TOYOTA RAV4 2023 Owners Manual
Page 441 of 574
4437-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
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 abnor-
mal sound.
From the front (2WD models)
Release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. 
( P.215)
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the 
rear wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the 
front wheels.
If your vehicle needs 
to be towed
If towing is necessary, we 
recommend having your 
vehicle towed by your 
Toyota dealer or commer-
cial towing service, using a 
wheel-lift type truck or flat-
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system 
for all towing, and abide by 
all state/provincial and local 
laws.
Situations when it is nec-
essary to contact dealers 
before towing (vehicles 
with towing eyelet)
Towing with a wheel-lift 
type truck 
Page 442 of 574
4447-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When using a flat-bed truck to 
transport the vehicle, use tire 
strapping belts. Refer to the 
owner’s manual of the flat-bed 
truck for the tire strapping 
method.
In order to suppress vehicle 
movement during transporta-
tion, set the parking brake and 
turn the engine switch to off.
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to do so may result 
in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle 
with the front wh eels raised or 
with all four wheels raised off the 
ground. If the vehicle is towed 
with the front wh eels contacting 
the ground, the drivetrain and 
related parts may be damaged.
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle 
with all four wheels raised off the 
ground. If the vehicle is towed 
with the tires contacting the 
ground, the drivetrain or related 
parts may be damaged, the vehi-
cle may fly off the truck.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the 
vehicle when t owing using a 
wheel-lift type truck
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Do not tow the vehicle from 
the rear when the engine switch 
is in the “LOCK” position or the 
key is removed. The steering 
lock mechanism is not strong 
enough to hold the front wheels 
straight.
●When raising the vehicle, 
ensure adequate ground clear-
ance for towing at the opposite 
end of the raised vehicle. With-
out adequate clearance, the 
vehicle could be damaged while 
being towed.
■Towing with a sling-type 
truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck 
to prevent body damage.
Using a flatbed truck 
Page 443 of 574
4457-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
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.
To have your vehicle towed by 
another vehicle, the towing eye-
let must be installed to your 
vehicle. Install the towing eyelet 
using the following procedure.
1Take out the wheel nut 
wrench and towing eyelet. 
( P.464)
2 Using a flathead screw-
driver, remove eyelet cover 
( ), and then remove eyelet 
cover ( ).
To protect the bodywork, place a 
rag between the screwdriver and 
the vehicle body as shown in the 
illustration.
Type A
Type B
3 Insert the towing eyelet into 
the hole and tighten partially 
by hand.
Type A
Emergency towing (vehi-
cles with towing eyelet)
Emergency towing proce-
dure (vehicles with towing 
eyelet)
A
B 
Page 444 of 574
4467-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Type B
4 Tighten down the towing eye-
let securely using a wheel nut 
wrench or hard metal bar.
Type A
Type B
5 Securely attach cables or 
chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehi-
cle body.
6Enter the vehicle being towed 
and start the engine.
Turn off the Parkin g Support Brake  function (if equipped): 
P.299
If the engine does not start, turn the 
engine switch to ON.
Vehicles with Stop & Start system: 
Before towing the ve hicle, turn the 
engine switch to  OFF once, and 
then start the engine.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and 
release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.215)
When the shift lever cannot be 
shifted:  P.210
■While towing
If the engine is  not running, the 
power assist for the brakes and 
steering will not function, making 
steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench (if equipped)
Wheel nut wrench is  installed in the 
tool bag in luggage compartment. 
(  P.464)
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to  do so may result 
in death or serious injury.
■While towing
●When towing using cables or 
chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. 
which place excessive stress on 
the towing eyelets, cables or 
chains. The towing eyelets, 
cables or chains may become 
damaged, broken debris may hit 
people, and cause serious dam-
age.
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Do not turn the engine 
switch to the “LOCK” position.
There is a possibility that the 
steering wheel is locked and 
cannot be operated. 
Page 445 of 574
4477-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air 
conditioning after use is nor-
mal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven 
tire wear
 Engine coolant temperature 
gauge needle continually 
points higher than normal.
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when 
cornering
 Strange noises related to the 
suspension system
 Pinging or other noises 
related to the engine
 Engine missing, stumbling or 
running roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one 
WARNING
■Installing towi ng eyelets to 
the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are 
installed securely. If not securely 
installed, towing eyelets may 
come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the 
vehicle during emergency 
towing
Do not secure cables or chains to 
the suspension components.
■When towing the vehicle 
(vehicles with  Stop & Start 
system)
If it is necessary to tow the vehicle 
with all four wheels on the ground, 
perform the following procedure 
before towing the vehicle, in order 
to protect t he system.
Turn the engine switch to OFF 
and then start the engine or turn 
the engine switch to ON.
If you think  something
is wrong
If you notice any of the fol-
lowing symptoms, your 
vehicle probably needs 
adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as 
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms 
Page 446 of 574
4487-2. Steps to take in an emergency
side when braking
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one 
side when driving on a level 
road
 Loss of brake effectiveness, 
spongy feeling, pedal almost 
touches the floor
Follow the procedure below to 
restart the engine after the sys-
tem is activated.
1Turn the engine switch to 
ACC or off.
2 Restart the engine.Fuel pump shut off 
system
To minimize the risk of fuel 
leakage when the engine 
stalls or when an airbag 
inflates upon collision, the 
fuel pump shut off system 
stops the supply of fuel to 
the engine.
Restarting the engine
NOTICE
■Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the 
vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked 
onto the ground, the fuel system 
has been damaged and is in need 
of repair. Do not restart the 
engine. 
Page 447 of 574
4497-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■Brake system warning light
■Charging system warning light
If a warning light turns  on or a warning buzzer 
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning 
lights comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but  
then goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunc-
tion in the system. However, if this continues to occur, have 
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) (Red)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid  level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe 
place and contact your Toyota dealer. 
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be 
dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the parking brake sys-
tem
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in  the vehicle’s charging 
system
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe 
place and contact your Toyota dealer. 
Page 448 of 574
4507-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display with a message.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display with a message.
■Malfunction indicator lamp
■SRS warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the  engine is overheating
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe 
place.
Handling method ( P.480)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe 
place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The electronic engi ne control system;
 The electronic throttle control system; or
 The emission control s ystem (if equipped)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
 The front passenger o ccupant classification 
system; or
 The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately. 
Page 449 of 574
4517-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
■ABS warning light
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning 
buzzer)
■PCS warning light (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Red)
(Yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric 
Power Steeri ng) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Flashes or illuminates)
When a buzzer sounds simultaneously:
Indicates a malfunction has occurred in the PCS 
(Pre-Collision System).
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound: 
The PCS (Pre-Collision System) has become 
temporarily unavailable, corrective action may 
be necessary.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the 
multi-information display. ( P.237, 461)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or VSC (Vehi-
cle Stability Control)  system is disabled, the 
PCS warning light will illuminate.
 P.249 
Page 450 of 574
4527-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■LTA indicator (warning buzzer)
■Stop & Start cancel indicator
■Intuitive parking assist OFF indicator* (warning buzzer)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Orange)
Indicates a malfunction  in the LTA (Lane Trac-
ing Assist)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the 
multi-information display. ( P.260)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunctio n in the Stop & Start sys-
tem
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunction  in the Intuitive parking 
assist function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the system is temporarily unavail-
able, possibly due to a sensor being dirty or cov-
ered with ice, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the 
multi-information display. ( P.283, 459)