2008 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

’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)
With third seat
1. SEAT POSITION ADJUSTING LEVERS
Hold the center of the lever and pull it
up. Then slide the seat to the desired
position with slight body pressure and
release the lever.
When a person sits in the rear center
position, adjust both seat cushions to
the same position. 2. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING LEVERS
Pull down the lever. Then lean back to
the desired angle and release the lever.
When a person sits in the rear center
position, align all seatbacks at the
same angle.CAUTION
Adjustments should not be made
while the vehicle is moving.
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.
Avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
passengers are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats. If you
are reclined, the lap belt may slide
past your hips and apply restraint
forces directly to the abdomen or
your neck may contact the shoulder
belt. In the event of a frontal colli-
sion, the more the seat is reclined,
the greater the risk of death or ser-
ious injury.

’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

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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
2. Insert the tabs of the center seatbelt into the cover. Make sure the
tabs are securely locked in the cov-
er.
NOTICE
The seat belt tabs must be stowed
before you fold the seatback.
3. Make sure the outer seat belt passesthrough the hanger when folding the
rear/second seat.
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.
4. Stow the rear/second seat belt buckles as shown in the illustration.
This prevents the buckles from falling out
when you fold down the rear/second seat.
CAUTION
Before using the seat belt, pull out
the buckle and make sure the belt is
not twisted.
NOTICE
The seat belt buckles must be stowed
before you fold the seatback.

’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.