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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
ix
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is
scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as they
are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to
have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt preten-
sioner removed and disposed of by the qualified service
shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your
vehicle.
Leak detection pump
This pump performs fuel evaporation leakage check. This
check is done approximately five hours after the engine is
turned off. So you may hear sound coming from under the
floor around the driver ’s seat for several minutes. It does
not indicate a malfunction.
On pavement and off roaddriving tips
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger car because it is
designed for off −road use also. In addition, this vehicle
has a higher ground clearance and center of gravity than
that of an ordinary passenger car. This vehicle design
feature causes this type of vehicle to be more likely to
rollover. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result
in loss of control, accidents or vehicle rollover causing
death or serious injury. Be sure to read “Utility vehicle
precautions” on page 308 in Section 2 and “Off −road
driving precautions” on page 345 in Section 3.
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’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
xi
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
1 OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLSPage
1 Overview of instruments and controls
1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Keys and Doors11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
3 Occupant restraint systems33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Steering wheel and Mirrors107
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Lights, Wipers and Defogger11 3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Gauges, Meters and Service reminder indicators125
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Engine (ignition) switch, Transmission and Parking brake141
. . . . . . . . . .
8 Audio and hands −free phone systems171
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Air conditioning system269
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Other equipment287
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
2 INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA 307 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 STARTING AND DRIVING 341 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY 355 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE 381 . . . . . . . .
6 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE 389 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 DO IT YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
1 Introduction395
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
2 Engine and Chassis403
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
3 Electrical components417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
8 SPECIFICATIONS 427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
9 FOR OWNERS 439 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .
1 0 INDEX 443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of contents
Page 463 of 466

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Publication No. OM42726U
Part No. 01999-42726
Printed in Japan 01−0802 −00
I
( U)
Quick index
If a service reminder indicator or warning buzzer comes on 129 . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 356 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. .
If your engine stalls while driving 359 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
If you have a flat tire 361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 373 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for driving during break −in period 309 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
General maintenance 391 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .
Complete index 443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information
Fuel type:
UNLEADED gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher
See page 309 for detailed information.
Fuel tank capacity:
60 L (15.9 gal., 13.2 Imp. gal.)
Engine oil:
ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recommended.
See page 405 for detailed information.
Tire information: See pages 408 through 416.
Tire inflation pressure: See page 433.
U 1
Page 465 of 466
’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Where to obtain the Repair Manual
The repair manual for RAV4 may be purchased
from any Toyota dealer or the Material Distribu-
tion Center. To purchase the repair manual, please
contact your Toyota dealer or call the Material
Distribution Center toll free at 1 800 622 2033.
Maintenance procedures for the engine,
chassis, body, electric al system, and more,
are clearly explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tune up
Periodic maintenance and tune up helps to prevent
small problems from growing into larger ones later on.
The repair manual outlines exactly what maintenance
is required and clearly explains how to do the work
yourself step by step.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug re-
placement, valve clearance adjustment and engine oil
and filter replacement.