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5557-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert
the non-flat dipstick fully with
its protruding areas ( in the
illustration) pointing towards
the engine.
Engine oil
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2
3
4
1
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RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
5577-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■ To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
Page 572 of 741
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
5717-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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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5757-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
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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603
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8When trouble arises
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers .......... 604
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 605
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 607
If you think something is wrong ......... 613
Fuel pump shut off system ............................ 614
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 615
If a warning message is displayed......................... 625
If you have a flat tire.......... 641
If the engine will not start ..................... 654
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with
smart key system) ........... 656
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 658
If your vehicle overheats ... 662
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................... 665
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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
Page 609 of 741
6088-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
From the front (2WD models)From the front (AWD models)
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Using a flatbed truck
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
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