2012 TOYOTA RAV4 flat tire

388
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tire inflation pressure
■Tire inflation pressure
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure and tire size is dis-
played on the tire and loadi ng information label. (P. 499)

389
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■
Inspection and adjustment procedure
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the graduations of the gauge.
If the tire inflation pressure is not within the recommended
levels, adjust the pressure.
If you add too much air, pres s the center of the valve to
lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement
and adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check
for leakage.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

390 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure ma y result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent re filling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi sleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride
and handling.
●Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal
for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.

391
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical
to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following conditions may occur and result in an accident
causing death or serious injury.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or mo isture could get into the valve and
cause air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps have
been lost, replace them as soon as possible.

393
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure warning sys-
tem)
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to
provide advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be installed. (
P. 383)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may re sult in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing serious
injury or death.
■When installing the wheel nuts
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Be sure to install the wheel nuts with
the tapered ends facing inward.
Installing the nuts with the tapered
ends facing outward can cause the
wheel to break and eventually cause
the wheel to come off while driving,
which could lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.Tapered
portion

420 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Vehicles with a spare tireUse a flathead screwdriver to
disengage the side of the lamp.
Turn the bulb base counterclock-
wise.
Remove the light bulb.
■ Light other than the above
If any of the lights listed below has burnt out, have it replaced by
your Toyota dealer.
● High mounted stoplight
● Stop/tail lights
● Side turn signal lights (if equipped)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

When trouble arises5
423
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

432
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