2009 TOYOTA RAV4 brake

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

5
When trouble arises
415
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck from the front
2WD models Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.

418
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature g auge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

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.

422
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: The buzzer sounds to indicate that the parking brake is still engaged (with
the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

424 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) “ABS” warning light
Indicates a malfunction in.
• The ABS;
• The brake assist system.
Electric power steering warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering)
system.
(Comes on) Active torque control 4WD system warning light (4WD
models)
Indicates a malfunction in the active torque control 4WD
system.
(When the light flashes.
P. 425)
Warning lightWarning light/Details

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.

434
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with standard tires)
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Spa re
tire
Tool bag
Jack