2013 TOYOTA RAV4 tow

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RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 164
Cargo and luggage............ 176
Vehicle load limits ............. 180
Trailer towing..................... 181
Dinghy towing.................... 196
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 197
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 200
Automatic transmission ..... 207
Turn signal lever................ 214
Parking brake .................... 215
Horn .................................. 216
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 217
Automatic High Beam ....... 221
Fog light switch ................. 228
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 229
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 234 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap................................... 237
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Cruise control .................... 241
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)..... 245
Intuitive parking assist ....... 253
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models) ...... 259
Driving assist systems ....... 260
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 266
• The Blind Spot Monitor function.......................... 270
• The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function ................. 273
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 276
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 281
4Driving

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 495
If you think something is wrong ......... 501
Fuel pump shut off system............................. 502
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 503
If you have a flat tire .......... 519
If the engine will not start ..................... 536
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............. 538
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 539
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 542
If your vehicle overheats ... 546
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................ 549 8-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 552
Fuel information ................. 563
Tire information.................. 566
8-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 579
8-3. Items to initialize Items to initialize ................ 587
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 590
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 591
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 593
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners

18Pictorial index
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
■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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321-1. For safe use
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
To release the hooked buckle
“B”, push the buckle release
button.
To release the hooked plate
“A”, insert the mechanical key
( P. 96) or plate “B” or the
wireless key into the hole on
the buckle.
When releasing the seat belt,
retract it slowly.
Stow the plates in the cover.
Put plate “A” and “B”
together, and then stow the
plates in the cover.
Fully insert the plates all the
way.
Push down the plate until a
click is heard to lock it.
Releasing and stowing the seat belt (for the rear center seat)
Release button
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411-1. For safe use
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
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For safety and security
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag
sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on infor-
mation obtained from the sensors et c. shown in the system compo-
nents diagram above. This informat ion includes crash severity and
occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbag s with non-toxic gas to help restrain
the motion of the occupants.
CAUTION
■ SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from
the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10
in. (250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the ped- als comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250
mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by
reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your
seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-
slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air- bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.

431-1. For safe use
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
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For safety and security
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.
● Do not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board, steering wheel pad and lower
portion of the instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles
when the SRS driver, front passenger
and knee airbags deploy.

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
1073-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
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Operation of each component
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the
communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected,
preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobi-
lizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: P. 539)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise
● When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the
rear window
● When the electronic key is placed near a battery charger or electronic
devices

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
1153-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
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Operation of each component
■Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles without a smart key system
The wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the follow-
ing situations.
● Near a TV tower, radio station, electric power plant, airport or other facility
that generates strong radio waves
● When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone or other wireless communi-
cation device
● When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity
● When the wireless key has come into contact with, or is covered by a metal-
lic object
● When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
● When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as a
personal computer
Vehicles with a smart key system
P. 107
■ If the wireless remote control does not operate properly (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 539)
■ Key battery depletion
Vehicles without a smart key system
If the wireless remote control function does not operate, the battery may be
depleted. Replace the battery when necessary. (P. 462)
Vehicles with a smart key system
P. 1 1 1
■ When the electronic key battery is fully depleted
P. 462
■ Confirmation of the registered key number
The number of keys already registered to the vehicle can be confirmed. Ask
your Toyota dealer for details.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. wireless remote control system) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 579)