Toyota RAV4 1998 User manual

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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1- 1
Overview of instruments
and controls
Instrument panel overview
Instrument cluster overview
Indicator symbols on the
instrument panel

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Instrument panel overview
1. Side vents
2. Instrument cluster
3. Center vents
4. Electric moon roof switch and personal
lights
5. Glovebox
6. Power door lock switches
7. Power window switches
8. Parking brake lever
9. Automatic transmission selector lever or
manual transmission gear shift lever
10. Ashtray
11. Hood lock release lever

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1. Instrument panel light control knob
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
3. Wiper and washer switches
4. Clock
5. Center differential lock button or driving
pattern selector button
6. Air conditioning controls
7. Emergency flasher switch
8. Rear window defogger switch
9. Car audio
10. Cigarette lighter
11. Ignition switch
12. Cruise control switch
13. Tilt steering lock release lever
14. Power rear view mirror control switch

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Instrument cluster overview
1. Speedometer
2. Fuel gauge
3. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights
4. Engine coolant temperature gauge
5. Tachometer
6. Trip meter reset knob
7. Odometer and two trip meters

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Indicator symbols on the instrument panel
Brake system warning light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Low oil pressure warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
Headlight high beam indicator light
SRS airbag warning light∗1
Turn signal indicator lights
Seat belt reminder light∗1Open door warning light∗1
Low fuel level warning light∗1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature
warning light∗1
Anti-lock brake system warning light∗1
(type A)
(type B)
(type A)
(type B)
(type A)
(type B)
Low windshield washer fluid level
warning light∗1

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∗1: For details, see ”Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” in Chapter 1- 5.
∗2: If this light flashes, see ”Cruise control” in Chapter 1- 6.
Cruise control indicator light∗2
Center differential lock indicator light
Driving pattern indicator light
Overdrive- off indicator light
Automatic transmission indicator light

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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS—
Chapter 1- 2
Keys and Doors
Keys
Side doors
Power windows
Quarter window
Back door and tail gate
Hood
Fuel tank cap
Electric moon roof
Detachable sun roof
Soft-top
Keys
Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of key.
1. Master key—This key works in every
lock.
2. Subkey—This key will not work in the
glovebox.
To protect things locked in the glovebox
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the subkey with the attendant.
Since the side doors, back door (hardtop)
and tail gate (soft-top) can be locked
without a key, you should always carry a
spare master key in case you accidentally
lock your keys inside the vehicle.
KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.
You should also put a copy of the key
number with your important papers.

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Side doors
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key forward.
To unlock: Turn the key backward.
Vehicles with power door lock system—All
the side doors, back door (hardtop) and
tail gate (soft-top) lock and unlock simul-
taneously with either front door. In the
driver’s door lock, turning the key once
will unlock the driver’s door and twice in
succession will unlock all the side doors,
back door (hardtop) and tail gate (soft-
top) simultaneously.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH IN-
SIDE LOCK KNOB
Move the lock knob.
To lock: Push the knob forward.
To unlock: Pull the knob backward.
Closing the door with the lock knob in the
lock position will also lock the door. Be
careful not to lock your keys in the ve-
hicle.
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side

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LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH
POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Push the switch.
To lock: Push the switch on the front side.
To unlock: Push the switch on the rear
side.
Operating the switch simultaneously locks
or unlocks all the side doors, back door
(hardtop) and tail gate (soft- top).
REAR DOOR CHILD- PROTECTORS
Move the lock lever to the ”LOCK”
position as shown on the label.
This feature allows you to lock a rear
door so it can be opened from the outside
only, not from inside. We recommend us-
ing this feature whenever small children
are in the vehicle.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the doors
are closed and locked, especially
when small children are in the ve-
hicle. Along with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps
prevent the driver and passengers
from being thrown out from the ve-
hicle during an accident. It also helps
prevent the doors from being opened
unintentionally.

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Power windows
The windows can be operated with the
switch on each side door.
The power windows work when the ignition
switch is in the ”ON” position.
Key off operation: If the driver’s door is
closed, they work for 45 seconds even
after the ignition switch is turned off. They
stop working when the driver’s door is
opened.
OPERATING THE DRIVER’S WINDOW
Use the switch on the driver’s door.
Normal operation: The window moves as
long as you hold the switch.
To open: Lightly push down the switch.
To close: Lightly pull up the switch.
Automatic operation: Push the switch
completely down or pull it completely up,
and then release it. The window will fully
open or close. To stop the window part-
way, lightly move the switch in the oppo-
site direction and then release it.
Jam protection function: During automat-
ic closing operation, the window stops and
opens half way if something gets caught
between the window and window frame.
If an impact is given to the window, this
function may work without anything
caught.
CAUTION
Never try jamming any part of your
body to make the jam protection
function work intentionally.
The jam protection function may
not work when something gets
caught just before the window is
fully closed.

