Page 7 of 250
Rav4(U)
vii2000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Important information about this manual
Safety and vehicle damage warnings
In this manual, you will see CAUTION and NOTICE warn-
ings. These are used in the following ways:
CAUTION
This is a warning against something which may cause
injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are
informed what you must or must not do in order to
avoid or reduce the risk to yourself and other people.
NOTICE
This is a warning against something which may cause
damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the warning
is ignored. You are informed what you must or must
not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage
to your vehicle and its equipment.
Safety symbol
In this manual, you will also see a circle
with a slash through it. This means ”Do
not”, ”Do not do this”, or ”Do not let this
happen”.
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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 13 of 250
Rav4(U)
52000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Brake system warning light∗
1
Discharge warning light∗
1
Low oil pressure warning light∗
1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗
1
Headlight high beam indicator light SRS warning light
∗
1
Turn signal indicator lights Seat belt reminder light
∗
1Open door warning light∗
1
Low fuel level warning light∗
1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning
light∗
1
Anti-lock brake system warning light∗
1(type A)
(type B)
(type A)
(type B)(type A)
(type B)
Low windshield washer fluid level warning light∗
1
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Page 14 of 250
Rav4(U)
62000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
∗
1: For details, see ”Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” in Section 1−5.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see ”Cruise control” in Section 1−6. Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Center differential lock indicator light Driving pattern indicator light
Overdrive−off indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator light
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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 56 of 250

Rav4(U)
482000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the front seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see ”Service
reminder indicators and warning buzzers”
in Section 1−5.)The seat belt pretensioner system mainly
consists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
4. Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioner is controlled by
the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor.When a seat belt pretensioner is acti-
vated, an operating noise may be heard
and a small amount of smoke−like gas
may be released. This gas is harmless
and does not indicate that a fire is occur-
ring.
Once the seat belt pretensioner has been
activated, the seat belt retractor remains
locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open
the front seat belt pretensioner as-
semblies, airbag sensor or surround-
ing area or wiring. Doing any of
these may cause sudden operation of
the front seat belt pretensioners or
disable the system, which could re-
sult in serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious injuries.
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Page 58 of 250

Rav4(U)
502000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem) airbags are designed to provide
further protection for the driver and
front passenger in addition to the pri-
mary safety protection provided by the
seat belts.
In response to a severe frontal impact,
the SRS airbags work together with the
seat belts to help reduce injury by inflat-
ing. The SRS airbags help to reduce inju-
ries mainly to the driver’s or front passen-
ger ’s head or chest directly hitting the
steering wheel or dashboard. The passen-
ger airbag is activated even with no pas-
senger in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.
CAUTION
A driver or front passenger too close
to the steering wheel or dashboard
during airbag deployment can be
killed or seriously injured. Toyota
strongly recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as pos-
sible from the steering wheel while
still maintaining control of the ve-
hicle.
The front passenger sit as far back
as possible from the dashboard.
All vehicle occupants be properly
restrained using the available seat
belts.This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, inflators, warning light, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources. (For details,
see ”Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers” in Section 1−5.)
SRS driver and front
passenger airbags
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Page 60 of 250

Rav4(U)
522000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Hitting a curb, edge
of pavement or
hard materialFalling into or
jumping over a
deep hole
Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may deploy if a seri-
ous impact occurs to the underside of
your vehicle. Some examples are shown
in the illustration.The SRS airbag system consists mainly of
the following components, and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Airbag module for passenger (airbag
and inflator)
4. Airbag sensor assembly
5. Airbag module for driver (airbag and
inflator)
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect
deceleration and the system triggers the
airbag inflators. Then a chemical reaction
in the inflators quickly fills the airbags
with non−toxic gas to help restrain the
forward motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
and residue along with non−toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This gas is nor-
mally harmless; however, for those who
have delicate skin, it may cause a minor
skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
any potential skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swelling.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel
hub, dashboard) may be hot for several
minutes, but the airbags themselves will
not be hot. The airbags are designed to
inflate only once.
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