differential TOYOTA RAV4 1998 Owners Manual

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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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* 1
: For details, see ºService reminder indicators and warning
buzzersº in Chapter 1- 5.
* 2
: If this light flashes, see ºCruise controlº 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- 6
Ignition switch,
Transmission
and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock
Automatic transmission
Manual transmission
Center differential lock system
P ar k ing br ak e
Cruise control
ºSTARTºÐStarter motor on. The key
will return to the ºONº position when
released.
For starting tips, see Part 3.
ºONºÐEngine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
ºACCºÐAccessories such as the radio
operate, but the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ºACCº or
ºLOCKº position and open the driver's
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
ºLOCKºÐEngine is off and the steering
wheel is locked. The key can be re-
moved only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn the key
from ºACCº to the ºLOCKº position. On
vehicles with an automatic transmission,
the selector lever must be in the ºPº posi-
tion before pushing the key.
When starting the engine, the key may
seem stuck at the ºLOCKº position. To
free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering
wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
CAUTIONFor manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the ve-
hicle is moving, as this will lock the
steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONºposition if the engine is not running.The battery will discharge and the ignition could be damaged.
Ignition switch with steering
lock

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When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use the fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.The center differential lock system is pro-
vided for use only when the vehicle does
not have enough traction to move itself
out of the following situations.
All front wheels or rear wheels are off
the ground or on a slippery surface.
One of the four wheels is off the
ground or on a slippery surface.
Operating precautions
If the front wheels and rear wheels are
worn unevenly, the center differential
may not lock or unlock smoothly.
Before locking the center differential,
make sure the wheels have stopped
spinning.
Unlock the center differential immedi-
ately after you finish using the center
differential lock system. An indicator
buzzer will sound while the center dif-
ferential is being unlocked.
After you have pushed the center dif-
ferential lock switch to lock and moved
the vehicle a short distance, the indica-
tor light in the instrument panel stays
on. If the light either fails to come on
or goes out, ask your Toyota dealer to
check the electrical system and the
locking mechanism.CAUTION
The center differential must be un-
locked in normal driving. Locking the
center differential will result in diffi-
cult cornering control.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
with the center differential locked.This may damage the locking mecha- nism and the drive system.
Center differential lock system
(four- wheel drive models with
manual transmission)

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To lock the center differential:1. Press the brake pedal and stop the wheel spinning.
2. Put the front wheels in as straight- ahead a position as possible.
3. Push the center differential lock switch and check that the indicator light in the
instrument panel comes on.To unlock the center differential:
1. Put the front wheels in as straight- ahead a position as possible.
2. Push the center differential lock switch once again and check that the indicator
light in the instrument panel goes out
and that the indicator buzzer stops
sounding.
The indicator buzzer will sound while the
center differential is being unlocked. It
stops sounding when unlocking is com-
pleted.
Sometimes complete unlocking of the cen-
ter differential may take longer. If unlocking of the center differential is not
completed, check the area around you for
safety, then accelerate or decelerate, or
move the vehicle backward.
NOTICE
While the indicator buzzer is sound-
ing, do not make turns, and do notput the vehicle into a garage. This may damage the locking mechanism
and the drive system.

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Part 2
INFORMATION
BEFORE DRIVING
YOUR TOYOTA
Off- road vehicle precautions
Break- in period
Fuel
Operation in foreign countries
Three- way catalytic converter
Engine exhaust cautions
Facts about engine oil
consumption
Twin ground electrode
platinum- tipped spark plugs
Brake system
Brake pad wear limit indicators
Luggage stowage precautions
Limited- slip differential
Your Toyota's identification
Theft prevention labels
Suspension and chassis
Types of tires
Off- road vehicle precautions
This vehicle is one of the class of ve-
hicles which have higher ground clear-
ance and narrower tread in relation to
the height of their center of gravity to
make them capable of performing in a
wide variety of off- road applications.
Specific design characteristics give it a
higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate prob-
lems. It is not designed for cornering
at the same speeds as conventional
two- wheel drive vehicles any more than
low- slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off- road
conditions.