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Windowlock
button
OPERATING THE PASSENGERS’
WINDOWS
Use the switch on each passengers’
door or the switches on the driver’s
door that control each passengers’ win-
dow.
The window moves as long as you hold
the switch.
To open: Push down the switch.
To close: Pull up the switch.
If you push in the window lock button on
the driver’s door, the passengers’ windows
cannot be operated.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
Always make sure the head, hands
and other parts of the body of all
occupants are kept completely in-
side the vehicle before you close
the power windows. If someone’s
neck, head or hands gets caught in
a closing window, it could result in
a serious injury. When anyone
closes the power windows, be sure
that they operate the windows safe-
ly.
When small children are in the ve-
hicle, never let them use the power
window switches without supervi-
sion. Use the window lock button to
prevent them from making unex-
pected use of the switches.
Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the power window switches and
get trapped in a window. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.

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To open the quarter window, pull the
latch handle toward you and swing it
fully out.
When closing the window, make sure it is
completely closed.
CAUTION
When the quarter windows are
opened, observe the following:
Depending on driving conditions,
e.g. driving the vehicle with the
front windows slightly open, you
may smell exhaust fumes in the ve-
hicle. If so, close the quarter win-
dows.
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH KEY
Insert the key into the keyhole and turn
it.
To lock: Turn the key counterclockwise.
To unlock: Turn the key clockwise.
When closing the back door (hardtop) or
tail gate (soft-top), make sure it is fully
closed.
See ”Luggage stowage precautions” in
Part 2 for precautions to observe in load-
ing luggage.
CAUTION
Keep the back door (hardtop) or tail
gate (soft-top) closed while driving.
This not only keeps the luggage
from being thrown out but also pre-
vents exhaust gases from entering
the vehicle.
If the open back door (hardtop) or
tail gate (soft-top) hides the rear
stop and tail lights or rear turn sig-
nal lights while you are parked, oth-
er road users must be warned of
the presence of your vehicle by a
warning triangle or other device.
Quarter window
(2- door hardtop) Back door (hardtop) and tail gate (soft- top)

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Hood
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the hood lock release lever. The
hood will spring up slightly.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood
is closed and securely locked. Other-
wise, the hood may open unexpected-
ly while driving and an accident may
occur.
2. In front of the vehicle, pull up on
the auxiliary catch lever and lift the
hood.
3. Hold the hood open by inserting the
support rod into the slot.
Before closing the hood, check that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.
and return the support rod to its clip—this
prevents rattles. Then lower the hood until
it is about 20 cm (8 in.) above the engine
compartment and release it. If the hood is
still not fully closed, lift and release the
hood again. After closing the hood, make
sure it is securely locked.
If you notice while driving that the hood
is not securely locked, stop the vehicle at
once and close the hood.

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CAUTION
Right after driving the support rod
may be hot, so only touch the part
coated with nylon.
After inserting the rod into the
slot, make sure the rod supports
the hood securely from falling down
on to your head or body.
When closing the hood, be careful
not to get your hands caught be-
tween the hood and the vehicle
body.
NOTICE
Do not press on the hood, or you
may deform the hood.
Fuel tank cap
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the
lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refueling.
The fumes are flammable.
When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before removing
it. After removing the cap, hang it
on the cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a
click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving
several times. If the indicator lamp does
not go off, contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.

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CAUTION
Make sure the cap is tightened se-
curely to prevent fuel spillage in
case of an accident.
Use only a genuine Toyota fuel tank
cap for replacement. It has a built-
in check valve to reduce fuel tank
vacuum.
Electric moon roof
Sliding operation
Tilting operation
To operate the moon roof, use the
switches beside the personal light.
The key must be in the ”ON” position.
Sun shade operation—
The sun shade can be opened or closed
by hand.
Sliding operation—
To open: Push the switch on the ”SLIDE”
side.
The sun shade will be opened together
with the roof.
To close: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the ”SLIDE” side.
As a precaution when closing, the roof
stops at the three- quarters closed position
before fully closing. Therefore, release the
switch and then push it again to close it
completely.
Tilting operation—
To tilt up: Push the switch on the ”UP”
side.
To lower: Push the switch on the opposite
side of the ”UP” side.
You may stop the moon roof at any de-
sired position. The roof will move while
the switch is being pushed and stop when
released.

