TOYOTA RAV4 1998 Owners Manual

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TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
Two- wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
From frontÐ
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to en-
sure adequate ground clearance fortowing at the opposite end of the
raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper
and/or underbody of the towed vehiclewill be damaged during towing.
From rearÐ
Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dolly
under the front wheels. If you do not
use a towing dolly, place the ignition
key in the ºACCº position and put the
transmission in neutral.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or
in the ºLOCKº position when towingfrom the rear without a towing dolly. The steering lock mechanism is not
strong enough to hold the frontwheels straight.
Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic
transmission from the rear with thefront wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
(b) Using flat bed truck
Four- wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck
Use a towing dolly under the wheels not
lifted by the truck.
(b) Using flat bed truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck
All modelsÐ
(c) Towing with sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with sling type truck, ei- ther from the front or rear. This maycause body damage.

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ÐEmergency towing
Front
Rear
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your Toyota
dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-
vice.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-
rarily towed by a cable or chain se-
cured to one of the emergency towing
eyelets under the vehicle. Use extreme
caution when towing vehicles.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard- surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing ve-
hicles. Avoid sudden starts or erratic
driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency
towing eyelet and towing cable or
chain. The eyelet and towing cable or
chain may break and cause serious
injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically
intended for use in towing vehicles.Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in neutral (manu-
al) or ºNº (automatic). The key must be
in ºACCº (engine off) or ºONº (engine run-
ning).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the pow-
er assist for the brakes and steering
will not work so steering and braking
will be much harder than usual.

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Before emergency towing, check that
the eyelet is not broken or damaged
and that the installation bolts are not
loose.
Fasten the towing cable or chain se-
curely to the eyelet.
Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady
and even force.
To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not
pull from the side or at a vertical
angle. Always pull straight ahead.
CAUTION
If the emergency towing eyelet is
used to get out when your vehicle be-
comes struck in mud, sand or other
condition from which the vehicle can-
not be driven out under its own pow-
er, make sure to observe the precau-
tions mentioned below. Otherwise, ex-
cessive stress will be put on the eye-
let and the towing cable or chain may
break, causing serious injury or dam- age. If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota dealer
or a commercial tow truck service
for assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead
as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle during
towing.
The following methods are effective to get
out when your vehicle is struck in mud,
sand or other condition from which the
vehicle cannot be driven out under its own
power. Use extreme caution when towing
vehicles. In addition, keep away from the
vehicles and towing cable or chain when
towing.
Remove the soil and sand in the front
and the back of the tires.
Place a stone or wood under the tires.
ÐEmergency towing eyelet
precautions
ÐTips for towing a stuck
vehicle

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If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of ºPº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-
pressed, use the shift lock override but-
ton as follows: 1. Turn the ignition key to ºLOCKº position. Make sure the parking
brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat- bladed screwdriver or equivalent.3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push down the shift
lock override button. You can shift
out of ºPº position only while push-
ing the button.
4. Shift into ºNº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. If you lose your keys
Many Toyota dealers can make a new
key if you can give them the key num-
ber.
See the suggestion given in ºKeysº in
Chapter 1- 2.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and
you cannot get a duplicate, many Toyota
dealers can still open the door for you,
using their special tools. If you must
break a window to get in, we suggest
breaking the smallest side window be-
cause it is the least expensive to replace.
Be extremely cautious to avoid cuts from
the glass.
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever

