2012 TOYOTA RAV4 warning light

380 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Washer fluidFor vehicles sold in U.S.A. Add washer fluid in the following
situations.
●Any washer does not work.
● The low washer fluid warning
light comes on.
For vehicles sold in Canada
If any washer does not work or the low windshield washer fluid warn-
ing light comes on, the washer tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.
CAUTION
■ When filling the washer fluid
Do not refill the washer fluid when the engine is hot or running, as the
washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■ Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle.

384 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■When to replace your vehicle's tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric, or bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with a tire pressure warning
system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pre ssure warning system will not work properly. After
driving for about 20 minutes, the ti re pressure warning light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if they have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by di viding the maximum load by 1.10 of
the replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. (P. 499)

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

436
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: The buzzer sounds to indicate that the parking brake is still engaged (with
the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
437
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The emission control system;
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.

438 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.
(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. 438)
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light Indicates that a door is not
fully closed. Check that all doors are
closed.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

5
When trouble arises
439
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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)*
1
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)*
1
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. 437) 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.
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature warning
light (if equipped) Indicates that the auto-
matic transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and shift the shift
lever to P.
If the light does not go off,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Low washer fluid warning
light Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

440 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Tire pressure warning
light (if equipped)
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
such as
• Natural causes (P. 444)
• Flat tire ( P. 449, 467) Adjust the tire inflation
pressure (including the
spare tire) to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after
a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off
even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted,
have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system
(  P. 445) Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure