*
1500 lb. (680 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (450 kg)
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE Interna- tional per SAE J2807.