1998 TOYOTA RAV4 tow

'98 Rav4U
12
To open the quarter window, pull the
latch handle toward you and swing it
fully out.
When closing the window, make sure it is
completely closed.
CAUTION
When the quarter windows are
opened, observe the following: Depending on driving conditions,
e.g. driving the vehicle with the
front windows slightly open, you
may smell exhaust fumes in the ve-
hicle. If so, close the quarter win- dows.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn it.
To lock: Turn the key counterclockwise.
To unlock: Turn the key clockwise.
When closing the back door (hardtop) or
tail gate (soft- top), make sure it is fully
closed.
See ºLuggage stowage precautionsº in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
CAUTION
Keep the back door (hardtop) or tail
gate (soft- top) closed while driving.
This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
If the open back door (hardtop) or
tail gate (soft- top) hides the rear
stop and tail lights or rear turn sig-
nal lights while you are parked, oth-
er road users must be warned of
the presence of your vehicle by a
warning triangle or other device.
Quarter window
(2- door hardtop) B a c k d o o r (hardtop) and
tail gate (soft- top)

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18
ÐStowing
Install the removed sun roof panel on
the tail gate as follows.
NOTICE
If the rear seats are reclined, return
them to the upright position beforeclosing the tail gate. Otherwise, theywill interfere with the installed sun
roof panel, possibly damaging thepanel.
1. Remove the holder from the tail gate by turning the bolts counterclock-
wise.2. Set the front edge of the sun roofpanel into the holders.

'98 Rav4U
32
Lean forward and pull the lock release
lever. Then lean back to the desired
angle and release the lever.
CAUTION
Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.
To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision,
avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
passengers are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats. If you
are reclined, the lap belt may slide
past your hips and apply restraint
forces directly to the abdomen.
Therefore, in the event of a frontal
collision, the risk of personal injury
may increase with increasing recline
of the seatback.
After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
1. Remove the head restraint. Unlock
the seatback and fold it down.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ºLuggage stow-
age precautionsº in Part 2 for precautions
to observe for loading luggage.
Rear seatsÐ
ÐAdjusting seatback angle
ÐFolding up rear seats
(2- door hardtop and soft- top)

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34
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
position: Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught under the seat
and are arranged in their proper
position for ready use.
Make sure the seat is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback or
by trying to pull up the edge of the
bottom cushion.
BEFORE FOLDING REAR SEAT
Stow the rear seat belts as shown in
the illustration.
This prevents the belts from falling out
when you fold the seatback.
NOTICE
The seat belts must be stowed before
you fold the seatback.
FOLDING REAR SEAT
1. Remove the head restraint. Unlock the seatback and fold it down.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ºLuggage stow-
age precautionsº in Part 2 for precautions
to observe for loading luggage.
ÐFolding up rear seats
(4- door hardtop)

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Adjust to a snug fitToo high
Keep as low on hips as possible
Remove excess length of the belt and
adjust the belt position.
To shorten the belt, pull the free end of
the belt.
Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hipsÐnot on your waist, then ad-
just it to a snug fit.
CAUTION
High- positioned and loose- fitting lap
belts could cause serious injuries due
to sliding under the lap belt during a
collision or other unintended result.
Keep the lap belt positioned as low
on hips as possible.
To release the belt, press the buckle- re-
lease button.The rear seat belts can be stowed when
not in use.
Seat belts must be stowed before you fold
the seatback. (See ºRear seatsÐFolding
up rear seatsº in this chapter.) ÐStowing the rear seat belts
(4- door hardtop)

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The personal lights operate separately
with each outer switch.
To turn on the light, push the switch on
your side. To turn the light off, push the
switch once again.
The center switch has the following posi-
tions:
ºDOORºÐTurns both lights on when either
front door is opened. The light goes off
when both front doors are closed.
ºOFFºÐThe lights are off unless you oper-
ate either outer switch. Windshield wipers and washerTo turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the ºONº position.
Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Slow
Position 3Fast
To squirt washer fluid, pull the lever
toward you and release it.
If the windshield wipers are off, they will
operate a couple of times after the washer
squirts. For instructions on adding washer fluid,
see ºAdding washer fluidº in Chapter 7- 3.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield
with the defroster before using the washer.
This will help prevent the washer fluid
from freezing on your windshield, which
can block your vision.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the wind-
shield is dry. It may scratch theglass.
Personal lights
(without moon roof)

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The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool. Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop- and- go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as thismay cause the engine to overheat.The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep thetemperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
Do not continue driving with anoverheated engine. See ºIf your ve-hicle overheatsº in Part 4.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm
( revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may causesevere engine damage.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge

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(g) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(type A)
(type B)
(f) Fill up tank.
(e) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer.
(type A)
(type B)
(m) Remove key. (i) Stop and check.
(j) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer
immediately.
(l) Turn off light. Light reminder
buzzer
Key reminder
buzzer
If the indicator or Do this.
buzzer comes on...
(h) Close all side doors, back door
(hardtop) and
tail gate (soft- top).
(k) Add washer fluid. (a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking
brake is fully released. The light should
go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while
you are driving, slowdown and pull off the
road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Re-
member that stopping distance and pedal
effort may be increased. There maybe a
problem somewhere in the brake system.
Check the fluid level of the see- through
reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not
caused the warning light to come on,
check to see that the parking brake is
fully released.
If the brake fluid level is low...
At a safe place, test your brakes by start-
ing and stopping.
If you judge that the brakes still work
adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
If the brakes are not working, have the
vehicle towed in for repairs. (For tow-
ing information, see Part 4.)