15Pictorial index
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 221
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 315
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*. . . . . . . . P. 486, 493
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 672
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 565
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 677
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 315
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*. . . . . . . . P. 565
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 642
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 551
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 551
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 673
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 664
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 220
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 210
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 297
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 203
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 212
4
5
6
7
Light bulbs of the exter ior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 591, Watts: P. 678)
*: If equipped
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
315
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. • Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician ins pect the condition of the battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following accordin g to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Al ways drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
570
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.10 of the
replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy ro ads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use
year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all
season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations fo r possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 315)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tire s as snow tires is lost.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold tire
inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. (
→P. 682)