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Part 5
CORROSION
PREVENTION AND
APPEARANCE CARE
Protecting your Toyota from
corrosion
Washing and waxing your Toyota
Cleaning the interior
Toyota, through its d
iligent research, de-
sign and use of the most advanced
technology available, has done its part to
help prevent corrosion and has provided
you with the finest quality vehicle
construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper
care of your Toyota can help ensure long-
term corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion
to your vehicle are:
The accumulation of road salt, dirt and
moisture in hard- to- reach areas under
the vehicle.
Chipping of paint, or undercoating
caused by minor accidents or by
stones and gravel.
Care is especially important if you live
in particular areas or operate your ve-
hicle under certain environmental condi-
tions: Road salt or dust control chemicals will
accelerate corrosion, as will the pres-
ence of salt in the air near the sea-
coast or in areas of industrial pollution.
High humidity accelerates corrosion es-
pecially when temperatures range just
above the freezing point.
Wetness or dampness to certain parts
of your vehicle for an extended period
of time, may cause corrosion even
though other parts of the vehicle may
be dry.
High temperatures will cause corrosion
to those components of the vehicle
which are prevented from quick- drying
due to lack of proper ventilation.
The above signifies the necessity to keep
your vehicle, particularly the underside, as
clean as possible and to repair any dam-
age to paint or protective coatings as
soon as possible.
To help prevent corrosion on your
Toyota, follow these guidelines:
Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of
course, necessary to keep your vehicle
clean by regular washing, but to prevent
corrosion, the following points should be
observed:
If you drive on salted roads in the
winter or if you live near the ocean,
you should hose off the undercarriage
at least once a month to minimize cor-
rosion.
Protecting your Toyota from
corrosion

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High pressure water or steam is effec-
tive for cleaning the vehicle's underside
and wheel housings. Pay particular
attention to these areas as it is difficult
to see all the mud and dirt. It will do
more harm than good to simply wet the
mud and debris without removing them.
The lower edge of doors, rocker panels
and frame members have drain holes
which should not be allowed to clog
with dirt as trapped water in these
areas can cause corrosion.
Wash the underside of the vehicle thor-
oughly when winter is over.
See ºWashing and waxing your Toyotaº for
more tips.
Check the condition of your vehicle's
paint and trim. If you find any chips or
scratches in the paint, touch them up im-
mediately to prevent corrosion from start-
ing. If the chips or scratches have gone
through the bare metal, have a qualified
body shop make the repair. Check the interior of your vehicle.
Wa-
ter and dirt can accumulate under the
floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc-
casionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly care-
ful when transporting chemicals, cleans-
ers, fertilizers, salt, etc; these s hould be
transported in proper containers. If a spill
or leak should occur, immediately clean
and dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you
drive on salted or gravel roads, mud
shields help protect your vehicle. Full- size
shields, which come as near to the ground
as possible, are the best. We recommend
that the fittings and the area where the
shields are installed be treated to resist
corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be
happy to assist in supplying and insta lling
the shields if they are recommended for
your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated
garage or a roofed place. Do not park
your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-
lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it in covered
with water or snow, your garage may be
so damp it will cause corrosion. Even if
your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can
corrode if the ventilation is poor. Washing and waxing your Toyota
Washing your Toyota
Keep your vehicle clean by regular
washing.
The following cases may cause weakness
to the paint or corrosion to the body and
parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos-
sible.
When driving in a coastal area
When driving on a road sprinkled with
antifreeze
When having stuck of coal tar, tree
sap, bird droppings and carcass of an
insect
When driving in the areas where there
are a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron
dust and chemical substance
When the vehicle becomes remarkably
dirty with dust and mud
Hand- washing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the
vehicle body is not hot to the touch.
CAUTION
When cleaning under floor or chassis,
be careful not to injure your hands.

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Soft- top modelsÐFor washing instruction
for the soft- top, see ºSoft- topº.
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re- move any mud or road salt from the
underside of the vehicle or in the
wheel wells.
Soft- top models: Spray water on the quar-
ter windows, rear window or top seals
from above, at a 45 5 angle to the ground.
NOTICE
Soft- top models only:
Do not spray water at side windows,rear window and top seals in a waywhich may cause water to enter the
vehicle.
2. Wash with a mild car- wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer 's
instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and
keep it wet by dipping it frequently into
the wash water. Do not rub hardÐlet
the soap and water remove the dirt.
Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap
or neutral detergent.
Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not
scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper
faces are soft.
Road tar: Remove with turpentine or
cleaners that are marked safe for painted
surfaces.
NOTICE
Do not use gasoline or strong sol- vents, which may be toxic or causedamage.
3. Rinse thoroughlyÐdried soap can
cause streaking. In hot weather you
may need to rinse each section right
after you wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not
rub or press hardÐyou might scratch
the paint.

