2012 TOYOTA RAV4 ECU

426 5-1. Essential information
Emergency towingIf a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Towing eyelet

5
When trouble arises
427
5-1. Essential information
Installing towing eyelet
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

430 5-1. Essential information
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■ Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing. This
may lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.

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

5
When trouble arises
463
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Insert the hooks into the upper
slots and lower the cover to
install the spare tire cover.
Upper slots
Hooks
Attach the cover by hooking the
2 inner protrusions.
Check that the cover is securely
attached.
Open the back door and lock the
latch handle which is on the bot-
tom of the cover. Hook
Latch handle
Clasp
Close the back door.
STEP 6
STEP 7
STEP 8
STEP 9

464 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stow the jack and all tools securely, and replace all the cov-
ers.
■When reinstalling the wheel ornament (vehicles with 16-inch
wheels)
■After completing the tire change (vehicles with a tire pressure
warning system)
The tire pressure warnin g system must be reset. ( P. 383)
■After repairing the flat tire (veh icles with aluminum wheels and a
steel wheel for the spare)
Be sure to reinstall the plastic rings to the wheel nuts before stowing the
spare tire. If the steel wheel is st owed without reinstalling the plastic
rings to the wheel nuts, the spare tire carrier may produce abnormal
noise when the vehicle is moving.
STEP 10
Align the cutout of the wheel ornament
with the valve stem as shown.

5
When trouble arises
465
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may lead to death or serious injuries due to
the vehicle suddenly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the tire jack for any pu
rpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes wi th this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a hei ght greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●Stop the vehicle on firm, flat and level ground, firmly set the parking
brake and shift the shift lever to P. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
to the one being changed if necessary.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one
working on or near the vehicle will be injured.
■Using the jack handle (type A)
Insert the square head securely until you hear a click to prevent the
extension parts from coming apart unexpectedly.

5
When trouble arises
481
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
If the engine has to be turned off while driving
●Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: Stop the engine by press-
ing and holding the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch for 3
consecutive seconds or more.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more
STEP 4
STEP 5