2009 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
425
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Follow the correction procedures.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light Indicates that a door is not
fully closed. Check that all doors are
closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Indicates that remaining
fuel is about 2.4 gal. (9.0
L, 2.0 Imp. gal.) or less Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
(on the center panel) Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his or her
seat belt.
Fasten the seat belt.
(Flashes) Active torque control 4WD
system warning light
(4WD models)
Indicates that the driveline
temperature is too high.
(When the light comes on.
P. 423) Reduce vehicle speed (until
the light goes off) or stop
the vehicle at a safe place
and allow the engine to idle
until the light goes off.

426 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature warning
light (if equipped)Indicates that the auto-
matic transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and shift the shift
lever to P.
If the light does not go off,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Low washer fluid warning
light Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.
(U.S.A.) Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flashes for
about 15 seconds approxi-
mately 4500 miles (7200
km) after the engine oil is
changed: Indicates that the
engine oil is scheduled to be
changed.
Check the engine oil, and
change it if necessary.
Comes on and remains on if
the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km): Indi-
cates that the engine oil
should be changed. Check and change the
engine oil.
Tire pressure warning
light (if equipped)
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
427
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: Driver's and front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzers:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzers sound to alert
the driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a
speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound at a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Follow the correction procedures. (vehicles with smart key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Once (Comes
on for 8
seconds.) Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the electronic
key is not present when the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch is pressed. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key*.
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that a door other
than the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than OFF and the electronic
key has been taken out of
the detection area. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key.

428 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: If the engine does not start when the electronic key is inside the vehi-cle, the electronic key battery may be depleted or there may be diffi-
culties receiving the si gnal from the key. (P. 3 0 )
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the driver’s door
has been opened and closed
with the shift lever in P, the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other than
OFF and the electronic key
has been taken out of the
detection area. Turn the
“ENGINE
START
STOP” switch
OFF or con-
firm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.
ContinuousContinuous
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the driver’s door
has been opened and closed
with the shift lever not in P, the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other than
OFF and the electronic key
has been taken out of the
detection area.
• Shift the shift
lever to P.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic
key.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
429
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■ Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passen-
ger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passen-
ger, and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( P. 358)
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire (vehicles with a tire pres-
sure warning system)
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. The tire pressure warning li ght will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat
tire is replaced with the spare tire, the tire pressure warning light does
not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the
proper tire inflation pressure. The ti re pressure warning light will turn off
after a few minutes.

430 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota
wheels, the tire pressu re warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal
reception.
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is
put in the luggage compartment.

5
When trouble arises
431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1
minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after flashing for 1 minute fre-
quently when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is
turned ON, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■
Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 491) However, Toyota recommends that the
seat belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passen-
ger that the seat belts are not fastened.
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Vehicles with run-flat tires:
• Decelerate to the lowest appropr iate speed as soon as possible.
Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h).
• Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Have
the tire replaced by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
●Vehicles with standard tires:
• Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the
tire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check
the tires. If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat
tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

432 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's hand ling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper ti re maintenance, an d it is the driver's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).