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Automatic car wash
Hardtop models may be washed in an
automatic car wash, but remember that
the paint can be scratched by some type
of brushes, unfiltered washing water, or
the washing process itself. Scratching re-
duces paint durability and gloss, especially
on darker colors. The manager of the car
wash should be able to advise you wheth-
er the process is safe for the paint on
your vehicle.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna,
make sure it is retracted beforedriving your Toyota through an au- tomatic car wash.
Soft- top modelsÐDo not run soft-top models through automatic car washes or possible damage to the
soft- top may result.
Waxing your Toyota
Polishing and waxing is recommended
to maintain the original beauty of your
Toyota's finish.
Once a month or if the vehicle does not
repel water well, apply wax.
1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be- fore you begin waxing, even if you are
using a combined cleaner and wax.
2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become extremely weath-
ered, use a car- cleaning polish, fol-
lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol-
low the manufacturer 's instructions and
precautions. Be sure to polish and wax
the chrome trim as well as the paint.
3. Wax the vehicle again when water does not bead but remains on the sur-
face in large patches.
NOTICE
Always remove the plastic bumpers if
your vehicle is re- painted and placedin a high heat paint waxing booth. High temperatures could damage the
bumpers.
Soft- top
Wash using mild soap suds, lukewarm wa-
ter and a sponge.
NOTICE
Do not use harsh or abrasive cleanersor bleaching agents on the top mate-rial or damage may result.
If further cleaning is required after using
soap and water, a mild foaming cleaner
can be used. First, rinse the top. then use
a mild foaming cleaner on the entire top.
Scrub with a small soft bristle handbrush.
Add water as needed until the cleaner
gets soapy. Use a cloth or sponge to
remove dirt so it will not be ground into
the top. Be careful to keep any cleaner
from drying on the body paint as it may
cause streaks.
After the top has been cleaned, rinse ve-
hicle with clean water to remove all traces
of cleaner.
After cleaning, always make sure the top
is completely dry before you lower it. Low-
ering the top while wet or damp may
cause interior water damage, water stains
or mildew of the top material.

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Cleaning the interior
CAUTION
Do not wash the vehicle floor with
water, or allow water to get onto the
floor when cleaning the vehicle interi-
or or exterior. Water may get into au-
dio components or other electrical
components above or under the floor
carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunc-
tion; and it may cause body corro-
sion.
Vinyl interior
The vinyl upholstery may be easily
cleaned with a mild soap or detergent
and water.
First vacuum over the upholstery to re-
move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or
soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the
vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few
minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt
and wipe off the soap with a clean damp
cloth. If all the dirt do not come off, re-
peat the procedure. Commercial foaming-
type vinyl cleaners are also available
which work well. Follow the manufacturer 's
instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline
or window cleaner on the interior.
Carpets
Use a good foam- type shampoo to
clean the carpets.
Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove
as much dirt as possible. Several types of
foam cleaners are available; some are in
aerosol cans and others are powders or
liquids which you mix with water to pro-
duce a foam. To shampoo the carpets,
use a sponge or brush to apply the foam.
Rub in overlapping circles.
Do not apply waterÐthe best results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as
possible. Read the shampoo instructions
and follow them closely.
Seat belts
The seat belts may be cleaned with
mild soap and water or with lukewarm
water.
Use a cloth or sponge. As you are clean-
ing, check the belts for excessive wear,
fraying, or cuts.
NOTICE
Do not use dye or bleach on thebelts
Ðit may weaken them.
Do not use the belts until they be-come dry.
Windows
The windows may be cleaned with any
household window cleaner.
NOTICE
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, be careful not to scratch ordamage the heater wires on the rear window.
Air conditioning control panel, car au-
dio, instrument panel, console panel,
and switches
Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning.
Soak a clean soft cloth in water or luke-
warm water then lightly wipe off dirt.