2009 TOYOTA RAV4 transmission

216 2-5. Driving information
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 460)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel bloc ks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep
the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

341
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes • Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

397
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
9 ACC
7.5 AAudio system, power outlets,
power rear view mirror control,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, main body ECU, clock,
smart key system
10 MIR HTR 10 A Outside rear view mirror defoggers
11 PWR OUTLET 15 A Power outlet
12 RR FOG 10 A No circuit
13 IGN 7.5 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, steering lock system, front
passenger occupant classification
system, smart key system, SRS
airbag system
14 GAUGE 2 7.5 A Gauges and meters
15 S-HTR 15 A Seat heaters
16 FR WIP 25 A Windshield wipers
17 RR WIP 15 A Rear window wiper
18 WSH 15 AWindshield washer, rear window
washer
19 ECU IG 1 10 AElectric cooling fan, ABS, TRAC,
Enhanced VSC, “AUTO LSD” func-
tion, downhill assist control system,
hill-start assist control system,
active torque control 4WD system,
automatic transmission shift lock
system, air conditioning system,
main body ECU, electric moon
roof, stop/tail lights, electric power
steering system, clock, AC inverter,
auto anti-glare inside rear view mir-
ror
20 ECU IG 2 10 AAir conditioning system, rear win-
dow defogger, emergency flashers
FuseAmpereCircuit

398 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
*: Vehicles without smart key system
21 OBD7.5 A On-board diagnosis system
22 STOP 10 AStop/tail lights, high mounted stop-
light, automatic transmission shift
lock system, multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, ABS, TRAC,
Enhanced VSC, “AUTO LSD” sys-
tem, downhill assist control system,
hill-start assist control system
23 DOOR 25 AMain body ECU, power door lock
system
24 ACC-B 25 A “ACC”, “CIG”, fuses
25 4WD 7.5 A Active torque control 4WD system
26 FR FOG 15 A Front fog lights
27 AM1* 7.5 A Starting system
28 DEF 30 ARear window defogger, “MIR HTR”
fuse
29 P/SEAT 30 A Power seat
30 POWER 30 A Power windows
FuseAmpereCircuit

5
When trouble arises
411
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Towing eyelet
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing from the fr ont, the vehicle's rear wheels and
axles must be in good conditions. (P. 415)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

412 5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch to “ACC”
(engine off) or “ON” (engine running) position.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch to ACCESSORY (engine off) or IGNITION ON (engine run-
ning) mode.
CAUTION
■ Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

416 5-1. Essential information
4WD modelsUse a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the rear
Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission (4WD models)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.

420
5-1. Essential information
Event data recorder
In a crash or a near car crash eventThe SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or a
near car crash event, this device may record some or all of the follow-
ing information:
● Engine speed
● Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
● Vehicle speed
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● Position of the transmission shift lever
● Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
● Driver's seat position
● SRS airbag deployment data
● SRS airbag system diagnostic data
● Front passenger's occupant classification
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of
improving vehicle safety performan ce. Unlike general data recorders,
the EDR does not record sound data such as conversation between
passengers.
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects
of your vehicle. These computers assi st in driving and maintaining
optimal vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for tr oubleshooting, there is an event
data recorder (EDR) that records data in a crash or a near car
crash event.