Page 610 of 741
6098-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(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) at 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. 642)
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_OM0R005U_(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. 209
■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. 642)
4
5
6
7
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6118-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(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.
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6128-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en 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_OM0R005U_(U)
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.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*2
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 (warning buzzer) turn off.
Low fuel level warning light Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.4 gal.
(9.0 L, 2.0 Imp. gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
(Flashes)
(On the center panel)
Intuitive parking assist indicator (warning buzzer)*3 (if
equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the intuitive parking assist
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(On the center panel)
Intuitive parking assist indicator (warning buzzer)*4 (if
equipped) Indicates that the intuitive parking assist sensor is dirty or
covered with ice.
→ Clean the sensors.
(On the center panel)
Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder lights (warning
buzzer)
*2
Warn the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 618 of 741

6178-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Master warning lightA buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
→ P. 625
PCS warning light (if equipped)
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not
sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision System) is temporar-
ily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• An area around the radar sensor or camera sensor
being dirty or covered with condensation, ice, stickers,
etc.
→ Clear the dirt, condensation, ice, stickers, etc.
(→P. 235)
• Radar sensor or camera sensor operational conditions (such as temperature etc.) being not met
→ Driving is possible in th is case. The PCS (Pre-Colli-
sion System) will be enabled if the operational condi-
tions (such as temperature etc.) are met again.
When the warning light is illuminated:
Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision System) is disabled or both are disabled.
→ To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and
PCS. ( →P. 243, 310)
(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. 626
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 621 of 741

6208-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)■
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.
■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.
Page 623 of 741

6228-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)■
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. 701)
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavie r than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light co mes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with the
tire pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.