TOYOTA RAV4 2020 Owners Manual (in English)

2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
The shift lever can be shifted
while both buttons are pressed.
 P.351, 357
When the shift lever is in the S
position, the shift lever can be
operated as follows: 1
Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S8 will be display ed on the multi-
information display.
The initial shift range in S mode
is set automatically to 4, 5 or 6
according to vehicle speed.
However, the initial shift range
may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT has
operated while the shift lever
was in the D position. ( P.199)
■S mode
●You can choose from 8 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 t he engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
●To prevent the engine from over-
revving, upshifting may automati-
cally occur.
●To protect the automatic transmis-
sion, a function is adopted that
automatically selects a higher shift
range when the fluid temperature
is high.
●When the shift range is 7 or lower,
holding the shift lever toward “+”
sets the shift range to 8.
WA R N I N G
■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 acci-
dentally 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, possi-
bly leading to an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving
mode and snow mode (if
equipped)
Changing shift ranges in
S mode

2024-2. Driving procedures
■Downshifting restriction warn-
ing buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving
performance, downshifting opera-
tion may sometimes b e restricted. In
some circumstances, downshifting
may not be possible even when the
shift lever is opera ted. (A buzzer will
sound twice.)
■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 tra nsmission system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately. (In this
situation, the transmission will oper-
ate in the same manner as when the
shift lever is in D.)
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right
(move the lever partway and
release it)
The right hand s ignals will flash 3
times.
3 Lane change to the left
(move the lever partway and
release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
4Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated
when
The engine switch is in ON.
■If the indicator flashes faster
than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or
rear turn signal lights has not
Tur n signal lever
Operating instructions

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
burned out.
■If the turn signals stop flashing
before a lane change has been
performed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the
turn signals during a lane
change
Operate the lever in the opposite
direction.
■Using the manual mode
The parking brake can be set
and released manually.
Parking brake indicator light
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator light
(Canada)
Parking brake switch indica-
tor
1 Pull the switch to set the
Parking brake
The parking brake can be
set or released automati-
cally or manually. In auto-
matic mode, the parking
brake can be set or released
automatically according to
shift lever operation. Also,
even in automatic mode, the
parking brake can be set or
released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B
C

2044-2. Driving procedures
parking brake.
The parking brake indicator light
and parking brake switch indicator
will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.
2Push the switch to release
the parking brake.
• Operate the parking brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
• Parking brake automatic release function ( P.205)
Make sure that t he parking brake
indicator light and parking brake
switch indicator turn off.
If the parking brake indicator
light and parking brake switch
indicator flash, operate the
switch again. ( P.634)
■Turning the automatic
mode on
While the vehicle is stopped,
pull and hold the parking brake
switch until a buzzer sounds and
a message is shown on the
multi-information display.
When the automatic mode is
turned on, the parking brake
operates as follows. 
When the shift position is
shifted from P, the parking
brake will be released, and
the parking brake indicator
light and parking brake switch
indicator will turn off.
 When the shift position is
shifted to P, the parking brake
will be set, and the parking
brake indicator light and park-
ing brake switch indicator will
turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the
vehicle stopped and the brake
pedal depressed.
■Turning the automatic
mode off
While the vehicle is stopped and
depressing the brake pedal,
press and hold the parking
brake switch until a buzzer
sounds and a message is
shown on the multi-information
display.
■Parking brake operation
●When the engine switch is not in
ON, the parking brake cannot be
released using the parking brake
switch.
●When the engine switch is not in

