Disclaimer: Not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota Motor Company. For informational purposes only. Full Disclaimer

2020 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Driving procedures



Driving procedures

    Pull the parking brake switch

to check that the parking brake is set. (P.203)

The parking brake indicator will come on.

    Check that the shift lever is set in P.
    Firmly depress the brake pedal.
    Turn the engine switch to START to start the engine.

    If the engine does not start

The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P.70) Contact your Toyota dealer.

    When the steering lock cannot be released

When starting the engine, the engine switch may seem stuck in OFF. To free it, turn the key while turning the steering wheel slightly left and right.

    When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis- played on the multi-information display

P.221

The steering wheel is locked and the key can be removed. (The key can be removed only when the shift lever is in P.)

Some electrical components such

as the audio system can be used.

All electrical components can be used.

For starting the engine.

    Turning the key from ACC to OFF
    Shift the shift lever to P.
    Push in the key and turn it to OFF.

    Key reminder function

A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in OFF or ACC to remind you to remove the key.

    Pull the parking brake switch

to check that the parking brake is set. (P.203)

The parking brake indicator will come on.

    Check that the shift lever is set in P.
    Firmly depress the brake pedal.

and a message will be dis-

played on the multi-information dis- play.

If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.

    Press the engine switch shortly and firmly.

When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.

The engine will crank until it starts or for up to 30 seconds, whichever is less.

Continue depressing the brake pedal until the engine is completely started.

The engine can be started from any

engine switch mode.

    If the engine does not start
    The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (P.70)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

    If a message related to start-up is shown on the multi-information display, read the message and fol- low the instructions.
    If the battery is discharged

The engine cannot be started using the smart key system. Refer to P.655 to restart the engine.

    Electronic key battery depletion

P.102

    Conditions affecting operation

P.129

    Note for the entry function

P.130

    Steering lock function
    After turning the engine switch to OFF and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the engine switch again automatically can- cels the steering lock.
    When the steering lock cannot be released, “Push Engine Switch while Turning Steering Wheel in Either Direction” will be displayed on the multi-information display. Check that the shift lever is set in

P. Press the engine switch shortly and firmly while turning the steer-

ing wheel left and right.

    To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the operation of motor may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeat- edly in a short period of time. In this case, refrain from running the engine. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
    If there is a malfunction in the smart key system

If “Smart Key System Malfunction” is displayed on the multi-information display, the system may be malfunc- tioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

    When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis- played on the multi-information display

P.221

    Electronic key battery

P.604

    Operation of the engine switch
    If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine switch mode may not change or the engine may not start.
    If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine switch to OFF, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine switch to OFF, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
    Customization

If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting, refer to P.654.

WARNING

    When starting the engine

Always start the engine while sit- ting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.

Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

    Caution while driving

If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

    When starting the engine
    Do not race a cold engine.
    If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehicle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
    Symptoms indicating a mal- function with the engine switch

If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your Toyota dealer immediately.

    Stop the vehicle completely.
    If the parking brake is in man- ual mode, set the parking brake. (P.203)

Check the parking brake indicator is illuminated.

    Shift the shift lever to P.
    Press the engine switch shortly and firmly.

The engine will stop, and the meter display will be extinguished.

    Release the brake pedal and check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is not shown on the multi-information dis- play.

    Automatic engine shut off fea- ture
    The vehicle is equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the engine when the shift lever is in P with the engine running for an extended period.
    The engine will automatically shut off after approximately 1 hour if it has been left running while the shift lever is in P.
    The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will reset if the brake pedal is depressed or if the shift lever is in a position other than P.
    After the vehicle is parked, if the door is locked with the door lock switch (P.112) from the inside or the mechanical key (P.653) from the outside, the automatic engine shut off feature will be disabled. The timer for the automatic engine shut off feature will be re-enabled if the driver’s door is opened.

    OFF*

The emergency flashers can be used.

The multi-information display will not be displayed.

    ACC

Some electrical components such as the audio system can be used. “ACCESSORY” will be displayed on the multi-information display.

    ON

All electrical components can be used.

