light TOYOTA RAV4 1999 Service Manual

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Here are some common reception prob-
lems that probably do not indicate a prob-
lem with your radio: FM
Fading and drifting stationsÐGenerally, the
effective range of FM is about 40 km (25
miles). Once outside this range, you may
notice fading and drifting, which increase
with the distance from the radio transmit-
ter. They are often accompanied by distor-
tion.
Multi- pathÐFM signals are reflective,
making it possible for two signals to reach
your antenna at the same time. If this
happens, the signals will cancel each oth-
er out, causing a momentary flutter or
loss of reception.
Static and flutteringÐThese occur when
signals are blocked by buildings, trees, or
other large objects. Increasing the bass
level may reduce static and fluttering.
Station swappingÐIf the FM signal you
are listening to is interrupted or weak-
ened, and there is another strong station
nearby on the FM band, your radio may
tune in the second station until the origi-
nal signal can be picked up again.
AM
FadingÐAM broadcasts are reflected by
the upper atmosphere±especially at night.
These reflected signals can interfere with
those received directly from the radio sta-
tion, causing the radio station to sound
alternately strong and weak.
Station interferenceÐWhen a reflected sig-
nal and a signal received directly from a
radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each
other, making it difficult to hear the broad-
cast.
StaticÐAM is easily affected by external
sources of electrical noise, such as high
tension power lines, lightening, or electri-
cal motors. This results in static.
CARING FOR YOUR CASSETTE PLAYER
AND TAPES
For high performance from your cassette
player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regu-
larly.
A dirty tape head or tape path can
decrease sound quality and tangle your
cassette tapes. The easiest way to
clean them is by using a cleaning tape.
(A wet type is recommended.) Use high- quality cassettes.
Low- quality cassette tapes can cause
many problems, including poor sound,
inconsistent playing speed, and
constant auto- reversing. They can also
get stuck or tangled in the cassette
player.
Do not use a cassette if it has been
damaged or tangled or if its label is
peeling off.
Do not leave a cassette in the player
if you are not listening to it, especially
if it is hot outside.
Store cassettes in their cases and out
of direct sunlight.
Avoid using cassettes with a total play-
ing time longer than 100 minutes (50
minutes per side). The tape used in
these cassettes is thin and could get
stuck or tangled in the cassette player.

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CARING FOR YOUR COMPACT DISC
PLAYER AND DISCS Use only compact discs labeled as
shown.
Extremely high temperatures can keep
your compact disc player from working.
On hot days, use the air conditioning
to cool the vehicle interior before you
listen to a disc.
Bumpy roads or other vibrations may
make your compact disc player skip.
If moisture gets into your compact disc
player, you may not hear any sound
even though your compact disc player
appears to be working. Remove the
disc from the player and wait until it
dries.
Handle compact discs carefully, espe-
cially when you are inserting them.
Hold them on the edge and do not
bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints
on them, particularly on the shiny side.
Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or
other disc damage could cause the
player to skip or to repeat a section of
a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the
disc up to the light.)
Remove discs from the compact disc
player when you are not listening
to them. Store them in their plastic
cases away from moisture, heat, and
direct sunlight.
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a
soft, lint- free cloth that has been damp-
ened with water. Wipe in a straight line
from the center to the edge of the disc
(not in circles). Dry it with another soft,
lint- free cloth. Do not use a conventional
record cleaner or anti- static device.A new disc may have rough edges on
its inner and outer perimeter. Remove
the rough edges by pressing the side
of a ball- point pen or pencil against
the inner and outer perimeter of the
disc as shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough
edges, flakes will fall on to the signal side
of the disc and cause sound skipping or
other problems.

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Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLSÐ
Chapter 1- 8
Other equipment
Clock
Cigarette lighter and ashtray
Power outlet
G lov e box
Auxiliary box
Floor mat
Clock
The digital clock indicates the time.
The key must be in the ºACCº or ºONº
position.
To reset the hour: Push the ºHº button.
To reset the minutes: Push the ºMº button.
If quick adjustment to a full hour is de-
sired, push the º:00º button.
For example, if the º:00º button is de-
pressed when the time is between
1:01Ð1:29, the time will change to 1:00.
If the time is between 1:30Ð1:59, the
time will change to 2:00.
If the electrical power source has been
disconnected from the clock, the time dis-
play will automatically be set to 1:00 (one
o'clock).
When the instrument panel lights are
turned on, the brightness of the time in-
dication will be reduced.

