2003 TOYOTA RAV4 tow

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
222003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key clockwise.
To unlock: Turn the key counterclockwise.
To open the back door, pull the lock re-
lease lever.
Vehicles with a power door lock system—
All the side doors and back door lock and
unlock simultaneously with the back door.When all the side doors and back door
are unlocked simultaneously using a key,
the interior lights will come on and remain
on for about 15 seconds before fading
out. (For further information, see “Interior
lights” on page 84 in Section 14.)
Operating the power door lock switch or
wireless remote control transmitter simul-
taneously locks or unlocks the back door.
(See “Side doors” on page 12 in this sec-
tion.)
When closing the back door, make sure
it is fully closed.
See “Luggage stowage precautions” on
page 164 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.
Back door

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
232003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
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.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up theauxiliary catch l ever and lift the
hood.3. Hold the hood open by inserting the support rod into the slot.
To insert the support rod into the slot,
move it straight up. If it is moved to the
side or toward the inside of the vehicle,
it may become detached.
Before closing the hood, check to see that
you have not forgotten any tools, rags,
etc. and return the support rod to its
clip—this prevents rattles. Then lower the
hood and make sure it locks into place.
If necessary, press down gently on the
front edge to lock it.
Hood

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
322003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
CAUTION
Adjustment should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.
When adjusting the seat, be careful
that the seat does not hit a passen-
ger or luggage.
Adjust both seat cushions to the
same position and align both seat-
backs at the same angle when a
person sits in the rear center posi-
tion. Otherwise, the person cannot
wear the 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, push
back your body to make sure it is
locked in position.
When returning seats to their origi-
nal position, observe the following
precautions in order to prevent per-
sonal injury in a collision or sud-
den stop:
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 the seat belt from oper-
ating properly.
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.
Folding the seats up will enlarge the lug-
gage compartment. See “Luggage stowage
precautions” on page 164 in Section 2 for
precautions in loading luggage.
Rear seats—
—Rear seat precautions—Adjusting rear seats

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
342003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
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 thecover. 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 “Luggage stow-
age precautions” on page 164 in Section
2 for precautions in loading luggage.
—Folding up rear seats

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
372003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
CAUTION
When returning seats to their original
position, observe the following pre-
cautions in order to prevent personal
injury in a collision or sudden stop:
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 the seat belt from oper-
ating properly.
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.1. Fold up rear seats. (See “—Foldingup rear seats” on page 34 in this
section for instructions.)2. Unlock the seat by pulling the lockrelease lever. Pull the seat toward
you slightly and lift.
Removing the rear seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See “Luggage stow-
age precautions” on page 164 in Section
2 for precautions in loading luggage.
—Removing rear seats

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
472003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
To release the concave end tab, insert the
key into the hole on buckle 1 (with light
gray bucklerelease button) and allow the
belt to retract.CAUTION
Do not use the rear center seat belt
with either buckle released. Fastening
only the shoulder belt or lap belt may
cause severe personal injury in case
of sudden braking or a collision.
STOWING THE REAR CENTER SEAT
BELT1. To stow the rear center seat belt, pull the seat belt out of its cover a
little and insert the concave end tab
into the higher slot of the cover.
—Stowing the rear center seat
belt

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
482003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
2. Insert the round end tab into thecover. 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 “—Folding up rear
seats” on page 34 or “—Removing rear
seats” on page 37 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. If your seat belts cannot be fastened se-
curely because they are 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.
—Seat belt extender

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
862003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
To turn on the windshield wipers, move
the lever to the desired setting.
The key must be in the “ON” position.Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Slow
Position 3Fast
For a single sweep of the windshield,
push the lever up and release it.
To squirt washer fluid, pull the lever
toward you.
If the windshield wipers are off, they will
operate a couple of times after the washer
squirts. For instructions on adding washer fluid,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 243 in
Section 73.
In freezing weather, warm the windshield
with the defroster before using the washer.
This will help prevent the washer fluid
from freezing on your windshield, which
can block your vision.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the wind-
shield is dry. It may scratch the
glass.
To turn on the rear window wiper, twist
the lever knob upward.
The key must be in the “ON” position.
Lever position
Speed setting
Position 1Intermittent
Position 2Normal
To squirt washer fluid on the rear window,
twist the knob upward or downward as far
as it will go (position 3 or 4). The knob
automatically returns from these positions
after you release it.
For instructions on adding washer fluid,
see “Adding washer fluid” on page 243 in
Section 73.
Windshield wipers and washer Rear window wiper and
washer