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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 9-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 668
Fuel information ................. 677
Tire information.................. 680
9-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 693
9-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 704
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 706
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 707
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 709
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ..................... 720
Alphabetical index ...................... 724
9Vehicle specifications
10For owners
Index
For vehicles with Entune Premium Audio with Navigation or Entune
Audio Plus, refer to the “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM
OWNER’S MANUAL” for informati on regarding the equipment listed
below.
• Navigation system
• Audio system
• Rear view monitor system• Toyota parking assist monitor
• Panoramic view monitor

15Pictorial index
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 222
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 314
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*. . . . . . . . P. 486, 493
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 229
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 229
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 670
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 565
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 675
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 314
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*. . . . . . . . P. 565
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 641
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 551
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 551
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 671
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 662
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
Fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 221
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 211
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 307
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 203
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 213
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Light bulbs of the exter ior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 591, Watts: P. 676)
*: If equipped
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872. Instrument cluster
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Instrument cluster
■The meters and display illuminate when
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Outside temperature display
●In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
• When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
• When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/
exit of a garage, tunnel, etc.)
● When “--” is displayed, the system may be malfunctioning.
Take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer.
● The temperature range that can be displayed is from -40° F (-40°C) to 122° F
(50 °C).
WARNING
■ The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver’s shifting and the new gear
number appearing on the display. This l ag could cause the driver to down-
shift again, causing rapid and excessive engine braking and possibly an
accident resulting in death or injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 662)

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1694-1. Before driving
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: →P. 605
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 204)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD vehicle designed for off-road driving. Proceed with all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

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1714-1. Before driving
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scrapi ng noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.

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1734-1. Before driving
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Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck (AWD models)
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline com-
ponents or propel the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

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1894-1. Before driving
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Driving
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D. If in the S mode, the transmis sion shift range position must be in
4 or lower.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
![TOYOTA RAV4 2017 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual 190
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4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30°C]) when driving
up a long or TOYOTA RAV4 2017 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual 190
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4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30°C]) when driving
up a long or](/manual-img/14/6717/w960_6717-189.png)
190
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4-1. Before driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30°C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If t he engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( → P. 662)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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