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538
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7-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using a high-pressure car wash
● When washing the vehicle, do not let water from the high-pressure washer
directly hit the camera (if equipped) or the area around the camera. Due to
the shock from high-pressure water, it is possible that the device may not
operate normally.
● Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts.
The parts may be damaged if they come into contact with high-pressure
water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
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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)
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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you notice any of the follow ing symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
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718
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AVERTISSEMENT
■Modification et mise au rebut des composants du système de coussins
gonflables SRS
Ne mettez pas votre véhicule au rebut et n’effectuez aucune des modifica-
tions suivantes sans d’abord consulter votre concessionnaire Toyota. Les
coussins gonflables SRS pourraient fonctionner de manière incorrecte ou
se déployer (gonfler) accidentellement, ce qui serait susceptible d’occasion-
ner des blessures graves, voire mortelles.
● Installation, retrait, démontage et réparation des coussins gonflables SRS
● Réparations, modifications, retrait ou remplacement du volant, du tableau
de bord, de la planche de bord, des sièges ou du capitonnage des sièges,
des montants avant, latéraux et arrière ou des brancards de pavillon
● Réparations ou modifications de l’aile avant, du pare-chocs avant ou du
côté de l’habitacle
● Installation d’une protection de calandre (barre safari, barre kangourou,
etc.), de lames de déneigement, de treuils ou d’un porte-bagages de toit
● Modifications du système de suspension du véhicule
● Installation d’appareils électroniques tels qu’un émetteur-récepteur radio
ou un lecteur de CD
● Modifications à votre véhicule pour une personne aux capacités physiques
réduites