Page 8 of 250

Rav4(U)
2000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Publication No. OM42479U
Part No. 01999-42479
Printed in Japan 01-9908-00
I
(U)
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 90. . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your engine stalls while driving 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving during break-in period 139. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 195. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Complete index 243. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91)
or higher
See page 139 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
58 L (15.3 gal., 12.8 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
API grade SJ, ”Energy−Conserving” or ILSAC multigrade engine oil is
recommended.
See page 206 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 210 through 215.
Tire pressure: See page 234.
U 6
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Page 21 of 250

Rav4(U)
132000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
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
tailgate (soft−top), make sure it is fully
closed.
See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Section 2 for precautions to observe in
loading luggage.
CAUTION
Keep the back door (hardtop) or
tailgate (soft−top) closed while driv-
ing. This not only keeps the lug-
gage from being thrown out but
also prevents exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.
If the open back door (hardtop) or
tailgate (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)Back door (hardtop) and
tailgate (soft−top)
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Page 27 of 250
Rav4(U)
192000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
—Stowing
Install the removed sun roof panel on
the tailgate as follows.
NOTICE
If the rear seats are reclined, return
them to the upright position before
closing the tailgate. Otherwise, they
will interfere with the installed sun
roof panel, possibly damaging the
panel.
1. Remove the holder from the tailgate
by turning the bolts counterclock-
wise.2. Set the front edge of the sun roof
panel into the holders.
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Page 43 of 250
Rav4(U)
352000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
1. Remove the head restraint. Unlock
the seatback and fold it down.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ”Luggage stow-
age precautions” in Section 2 for precau-
tions in loading luggage.2. Unlock the seat cushion. Swing the
whole seat up and forward.3. Lock the raised bottom cushion in
place by attaching the support rod
onto the hook. Then store the head
restraint in the head restraint retain-
ing holes in the bottom cushion.
—Folding up rear seats
(2−door hardtop and soft−top)
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Page 44 of 250
Rav4(U)
362000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
When returning the rear seat to its
original position, first remove the head
restraint. Unlock the seat and return it.
Be certain to replace the head restraint.
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 and are ready to 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. Failure to do so
will prevent seat belt from operat-
ing properly.
BEFORE FOLDING REAR SEAT
Stow the rear seat belt and buckles as
shown in the illustration.
This prevents the belt and buckles from
falling out when you fold the seatback.
NOTICE
The seat belt and buckles must be
stowed before you fold the seatback.
—Folding up rear seats
(4−door hardtop)
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Page 45 of 250
Rav4(U)
372000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
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 ”Luggage stow-
age precautions” in Section 2 for precau-
tions in loading luggage.2. Unlock the seat cushion. Swing the
whole seat up and forward.3. Lock the raised bottom cushion in
place by clipping the strap to the
hook. Then store the head restraint
in the head restraint retaining holes
in the bottom cushion.
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Page 54 of 250

Rav4(U)
462000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
The rear seat belt and buckles can be
stowed when not in use.
Seat belt and buckles must be stowed
before you fold the seatback. (See ”Rear
seats—Folding up rear seats” in this sec-
tion.)
—Seat belt extender
If your seat belt cannot be fastened se-
curely because it is not long enough, a
personalized seat belt extender is avail-
able from your Toyota dealer free of
charge.
Please contact your local Toyota dealer so
that the dealer can order the proper re-
quired length for the extender. Bring the
heaviest coat you expect to wear for prop-
er measurement and selection of length.
Additional ordering information is available
at your Toyota dealer.CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender,
observe the following. Failure to fol-
low these instructions could result in
less effectiveness of the seat belt re-
straint system in case of vehicle acci-
dent, increasing the chance of per-
sonal injury.
Never use the seat belt extender if
you can fasten the seat belt without
it.
Remember that the extender pro-
vided for you may not be safe when
used on a different vehicle, or for
another person or at a different
seating position than the one origi-
nally intended for.
—Stowing the rear seat belt
and buckles (4−door hardtop)
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Page 91 of 250

Rav4(U)
832000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
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:
”DOOR”—Turns both lights on when either
front door is opened. The light goes off
when both front doors are closed.
”OFF”—The lights are off unless you oper-
ate either outer switch.
Windshield wipers and washer
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the ”ON” 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 ”Adding washer fluid” in Section 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 the
glass.
Personal lights
(without moon roof)
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