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4-1. Before driving
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed
of less than 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs (if equipped)
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.).
● After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

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4-6. Driving tips
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case (AWD models), reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake drums and around
brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system
components.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

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7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This can
be done by yourself or by a Toyota dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
You can perform some maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty
coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
To ensure safe and economical driv ing, day-to-day care and reg-
ular maintenance are essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to
perform regular checks. Toyota recommends the following main-
tenance:
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance

RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
5437-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repairs to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or if
a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
■ Resetting the maintenance required reminder light or the message indi-
cating maintenance is required (U.S.A. only)
After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the reminder light or message.
To reset the reminder light or message, follow the procedure described
below:
Vehicles with monochrome display
Switch the display to the trip meter A ( →P. 90) and then turn the engine
switch to the “LOCK” position.
While pressing the “DISP” button (→P. 89), turn the engine switch to the
“ON” position (do not start the engine because reset mode will be can-
celed).
Continue to press and hold the button until the trip meter displays “000000”.
Vehicles with color display
Press or of the meter control switches, select on the multi
information display.
Press or of the meter control switches and select “Meter Settings”,
and then press .
Press or of the meter control switches, select “Scheduled Mainte-
nance” and then press .
Select the “Yes” and press .
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about the operations
of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty cove rage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take
care of it.
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2
3
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2
3
4

RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
5477-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/ rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Remove the air conditioning fil-
ter and replace it with a new
one.
The “\bUP” marks shown on the fil-
ter should be pointing up.
■ Changing interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
“Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)
■ If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
5
NOTICE
■When using the ai r conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the
system.

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

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.