2008 TOYOTA RAV4 maintenance

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
i
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value−conscious people who drive Toyotas. We are proud of the advanced engineering and
quality construction of each vehicle we build.
This Owner ’s Manual explains the operation of your new Toyota. Please read it thoroughly and have all the occupants
follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe and troublefree motoring. For
important information about this manual and your Toyota, read the following pages carefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle very well and is interested in your complete
satisfaction. Your Toyota dealer will provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Toyota dealer near you, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS:
When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada: Toyota Customer Experience Center Tollfree:18003314331
Hawaii:
Servco Automotive Customer Services Tollfree:18882725515
CANADIAN OWNERS:
When traveling in Canada or the U.S. mainland: Toyota Canada Customer Interaction Centre Tollfree:1888TOYOTA8 or 18888696828
Please leave this Owner ’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of
continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may
find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
Please access our websites for further information.
The U.S. mainland www.toyota.com
Hawaiiwww.toyotahawaii.com
Canadawww.toyota.ca
©2008 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Toyo ta
Motor Corporation.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
vi
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota limited
warranties: New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner ’s responsibility to make sure that the speci-
fied maintenance is performed. Section 6 gives details of
these maintenance requirements. Also included in Section
6 is general maintenance. For scheduled maintenance in-
formation, please refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.
Important health and safety
information about your Toyota
CAUTION
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constitu- ents, and a wide variety of automobile compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth de-
fects and other reproductive harm. In addition,
oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as
well as waste produced by component wear con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your
hands after handling. Used engine oil contains
chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by washing
thoroughly with soap and water.

’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 DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
1 Introduction395
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
2 Engine and Chassis403
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
3 Electrical components417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
8 SPECIFICATIONS 427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
9 FOR OWNERS 439 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .
1 0 INDEX 443 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of contents

’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.
U1

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
You should know as much about the quality and
importance of proper main tenance of your new
vehicle as the people who built it.
The Toyota authorized Repair Manual
tells you how to maint ain your vehicle and
enables you to correct ly perform your own
maintenance.
The best way to keep your new vehicle in top
running order is to maintain it properly from
the moment you drive it off the showroom
floor.
The Toyota authorized Repair Manual is
packed with literally everything you need to
know to perform your own maintenance in
virtually every area of your new vehicle.

’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 tollfree at 18006222033.
Maintenance procedures for the engine,
chassis, body, electric al system, and more,
are clearly explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tuneup
Periodic maintenance and tuneup 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 stepbystep.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug re-
placement, valve clearance adjustment and engine oil
and filter replacement.