Page 377 of 466
’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
377
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
2. Use the front towing eyelet in the toolbag. Secure it to the hole on the
bumper by turning clockwise. (For the
tool bag location, see “—Required tools
and spare tire” on page 362 in this
Section.)3. Tighten the front towing eyelet securelyby a wheel nut wrench.
CAUTION
When installing the eyelet on the ve-
hicle, be sure to tighten the front
eyelet securely. If the eyelet is loose,
it may come off when being towed
and result in death or serious injury.
Before emergency towing, check that
the eyelet is not broken or damaged
and that the installation bolts are not
loose.
Fasten the towing cable or chain se-
curely to the eyelet.
Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady
and even force.
To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
—Emergency towing eyelet
precautions
Page 378 of 466

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
378
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
CAUTION
If the emergency towing eyelet is
used to get out when your vehicle
becomes struck in mud, sand or oth-
er condition from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power, make sure to observe the pre-
cautions mentioned below. Otherwise,
excessive stress will be put on the
eyelet and the towing cable or chain
may break, causing serious injury or
damage.
If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service
for assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
The following methods are effective to get
out when your vehicle is struck in mud,
sand or other condition from which the
vehicle cannot be driven out under its own
power. Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. In addition, keep away from the
vehicles and towing cable or chain when
towing.
Remove the soil and sand in the front
and the back of the tires.
Place a stone or wood under the tires.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of “P” position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton as follows:1. Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
2. Pry up the cover with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent.
—Tips for towing a stuck
vehicle If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
Page 428 of 466
’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
428
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
∗1: 215/70R16 tires∗2: 225/65R17 tires∗3: 235/55R18 tires∗4: With spare tire cover∗5: With over fender∗6: Unladen vehicle∗7: With third seat∗8: With roof rails∗9: 2.4 L 4 −cylinder (2AZ −FE) engine∗
10: 3.5 L V6 (2GR −FE) engine∗
11: Without towing package∗12: With towing package
Dimensions and weights
Overall length mm (in.)
Overall width mm (in.)
Overall height
∗ 6mm (in.)
Wheelbase mm (in.)
Front tread mm (in.)
Rear tread mm (in.)
Vehicle capacity weight
(occupants + luggage) kg (lb.) 1685 (66.3)
1690 (66.5)∗
7
1745 (68.7)∗8
1755 (69.1)∗7, 8
4570 (179.9)∗1
4575 (180.1)∗2
4580 (180.3)∗3
4600 (181.1)∗4
1815 (71.5)
1855 (73.0)∗5
2660 (104.7)
1560 (61.4)
1560 (61.4)
375 (825)
525 (1155)
∗7
Towing capacity
(trailer weight + cargo weight) kg (lb.) 680 (1500)∗
9
907 (2000)∗10, 11
1588 (3500)∗10, 12
Page 431 of 466

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
431
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
COOLING SYSTEMTotal capacity, L(qt., lmp. qt.):2.4 L 4 −cylinder (2AZ −FE) engine
6.8 (7.2, 6.0)
3.5 L V6 (2GR −FE) engine
Without towing package 8.9 (9.4, 7.8)
With towing package
9.3 (9.8, 8.2)
Coolant type:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is
used in your Toyota vehicle at factory
fill. In order to avoid technical problems,
only use “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non −silicate, non −amine,
non− nitrite, and non− borate coolant with
long− life hybrid organic acid technology.
(Coolant with long −life hybrid organic
acid technology consists of the combina-
tion of low phosphates and organic
acids.)
Do not use plain water alone.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for
further details. BATTERY
Open voltage
∗
at 20 C (68 F):
12.6—12.8 V Fully charged
12.2—12.4 V Half charged
11.8—12.0 V Discharged
∗: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes af-
ter the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging rates: 5 A max.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt.,
Imp. qt.): Up to 3.5 (3.7, 3.1)
Fluid type: Toyota Genuine ATF WS
Change automatic transmission fluid only
as necessary.
Generally, it is necessary to change
automatic transmission fluid only if your
vehicle is driven under one of the Special
Operating Conditions listed in your
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner ’s Manual Supplement”. When
changing the automatic transmission fluid,
use only “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” (ATF
JWS3324 or NWS9638) to aid in assuring
optimum transaxle performance. Notice: Using automatic transmission
fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF
WS” may cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimate-
ly damage the automatic transmission
of your vehicle.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details.
TRANSFER
(four wheel drive models)
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
0.45 (0.48 0.40)
Oil type: Hypoid gear oil API GL −5
Recommended oil viscosity: Above −18 C (0 F)
SAE 85W −90
Below −18 C (0 F)
SAE 80W −90
Page 434 of 466