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Cigarette lighter and ashtray
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
To use the cigarette lighter, press it in.
When it becomes heated, it automatical-
ly pops out ready for use.
If the engine is not running, the key must
be in the ºACCº position.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed
in.
Use a Toyota genuine cigarette lighter or
equivalent for replacement.
ASHTRAY
To use the ashtray, open the cover.
When finished with your cigarette, thor-
oughly extinguish it in the ashtray to pre-
vent other cigarette butts from catching
fire. After using the ashtray, close the
ashtray cover completely.
To remove the ashtray, open the ashtray
cover and pull it out.
CAUTION
To reduce the of injury in case of an
accident or sudden stop while driv-
ing, always close the ashtray cover
completely after using.
Power outlet (4- door hardtop)
The power outlet is designed for power
supply for car accessories.
The key must be in the ºACCº or ºONº
position for the power outlets to be used.

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Fuel
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your
Toyota has a new smaller fuel tank open-
ing. The special nozzle on pumps with
unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger
standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5- M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three-way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,this can increase maintenance costs.
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher. Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is no need
of concern.
GASOLINES CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends use of gasolines
that contain detergent additives to
avoid build- up of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Toyota dealer
or a local gasoline retailer.
IMPROVED GASOLINES
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) has developed a
specification of improved gasolines. The
AAMA specification offers optimal fuel
information for better vehicle perfor-
mance and better protection of your en-
gine.
Toyota recommends the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification, if avail-
able, for improved driveability and emis-
sion control system.
GASOLINES CONTAINING MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl
Tertiary- Butyl Ether) are available in the
market. If you use a gasoline mixed
with MTBE, make certain that it does
not contain more than 15% of MTBE.

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Your engine is fitted with twin ground
electrode platinum- tipped spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only twin ground electrode plati- num- tipped spark plugs for your en-gine performance.
Brake system
TANDEM MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub- systems. If either sub- system s hould
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power- assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve
vacuum for one or two stopsÐbut no
more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your vacuum reserve.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hardÐmuch harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
be longer.
ANTI- LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with ºABSº warning light)
The anti- lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock- up of the
wheels during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stab ility and steering
performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti- lock brake system becomes op-
erative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Twin ground electrode
platinum- tipped spark plugs

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140
ºABSº warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the ºONº position. After a few
seconds, the light will go off.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on as de-
scribed above, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
Even if the anti- lock brake system should
fail, the brake system will still operate
conventionally. However, when the ºABSº
warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), anti- lock brake sys-
tem is not assisting brake performance so
that the wheel can lock- up during sudden
braking or braking on slippery road sur-
faces. Have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Brake pad wear limit indicators
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.Luggage stowage pr
ecautions
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following: Put luggage or cargo in the luggage
compartment when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything in the lug-
gage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or pack-
ages low, as close to the floor as
possible.

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Part 3
STARTING AND DRIV-
ING
Before starting the engine
How to start the engine
Tips for driving in various
conditions
Off- road driving precautions
Winter driving tips
Tr ailer towing
How to save fuel and make your
vehicle last longer, too
Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle be- fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height and steering
wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock side doors, back door (hardtop) and tailgate (soft- top).
5. Fasten seat belts. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Manual transmission: Press the clutch
pedal to the floor and shift the trans-
mission into neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor until the engine is
started. A starter safety device will pre-
vent the starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the se-
lector lever in ºPº. If you need to re-
start the engine while the vehicle is
moving, put the selector lever in ºNº.
A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Automatic transmission only: De-
press the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off.
How to start the engineÐ
(a) Before cranking

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(b) Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to fol-
low the instructions in º(a) Before crank-
ingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequen-
tial multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air- fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator ped- al, crank the engine by turning the key
to ºSTARTº. Release it when the en-
gine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 se- conds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº in Part 4.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 se- conds at a time. This may overheatthe starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult tostart or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp- edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage result-
ing in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmis-
sion in ºPº (automatic) or in first or
reverse (manual). If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the park-
ing brake pulled. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
Tips for driving in various
conditions

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CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high- speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high- speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
Off- road driving precautions
When driving your vehicle off- road, please
observe the following precautions to en-
sure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off- road
vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where
off- road vehicles are permitted to trav-
el.
b. Respect private property. Get owner 's permission before entering private prop-
erty.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that
restrict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When condi- tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to pre-
vent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off- road, consult
the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments
State Motor Vehicle Bureau
Recreational Vehicle Clubs
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management