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CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
While the vehicle is moving, always
keep the head, hands and other
parts of the body of all occupants
away from the roof opening. Other-
wise, you could be seriously injured
if the vehicle stops suddenly or if
the vehicle is involved in an acci-
dent.
Always make sure nobody places
his/her head, hands and other parts
of the body in the roof opening be-
fore you close the roof. If some-
one’s neck, head or hands gets
caught in the closing roof, it could
result in a serious injury. When
anyone close the roof, first make
sure it is safe to do so.
Never leave small children alone in
the vehicle, especially with the igni-
tion key still inserted. They could
use the moon roof switches and get
trapped in the roof opening. Unat-
tended children can become in-
volved in serious accidents.
Never sit on top of the vehicle
around the roof opening.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
While the vehicle is moving, always
keep the head, hands and other
parts of the body of all occupants
away from the roof opening. Other-
wise, you could be seriously injured
if the vehicle stops suddenly or if
the vehicle is involved in an acci-
dent.
Never sit on top of the vehicle
around the roof opening.
Never attempt to remove the sun
roof panel while driving. Otherwise,
the panel may become a hazard by
falling into or flying off the vehicle.
After installing the sun roof panel,
make sure they are firmly secured
by pushing up on the underside of
each panel.
Never put your hands between the
sun roof panel and the surrounding
roof.
—Tilting up and closing
To tilt up the sun roof, first pull down
on the handle while pushing in one of
the lock buttons. Then push up the sun
roof until it locks.
After tilting up the sun roof, make sure
the handle is securely in place.
When closing the sun roof, slowly pull
down the handle while supporting the roof
with your hand. Close and lock the sun
roof by pushing the handle until it clicks.
Be sure to use your palm to push the
handle. After closing the sun roof, make
sure it is securely locked.
Detachable sun roof—
—Sun roof precautions

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—Removing
1. Pull the handle down while pushing
in one of the lock buttons. 2. Push in the retaining spring arms as shown and push up the sun roof. 3. Push back the auxiliary catch to re- lease it from the hook. Then lift the
sun roof panel and pull it out.

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—Stowing
Install the removed sun roof panel on
the tail gate as follows.
NOTICE
If the rear seats are reclined, return
them to the upright position before
closing the tail gate. Otherwise, they
will interfere with the installed sun
roof panel, possibly damaging the
panel.
1. Remove the holder from the tail gate
by turning the bolts counterclock-
wise.
2. Set the front edge of the sun roof
panel into the holders.

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3. Place the removed holder over the
sun roof handle. 4. Secure the holder by turning the bolts clockwise.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle without
checking that the roof panel is se-
curely attached to the tail gate.
—Installing
1. Insert the flat hinges of the sun roof
panel into the hinge cases on the
body. Then slowly lower it while
holding the roof with your hands.
Make sure both flat hinges are inserted
into the hinge cases.

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2. Press in the retaining spring arms
and insert them into the holes. Then
lock the sun roof by pushing the
handle up with the palm of your
hand until the handle clicks.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you
must do the following.
While the vehicle is moving, always
keep the head, hands and other
parts of the body of all occupants
away from the soft- top opening.
Otherwise, you could be seriously
injured if the vehicle stops sudden-
ly or if the vehicle is involved in an
accident.
Do not lower or raise the soft- top
while the vehicle is moving. You
may lose control and it may cause
an accident.
The vehicle should never be driven
with the soft- top partially lowered.
Make sure the top has been either
fully latched to the roof or fully
lowered before driving.
When raising or lowering the soft-
top, keep hands clear from any
parts of the top linkage.
Do not drive the vehicle only with
the rear window removed because
serious injury or death can result.
The removed rear window may let
the exhaust gases enter the vehicle.
If you must drive with the rear win-
dow removed, broken or not fully
sealed, you should immediately re-
move the quarter windows also to
avoid exhaust gas filled up and as
necessary have the window fixed
immediately.
Make sure no object overhangs the
vehicle. The overhanging objects
may cause an accident.
Soft- top—
—Soft- top precautions