2015 TOYOTA RAV4 engine overheat

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 600
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 601
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 603
If you think something is wrong ......... 609
Fuel pump shut off system............................. 610
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 611
If you have a flat tire .......... 627
If the engine will not start ..................... 643
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............. 645
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 646
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 649
If your vehicle overheats ... 653
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................ 656 8-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 660
Fuel information ................. 671
Tire information.................. 674
8-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 687
8-3. Items to initialize Items to initialize ................ 695
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 698
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 699
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 701
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ..................... 712
Alphabetical index ...................... 717
7When trouble arises8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index
For vehicles with an Entune Premium Audio with Navigation or
Entune Audio Plus, refer to the “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA
SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL” for information regarding the equip-
ment listed below.
• Navigation system
• Audio system

17Pictorial index
RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 229
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 287
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*. . . . . . . . . . . . P. 318
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 237
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 237
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 662
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 551
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 669
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 287
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*. . . . . . . . P. 551
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 627
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 533
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 533
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 663
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 653
Camera
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 259
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Turn signal lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
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Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 584, Watts: P. 670)
*: If equipped
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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
2. Instrument cluster
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position(vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with
a smart key system), to indicate that a system check is being performed.
They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few seconds. There
may be a malfunction in a system if the lights do not come on, or turn off.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*3: In order to confirm operation, the BS M outside rear view mirror indicators
illuminate in the following situations:
• When the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem) while the BSM main switch is set to ON.
• When the BSM main switch is set to ON while the engine switch is in the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON
mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
If the system is functioning correctly, the BSM outside rear view mirror indi-
cators will turn off after a few seconds.
If the BSM outside rear view mirror indicators do not illuminate or do not
turn off, there may be a malfunction with the system. If this occurs, have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■ If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS warning light not
come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are
not available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death
or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immedi-
ately if this occurs.
NOTICE
■ To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the high engine coolant temperature
warning light flashes or turns on. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle
in a safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely.
(P. 653)

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1694-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 601
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 208)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD vehicle designed for off-road driving. Proceed with all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph ( 140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on y our vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1714-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increa sed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle contro l. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking effici ency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D. If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in
4 or lower.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause th e brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 F [30C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If t he engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 653)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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