2009 TOYOTA RAV4 emergency towing

394 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
*1: Vehicles with towing package
*
2: Vehicles with 2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
*
3: Vehicles with 3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Type B (driver’s side)
23 CDS*
230 A
Electric cooling fan
FA N 1 *
350 A
24 H-LP CLN 30 A No circuit
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 AMP 30 A Audio system
2 AM2 30 A Starting system
3 IG2 15 A Starting system, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential multi-
port fuel injection system
4 HAZ 10 A Emergency flashers
5 ETCS 10 A Multiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system
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

444 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Reinstall the wheel ornament.
16-inch wheel
17-inch and 18-inch wheels
Stowing the flat tire
Remove any dirt or foreign matter from the disc wheel seat
and the wheel contact surface. Vehicles with aluminum wheels
and a steel wheel for the spare:
Remove the plastic rings from
the wheel nuts of the spare tire
carrier.
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2

5
When trouble arises
447
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■After repairing the flat tire (veh
icles with aluminum wheels and a
steel wheel for the spare)
Be sure to reinstall the plastic rings to the wheel nuts before stowing the
spare tire. If the steel wheel is st owed without reinstalling the plastic
rings to the wheel nuts, the spare tire carrier may produce abnormal
noise when the vehicle is moving.
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may lead to death or serious injuries due to
the vehicle suddenly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the tire jack for any pu rpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes wi th this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a hei ght greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake
and put the transmission in “P”. Block the wheel diagonally opposite to
the one being changed if necessary.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one
working on or near the vehicle will be injured.

5
When trouble arises
463
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
● If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
4WD models: Activate 4WD lock mode. ( P. 192)
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position and carefully
depress the accelerator pedal to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC and/or Enhanced VSC if these functions are ham-
pering your attempts to free the vehicle. ( P. 182)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

504 Alphabetical index
Power window lock switch.......82
Power window precautions .....84
Removed key battery precautions ......................... 386
Seat belt extender
precautions ...........................76
Seat belt precautions ..............74
Seat heater precautions ........ 318
Child-protectors .........................44
Cleaning Exterior .................................. 332
Interior ................................... 335
Seat belts .............................. 336
Clock ......................................... 314
Condenser ................................ 361
Console box ............................. 306
Cooling system
Engine overheating ............... 460
Cruise control........................... 172
Cup holders .............................. 308
Curtain shield airbags ...............97
Customizable features............. 491
Daytime running light system .................................... 166
Defogger Rear window ......................... 233
Side mirrors ........................... 233
Dimensions............................... 466 Dinghy towing .......................... 218
Display
Trip information ..................... 162
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 344
Door courtesy lights Door courtesy lights .............. 300
Wattage................................. 476
Doors
Door glasses ........................... 82
Door lock ..................... 26, 38, 42
Side mirrors............................. 80
Downhill assist control system .................................... 189
Driver's seat belt reminder
light ......................................... 425
Driving Break-in tips .......................... 135
Correct posture ....................... 95
Procedures............................ 134
Winter driving tips ................. 206
Electric power steering ........... 180
Electronic key If your electronic key battery is discharged .......... 455
Emergency flasher switch ...... 410
Emergency, in case of If a warning buzzer
sounds... ............................ 422
If a warning light turns on........................................ 422
D
E

511
Alphabetical index
Tires
Chains .................................. 206
Checking .............................. 368
If you have a flat tire ............. 434
Inflation pressure .................. 375
Information ........................... 480
Replacing ............................. 434
Rotating tires ........................ 368
Size ...................................... 475
Snow tires............................. 206
Tire pressure warning
system........................ 368, 425
Tools......................................... 434
Total load capacity .................. 204
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 218
Emergency towing ................ 411
Trailer towing ........................ 210
Traction control ....................... 180
TRAC ........................................ 180
Trip information....................... 162
Trip meter................................. 156
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 400
Switch ................................... 153
Wattage ................................ 476
Utility vehicle ........................... 193 Valet key .....................................24
Vanity lights
Vanity lights ...........................313
Wattage .................................476
Vanity mirrors...........................313
Vehicle identification
number ...................................468
Warning buzzers Brake system ........................422
Open door .............................425
Seat belt reminder .................425
Warning lights
Active torque control 4WDsystem ........................423, 425
Anti-lock brake system ..........423
Automatic transmission fluid
temperature ........................425
Brake assist system ..............423
Brake system ........................422
Charging system .... ...............423
Electric power steering
system ................................423
Engine oil pressure ...............423
Low fuel level ........................425
Low washer fluid ...................425
Malfunction indicator lamp ....423
Open door .............................425
Pretensioners ........................423
Seat belt reminder light .........425
SRS airbags ..........................423
Tire pressure warning light ....425
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