Page 83 of 265
'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
92001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
A transponder chip for engine immobiliser
system has been filled in the head of the
master and sub keys. These chips are
needed to enable the system to function
correctly, so be careful not to lose these
keys. If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the system
or start the engine.
To protect things locked in the glove box
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the sub key with the attendant.
Since the side doors can be locked with-
out a key, you should always carry a
spare key in case you accidentally lock
your keys inside the vehicle.
NOTICE
When using a key containing a trans-
ponder chip, observe the following
precautions:
When starting the engine, do not
use the key with a key ring resting
on the key grip and do not press
the key ring against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts.
When starting the engine, do not
use the key with other transponder
keys around (including keys of oth-
er vehicles) and do not press other
key plates against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts. If
this happens, remove the key once
and then insert it again after taking
off other transponder keys (includ-
ing keys of other vehicles) from the
ring or while gripping or covering
them with your hand to start the
engine.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
112001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Engine immobiliser system
The engine immobiliser system is a
theft prevention system. When you in-
sert the key in the ignition switch, the
transponder chip in the key's head
transmits an electronic code to the ve-
hicle. The engine will start, only when
the electronic code in the chip corre-
sponds to the registered ID code for
the vehicle.The system is automatically set when the
key is removed from the ignition switch.
The indicator light will start flashing to
show the system is set.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer.
The indicator light stays on.
The indicator light does not start flash-
ing when the key is removed from the
ignition switch.
The indicator light flashes unsteady.
Inserting the registered key in the ignition
switch automatically cancels the system,
which enables the engine to start. The
indicator light will go off.For your Toyota dealer to make you a
new key with built±in transponder chip,
your dealer will need your key number
and master key. However, there is a limit
to the number of additional keys your
Toyota dealer can make for you.
If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the sys-
tem or start the engine.
NOTICE
Do not modify, remove or disas-
semble the engine immobiliser sys-
tem. If any unauthorized changes or
modifications are made, the proper
operation of the system cannot be
guaranteed.
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Page 98 of 265
'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
242001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Fuel tank cap
This indicates that the fuel filler door
is on the left side of your vehicle.1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the
lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refueling.
The fumes are flammable.
When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before removing
it. After removing the cap, hang it
on the cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a
click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
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Page 154 of 265
'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
802001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Headlights and turn signals
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1ÐParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2ÐHeadlights and all of the
above
Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer will remind you to turn the lights
off when the driver 's door is opened if you
remove the key with the headlight switch
on.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not leave the lights on
for a long period when the engine is
not running.
Daytime running light system
(on some models)
The headlights turn on at reduced intensi-
ty when the parking brake is released with
the engine started, even with the light
switch in the ªOFFº position. They will not
go off until the ignition switch is turned
off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and
instrument panel lights, twist the knob to
the position 1.
Twist the knob to the position 2 to turn
to full intensity for driving at night.
High±Low beamsÐFor high beams, turn
the headlights on and push the lever away
from you (position 1). Pull the lever to-
ward you (position 2) for low beams.
The headlight high beam indicator light
(blue light) on the instrument panel will
tell you that the high beams are on.
Flashing the high beam headlights
(position 3)ÐPull the lever all the way
back. The high beam headlights turn off
when you release the lever.
You can flash the high beam headlights
with the knob turned to ªOFFº.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
872001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators
Fuel gauge88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and two trip meters89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1± 5
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
882001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Fuel gauge
The gauge works when the ignition
switch is on and indicates the approxi-
mate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
Nearly fullÐNeedle at ªFº
Nearly emptyÐNeedle at ªEº
It is a good idea to keep the tank over
1/4 full.
The needle moves when braking, acceler-
ating or making turns. This is caused by
the movement of the fuel in the tank.
If the fuel level approaches ªEº or the low
fuel level warning light comes on, fill the
fuel tank as soon as possible.On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the fuel gauge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Fill
the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature when the ignition switch is
on. The engine operating temperature
will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle moves into the red zone,
your engine is too hot. If your vehicle
overheats, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
892001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
Idling for a long period with the air
conditioning on in stop±and±go traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See ªIf your ve-
hicle overheatsº on page 186 in
Section 4.
Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in thousands of rpm
( revolutions per
minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent en-
gine lugging and over±revving.
Driving with the engine running too fast
causes excessive engine wear and poor
fuel economy. Remember, in most cases
the slower the engine speed, the greater
the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get
into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.
Odometer and two trip meters
This meter displays the odometer and
two trip meters.
1. OdometerÐShows the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
2. Two trip metersÐShow two different
distances independently driven since
the last time each trip meter was set
to zero.
You can use one trip meter to calculate
the fuel economy and the other to
measure the distance on each trip. All
trip meter data is cancelled if the elec-
trical power source is disconnected.
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Page 165 of 265
'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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