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Some Toyotas are equipped with a lim-
ited- slip differential. If one rear wheel be-
gins to spin, the limited- slip differential is
designed to aid traction by automatically
transmitting driving force to the other rear
wheel. If you are not sure whether your
vehicle is equipped with one, you can ask
your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same
size, construction and load capacityas the original tires on your Toyotabecause damage to the limited- slip
differential could possibly occur withanother tire type.
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.2- door hardtop and soft- top
4- door hardtop
Limited- slip differential (four-wheel drive models only)
Your Toyota's identificationÐ
ÐVehicle identification number

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The driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts when-
ever the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE
If driving through water, such as
when crossing shallow streams,first check the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive slowly and avoiddeep water.
Take all necessary safety measures
to ensure that water damage to theengine or other components does not occur.
Water entering the engine air intakewill cause severe engine damage.
Water can wash the grease fromwheel bearings, causing rusting and
premature failure, and may also en-ter the differentials, transmissionand transfer case, reducing the gear
oil's lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulatedin brake drums and around brakediscs may affect braking efficiencyand may damage brake system com-
ponents.
Always perform a maintenance in-spection after each day of off- road
driving that has taken you throughrough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, refer to the separate ºOwner'sManual Supplement/MaintenanceScheduleº.
Winter driving tips
Make sure you have ethylene- glycol an-
tifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter start-
ing. Chapter 7- 3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer
and most service stations will be pleased
to check the level of charge.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See Chapter 7- 2 for recommended viscos-
ity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Toyota dealer±
he will be pleased to help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de- icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing. To open
a frozen lock, try heating the key before
inserting it.

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TRANSFER
(four- wheel drive models with an auto-
matic transaxle)
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
0.7 (0.7, 0.6)
Oil type: Gear oil API GL- 5
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 75W- 90
REAR DIFFERENTIAL
(four- wheel drive models)
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 0.9 (1.0, 0.8)
Oil type: Hypoid gear oil API GL- 5
Recommended oil viscosity: Above -18 5C (0 5F)
SAE 90
Below -18 5C (0 5F)
SAE 80W or 80W- 90 BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when depressed
with the pressure of 490 N (50 kgf, 110
lbf) with the engine running, mm (in.):
75 (3.0)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.): 1Ð6 (0.04Ð0.24)
Pad wear limit, in. (mm): 1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, in. (mm): 1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when pulled with
the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf): 5Ð8 clicks
Fluid type: SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel freeplay: Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type: Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III

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Instrument panel
20. ECU- IG 10 A: Electronically controlled
automatic transmission system, rear
window defogger, center differential
lock system, electric moon roof, multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system, electric
cooling fan, anti- lock brake system,
cruise control system
21. TURN & GAUGE 10 A: Turn signal
lights, gauges and meters, back- up
lights, service reminder indicators, air
conditioning system, daytime running
light systemInstrument panel
22. STOP 10 A: stoplights, high mounted
stoplight, electronically controlled auto-
matic transmission system, anti- lock
brake system
23. TAIL 15 A: Gauges and meters, emer-
gency flashers, cigarette lighter, center
differential lock system, clock, rear win-
dow defogger, air conditioning system,
electronically controlled automatic
transmission system, car audio system,
tail lights, license plate lights, parking
lights, instrument panel light control,
side marker lights
24. OBD 10 A: On- board diagnosis system
25. SRS- B 10 A: SRS airbag warning lightPassenger's side kick panel
26. HORN 10 A: Horn
27. DEFOG 20 A: Rear window defogger
28. AM1 10 A: ºCIGº, ºPWR OUTLETº,
ºSRS- ACCº, ºWIPERº, ºECU- IGº and
ºTURN & GAUGEº fuses
29. A/C 10 A: Air conditioning system
Fuses (type B)
30. MAIN No.1 40 A: Starting system, ºH-
LP (RH)º, ºH- LP (LH)º, ºH- LP RH- Hº,
ºH- LP LH- Hº, ºH- LP RH- Lº and ºH- LP
LH- Lº fuses
31. CDS FAN 30 A: Electric cooling fans
32. RDI FAN 30 A: Electric cooling fans