2012 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 24
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system................. 26
Wireless remote control ....... 38
Side doors ............................ 42
Back door ............................. 46
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 50
Rear seats ............................ 55
Head restraints ..................... 66
Seat belts ............................. 70
Steering wheel ..................... 78
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 79
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 81
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .................... 83
Moon roof ............................. 87
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .... 91 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system ................................ 95
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................... 98
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 99
SRS airbags ....................... 101
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 113
Child restraint systems ....... 119
Installing child restraints ..... 123
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 136
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart
key system) ...................... 145
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 149
Automatic transmission ...... 152
Turn signal lever ................. 155
Parking brake ..................... 156
Horn .................................... 157
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 158
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 161
Trip information display ...... 164
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 167
Fog light switch ................... 171
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 173
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 177
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ...................... 179
Rear view monitor system .............................. 183
Driving assist systems ........ 191
Hill-start assist control ......... 198
Downhill assist control system .............................. 200
Four-wheel drive lock switch ................................ 203
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions ....................... 204
Cargo and luggage ............. 209
Vehicle load limits ............... 215
Winter driving tips ............... 217
Trailer towing ...................... 221
Dinghy towing ..................... 231 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Manual air conditioning system .............................. 234
Automatic air conditioning system .............................. 240
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defoggers ............... 248
Windshield wiper de-icer .... 250
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system types ............ 251
Using the radio ................... 254
Using the CD player ........... 260
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ....................... 267
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 274
Using the AUX port............. 277
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 278
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features ............................ 281
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ........... 285
Making a phone call ........... 293
Setting a cellular phone ...... 299
3Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
Security and system setup ................................ 304
Using the phone book ........ 307
3-4. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 315
• Personal/interior light main switch ...................... 316
• Personal/interior lights...... 316
• Interior light ...................... 317
• Luggage compartment light .................................. 317
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features....... 319
• Glove box ......................... 320
• Console box ..................... 321
• Overhead console ............ 322
• Cup holders ...................... 323
• Bottle holders ................... 324
• Auxiliary box ..................... 326
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors .......................... 327
Vanity mirrors ..................... 328
Clock .................................. 329
Power outlets ..................... 330
Seat heaters ....................... 335
Armrest............................... 337
Coat hooks ......................... 338
Floor mat ............................ 339
Luggage compartment features ............................ 340 4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 346
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 349
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................... 352
General maintenance ......... 355
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs .......................... 358
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 359
Hood ................................... 363
Positioning a floor jack........ 365
Engine compartment .......... 367
Tires.................................... 381
Tire inflation pressure ......... 388
Wheels................................ 392
Air conditioning filter ........... 395
Key battery ......................... 397
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 401
Light bulbs .......................... 413
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ............ 424
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 425
If you think something is wrong ............................ 432
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 433
Event data recorder ............ 434
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 436
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with
standard tires) ................... 449
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with
run-flat tires)...................... 467
If the engine will not start ................................... 468
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P............... 469
If you lose your keys ........... 470
If the electronic key does not operate properly.......... 471
If the battery is discharged ........................ 473
If your vehicle overheats ..... 476
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 478
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ........................ 480 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 484
Fuel information.................. 496
Tire information .................. 499
6-2. Customization Customizable features........ 510
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................. 513
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 516
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 517
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 519
Abbreviation list ......................... 530
Alphabetical index ..................... 532
What to do if... ........................... 541
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

6
Headlights (low beam) P. 167
Pictorial indexExterior
Front fog lights  P. 171
Hood P. 363Outside rear view
mirrors
P. 81
Front turn signal/parking and frontside marker lights
P. 155, 167
Headlights (high beam) and daytime running lights
P. 169
Moon roof  P. 87
Windshield wipers P. 173
Turn signal lights  P. 155

7
Tires
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 381
P. 449
P. 494
P. 499
Back door P. 46
Rear turn signal lights P. 155
Stop/tail and rear side
marker lights
P. 167
Rear
window
wiper
P. 177
License plate lights P. 167
Side doors P. 42
Rear
window
defogger

P. 248
License
plate light
P. 167
With spare tire Spare tire
P. 449
Fuel filler door P. 91
Roof luggage carrier 
P. 209

: If equipped

8
Glove box
P. 320
Front seats P. 50
SRS side airbags P. 101
Power window switches P. 83
SRS driver airbag P. 101
Console box P. 321
InteriorPictorial index
Floor mat P. 339
Head restraints P. 66
Bottle holders P. 324
Seat belts P. 70
Rear seats P. 55Cup holders P. 323
Auxiliary box
P. 326
SRS front passenger
airbag
P. 101