2008 TOYOTA RAV4 fold seats

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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 any passengers to sit on
top of a foldeddown seatback, or
in the luggage compartment or car-
go area. Persons not properly
seated and/or not properly re-
strained by seat belts can be killed
or severely injured in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
During driving, do not allow any
passengers to stand up or move
around between seats. Otherwise,
death or severe injuries can occur
in the event of emergency braking
or a collision.
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with
considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if
the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag
is the first 50—75 mm (2—3 in.) of
inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides
you with a clear margin of safety.
This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your
breastbone. If you sit less than 250
mm (10 in.) away now, you can
change your driving position in sever-
al ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far
as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the
seat. Although vehicle designs vary,
many drivers can achieve the 250
mm (10 in.) distance, even with the
driver seat all the way forward, sim-
ply by reclining the back of the
seat somewhat. If reclining the back
of your seat makes it hard to see
the road, raise yourself by using a
firm, nonslippery cushion, or raise
the seat if your vehicle has that
feature.
If your steering wheel is adjustable,
tilt it downward. This points the air-
bag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as rec-
ommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.
Seats Front seats—
—Front seat precautions

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
CAUTION
Do not adjust the seat while the
vehicle is moving.
Be careful that the seat does not
hit a passenger or luggage.
Adjust both seat cushions to the
same position and align all 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 death or serious injuries
in a collision.
After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.
After adjusting the seatback, push
back your body to make sure the
seat is locked in position.
When returning seats to their origi-
nal position, observe the following
precautions in order to prevent
death or serious injury in a colli-
sion or sudden stop:
Make sure the seat is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the
seat belt from operating 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 down the seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See “—Stowage
precautions” on page 336 in Section 2 for
precautions when loading luggage.
Without third seat
Rear seats—
—Rear seat precautions—Adjusting rear/second seats

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
After adjusting the seatback, push
back your body to make sure it is
locked in position.
After adjusting the seat position,
try sliding it forward and backward
to make sure it is locked in posi-
tion.
For easy access to the third seat from
right side, do this.
Pull down the lever and fold the seat-
back. The seat will slide forward.
After passengers are in, lift up the seat-
back and return the seat to the original
position.
CAUTION
After putting back the seat, try push-
ing the seat forward and rearward to
make sure it is secured in place.
BEFORE FOLDING DOWN
REAR/SECOND SEATS1. If the center seat belt is connected, release it to prevent damage.
Insert the key into the hole on the
buckle to release the tab, and allow the
belt to retract.
—Moving second seat for
third seat entry —Folddown rear/second
seats

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
FOLDING DOWN REAR/SECOND SEATS1. Hold the center of the lever and pull it up. Then slide the rear seat fully
backward and pull it forward slightly
until it locks.2. Lower the head restraint to the low-est position.3. Raise the armrest until it locks.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
4. Pull down the seatback angle adjust-ing lever and fold down the seat-
back.Left side
Right side
Without third seats—
The rear seat can be folded down for
the luggage compartment. Open the
back door and pull the lock release le-
ver to fold down the rear seat.
Before folding down the rear seat, slide
the rear seat fully backward and pull it
forward slightly until it locks. Then raise
the armrest until it locks.
Folding down the seats will enlarge the
luggage compartment. See “—Stowage
precautions” on page 336 in Section 2 for
precautions when loading luggage.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
CAUTION
Do not fold the rear seatback when
the rear passengers sit on the rear
seats or the luggage is placed on the
seat. Make sure that no passengers
or luggage are on the rear seats.
RETURNING SEATBACKS
Raise the seatback until it locks.
CAUTION
Do not allow passengers to ride on
the folded seat or in the luggage
compartment while driving; use the
seat in its normal position.
When returning the seatback to the
upright position, observe the follow-
ing precautions in order to prevent
serious injury in a collision or sud-
den stop:
Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the
seat belt from operating properly.
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.
BEFORE FOLDING DOWN THIRD SEATS1. Stow the third seat belt buckles as shown in the illustration.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the seat belt
buckles, they must be stowed before
you fold down the seatback.
—Stowing third seats for
luggage space

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
2. Pass the third seat belts through thehangers.
This prevents the shoulder belt from being
damaged.
CAUTION
The seat belt must be removed from
the hanger when the seat belt is in
use.
STOWING THIRD SEATS 1. Lower the head restraint to the low- est position.2. Pull the seatback lock release strapto fold down the seatback. Make
sure it is locked securely.

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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on
page 313 in Section 2.)
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
−down rear
seatbacks, check that the latches lock se-
curely.
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.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In 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 “Park” mecha-
nism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle
is held securely with the selector lever in
“P” position and all brakes released.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors and back door oper-
ate smoothly and all latches lock securely.
Make sure the engine hood secondary
latch secures the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.