air conditioning TOYOTA RAV4 2001 User Guide

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1252001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Air conditioning system
Controls126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air flow selector settings129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating tips129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Side vents132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1± 8
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1282001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Air intake selector
Press the button to select the air source.
1. RecirculateÐRecirculates the air inside
the vehicle.
2. FreshÐDraws outside air into the sys-
tem.
To prevent fogging up of the windshield,
the air intake mode may change automati-
cally to FRESH depending on the condi-
tion of the air conditioning system.ªA/Cº button (on some models)
To turn on the air conditioning, press the
ªA/Cº button. The ªA/Cº button indicator
will come on. To turn the air conditioning
off, press the button again.
If the ªA/Cº button indicator flashes, there
is a problem in the air conditioning system
and the air conditioning automatically
shuts off. If this happens, take your ve-
hicle to a Toyota dealer for service.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1292001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Air flow selector settings Operating tips

To cool off your Toyota after it has
been parked in the hot sun, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes.
This vents the hot air, allowing the air
conditioning to cool the interior more
quickly.

Make sure the air intake grilles in front
of the windshield are not blocked (by
leaves or snow, for example).

On humid days, do not blow cold air
on the windshield. The windshield could
fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside
of the windshield.

Keep the area under the front seats
clear to allow air to circulate through-
out the vehicle.

On cold days, move the fan speed to
ªHIº for a minute to help clear the in-
take ducts of snow or moisture. This
can reduce the amount of fogging on
the windows.

When driving on dusty roads, close all
windows. If dust thrown up by the ve-
hicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake selector be set to
FRESH and the fan speed selector to
any setting except ªOFFº.
On some models
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
1302001 RAV4 (OM42483U)

If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior.Heating
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐAny setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐTo w a r d s WARM
(red zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐFLOOR
Air conditioningÐOFF

For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been
warmed.

Press the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.

Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield.Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐAny setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐTo w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐON

For quick cooling, select recirculated
air for a few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speedÐAny setting except ªOFFº
TemperatureÐTo w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intakeÐFRESH (outside air)
Air flowÐPANEL
Air conditioningÐOFF
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2162001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)

Right after driving, the engine
compartmentÐthe engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold, power steering
fluid reservoir and spark plug
boots, etc.Ðwill be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.

If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.

Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.

Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.

Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.

Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.

Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.

Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cable carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or distilled
water to fill the radiator. And if you
spill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash it off with water to prevent
it from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse iridium±tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2192001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
DO±IT±YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the air conditioning filter224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7± 2
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2242001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
The air conditioning filter is behind the
glove box.
The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows become to fog up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. (For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the ªScheduled Main-
tenance Guideº or ªOwner 's Manual
Supplementº.)1. Push each side of the glove box to
disconnect the claws.2. Remove the filter case from the filter
outlet as shown in the illustration.
Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2252001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
3. Remove the filter from the filter
case.
4. Inspect the filter on the surface.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced.
NOTICE
Do not drive with the air conditioning
filter removed, or the efficiency of the
air conditioning may be lost.
Checking tire pressure
Keep your tire pressures at the proper
level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire
size and the vehicle capacity weight are
given on page 246 in Section 8. They are
also on the tire pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
do not forget the spare!Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to
drive.
Low tire pressure results in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-
my, and the possibility of blowouts from
overheated tires. Also, low tire pressure
can cause poor sealing of the tire bead.
If the tire pressure is excessively low,
there is the possibility of wheel deforma-
tion and/or tire separation.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,
handling problems, excessive wear at the
center of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of tire damage from road haz-
ards.
If a tire frequently needs refilling, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
The following instructions for checking
tire pressure should be observed:

The pressure should be checked only
when the tires are cold. If your ve-
hicle has been parked for at least 3
hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you
will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.
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