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5417-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alcohol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield (vehicles with Toyota
Safety Sense P)
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
(→P. 234)
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires. Use a cloth dampened
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires.
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
■ After installing the support rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
NOTICE
■When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with the tire pressure
warning system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled
correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when repairing or replacing the tire. ( →P. 567)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s
wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of e ach tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicl e with a wheel-lift type truck
from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. ( →P. 608, 611)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck,
use a towing dolly. ( →P. 608, 611)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
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6098-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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
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6108-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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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6438-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
■Using the tire jack
Observe the following precautions.
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off
the jack, leading to death or serious injury.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.
●Put the jack properly in its jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.
●Do not start the engine or drive the vehicle while the vehicle is sup-
ported by the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●Stop the vehicle on firm, flat and level ground, firmly set the parking
brake and shift the shift lever to P. Block the wheel diagonally opposite
to the one being changed if necessary.
●When lowering the vehicle, make sure that there is no-one near the
vehicle. If there are people nearby, warn them vocally before lowering.
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6458-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
Loosen the center fastener that
secures the spare tire.Chock the tires.
Taking out the spare tire
WARNING
■
When storing the spare tire
Be careful not to catch fingers or other body parts between the spare
tire and the body of the vehicle.
Replacing a flat tire
1
Flat tireWheel chock positions
FrontLeft-hand sideBehind the rear right-hand side tire
Right-hand sideBehind the rear left-hand side tire
RearLeft-hand sideIn front of the front right-hand side tire
Right-hand sideIn front of the front left-hand side tire