2054-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
ON, automatic mode (automatic
brake setting and releasing) is not
available.
■Parking brake automatic
release function
The parking brake will be released
automatically when the accelerator
pedal is slowly depressed under the
following conditions:
●The driver’s door is closed
●The driver is wearing the seat belt
●The shift lever is in a forward or
reverse position.
●The malfunction in dicator lamp or
brake system warning light is not
illuminated
If the automatic release function
does not operate, release the park-
ing brake manually.
■If “Parking Brake Temporarily
Unavailable” i s displayed on
the multi-information display
If the parking brake is operated
repeatedly over a short period of
time, the system may restrict opera-
tion to prevent overheating. If this
happens, refrain from operating the
parking brake. Nor mal operation will
return after about 1 minute.
■If “Parking Brake Unavailable”
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
Operate the parking brake switch. If
the message does not disappear
after operating the switch several
times, the system may be malfunc-
tioning. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
■Parking brake operation sound
When the parking brake operates, a
motor sound (whirring sound) may
be heard. This does not indicate a
malfunction.
■Parking brake indicator light
●Depending on the engine switch
position/mode, the parking brake
indicator light will turn on and stay on as described below:
ON: Comes on until the parking
brake is released.
Not in ON: Stays
on for approxi-
mately 15 seconds.
●When the engine switch is turned
off with the parking brake set, the
parking brake i ndicator light will
stay on for about 15 seconds. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
■When the parking brake switch
malfunctions
Automatic mode (automatic brake
setting and releas ing) will be turned
on automatically.
■Parking the vehicle
 P.169
■Parking brake engaged warning
buzzer
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is
driven with the parking brake
engaged. “Parking Brake ON” is dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play (with the vehicle reaching a
speed of 5 km/h [3 mph]).
■If the brake system warning
light comes on
 P.628
■Usage in winter time
 P.367
WA R N I N G
■When parking the vehicle
Do not leave a child in the vehicle
alone. The parking brake may be
released unintentionally by a child
and there is the danger of the
vehicle moving that may lead to
an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■Parking brake switch
Do not set any objects near the
parking brake switch. Objects
may interfere with the switch and
may lead the parking brake to
unexpectedly operate.

2064-2. Driving procedures
Press the brake hold switch to
turn the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the
system is holding the brake, the
brake hold operated indicator (yel-
low) comes on.
■Brake hold system operating
conditions
The brake hold system cannot be
turned on in the following condi-
tions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Before you leave the vehicle, shift
the shift position to P, set the park-
ing brake and make sure that the
vehicle does not move.
■When the system malfunc-
tions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place
and check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake can-
not be released due to a mal-
function
Driving the vehicl e with the park-
ing brake set will lead to brake
components overheating, which
may affect braking performance
and increase brake wear. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer immediately if this
occurs.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system
keeps the brake applied
when the shift lever is in D,
S or N with the system on
and the brake pedal has
been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system
releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift
lever in D or S to allow
smooth start off.
Enabling the system
A
B

2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
●The driver is not wearing the seat
belt.
If any of the conditions above are
detected when the brake hold sys-
tem is enabled, the system will turn
off and the brake hold standby indi-
cator light will go of f. In addition, if
any of the conditions are detected
while the system is holding the
brake, a warning buzzer will sound
and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display. The park-
ing brake will then be set automati-
cally.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released
for a period of about 3 minutes
after the system has started hold-
ing the brake, the parking brake
will be set automat ically. In this
case, a warning buzzer sounds
and a message is shown on the
multi-informat ion display.
●To turn the system off while the
system is holding the brake, firmly
depress the brake pedal and
press the button again.
●The brake hold function may not
hold the vehicle wh en the vehicle
is on a steep inclin e. In this situa-
tion, it may be necessary for the
driver to apply the brakes. A warn-
ing buzzer will sound and the
multi-informatio n display will
inform the driver of this situation. If
a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the
instructions.
■When the parking brake is set
automatically while the system
is holding the brakes
Perform any of the following opera-
tions to release the parking brake:
●Depress the accelerator pedal.
(The parking brake will not be
released automatic ally if the seat
belt is not fastened.)
●Operate the parking brake switch
with the brake pedal depressed. Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light goes off. (
P.203)
■When an inspection at your
Toyota dealer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indi-
cator (green) does not illuminate
even when the brake hold switch is
pressed with the brake hold system
operating conditions met, the sys-
tem may be malf unctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected at your Toyota
dealer.
■If “Brake Hold Malfunction
Press Brake to Deactivate Visit
Your Dealer” or “Brake Hold
Malfunction Visit Your Dealer”
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
■Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are
used to indicate a system malfunc-
tion or to inform the driver of the
need for caution. If a warning mes-
sage is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, read the message and
follow the instructions.
■If the brake hold operated indi-
cator flashes
 P.633
WA R N I N G
■When the vehicle is on a
steep incline
When using the br ake hold sys-
tem on a steep incline, exercise
caution. The brake hold function
may not hold the vehicle in such a
situation.

