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.
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607
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicl e with a wheel-lift type truck
from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. ( →P. 608, 611)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck,
use a towing dolly. ( →P. 608, 611)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
Page 609 of 741
6088-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
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.
Using a flatbed truck
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
Page 612 of 741

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 618 of 741

6178-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Low fuel level warning lightIndicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.4 gal.
(9.0 L, 2.0 Imp. gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
High engine coolant temperature warning light (if
equipped)
Indicates that the engine is almost overheating.
→ P. 664
(U.S.A.)
Maintenance required reminder light (if equipped)
Indicates that maintenance is required according to the
driven distance on the maintenance schedule.
*4
Illuminates for about 3 seconds and then flashes for about
15 seconds approximately 4500 miles (7200 km) after the
reminder light has been reset.
→ If necessary, perform maintenance.
Comes on and remains on if the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km) after the reminder light has been
reset.
(The indicator will not work properly unless the reminder
light has been reset.)
→ Perform the necessary maintenance.
Please reset the reminder lig ht after the maintenance
is performed. (
→P. 543)
Automatic transmission flui d temperature warning light
(if equipped) Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid tempera-
ture is too high if the light comes on
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Dynamic Torque Control AWD system warning light (if
equipped)
When the light blinks:
The system has been overloaded and front-wheel drive
has been automatically engaged.
→ Drop your speed or stop the vehicle until the light
stops blinking. (Do not stop the engine.)
When the light comes on:
Malfunction in the Dynamic Torque Control AWD system.
→ Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
(Yellow)
Cruise control warning light (If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the cruise control
→ P. 275
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions