2001 TOYOTA RAV4 tow

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1972001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
(c) Towing with sling type
truck
All modelsÐ
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-
ther from the front or rear. This may
cause body damage.
ÐEmergency towing
Front
Rear (four±wheel drive models with manu-
al transmission and two±wheel drive mod-
els)
Rear (four±wheel drive models with auto-
matic transmission)
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-
rarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to the emergency towing eyelets
under the front of the vehicle or the
left emergency towing eyelet under the
rear of the vehicle. Use extreme caution
when towing vehicle.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1982001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet;
otherwise your vehicle may be dam-
aged.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard±surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing ve-
hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency
towing eyelet and towing cable or
chain. The eyelet and towing cable or
chain may break and cause serious
injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.
Securely fasten the cable or chain to
the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in neutral (manu-
al) or ªNº (automatic). The key must be
in ªACCº (engine off) or ªONº (engine run-
ning).
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.

Before emergency towing, check that
the eyelet is not broken or damaged
and that the installation bolts are not
loose.

Fasten the towing cable or chain se-
curely to the eyelet.

Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady
and even force.

To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
ÐEmergency towing eyelet
precautions
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1992001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
CAUTION
If the emergency towing eyelet is
used to get out when your vehicle
becomes struck in mud, sand or oth-
er condition from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power, make sure to observe the pre-
cautions mentioned below. Otherwise,
excessive stress will be put on the
eyelet and the towing cable or chain
may break, causing serious injury or
damage.

If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service
for assistance.

Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.

Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
The following methods are effective to get
out when your vehicle is struck in mud,
sand or other condition from which the
vehicle cannot be driven out under its own
power. Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. In addition, keep away from the
vehicles and towing cable or chain when
towing.

Remove the soil and sand in the front
and the back of the tires.

Place a stone or wood under the tires.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of ªPº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to ªLOCKº
position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed
screwdriver or equivalent.
ÐTips for towing a stuck
vehicleIf you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2032001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa-
ter and dirt can accumulate under the
floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc-
casionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly care-
ful when transporting chemicals, cleans-
ers, fertilizers, salt, etc; these should be
transported in proper containers. If a spill
or leak should occur, immediately clean
and dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you
drive on salted or gravel roads, mud
shields help protect your vehicle. Full±size
shields, which come as near to the ground
as possible, are the best. We recommend
that the fittings and the area where the
shields are installed be treated to resist
corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be
happy to assist in supplying and installing
the shields if they are recommended for
your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated
garage or a roofed place. Do not park
your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-
lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it in covered
with water or snow, your garage may be
so damp it will cause corrosion. Even if
your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can
corrode if the ventilation is poor.Washing your Toyota
Keep your vehicle clean by regular
washing.
The following cases may cause weakness
to the paint or corrosion to the body and
parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.

When driving in a coastal area

When driving on a road sprinkled with
antifreeze

When having coal tar, tree sap, bird
droppings and carcass of an insect

When driving in the areas where there
is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust
and chemical substance

