2012 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
441
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*1: Driver's and front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzers
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzers sound to alert
the driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a
speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound at a different tone for 20 more seconds.
*
2: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner's Manual Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle. (U.S.A.)
Maintenance required
reminder light
Indicates that mainte-
nance is required accord-
ing to the driven distance
on the maintenance
schedule.*
2
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flashes for
about 15 seconds approxi-
mately 4500 miles (7200
km) after the maintenance
data has been reset. If necessary, perform main-
tenance.
Comes on and remains on if
the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km) after
the maintenance data has
been reset.
(The indicator will not work
properly unless the mainte-
nance data has been reset.) Perform the necessary
maintenance.
Please reset the mainte-
nance data after the mainte-
nance is performed. (P. 353)
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

442 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Follow the correction procedures. (vehicles with smart key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Once (Comes
on for 8
seconds.) Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the electronic
key is not present when the
“ENGINE START STOP”
switch is pressed. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key*.
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that a door other
than the driver’s door has
been opened and closed with
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch in any mode other
than OFF and the electronic
key has been taken out of
the detection area. Confirm the
location of the
electronic
key.
Once3 times
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the driver’s
door has been opened and
closed with the shift lever in
P, the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch in any mode
other than OFF and the elec-
tronic key has been taken out
of the detection area. Turn the
“ENGINE
START
STOP” switch
OFF or con-
firm the loca-
tion of the
electronic
key.

5
When trouble arises
443
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: If the engine does not start when the electronic key is inside the vehicle, the
electronic key battery may be depleted or there may be difficulties receiving
the signal from the key. ( P. 30)
ContinuousContinuous
Smart key system warning
light
Indicates that the driver’s
door has been opened and
closed with the shift lever not
in P, the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch in any mode
other than OFF and the elec-
tronic key has been taken out
of the detection area. • Shift the shift
lever to P.
• Confirm the location of the
electronic
key.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off even after several trips, con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■ Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger
detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passen-
ger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passen-
ger, and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering warning light
The electric power steering warning light may come on when the voltage is
low or the voltage drops.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning
lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

444 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire (vehicles with a tire pres-
sure warning system)
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. The tire pressu re warning light will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat
tire is replaced with the spare tire, the tire pressure warning light does
not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the
proper tire inflation pressure. The ti re pressure warning light will turn off
after a few minutes.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.

5
When trouble arises
445
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota
wheels, the tire pressu
re warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal
reception.
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is
put in the luggage compartment.
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is
turned ON, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 510) However, Toyota recommends that the
seat belt reminder buzzer be operational to alert the driver and front passen-
ger that the seat belts are not fastened.

446 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the electric power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, firmly
hold and operate it using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and re sult in death or serious injury.
●Vehicles with run-flat tires:
• Decelerate to the lowest appropr iate speed as soon as possible.
Do not drive over 55 mph (90 km/h).
• Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Have
the tire replaced by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
●Vehicles with standard tires:
• Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the
tire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check
the tires. If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat
tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

5
When trouble arises
447
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pre ssure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's hand ling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper ti re maintenance, an d it is the driver's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

448 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operat-
ing properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indi-
cator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light). When the system det ects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute an d then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi cator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installati on of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunction te lltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to
continue to function properly.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.