2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV tires

268
2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Motor coolant
• Heater coolant
• Traction battery coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt
battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● Do not try to forcibly open the charging port cap if it is frozen.
Melt the ice using a hair dryer, immediately and thoroughly
wiping away any moisture.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior li ghts, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.

270 2-5. Driving information
Regulations on the use of tire chains● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on
location and type of road. Always check local regulations before
installing chains.
● Install the chains on the front tires.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire ch ains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the front tires only. Do not install tire chains on
the rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains
after driving 1/4  1/2 mile (0.5  1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire
chains.

271
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to
reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread-
wear.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven
safely, and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains
being used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shift-
ing operations that cause sudden regenerative braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle
control is maintained.

272 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealers or
legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the
operation of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function cor-
rectly when tire chains are fitted.

Maintenance and care4
333
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 334
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 337
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 340
General maintenance....... 342
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 346
Hood ................................ 349
Positioning a floor jack ..... 351
Motor compartment .......... 355
Tires ................................. 366
Tire inflation pressure ...... 374
Wheels ............................. 378
Air conditioning filter......... 381
Electronic key battery....... 383
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 385
Headlight aim ................... 398
Light bulbs........................ 400

345
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Hood • Does the hood lock system work
properly?
Fluid leaks • There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires • Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.

366
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
When replacing a tire or performing tire rotation, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
■Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Toyota is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that
uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low
tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise. (P. 419)
Front

367
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes
must be registered in the tire pre ssure warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by your Toyota
dealer. ( P. 367)
Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to regi ster the ID code of tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter. Have the ID code registered by your
Toyota dealer.