When the vehicle becomes remarkably
dirty with dust and mud
Hand±washing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the
vehicle body is not hot to the touch.
CAUTION
When cleaning under floor or chassis,
be careful not to injure your hands.
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re-
move any mud or road salt from the
underside of the vehicle or in the
wheel wells.
2. Wash with a mild car±wash soap,
mixed according to the manufacturer 's
instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and
keep it wet by dipping it frequently into
the wash water. Do not rub hardÐlet
the soap and water remove the dirt.
Plastic resin moon roof: Wash with a mild
soap or neutral detergent. Use a soft cot-
ton towel or sponge. Do not use window
cleaner or abrasive cleaner. The plastic
resin moon roof is easily damaged.
Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic
wheel ornaments are damaged easily by
organic substances. If any organic sub-
stances splashes an ornament, be sure to
wash it off with water and check if the
ornament is damaged.
CAUTION
Do not attach the heavily damaged
plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off
the wheel and cause accidents while
the vehicle is moving.
Washing and waxing your
To y o t a
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2042001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap
or neutral detergent.
Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not
scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper
faces are soft.
Road tar: Remove with turpentine or
cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces.
NOTICE
Do not use organic substances (gaso-
line, kerosene, benzine or strong sol-
vents), which may be toxic or cause
damage.
3. Rinse thoroughlyÐdried soap can
cause streaking. In hot weather you
may need to rinse each section right
after you wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle
using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not
rub or press hardÐyou might scratch
the paint.Automatic car wash
Your vehicle may be washed in an auto-
matic car wash, but remember that the
paint can be scratched by some type of
brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the
washing process itself. Scratching reduces
paint durability and gloss, especially on
darker colors. The manager of the car
wash should be able to advise you wheth-
er the process is safe for the paint on
your vehicle.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna,
make sure it is removed before driv-
ing your Toyota through an automatic
car wash.
Waxing your Toyota
Polishing and waxing is recommended
to maintain the original beauty of your
Toyota's finish.
Once a month or if the vehicle surface
does not repel water well, apply wax.
1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be-
fore you begin waxing, even if you are
using a combined cleaner and wax.2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If
the finish has become extremely weath-
ered, use a car±cleaning polish, fol-
lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol-
low the manufacturer 's instructions and
precautions. Be sure to polish and wax
the chrome trim as well as the paint.
3. Wax the vehicle again when water
does not bead but remains on the sur-
face in large patches.
NOTICE
Always remove the plastic bumpers if
your vehicle is re±painted and placed
in a high heat paint waxing booth.
High temperatures could damage the
bumpers.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
222001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
When all the side doors and back door
are unlocked simultaneously with a key,
the interior light comes on for about 15
seconds and then fades out, even if the
door is not opened. (For further informa-
tion, see ªInterior lightsº on page 82 in
Section 1±4.)
Operating the power door lock switch or
wireless remote control transmitter simul-
taneously locks or unlocks the back door
(see ªSide doorsº on page 12 in this sec-
tion).
When closing the back door, make sure
it is fully closed.
See ªLuggage stowage precautionsº on
page 162 in Section 2 for precautions to
observe in loading luggage.CAUTION

Keep the back door closed while
driving. This not only keeps the
luggage from being thrown out but
also prevents exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.

If the open back door hides the
stop, tail or rear turn signal lights
while you are parked, other road
users must be warned of the pres-
ence of your vehicle by a warning
triangle or other device.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The
hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is closed and securely locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
302001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
CAUTION

Any operations should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.

When adjusting the seat, be careful
not to hit the seat against a pas-
senger or luggage.

Adjust both seat cushions to the
same position and align both seat-
backs at the same angle when a
person sits on the rear center posi-
tion. Otherwise, the person cannot
wear seat belt properly and this
may cause serious injuries in a col-
lision.

After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is lock in position.

After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.

When returning seats to their origi-
nal 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.
Folding the seats up will enlarge the lug-
gage compartment. See ªLuggage stowage
precautionsº on page 162 in Section 2 for
precautions in loading luggage.
ÐAdjusting rear seats
Rear seatsÐ
ÐRear seat precautions
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
322001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
ÐFolding up rear seats
BEFORE FOLDING UP REAR SEAT
Stow the rear center seat belt, do the
following:
1. Pull the seat belt out of its cover a
little and insert the concave end tab
into the higher slot of the cover.2. Insert the round end tab into the
cover. You will hear a click when the
tabs are locked in the seat belt cov-
er. Make sure the tabs are securely
locked in the cover.
NOTICE
The seat belt must be stowed before
you fold the seatback.
FOLDING UP REAR SEATS
1. Hold the center of the lever and pull
it up. Then slide the front seat fully
forward.
Folding up the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ªLuggage stow-
age precautionsº on page 162 in Section
2 for precautions in loading luggage.
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