transmission TOYOTA RAV4 2015 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual

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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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2. Instrument cluster
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position(vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with
a smart key system), to indicate that a system check is being performed.
They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few seconds. There
may be a malfunction in a system if the lights do not come on, or turn off.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
*3: The light comes on to indicate that the intuitive parking assist sensor is dirtyor covered with ice.
Seat belt reminder light
(P. 615)
(yellow)
(if equipped)
Automatic High Beam
warning light ( P. 613)
Low fuel level warning
light ( P. 615)*1Low washer fluid
warning light ( P. 615)
*1High engine coolant
temperature warning
light ( P. 615)
(yellow)
(if equipped)
Smart key system
indicator ( P. 614, 619)
*1
(U.S.A.)
Maintenance required
reminder light ( P. 616)*2, 3
(if equipped)
Intuitive parking assist
indicator (P. 614, 617)
*1
(if equipped)
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature
warning light ( P. 613)
(yellow)
(if equipped)
LDA warning lights
(P. 613)
*1
(if equipped)
Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system warning
light ( P. 617)*1
(if equipped)
BSM warning light
(P. 613)
(yellow)
Cruise control warning
light ( P. 613)*1
(if equipped)
Tire pressure warning
light (P. 616)

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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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4-1. Before driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
■ When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is in a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in
death or serious injury.

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1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increa sed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle contro l. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking effici ency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D. If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in
4 or lower.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause th e brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

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4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 F [30C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If t he engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 653)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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4-1. Before driving
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differ ential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed
of less than 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize.

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4-1. Before driving
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system.

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Automatic transmission
Vehicles without a smart key systemWhile the engine switch is in the “ON” position, move the shift
lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key systemWhile the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, move the
shift lever with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Shifting the shift lever

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2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■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 is operated. (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. 304, 313). To improve
air conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed
* or turn off Eco drive
mode.
*: Vehicles with an 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 activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control will not be
canceled.
●While driving in S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( P. 210)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D.
(P. 209)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 645