2009 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

329
3-6. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Stowing the rear cargo net (if equipped)
Open the rear deck board and remove the deck side cover.
( P. 328)
Insert the right end of the pipe
into the recess, then compress
the left end of the pipe and insert
it into the recess.
Stowing the luggage cover and rear cargo net (if equipped) together
Stow the rear cargo net before
stowing the luggage cover.
STEP 1
STEP 2

330 3-6. Other interior features
CAUTION
■When the cargo hooks are not in use
To avoid injury, always return the cargo hooks to their stowed positions.
■ Caution while driving
●Do not drive with any of the deck boards opened. Items may fall out and
cause injury.
● Do not place anything on the luggage cover to avoid death or serious
injury.
■ When installing/stowing the lugg age cover and rear cargo net
Make sure that the luggage cover and rear cargo net is securely installed/
stowed. Failure to do so may result in serious injury in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
■ Using the rear cargo net
Observe the following precautions to avoid death or serious injury.
●Do not climb on or hang on the net.
● Do not place anything on the net higher than the rear seatbacks. Items
may be thrown out of the rear cargo net in the event of an accident or sud-
den braking.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the grocery bag hooks
Do not hang heavy loads on the hooks.
■ Using the rear cargo net
●Do not place fragile items on the net.
● Do not place anything heavier than 22.1lb. (10kg) on the net.

Maintenance and care4
331
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning 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

332
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle, do the following.
• Fold the mirrors back.
• Remove the antenna.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface
and harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows.
● Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

333
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
■
Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■ Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■ To prevent deteriorati on and body corrosion
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or bird droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

334 4-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side
wiper arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning
the wipers to their original position, do so from the passenger side first.

335
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle's interior and
keep it in top condition:
■ Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded ventilated
area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.

336 4-1. Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year
to maintain the quality of the vehicle's interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply
water. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possi-
ble.
■ Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
CAUTION
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle. Doing so may cause electrical
components etc. to malfunction or catch fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
( P. 9 7 )
Electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or severe injury.