Page 179 of 250

Rav4(U)
1712000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
5. Start your engine in the normal way.
After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the
exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover
cloths—they may now contain sulfuric
acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent
plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is
not apparent (for example, lights left on),
you should have it checked.If your engine stalls while driving...
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping
a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ”If your
vehicle will not start”.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, if you ex-
perience a loss of power, or if you hear
a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated. You
should follow this procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the ve-
hicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in ”P”
(automatic) or neutral (manual) and ap-
ply the parking brake. Turn off the air
conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the
radiator or reservoir, stop the engine.
Wait until the steam subsides before
opening the hood. If there is no coolant
boiling over or steam, leave the engine
running and make sure the electric
cooling fan is operating. If it is not,
turn the ignition off.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep
the hood closed until there is no
steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
a sign of very high pressure.
If your engine stalls while
driving
ProCarManuals.com
Page 204 of 250

Rav4(U)
1962000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. For folding−up rear seat-
backs, check that the latches lock secure-
ly.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.Automatic transmission ”Park” mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ”P” position and all brakes re-
leased.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See Section 7−3 for additional in-
formation.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the ”FULL” and ”LOW” lines on the see−
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all bat-
tery cells is between upper and lower lev-
el lines on the case. Add only distilled
water when replenishing. See Section 7−3
for additional information.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 228 of 250

Rav4(U)
2202000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Checking and replacing fuses
Ty p e A
Good Blown
Ty p e B
Good Blown
Ty p e C
Good Blown
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work, check the
fuses. If any of the fuses are blown,
they must be replaced.
See ”Fuse locations” in Section 7−1 for
locations of the fuses.
Turn the ignition switch and inoperative
component off. Pull a suspected fuse
straight out and check it.
Determine which fuse may be causing the
problem. The lid of the fuse box shows
the name of the circuit for each fuse. See
Section 8 of this manual for the functions
controlled by each circuit.Type A fuses can be pulled out by using
the pull−out tool. The location of the pull−
out tool is shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure whether the fuse has
blown, try replacing the suspected fuse
with one that you know is good.
If the fuse has blown, push a new fuse
into the clip.
Only install a fuse with the amperage rat-
ing designated on the fuse box lid.
If you do not have a spare fuse, in an
emergency you can pull out the ”CIG”,
”DOME” or ”A/C” fuse, which may be dis-
pensable for normal driving, and use it if
its amperage rating is the same.
If you cannot use one of the same amper-
age, use one that is lower, but as close
as possible to the rating. If the amperage
is lower than that specified, the fuse
might blow out again but this does not
indicate anything wrong. Be sure to get
the correct fuse as soon as possible and
return the substitute to its original clip.
It is a good idea to purchase a set of
spare fuses and keep them in your ve-
hicle for emergencies.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 230 of 250

Rav4(U)
2222000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Replacing light bulbs—
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the
wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and require special handling.
They can burst or shatter if scratched
or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its
plastic or metal case. Do not touch
the glass part of a bulb with bare
hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
Light bulbsBulb
No.WTy p e
Headlight
Inner
Outer
HB3
HB460
51B
A
Parking and front
turn signal lights1157NA27/8C
Front side marker
lights2175D
Rear side marker
lights1943.8D
Rear turn signal
lights744021D
Stop and tail lights744321/5D
Back−up lights744021D
License plate light1685D
High mounted
stop light
Hardtop
Soft−top
921
744018
21D
D
Interior light—8E
Light bulbsBulb
No.WTy p e
Personal light
(with moon roof)—10C
Personal lights
(without moon
roof)
—8C
A: HB4 halogen bulbs
B: HB3 halogen bulbs
C: Single end bulbs
D: Wedge base bulbs
E: Double end bulbs
ProCarManuals.com
Page 231 of 250
Rav4(U)
2232000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
—Headlights
1. Open the hood. Unplug the connec-
tor while depressing the lock re-
lease.
If the connector is tight, wiggle it.2. Turn the bulb and remove it.3. Install a new bulb and the connector
into the mounting hole.
Aiming is not necessary after replacing
the bulb. When aiming adjustment is nec-
essary, contact your Toyota dealer.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 232 of 250
Rav4(U)
2242000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.a: Front side marker light
b: Parking and front turn signal light
—Rear side marker lights
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.
—Parking, front turn signal
and front side marker lights
ProCarManuals.com
Page 233 of 250
Rav4(U)
2252000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Use a Phillips−head screwdriver.a: Back−up light
b: Rear turn signal light
c: Stop and tail light
—Rear turn signal, stop and
tail, and back−up lights
ProCarManuals.com
Page 235 of 250
Rav4(U)
2272000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Use the Phillips−head screwdriver.
—License plate lights
—High mounted stoplight
(soft−top)
ProCarManuals.com