RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
5416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
5616-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with the tire pressure warn-
ing system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, ti res or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
● Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire
pressure warning valves could be bound.
● When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck.
■ To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
(vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact
your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon as possible.
Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when
replacing the tire. ( P. 553)
■ Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the
cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause
damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■ If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
5676-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air during driving, possibly causing
an accident.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles
with the tire pressure warning system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.
603
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
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. 605, 608)
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. 605, 608)
Before towing
Emergency towing
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
6738-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
■Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while accelerat-
ing or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
NOTICE
■ Notice on fuel quality
●Do not use improper fuels. If improper fuels are used, the engine will be
damaged.
● Do not use leaded gasoline.
Leaded gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converters causing the emission control system to malfunction.
● Do not use gasohol other than the type previously stated.
Other gasohol may cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
● Using unleaded gasoline with an octane number or rating lower than the
level previously stated will cause persistent heavy knocking.
At worst, this will lead to engine damage.
■ Fuel-related poor driveability
If poor driveability is encountered after using a different type of fuel (poor
hot starting, vaporization, engine knocking, etc.), discontinue the use of that
type of fuel.
■ When refueling with gasohol
Take care not to spill gasohol. It can damage your vehicle’s paint.
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
6798-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
This information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer any questions you may have as
you read this information.
■DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must c onform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wo uld wear one and a half (1 - 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tire s depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use. Performance may differ significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits , service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
■Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditio ns on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
725Alphabetical index
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
Refueling .................................. 237Capacity ................................ 662
Fuel types ..................... 237, 662
Opening the fuel tank cap ..... 239
Replacing
Electronic key battery ........... 570
Fuses .................................... 573
Light bulbs ............................ 584
Tires ...................................... 627
Wireless remote control battery ................................ 570
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ...................... 698
Reset the maintenance
data ......................................... 521
Seat belts.................................... 30 Adjusting the seat belt ............ 33
Automatic Locking Retractor............................... 34
Child restra int system
installation ............................ 63
Cleaning and maintaining the seat belt ........................ 517
Emergency Locking Retractor............................... 34
How to wear your seat belt ..... 30
How your child should wear the seat belt ................. 34
Pregnant women, proper seat belt use ......................... 35
Reminder light and buzzer .... 615
Seat belt extender................... 34
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners ............... 699
Seat belt pretensioners ........... 33
SRS warning light ................. 612
Seat heaters ............................. 506
Seat position memory ............. 142
Seating capacity ...................... 180 Seats ................................. 136, 138
Adjustment.................... 136, 138
Adjustment
precautions................. 137, 140
Child seats/child restraint
system installation ................ 63
Cleaning ............................... 516
Driving position memory ....... 142
Folding down the rear seatbacks ........................... 139
Head restraint ....................... 146
Properly sitting in the seat ...... 28
Seat heaters ......................... 506
Seat position memory ........... 142
Sensor Automatic headlight system .......... ...................... 219
Inside rear view mirror .......... 152
Intuitive parking assist .......... 253
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)................................... 245
Service reminder indicators ..... 80
Shift lever Automatic transmission ........ 207
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 645
Shift lock system ..................... 645
Shopping bag hooks ............... 494
Side airbags ............................... 38
Side marker lights ................... 217
Light switch ........................... 217
Replacing light bulbs .... 591, 594
Wattage ................................ 670
S
*: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULT IMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.