2008 TOYOTA RAV4 service

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Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely
tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off
after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel
tank cap is not loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the
engine, emission control system, elec-
tronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warn-
ing light system itself.
Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
If engine speed does not increase when
the accelerator pedal is depressed, there
may be a problem somewhere in the elec-
tronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. Howev-
er, if you depress the accelerator pedal
more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. Even if the abnormality of the electronic
throttle control system is corrected during
low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and
the engine switch is turned to the “ACC”
or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erro-
neous pedal operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state
emission inspection if the malfunction
indicator lamp remains on. Contact your
Toyota dealer to check your vehicle’s
emission control system and OBD
(On
−Board Diagnostics) system before
taking your vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) programs” on page 394
in Section 6. (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) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the anti
−lock brake system and the brake
assist system work properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter,
if either of the systems malfunctions, the
light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti −lock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stability control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system

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When the “ABS” 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 components moni-
tored by the warning light. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, 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 “ABS” 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 antilock
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) SRS Warning Light
This indicator comes on when the en-
gine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. It goes off after about 6 seconds.
This means the SRS airbags and seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, side and curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, curtain shield airbag sensors, driv-
er ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s seat belt
buckle switch, “AIR BAG ON” indicator
light, “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light, front
passenger ’s seat belt buckle switch, seat
belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, in-
terconnecting wiring and power sources.
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction of the airbags
or seat belt pretensioners. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position or remains on for more than
6 seconds.
The light comes on while driving.

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(n) “4WD” Warning Light
The light warns that when there is a prob-
lem somewhere in active torque control
4WD system.
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and
will go off after about a few seconds.
If the warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle.
If the “4WD” warning light flashes...
This indicates that the driveline tempera-
ture has become too high. Without turning
off the engine, do either of the following
to cool the driveline:
Reduce vehicle speed until the light
goes off.
Stop the vehicle at a safe place and
allow the engine to idle until the light
goes off.
If operation of the vehicle is continued
while the light is flashing, the system au-
tomatically shuts off the engine torque that
is applied to the rear wheels to protect
the driveline. If this happens, the light will
flash faster.
When the driveline temperature falls
enough, the light will go off. If the “4WD” warning light remains on...
This indicates that the system may not
work properly. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service your vehicle.
(o) Electric Power Steering System
Warning Light
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the electric power steering system warning
light works properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. If the system has
malfunctions, the light comes on again.
If the following conditions occur, this
indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the components monitored by the warn-
ing light system. Have your vehicle
checked by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.The light does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position or remains on.
The light stays on while you are driv-
ing.
CAUTION
If the electric power steering system
warning light comes on, take your ve-
hicle to your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible. In this case, more effort
is required for the steering wheel to
turn than usual. Drive your vehicle
while firmly gripping the steering
wheel.
(p) 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 “Adding washer fluid” on page 422 in
Section 7 −3.)

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(q) Engine Oil Replacement ReminderLight
This light acts as a reminder to replace
the engine oil.
This light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position and
will go off after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500
miles) after the engine oil replacement,
this light illuminates for about 3 seconds
and then flashes for about 12 seconds
with the engine switch turned to the “ON”
position. If you continue driving without
replacing the engine oil, and if the dis-
tance driven exceeds 8000 km (5000
miles), the light will come on after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. The light will remain on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that
you replace the engine oil at an early
opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on,
replace it as soon as possible. The system must be reset after the en-
gine oil replacement. Reset the system by
the following procedure:
1. Turn the engine switch to the “OFF” position with the trip meter A reading
shown. (For details, see “Odometer and
two trip meters” on page 127 in this
Section.)
2. Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position while holding down the trip
meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob for at least 5 sec-
onds. The odometer indicates “000000”
and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will
continue flashing.
(r) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer acts as a reminder to remove
the key when you open the driver’s door
with the engine switch in the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position. 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 doors. The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door. The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position, but do not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on.
The following service reminder indica-
tors go off after a few seconds:
Engine oil replacement reminder light
Automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture warning light
“ABS” warning light
“VSC” warning light
Tire pressure warning light
“4WD” warning light
Electric power steering system warning
light

