2012 TOYOTA RAV4 differential

144 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (4WD models), rear differential (4WD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (4WD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.

207
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

225
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Connecting trailer lights
Please consult your dealer when installing trailer lights, as incorrect
installation may cause damage to the vehicle's lights. Please take
care to comply with your state's laws when installing trailer lights.
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 494)
● Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendation.
● All trailer lights must work in order to be legal.
● Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the t\
railer.
● Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer
is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper
tongue load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● Check that your rear view mirrors c onform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulations. If they do not, inst all rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any
new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bear-
ings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner's Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

492 6-1. Specifications
Electrical system
Rear differential (4WD models)
Automatic transaxle
Battery
Open voltage* at
68F (20 C): 12.6  12.8 V Fully charged
12.2  12.4 V Half charged
11 . 8
 12.0 V Discharged
(*: Voltage is checked 20 minutes
after the engine and all the lights are
turned off)
Charging rates 5 A max.
Oil capacity0.5 qt. (0.5 L, 0.4 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove 0
F (-18 C): SAE 90
Below 0 F (-18 C): SAE 80W or SAE
80W-90
Fluid capacity 4-speed models
8.6 qt. (8.1 L, 7.1 Imp. qt.)
5-speed models
9.3 qt. (8.8 L, 7.7 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type
Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Automatic transmission fluid type
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”
may cause deterioration in shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.

530
Abbreviation list
Abbreviation/Acronym list
ABBREVIATIONSMEANING
2WD 2 Wheel Drive
4WD 4 Wheel Drive A/C Air Conditioning
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
ACC Accessory ALR Automatic Locking Retractor
AUTO LSD Automatic Limited Slip Differential AVG Average
CRS Child Restraint System
DAC Downhill Assist Control
DISP Display ECU Electronic Control Unit
EDR Event Data RecorderELR Emergency Locking Retractor
EPS Electric Power Steering
GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating I/M Emission Inspection and Maintenance
LATCH Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
LED Light Emitting Diode
MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl M+S Mud and Snow
MTBE Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether OBD On Board DiagnosticsRFT Run-Flat Tire
SRS Supplemental Restraint System TIN Tire Identification Number