2001 TOYOTA RAV4 fold seats

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2102001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
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 free play.
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 ªParkº 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 ªPº 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 page 235 in Section 7±3 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the ªFULLº and ªLOWº lines on the see±
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 221 in Section 7±2 for addition-
al information.
Battery electrolyte level
Your Toyota has a maintenance free bat-
tery. You do not have to add distilled wa-
ter. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 232 for additional information.
ProCarManuals.com

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
282001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Seats
While the vehicle is being driven, all ve-
hicle occupants should have the seatback
upright, sit well back in the seat and prop-
erly wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle unless the
occupants are properly seated. Do
not allow sitting on top of a
folded±down seatback, or in the
luggage compartment. Persons not
properly seated and/or properly re-
strained by seat belts can be se-
verely injured in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.

During driving, do not allow pas-
sengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Severe inju-
ries can occur in the event of emer-
gency braking or a collision.
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot
pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of
the driver.
CAUTION

Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving, as the
seat may unexpectedly move and
cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.

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

After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.

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

Do not put objects under the seats.
The objects may interfere with the
seat±lock mechanism or unexpect-
edly push up the seat position ad-
justing lever; the seat may suddenly
move, causing the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

While adjusting the seat, do not put
your hands under the seat or near
the moving parts. You may catch
and injure your hands or fingers.
Front seatsÐ
ÐSeat adjustment
precautions
ProCarManuals.com

'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
ProCarManuals.com

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
312001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
1. SEAT POSITION ADJUSTING LEVER
Hold the center of the lever and pull it
up. Then slide the seat to the desired
position with slight body pressure and
release the lever.
When a person sits on the rear center
position, adjust both seat cushions to
the same position.
Do not place anything under the seats. It
might interfere with the seat±lock mecha-
nism.
2. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING
STRAP
Pull the strap up. Then lean back to the
desired angle and release the strap.
When a person sits on the rear center
position, align both seatbacks at the
same angle.
CAUTION

Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.

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.

To reduce the risk of sliding under
the lap belt during a collision,
avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
passengers are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats. If you
are reclined, the lap belt may slide
past your hips and apply restraint
forces directly to the abdomen.
Therefore, in the event of a frontal
collision, the risk of personal injury
may increase with increasing recline
of the seatback.

After adjusting the seatback, exert
body pressure to make sure it is
locked in position.
NOTICE
Do not fold the seatback forward
while the luggage cover is set.
ProCarManuals.com

'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.
ProCarManuals.com

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
352001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
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.
ÐRemoving rear seats
1. Fold up rear seats. (See ªÐFolding
up rear seatsº on page 32 in this
section for instructions.)2. Unlock the seat by pulling the lock
release lever. Pull the seat toward
you slightly and lift.
Removing the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See ªLuggage stow-
age precautionsº on page 162 in Section
2 for precautions in loading luggage.
ProCarManuals.com

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
372001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
3. To unlock the seat, hold the upper
back of the seat with your hand and
pull the lock release strap up. Swing
the whole seat down and set the
rear legs to the hooks on the floor.
Make sure the rear legs are securely
set to the hooks by trying to pull up
the rear part of the seat.4. Pull the seatback release strap and
swing the seatback up.
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
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.
When removing or reinstalling the
seat, observe the following to prevent
personal injury:

Do not fold or remove the seat
while the vehicle is moving.

Be careful not to get your hands or
feet pinched in the seat.

Be careful not to hit the removed
seat against a person or drop it on
yourself.

After folding or installing the seat,
push it forward and backward to
make sure it is locked in position.
ProCarManuals.com

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
462001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
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.
Seat belt must be stowed before you fold
the seatback. (See ªÐFolding up rear
seatsº on page 32 or ªÐRemoving rear
seatsº on page 35 in this section.)
NOTICE
Stow the rear center seat belt except
when you are wearing it.
PULLING OUT THE REAR CENTER SEAT
BELT
To use the rear center seat belt, pull
the belt out a little and then pull the
tabs out from the cover.
ÐSeat belt extender
If your seat belt cannot be fastened se-
curely because it is not long enough, a
personalized seat belt extender is avail-
able from your Toyota dealer free of
charge.
Please contact your local Toyota dealer so
that the dealer can order the proper re-
quired length for the extender. Bring the
heaviest coat you expect to wear for prop-
er measurement and selection of length.
Additional ordering information is available
at your Toyota dealer.
ProCarManuals.com