2011 TOYOTA RAV4 4WD

5
When trouble arises
415
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.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service, using a wheel-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 your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck from
the front, the vehicle's rear wheels and axles must be in good condi-
tions. ( P. 418, 421)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.
4WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck, use a
towing dolly. ( P. 418, 421)

418 5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truckDo not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truckFrom the front (2WD models) Release the parking brake.
From the front (4WD models) Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.

5
When trouble arises
421
5-1. Essential information
NOTICE
■
To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Active
Torque Control 4WD system (4WD models) when towing using a wheel-
lift type truck
■ To prevent damaging the vehicle wh en towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
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.
■ Recreational towing (b ehind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent causing serious damage to the
Active Torque Control 4WD system (4WD models) and transmission.
( P. 224)
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission. If towing from the
rear, use a towing dolly.
4WD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Active Torque Control 4WD
system. Use a towing dolly.
CTN51AN026
CTN51AN027

428 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 system.
(Flashes) Cruise control indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control system.
Slip indicator light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC;
• The TRAC;
• The AUTO LSD function;
• The hill-start assist control; and
• The downhill assist control 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. 429)
Warning lightWarning light/Details

5
When trouble arises
429
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. 427) 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.

468
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 striki ng 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.
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 four-wheel drive lock mode. ( P. 196)
Shift the shift lever to the D or R position, release the park-
ing brake and carefully depress the accelerator pedal to
free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC and/or VSC if these functions are hampering your
attempts to free the vehicle. ( P. 186)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

481
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Ignition system
Electrical system
Rear differential (4WD models)
Spark plug
Make
Gap
2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
DENSO, SK16HR11
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
DENSO FK20HR11
0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■ Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust gap when tuning the
engine.
Battery
Open voltage* at
68 F (20 C): 12.6  12.8 V Fully charged
12.2  12.4 V Half charged
11 . 8
 12.0 V Discharged
(*: Voltage is checked 20 minutes
after the engine and all the lights are
turned off)
Charging rates 5 A max.
Oil capacity0.5 qt. (0.5 L, 0.4 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove 0
F (-18 C): SAE 90
Below 0 F (-18 C): SAE 80W or SAE
80W-90

482 6-1. Specifications
Automatic transaxle
Transfer (4WD models)
Fluid capacity4-speed models
8.6 qt. (8.1 L, 7.1 Imp. qt.)
5-speed models
9.3 qt. (8.8 L, 7.7 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type
Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Automatic transmission fluid type
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”
may cause deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.
Oil capacity 0.48 qt. (0.45 L, 0.40 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove 0
F (-18 C): SAE 90
Below 0 F (-18 C): SAE 80W or SAE
80W-90