2009 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt
instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 24
1-2. Opening, closing and locking
the doors
Smart key system................. 26
Wireless remote control ....... 38
Side doors ............................ 42
Back door ............................. 46
1-3. Adjustable components
(seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 49
Rear seats ............................ 54
Head restraints ..................... 65
Seat belts ............................. 68
Steering wheel ..................... 77
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 78
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 80
1-4. Opening a nd closing the
windo ws and moon roof
Power windows .................... 82
Moon roof ............................. 85
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 88 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ................................ 92
Theft prevention labels ......... 94
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 95
SRS airbags ......................... 97
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 110
Child restraint systems ....... 116
Installing child restraints ..... 120
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 134
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system) ............................. 143
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 147
Automatic transmission ...... 150
Turn signal lever ................. 153
Parking brake ..................... 154
Horn .................................... 155
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 156
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 159
Trip information display ...... 162
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 165
Fog light switch ................... 168
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 169
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 171
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ...................... 172
Rear view monitor system .............................. 175
Driving assist systems ........ 180
Hill-start assist control ......... 187
Downhill assist control system .............................. 189
Four-wheel drive lock switch ................................ 192
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions ... 193
Cargo and luggage ............. 198
Vehicle load limits................. 204
Winter driving tips ............... 206
Trailer towing ...................... 210
Dinghy towing ..................... 218 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system .............................. 220
Automatic air conditioning system .............................. 225
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 233
Windshield wiper de-icer .... 235
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 236
Using the radio ................... 239
Using the CD player ........... 245
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ....................... 252
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 259
Using the AUX adapter....... 262
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 263
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features ............................ 266
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ........... 270
Making a phone call ........... 278
Setting a cellular phone ...... 284
Security and system setup ................................ 289
3Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
Using the phone book ........ 292
3-4. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 300
• Personal/interior light main switch ...................... 301
• Personal/interior lights...... 301
• Interior light ...................... 302
• Luggage compartment light .................................. 302
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features....... 304
• Glove box ......................... 305
• Console box ..................... 306
• Overhead console ............ 307
• Cup holders ...................... 308
• Bottle holders ................... 309
• Auxiliary box ..................... 311
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors .......................... 312
Vanity mirrors ..................... 313
Clock .................................. 314
Power outlets ..................... 315
Seat heaters ....................... 318
Armrest............................... 320
Coat hooks ......................... 321
Floor mat ............................ 322
Luggage compartment features ............................ 323 4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 332
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 335
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................... 338
General maintenance ......... 340
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 343
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 344
Hood ................................... 348
Positioning a floor jack........ 350
Engine compartment .......... 352
Tires.................................... 368
Tire inflation pressure........... 375
Wheels................................ 380
Air conditioning filter ........... 382
Key battery ......................... 384
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 388
Light bulbs .......................... 400
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ............ 410
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 411
If you think something is wrong ............................ 418
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 419
Event data recorder ............ 420
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 422
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with standard
tires) .................................. 434
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with run-flat
tires) .................................. 450
If the engine will not start .... 451
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P.................... 453
If you lose your keys ........... 454
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with smart key
system) ............................. 455
If the battery is discharged ........................ 457
If your vehicle overheats ..... 460
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 463 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 466
Fuel information.................. 477
Tire information .................. 480
6-2. Customization Customizable features........ 491
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 494
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 496
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 497
Abbreviation list ........................ 500
Alphabetical index .................... 502
What to do if... .......................... 513
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

6
Headlights (low beam) P. 165
Pictorial indexExterior
Front fog lights  P. 168
Hood P. 348Outside rear view
mirrors
P. 80
Front turn signal/parking and frontside marker lights
P. 153, 165
Headlights (high beam) P. 165
Moon roof  P. 85
Windshield wipers P. 169
Turn signal lights  P. 153

7
Tires
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 368
P. 434
P. 475
P. 480
Back door P. 46
Rear turn signal lights P. 153
: If equippedStop/tail and rear side
marker lights
P. 165
Rear
window
wiper
P. 169
License plate lights P. 165
Side doors P. 42
Rear
window
defogger

P. 233
License
plate light
P. 165
With spare tire Spare tire
P. 434
Fuel filler door P. 88
Roof luggage carrier 
P. 198

8
Glove box
P. 305
Front seats P. 49
SRS side airbags  P. 97
Power window switches P. 82SRS front passenger
airbag
P. 97
SRS driver airbag P. 97
Console box P. 306
InteriorPictorial index
Floor mat P. 322
Head restraints P. 65
Bottle holders P. 309
Seat belts P. 68
Rear seats P. 54Cup holders P. 308