2012 TOYOTA RAV4 battery

424
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the emergency flashers on longer than necessary when the
engine is not running.
Use the emergency flashers if th e vehicle malfunctions or is
involved in an accident.
Press the switch to flash all
the turn signal lights. To turn
them off, press the switch
once again.

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

468
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the engine will not star t
If the engine will not start even though correct starting procedures
are being followed (P. 145, 149) or releasing the steering lock, ( P.
145, 149), consider each of the following points.
■ The engine will not start even when the starter motor oper-
ates normally.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
● The engine may be flooded.
Try to restart the engine once more following correct starting
procedures. ( P. 145, 149)
● There may be a malfunction in the engine immobilizer system.
(  P. 9 5 )
■ The starter motor turns over slowly, the interior lights and
headlights are dim, or the horn does not sound or sounds at
a low volume.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●The battery may be discharged. ( P. 473)
● The battery terminal connec tions may be loose or corroded.
■ The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and
headlights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 473)
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system (vehi-
cles with smart key system).
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.

5
When trouble arises
471
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the electronic key does not operate properly (vehicles with smart key system)
Locking and unlocking the doors with the mechanical keyUsing the mechanical key (P. 24)
in order to perform the following
operations:
Locks all doors
Unlocks all doors
Turning the key unlock the
driver’s door. Turning the key
once again unlocks the other
doors.
Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes and starting the engine
Shift the shift lever to P and apply the brakes. Touch the Toyota emblem side of
the electronic key to the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
If any of the doors is opened and
closed while the key is being
touched to the switch, an alarm
will sound to indicate that the start
function cannot detect the elec-
tronic key.
If communication between the elect ronic key and the vehicle is inter-
rupted ( P. 30) or the electronic key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote con-
trol cannot be used. In such cases, the doors and back door can be
opened and the engine can be st arted by following the procedure
below.
STEP 1
STEP 2

472 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
To change “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes: Within 5
seconds after the buzzer sounds, release the brake pedal and
press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch. Modes can be
changed each time the switch is pressed. (P. 146)
To start the engine: Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
within 5 seconds after the buzzer sounds, keeping the brake
pedal depressed.
In the event that the “ENGINE ST ART STOP” switch still cannot be
operated, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Stopping the engine
Shift the shift lever to P and press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch as
you normally do when stopping the engine.
■ Replacing the key battery
As the above procedure is a temporary measure, it is recommended that the
electronic key battery be replaced immediately when the battery is depleted.
(P. 398)
STEP 3

5
When trouble arises
473
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the batter y is discharged
The following procedures may be used to start the engine if the vehi-
cle's battery is discharged.
You can call your Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.
If you have a set of jumper (or boo ster) cables and a second vehi-
cle with a 12-volt battery, you can jump start your Toyota following
the steps below.
Connecting the jumper cables
Positive (+) battery terminal on your vehicle
Positive (+) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Negative (-) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Connect the jumper cable to ground on your vehicle as shown in
the illustration. Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately 5
minutes to recharge the battery of your vehicle.
Vehicles with smart key system — Open and close any of
the doors with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

474 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Starting the engine when the battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is turned
off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■ Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will discharge gradually even when the
vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of cer-
tain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the battery may
discharge, and the engine may be unable to start. (The battery recharges
automatically during driving.)
Maintain the engine speed of the second vehicle, and turn
the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehicles without
smart key system) or turn the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch to IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with smart key sys-
tem), to start the vehicle's engine.
Once the vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse order in which they were con-
nected.
Once the engine starts, have the vehicle checked at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.STEP 4
STEP 5

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When trouble arises
475
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the battery.
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the battery.
■ Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fans
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.