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“AUTO LSD” indicator light
Slip indicator light
Downhill assist control system indicator
light
Four−wheel drive lock indicator light
The SRS warning light goes off after
about 6 seconds.
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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When the vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h
(25 mph), the four−wheel drive lock will
be cancelled automatically.
The four −wheel drive lock indicator will
come on for a few seconds when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position or the four −wheel drive lock
switch is pushed, contact your Toyota
dealer.
NOTICE
Use the fourwheel drive lock only
when driving on the loose surfaces,
such as sand, gravel, or deep snow,
or if the vehicle gets stuck. After the
fourwheel drive lock is used to pro-
vide traction, cancel the fourwheel
drive lock. Using the fourwheel drive
lock at other times may cause dam-
age to the fourwheel drive system.
SYSTEM FAILURE WARING
The “4WD” warning light warns that there
is a problem somewhere in the active
torque control 4WD system.
The light will come on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
When the system works properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not come on
when the engine switch is turned to the
“ON” position, contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle. If the “4WD” warning light flashes...
This indicates that the driveline tempera-
ture has become too high. Without turning
off the engine, do either of the following
to cool the driveline:
Reduce vehicle speed until the light
goes off.
Stop the vehicle at a safe place and
allow the engine to idle until the light
goes off.
If operation of the vehicle is continued
while the light is flashing, the system au-
tomatically shuts off the engine torque that
is applied to the rear wheels to protect
the driveline. If this happens, the light will
flash faster.
When the driveline temperature falls
enough, the light will go off.
If the “4WD” warning light remains on...
This indicates that the system may not
work properly. Contact your Toyota dealer
to service your vehicle.

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Type 1: AM·FM radio/compact disc player
(with compact disc changer controller)Type 21: AM·FM radio/compact disc play-
er with changer (with XM Satellite Radio∗
controller)
Type 22: AM·FM radio/compact disc play-
er with changer (with XM  Satellite Radio∗
controller)
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details.
Reference

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This section describes some of the basic
features on Toyota audio systems. Some
information may not pertain to your sys-
tem.
Your audio system works when the engine
switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
TURNING THE SYSTEM ON AND OFF
Push “PWR·VOL” to turn the audio system
on and off.
Push “AM”, “AM·SAT”
∗, “FM1”, “FM2” or
“DISC·AUX” to turn on that function with-
out pushing “PWR·VOL”. To turn on the
compact disc player, a compact disc must
be loaded in the player.
You can turn on compact disc player by
inserting a compact disc.
You can turn off the compact disc player
by ejecting the compact disc. If the audio
system was previously off, then the entire
audio system will be turned off when you
eject the compact disc. If other function
was previously playing, it will come on
again.
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details. SWITCHING BETWEEN FUNCTIONS
Push “AM”, “AM·SAT”
∗, “FM1”, “FM2”,
“DISC·AUX” if the system is already on
but you want to switch from one function
to other.
∗: Use of satellite radio requires XM 
tuner and service. Contact your Toyota
dealer for details.
LISTENING TO THE XM  SATELLITE
RADIO BROADCAST
∗ (type 21 and 22)
To listen to a satellite radio broadcast in
your vehicle, an additional genuine Toyota
satellite receiver and antenna (or equiva-
lents) must be purchased and installed. A
subscription to the XM  Satellite Radio
service is also necessary.
How to subscribe to an XM  Satellite
Radio
An XM  Satellite Radio is a tuner de-
signed exclusively to receive broadcasts
provided under a separate subscription.
Availability is limited to the 48 contiguous
U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. How to subscribe:
You must enter into a separate service
agreement with the XM
 Satellite Radio in
order to receive satellite broadcast pro-
gramming in the vehicle. Additional activa-
tion and service subscription fees apply
that are not included in the purchase price
of the vehicle and optional digital satellite
tuner. For complete information on sub-
scription rates and terms, or to subscribe
to the XM  Satellite Radio,
U.S.A.—
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.com
or
call 1 −800− 967−2346.
Canada—
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.ca
or call
1 −877− 438−9677.
The XM  Satellite Radio is solely respon-
sible for the quality, availability and con-
tent of the satellite radio services pro-
vided, which are subject to the terms and
conditions of the XM  Satellite Radio cus-
tomer service agreement.
Customers should have their radio ID
ready; the radio ID can be found by tun-
ing to “channel 000” on the radio. For
details, see “Displaying the radio ID” be-
low.
Using your audio system—
—Some basics