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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery is located in
the left-hand side of luggage com-
partment.Vehicles with full-size spare
tire: Turn the knob of each clip
on the rear deck board to
unlock.
When inspecting the battery terminals
Remove the rear deck board.
Location
Removing the 12-volt battery cover
1
2
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Tires
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check
the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the
tread. Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indica tors is shown by a “TWI” or “Δ” marks,
etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
1
2
3
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure warning system after tire rota-
tion.
To equalize tire wear and extend tire life, Toyota recommends that tire
rotation is carried out at the same interval as tire inspection.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. ( →P. 549)
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pr essure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID
codes registered by your Toyota dealer. ( →P. 504)
Tire rotation
Vehicles with compact spare
tireVehicles with full-size spare
tire
FrontFront
Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not oper-
ate properly (if equipped)
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equip- ment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• Lock nuts are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run- flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
• If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal reception.
*
• If a large metallic object which ca n interfere with signal reception is
put in the luggage compartment.
*
*
: Vehicles with full-si ze spare tire only
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large
display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or
electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication device
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go
off could be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Vehicles with compact spare tire: Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first
adjusting the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the
tire pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation
pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is
actually normal.
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
5117-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure usi ng the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended level, adjust
the pressure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to deflate.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and
adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
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5518-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
■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 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steer ing 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.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
(vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflat ion pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a compact spare tire (vehicles with com-
pact spare tire and the tire pressure warning system)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire ha s been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the standard tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressu re warning light will go off after a few minutes.
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5528-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)■
If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning (vehicles with
the tire pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition be
comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not
registered in the tire pressure warning computer
●If the tire inflation pressure is 70 psi (480 kPa, 4.9 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition be comes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are
nearby
●If a radio set at a similar frequency is in use in the vehicle
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used (Even if you use Toyota wheels,
the tire pressure warning system may not work properly with some types
of tires.)
●If tire chains are used
●If the spare tire is in a location su bject to poor radio wave signal recep-
tion.
*
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is put
in the luggage compartment.
*
*
: Vehicles with full-size spare tire only
■
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for 1 minute (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1
minute when the power switch is turn ed to ON mode, have it checked by
your Toyota dealer.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an
audio sound.
■ Customization
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features →P. 639)