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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Information before driving your Toyota
Utility vehicle precautions308
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Break −in period 309
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Fuel 309
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Fuel pump shut off system 311
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Operation in foreign countries 311
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Three −way catalytic converters 312
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Engine exhaust cautions 313
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Facts about engine oil consumption 314
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Iridium −tipped spark plugs 315
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Brake system 315
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 319
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Electric power steering system 319
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Rear step bumper 321
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Your Toyota’s identification 321
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Theft prevention labels 323
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Suspension and chassis 323
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Tire information 324
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Vehicle load limits 335
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Cargo and luggage 336
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Types of tires 338
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SECTION 2
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your ve-
hicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to
have better control.
When driving off road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your ve-
hicle (or any similar off road ve-
hicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or back-
ward.
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break−in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles). FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix
−ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 −M93
in Canada.NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
Break in period Fuel
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GASOLINE QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
driveability problems caused by the partic-
ular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If this does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel sys-
tem damage or vehicle performance
problems.
If driveab ility problems occur (poor
hot starting, vaporizing, engine
knock, etc.), discontinue the use.
Take care not to spill gasohol dur-
ing refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
60 L (15.9 gal., 13.2 Imp. gal.) The fuel pump shut off system stops sup-
plying fuel to the engine to minimize the
risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls
or an airbag inflates upon collision. To
restart the engine after the fuel pump shut
off system activates, turn the engine
switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position
once and start it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle
before restarting the engine. If you
find that fuel has leaked onto the
ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. In
this case, do not restart the engine.
If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First,
comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane
number).
Fuel pump shut off system Operation in foreign countries
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The following instructions for
checking tire inflation pressure
should be observed: The pressure s hould be
checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours and has
not been driven for more than 1.5
km or 1 mile since, you will get
an accurate cold tire inflation pres-
sure reading.
Always use a tire pressure
gauge. The appearance of a tire
can be misleading. Besides, tire
inflation pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade
ride and handling.
Do not bleed or reduce tire
inflation pressure after driving.
It is normal for the tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capac-
ity weight. Passenger and lug-
gage weight should be located so
that the vehicle is balanced.Tire pressure gauge
INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE 1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire valve.
3. Read the pressure using the grad- uations of the gauge.
4. In case the tire inflation pressure
is not within the prescribed range,
insert the compressed air from the
valve. In case of applying too
much air, press the center of the
valve and release the air to adjust. 5. After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurement and ad-
justment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6. Install the tire valve cap.
If a gauge and air pump are not avail-
able, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve
caps. Without the valve caps, dirt
or moisture could get into the
valve core and cause air leakage.
If the caps have been lost, have
new ones put on as soon as pos-
sible.
Incorrect tire infl ation pressure may
waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-
ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-
hicle less safe to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling,
have it checked by your Toyota deal-
er.
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Engine oil replacement reminder light 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine switch 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas caution 313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F
“4WD” warning light 129
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Facts about engine oil consumption 314 . . . .
Flasher, Headlight 114
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Flat tire
After changing wheels 372
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Changing tire 367
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If you have a flat tire 361
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Jack point 366
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Jacking precautions 361
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Jacking up 366
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Loosening wheel nuts 365
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Lowering vehicle 368
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Reinstalling w heel ornament 371
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Removing wheel ornament 364
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Stowing flat tire 369
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Wheel block 364
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Wheel nuts 367
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Floor mat 304
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Fluid level
Brake 407
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Washer fluid 422
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Fog light switch, Front 117
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Foreign countries, Operation in 311 . . . . . . . .
Four −wheel drive system 150
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Front cup holder 294
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Front fog light switch 117
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classification system 81
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Front passenger ’s seat belt
reminder buzzer 129
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Front passenger ’s seat belt
reminder light 129
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Front seat
Seatback flattening 38,39
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Front seats 35,36,37
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Fuel
Filler door opener 28
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Fuel economy 353
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Fuel pump shut off system 311
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Gauge 126
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Operation in foreign countries 311 . . . . . . .
Tank cap 28
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Fuel information 309
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Fuel pump shut off system 311
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Fuse
Fuse box 420
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Fuse locations 398
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G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature 126 . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove box 291 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 143,147 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grocery bag hooks 296 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H
Hands−free phone system 239 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard switch 116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head restraints 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight switch 114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High speed operation
During break −in 309 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill −start assist control system 161 . . . . . . . .
Hood release, Engine 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 342 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I
I/M test 394
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Identification
Engine 322
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Tire 325
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Vehicle 321
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Ignition switch 142
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Illuminated entry system 119
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Indicator symbols 9
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Installing front towing eyelet 376
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Instrument panel
Brightness control 116
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Clock 288
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Fuel gauge 126
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Indicator symbols 9
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Odometer 127
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Tachometer 127
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Trip meter 127
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Instrument panel light control 116
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Instrument panel overview 2,8
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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.