flat tire TOYOTA RAV4 2000 User Guide

Rav4(U)
1972000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See Section 7−2 for addi-
tional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the ”HOT” or ”COLD”
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See Section 7−2 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 2.)Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-
most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one
side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?
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Rav4(U)
2112000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps. Without the valve caps,
dirt or moisture could get into the valve
core and cause air leakage. If the caps
have been lost, have new ones put on
as soon as possible.
Checking and replacing tires
Tread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tire tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have built−in tread
wear indicators to help you know when the
tires need replacement. When the tread
depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less,
the indicators will appear. If you can see
the indicators in two or more adjacent
grooves, the tire should be replaced. The
lower the tread, the higher the risk of skid-
ding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any
damage is found, consult with a techni-
cian and have the tire repaired or re-
placed.
Even if the damage does not appear serious,
a qualified technician should examine the
damage. Objects which have penetrated the
tire may have caused internal damage.
Any tires which are over 6 years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have
never or seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires
stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as original-
ly installed and with the same or great-
er load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may seri-
ously affect handling, ride, speedometer/
odometer calibration, ground clearance, and
clearance between the body and tires or
snow chains.
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Rav4(U)
2122000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
CAUTION
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias−ply tires on your vehicle. It
can cause dangerous handling char-
acteristics, resulting in loss of con-
trol.
Do not use tire or wheels other
than the manufacturer ’s recom-
mended size.
NOTICE
Do not use tires of different brands,
sizes and constructions. This may
damage the drive system.
Never use second−hand tires on your
To y o t a .
Using tires whose previous history is un-
known is a risk.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both front or rear tires be re-
placed as a set.
See ”If you have a flat tire” in Section 4
for tire change procedure.When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Wheels can get out of
balance with regular use and should there-
fore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.
Rotating tires
With a spare tire of the same wheel type
as the installed tires
With a spare tire of different wheel type
from the installed tires
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Rav4(U)
2132000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
To equalize tire wear and help extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that you
rotate your tires approximately every
12000 km (7500 miles). However, the
most appropriate timing for tire rotation
may vary according to your driving hab-
its and road surface conditions.
See ”If you have a flat tire” in Section 4
for tire change procedure.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear
and damage. Abnormal wear is usually
caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper
wheel alignment, out−of−balance wheels, or
severe braking.WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR
CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recommended
when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires pro-
vide better traction than snow tires.
SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select tires of
the same size, construction and load
capacity as the original tires on your
Toyota. Make sure all the snow tires are
the same brand.
Do not install studded tires without first
checking local regulations for possible re-
strictions.
NOTICE
Do not use tires of different brands,
sizes and constructions. This may
damage the drive system.
SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels.Installing snow tires on the front wheels only
can lead to an excessive difference in road
grip capability between the front and rear
tires which could cause loss of vehicle con-
trol.
When storing removed tires, you should
store them in a cool dry place.
Mark the direction of rotation and be sure
to install them in the same direction when
replacing.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the snow tires
incorrectly inflated.
Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)
with any type of snow tires.
TIRE CHAIN SELECTION
Use tire chains of the correct size.
Tw o−wheel drive models only—
Use only genuine Toyota tire chains or equiv-
alent for use on the RAV4.
Installing snow tires and
chains
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Rav4(U)
2412000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Treadwear—The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1−1/2) times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may de-
part significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.Traction AA, A, B, C—The traction
grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C, and they represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straight
ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C—The temperature
grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and exces-
sive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a lev-
el of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grades for this
tire are established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
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