Page 607 of 741
6068-1. Essential information
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Page 610 of 741
6098-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelets. This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for at most 50 miles (80 km) under 18 mph (30 km/h).
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.Take out the towing eyelet. ( →P. 643)
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.
Emergency towing
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
Page 611 of 741
6108-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position
(vehicles without smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with
smart key system).
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: →P. 657
■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.
■ Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the tool bag. ( →P. 643)
4
5
6
7
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6118-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■ While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eye-
lets, cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may hit peo-
ple, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without
smart key system) or off (vehicles with smart key system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be oper-
ated.
■ 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.
2WD models:
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground.If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged.
AWD models:
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the drivetrain or related parts
may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off
the truck.
Page 613 of 741

6128-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when
the engine switch is off. The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough
to hold the front wheels straight.
● 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 damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
■ 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 mod-
els) and transmission. (→P. 195)
Page 617 of 741

6168-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
SRS warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC/Trailer Sway Control system;
• The TRAC system;
• The AUTO LSD function; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC/Trailer Sway Control or
the TRAC system is operating.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*2 (if
equipped) Indicates that one or more of the doors or the back door is
not fully closed
→ Check that a door is not fully closed.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (war ning buzzer) turn off.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 620 of 741

6198-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately
3 mph (5 km/h) or more.
*2: Open door warning buzzer:A buzzer will sound if the vehicle reaches a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or
more with any door open.
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles without smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with
smart key system), the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches
a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is
still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10
seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a
different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
(Amber)
LDA warning light (if equipped) The warning light comes on and a warning message is
displayed to indicate that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert
with steering control) system is not available temporarily
or has detected a malfunction.
→ P. 627
Tire pressure warning light (if equipped)
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 621)
• Flat tire ( →P. 642)
→ Adjust the tire inflatio n pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the
light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pres-
sure is adjusted, have the system checked by your
Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
→ Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 621 of 741

6208-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
*4: Refer to the separate “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s ManualSupplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.
*5: The corner and center indicators flash after the indicator for the malfunc-tioning sensor flashes and the vehicle indicator turns off while the buzzer
sounds for approximately 7 seconds.
*6: The corner and center indicators turn on and remain on after the indicatorfor the malfunctioning sensor turns on, and the vehicle indicator turns off
while the buzzer sounds for approximately 7 seconds.
■ SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors (rear), driver’s
seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occu-
pant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, driver’s seat belt
pretensioner, front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner and force limiter, air-
bags, interconnecting wiring and power sources. ( →P. 38)
■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger de\
tec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ If the malfunction indicator la mp comes on while driving
First check the following:
● Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily
drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on and \
the
warning buzzer may sound.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Push-
ing the tire pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.