2001 TOYOTA RAV4 warning

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
912001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
(m) Remove key. (j) Stop and check.
(k) Take vehicle to
Toyota dealer
immediately.
(n) Turn off lights.Light reminder
buzzer Key reminder
buzzer (i) Close all side
doors and back
door.
(l) Add washer fluid.If the indicator or
buzzer comes on...Do this.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition key is in the ªONº posi-
tion.

When the parking brake is applied...
Vehicles with anti±lock brake systemÐ
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the ignition key is turned to the
ªONº position even after the parking brake
is released.

When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following cases:

The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion key is in the ªONº position.
Vehicles with anti±lock brake systemÐ

The light does not come on even if the
ignition key is turned on with the park-
ing brake released.A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.

The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will become longer. De-
press the brake pedal firmly and
bring the vehicle to an immediate
stop.
Vehicles with anti±lock brake sys-
temÐ

The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the ªABSº
warning light.
In this case, not only the anti±lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
922001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
(b) Driver's Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to
buckle up the driver's seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ªONº or
ªSTARTº, the reminder light flashes and
buzzer sounds if the driver 's seat belt is
not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the
belt, the light keeps flashing and the
buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger 's Seat Belt Re-
minder Light
This light reminds you to buckle up the
front passenger 's seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ªONº or
ªSTARTº, the reminder light flashes if a
passenger sits in the front passenger seat
and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless
the front passenger fastens the belt, the
light keeps flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the front
passenger seat, depending on its weight
and how it is placed on the seat, built±in
sensors in the seat cushion may detect
the pressure, causing the reminder light to
keep flashing.(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio,etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light onÐeven for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty.
(See ªFuel gaugeº on page 88 in Sec-
tion 1±5 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See ªFuel tank capº on page
24 in Section 1±2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission elec-
trical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
932001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
(g) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(h) ªABSº Warning Light
The light comes on with the ignition key
turned to the ªONº position. If the anti±
lock brake system works properly, the
light turns off after a few seconds. There-
after, if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti±lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti±lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº posi-
tion, or remains on.

The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the ªABSº warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the anti±lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the side
doors and back door are completely
closed.
(j) Automatic Transmission Fluid Tem-
perature Warning Light (four±wheel
drive models)
This light warns that the automatic trans-
mission fluid temperature is too high.
If this light comes on while you are driv-
ing, slow down and pull off the road. Stop
the vehicle at a safe place and put the
selector lever in ªPº. With the engine id-
ling, wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you can start the vehicle
again. If the light does not go off, call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
NOTICE
Continued driving with the warning
light on may damage the automatic
transmission.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
942001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
(k) SRS Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ªONº position.
After about 6 seconds, the light will go
off. This means the systems of the air-
bag and front seat belt pretensioners
are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, front seat belt pretensioner assem-
blies, inflators, warning light, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ªONº posi-
tion or remains on.

The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
(l) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see ªAdding washer fluidº on page 235 in
Section 7±3.)(m) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver 's door with
the ignition key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº
position.
(n) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the headlight
switch is left on and the driver's door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch.CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back
door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ªONº, but do
not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light and
automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture warning light should come on. The
ªABSº warning light goes off after a
few seconds. The SRS warning light
goes off after about 6 seconds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ªSTARTº.
The automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature warning light should come on.
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1052001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
On vehicles with automatic transmission,
even if you turn off the overdrive switch
with the cruise control on, engine braking
will not be applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the
vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed
with the cruise control lever or depress
the brake pedal. If you use the brake
pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal or clutch pedal, pushing the
lever up in the ªRES/ACCº direction will
restore the speed set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls be-
low about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the ªCRUISE ON±
OFFº switch to turn the system off and
then press it again to turn it on.If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.

The indicator light does not come on.

The indicator light flashes again.

The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1392001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Auxiliary boxesÐ
To use the auxiliary boxes, open as
shown in the following illustrations.
Type B and C auxiliary boxes are
equipped with a belt to hold the objects
such as first±aid kit. See ªÐUsing the
holding beltsº on page 140 for detailed
information.
Type D auxiliary box is also designed
to store the warning reflector.
The first±aid kit or warning reflector itself
is not included as an original equipment.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in
case of an accident or a sudden stop,
always keep the auxiliary box closed
while driving.
Type A (instrument panel)
Type B (left side of luggage compartment)
Type C (right side of luggage compart-
ment)
Type D (luggage compartment floor)
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2302001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Replacing wheels
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS
If you have wheel damage such as
bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the
wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or cause loss
of handling control.
WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels, care should be
taken to ensure that the wheels are re-
placed by ones with the same load ca-
pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may
adversely affect handling, wheel and bear-
ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odom-
eter calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clear-
ance, and tire or snow chain clearance to
the body and chassis.Replacement with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-
jected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened may
have structural damage and therefore
should not be used. Never use an inner
tube in a leaking wheel which is designed
for a tubeless tire.
NOTICE
Four±wheel drive models:
Do not use wheels of different
brands, sizes and types. This may
damage the drive system.
Aluminum wheel precautions

When installing aluminum wheels,
check that the wheel nuts are tight
after driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles).

If you have rotated, repaired, or
changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).

When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.

Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.

When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.

As with any wheel, periodically check
your aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
ii2001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Important information about this manual
Safety and vehicle damage warnings
Throughout this manual, you will see safety and vehicle dam-
age warnings. You must follow these warnings carefully to
avoid possible injury or damage.
The types of warnings, what they look like, and how they are
used in this manual are explained as follows:
CAUTION
This is a warning against something which may cause
injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are
informed about 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 about 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
When you see the safety symbol
shown above, it means: ªDo not...º;
ªDo not do thisº; or ªDo not let this
happenº.
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