2013 TOYOTA RAV4 emergency towing

18Pictorial index
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■Instrument panel
Engine switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 197, 200
Starting the engine/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 197, 201
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 493
When the engine will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 536
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Changing the shift position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Precautions against towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 495
When the shift lever does not move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 538
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 87
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . . . . . . P. 87
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 82
When the warning lights come on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 503
Multi-information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 89
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 89
Parking brake lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 215
Applying/releasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 215
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 2771
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4-5. Using the driving support systems
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■ Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting
in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
● On roads with sharp bends
● On winding roads
● On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
● On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
● When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing

495
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7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
●The engine is operating but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If 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(s). 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.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service,
using a lift-type truc k or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck
from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. ( P. 497, 500)
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly or flat bed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicl e with a wheel-lift type truck,
use a towing dolly. ( P. 497, 500)
Before towing
Emergency towing

4967-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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.
Installing towing eyelet
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4977-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)From the front (AWD models)
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.

4997-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
■Before emergency towing
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “ACC”
(engine off) or the “ON” (engine running) position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY
(engine off) or IGNITION ON (engine running) mode.
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ 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 eyelets 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 eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
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5007-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission and Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system (AWD models) when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ Recreational towing (beh ind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent causing serious damage to the
Dynamic Torque Control AWD system (AWD models) and transmission.
( P. 196)
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the transfer (AWD models) and
transmission in emergency towing
Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to the transfer (AWD models) and transmission.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the rear with the front wheels on the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission. If towing from the
rear, use a towing dolly.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any of the wheels on the ground. This
may cause serious damage to the trans-
mission and Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system. Use a towing dolly.

5307-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Ty p e A
For vehicles with an aluminum
wheel: Before stowing the flat
tire, remove the center wheel
ornament by pushing from the
reverse side.
Place the flat tire on the deck
board, hook the end of the belt
which is not forked to the cargo
hook on the far left side.
Pass the belts from between
the wheel spokes through the
center hole.
Hook one end of the forked belt
to the cargo hook on the far
right side, and the other end to
the cargo hook on the near left
side.
After stowing the flat tire, check
that the tire and belts are
secured.
Stowing the flat tire (vehicles with a compact spare tire)
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