2084-2. Driving procedures
WA R N I N G
■When stopped on a slippery
road
The system cannot stop the vehi-
cle when the gripping ability of the
tires has been exceeded. Do not
use the system when stopped on
a slippery road.
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
The brake hold s ystem is not
designed for use when parking
the vehicle for a long period of
time. Turning the engine switch off
while the system i s holding the
brake may release the brake,
which would cause the vehicle to
move. When operating the engine
switch, depress the brake pedal,
shift the shift lever to P and set
the parking brake.

2094-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
4-3.Operating the lights and wipers
Operating the switch
turns on the lights as follows:
Ty p e A
U.S.A.
Canada
1 The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate, instrument
panel lights, and daytime run-
ning lights ( P.209) turn on.
2 The headlights and all
lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.
3 The headlights, daytime
running lights ( P.209) and
all the lights listed above turn on and off automatically.
4 (U.S.A.) Off
(Canada) The daytime
running lights turn on.
( P.209)
Type B
1 The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate, instrument
panel lights, and daytime run-
ning lights ( P.209) turn on.
2 The headlights and all
lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.
3 The daytime running
lights turn on. ( P.209)
4 Off
■AUTO mode can be used when
The engine switch is in ON.
■Daytime running light system
●The daytime runn ing lights illumi-
nate using the same lights as the
low beam headlight lights, and illu-
minate dimmer than the low beam
headlight lights.
Headlight switch
The headlights can be oper-
ated manually or automati-
cally.
Turning on the headlights
A
B

2104-3. Operating the lights and wipers
●To make your vehicle more visible
to other drivers during daytime
driving, the daytime running lights
turn on automatically when all of
the following conditions are met.
(The daytime running lights are
not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight s witch is in the
(Canada only), , or
*
position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain
on after they illumi nate, even if the
parking brake is set again.
●For the U.S.A.: Daytime running
lights can be turned off by operat-
ing the switch.
●Compared to turning on the head-
lights, the daytime running light
system offers gr eater durability
and consumes less electricity, so
it can help improve fuel economy.
■Headlight control sensor (if
equipped)
The sensor may not function prop-
erly if an object is placed on the sen-
sor, or anything that blocks the
sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interfere s with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light
and may cause the automatic head-
light system to malfunction.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The
lights turn off 30 seconds after the
engine switch is tu rned to ACC or
OFF and a door is opened and closed. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if on the key is
pressed after all the doors are
closed.)
●When only the tail lights are on:
The tail lights turn off automati-
cally if the engine switch is turned
to ACC or OFF and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the
engine switch to ON, or turn the light
switch off once and then back to
or position.
■Light reminder buzzer
Vehicles without smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine
switch is turned to ACC or OFF, the
key is removed and the driver’s door
is opened while the lights are turned
on.
Vehicles with smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine
switch is turned to ACC or OFF and
the driver’s door is opened while the
lights are turned on.
■Windshield wiper linked head-
light illumination (if equipped)
When driving during daytime with
the headlight switch turned to , if
the windshield wipers are used, the
headlights will turn o n automatically
after several se conds to help
enhance the visibility of your vehi-
cle.
■Battery-saving function
In order to prevent the battery of the
vehicle from discharging, if the
headlights and/or tail lights are on
when the engine switch is turned to
OFF, the battery saving function will
operate and automatically turn off all
the lights after approximately 20
minutes.
When any of the following are per-