“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the multi-information display.

*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine, the engine switch will be turned to ACC, not to OFF.

    Auto power off function

If the vehicle is left in ACC for more than 20 minutes or ON (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn to OFF. However, this function can- not entirely prevent battery dis- charge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACC or ON for long periods of time when the engine is not running.

than P, the engine switch will not be turned to OFF but instead be turned to ACC. Perform the fol- lowing procedure to turn the switch to OFF:

    Check that the parking brake is set.
    Shift the shift lever to P.
    Check that “ACCESSORY” is displayed on the multi-infor- mation display and then press the engine switch shortly and firmly.
    Check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” on the multi-information display is off.

NOTICE

    To prevent battery discharge

Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will not be turned to OFF but instead be turned to ACC. If the vehicle is left in ACC, battery discharge may occur.

*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suit- able for the driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended for nor- mal driving.

*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible gear ranges, con- trols engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary upshifting.

    When driving with dynamic radar cruise control with full- speed range activated

Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine braking, engine braking will not activate because dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range

will not be canceled.

    While driving in S mode, down- shifting to 7, 6, 5, or 4. (P.201)
    When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D. (P.351)
    If “High Transmission Fluid Temp See Owner’s Manual” is displayed on the multi-informa- tion display (AWD models)

Make sure to return to D position driving and reduce speed by easing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever to P and let the engine idle until the warning message goes out.

When the warning message goes out, the vehicle can be driven again.

If the warning message does not go out after waiting a while, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

    Restraining sudden start (Drive- Start Control)

P.170

    AI-SHIFT

The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance and driving conditions. The AI-SHIFT automatically oper- ates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the shift lever to S cancels the function.)

WARNING

    When driving on slippery road surfaces

Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.

Sudden changes in engine brak- ing may cause the vehicle to spin or skid, resulting in an accident.

first, the shift lock will not be released.

depressed*, shift the shift lever

while pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.

Shift the shift lever while

pushing the shift release button on the shift knob.

Shift the shift lever nor-

    Shift lock system

The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever in starting.

The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in ON, the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release button is pushed.

    If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P

First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.

If the shift lever cannot be shifted even though the brake pedal is depressed and the shift release but- ton is pushed, there may be a prob- lem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.

Releasing the shift lock:

    Pull the parking brake switch to check that the parking brake is set. (P.203)
    Turn the engine switch to OFF.
    Depress the brake pedal.
    Pry the cover up with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent tool. To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.

When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the vehicle is completely stopped.

*: For the vehicle to be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal must be depressed before the shift release button is pushed. If the shift release button is pushed

    Press and hold the shift lock override button and then push the button on the shift knob.

The shift lever can be shifted while both buttons are pressed.

WARNING

    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.

When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be operated as follows:

    Upshifting
    Downshifting

The selected shift range, from S1 to S8 will be displayed on the multi- information display.

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 the 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.
    Downshifting restriction warn- ing buzzer

To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting opera- tion may sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the shift lever is operated. (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 transmission 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.)

    Right turn
    Lane change to the right (move the lever partway and release it)

The right hand signals will flash 3 times.

    Lane change to the left (move the lever partway and release it)

The left hand signals will flash 3 times.

    Left 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

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

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 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.

    Operate the parking brake switch while depressing the brake pedal.
    Parking brake automatic release function (P.205)

Make sure that the parking brake indicator light and parking brake switch indicator turn off.

    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

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 indicator 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” is 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. Normal 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 indicator 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 releasing) 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

WARNING

    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.

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.
    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 off. 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 automatically. In this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information 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 when the vehicle is on a steep incline. In this situa- tion, it may be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warn- ing buzzer will sound and the multi-information 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 automatically 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 malfunctioning. 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

WARNING

    When the vehicle is on a steep incline

When using the brake hold sys- tem on a steep incline, exercise caution. The brake hold function may not hold the vehicle in such a situation.

WARNING

    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 system is not designed for use when parking the vehicle for a long period of time. Turning the engine switch off while the system is 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.


Download Manual