wheel TOYOTA RAV4 2008 XA30 / 3.G Owner's Guide

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
316
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
increase.
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
The antilock brake system is designed
to help prevent lockup of the wheels
during a sudden braking or braking on
slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steer-
ing performance of the vehicle under
these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the anti −lock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the anti −lock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. This
will result in reduced braking performan-
ce.
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).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on a manhole cov-
er, a steel plate at a construction site,
joints in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti −lock brake sys-
tem.
A sound may be heard from the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the anti −
lock brake system is in the self −check
mode. This sound does not indicate a
malfunction. When the antilock brake system is ac-
tivated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunc-
tion of the system:
You may hear the anti
−lock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the ve-
hicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the ve-
hicle is stopped.
At the end of the anti −lock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
317
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock
brake system: Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing ve-
hicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, be-
cause there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the antilock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
For the U.S.A.
For Canada

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
318
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the anti−lock brake system and the brake
assist system work properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter,
if the system malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti −lock brake system
Brake assist system
Traction control system
“AUTO LSD” system
Enhanced vehicle stab ility control sys-
tem
Downhill assist control system
Hill −start assist control system
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces. If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the components moni-
tored by the warning light. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
DRUMINDISC TYPE PARKING BRAKE
SYSTEM
Your vehicle has a drum −in −disc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system n eeds bedding −down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bed-
ding− down.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
When you slam the brakes on, the
brake assist system judges as an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more pow-
erful braking will be applied. At this time,
you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a mal-
function.
The brake assist system becomes opera-
tive 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).

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
319
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
For an explanation of this system’s warn-
ing light, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 129 in Sec-
tion 1−6.
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. The electric power steering system, us-
ing an electric motor, assists the turn-
ing of the steering wheel.
In the following cases, you may feel the
steering becomes heavy. However, the
electric power steering system warning
light does not come on. (Because it is
not a malfunction.)
When maneuvering or turning frequently
over a long time
The power steering effect will be re-
duced to prevent the system from over-
heating. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, or stop the vehicle and turn the
engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position. The system will become cool
in about 10 minutes.
NOTICE
Frequent maneuvering and turning
over a long time may cause damage
to the system in which the mecha-
nism prevents overheating of the elec-
tric power steering system.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators
Electric power steering system

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
320
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
When the battery is discharged
Check the battery’s condition. If neces-
sary, recharge or replace the battery.
For details, see “Checking battery con-
dition” on page 418 in Section 7−3.
Electric power steering system warning
light
The light comes on when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. If
the electric power steering system works
properly, the light turns off after a few
seconds. If the system has malfunctions,
the light comes on again.
If the following conditions occur, this
indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the components monitored by the warn-
ing light system. Contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible to service
the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
engine switch is turned to the “ON”
position or remains on.
The light stays on while you are driv-
ing.
CAUTION
If the electric power steering system
warning light comes on, take your ve-
hicle to your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible. In this case, more effort
is required for the steering wheel to
turn than usual. Drive your vehicle
while firmly gripping the steering
wheel.
INFORMATION
When the steering wheel is turned, a
motor operating sound (whining
sound) may be heard. This occurs
when the power steering motor works
and is not defective.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
326
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
This illustration indicates typical tire
size.1. Tire use (P=Passenger car, T=Temporary use)
2. Section width (in millimeters)
3. Aspect ratio (tire height to section width)
4. Tire construction code (R=Radial, D=Diagonal)
5. Wheel diameter (in inches)
6. Load index (2 digits or 3 digits)
7. Speed symbol (alphabet with one letter)1. Section width
2. Tire height
3. Wheel diameter1. Bead
2. Sidewall
3. Shoulder
4. Tread
5. Belt
6. Inner liner
7. Reinforcing rubber
8. Carcass
9. Rim lines
10.Bead wires
11. Chafer
—Tire size —Name of each section of tire

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
328
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Temperature A, B, C—T he tem per a-
ture grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C cor-
responds to a level 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 per-
formance 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 properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
330
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Ti r e relat ed ter mMeaning
Production options weight
the combined weight of those installed regular production options weighing
over 2.3 kg (5 lb.) in excess of those standard items which they replace,
not previously considered in curb weight or accessory weight, including
heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special
trim
Rima metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads
are seated
Rim diameter (Wheel diameter)nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationrim diameter and width
Rim type designationthe industry of manufacturer ’s designation for a rim by style or code
Rim widt hnominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity)the rated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kg (150 lb.) times the vehicle’s desig-
nated seating capacity
Vehicle maximum load on the tirethe load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load on the tire
the load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight
(distributed in accordance with Table 1 that follows) and dividing by two
Weather sidethe surface area of the rim no t covered by the inflated tire
Beadthe part of the tire that is made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply
cords and that is shaped to fit the rim

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
333
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Ti r e relat ed ter mMeaning
Passenger car tire
a tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles,
and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lb. or
less.
Plya layer of rubber−coated parallel cords
Ply separationa parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies
Pneumatic tire
a mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric and steel or other mate-
rials, that, when mounted on an automotive wheel, provides the traction and
contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load
Radial ply tirea pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at
substantially 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread
Reinforced tirea tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures
than the corresponding standard tire
S ec t ion widt hthe linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire,
excluding elevations due to labeling, decoration, or protective bands
Sidewallthat portion of a tire between the tread and bead
Sidewall separationthe parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall
Snow tire
a tire that attains a traction index equal to or greater than 110, compared to
the ASTM E −1136 Standard Reference Test Tire, when using the snow traction
test as described in ASTM F −1805 −00, Standard Test Method for Single Wheel
Driving Traction in a Straight Line on Snow −and Ice −Cov er ed Sur f ac es , and
which is marked with an Alpine Sym bol ( ) on at least one sidewall

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
334
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Ti r e relat ed ter mMeaning
Te s t r i mthe rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and may be any rim listed as appropri-
ate for use with that tire
Treadthat portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road
Tread riba tread section running circumferentially around a tire
Tread separationpulling away of the tread from the tire carcass
Treadwear indicators (TWI)the projections within the principal grooves designed to give a visual indication
of the degrees of wear of the tread
Wheel−holding fixturethe fixture used to hold the wheel and tire assembly securely during testing
Table 1—Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for various designated seating capacities
Designated seating capacity,number of occupants
Vehicle normal load, number of occupantsOccupant distribution in a normallyloaded vehicle
2 through 422 in front
5 through 1032 in front, 1 in second seat
11 through 1552 in front, 1 in second seat, 1 in third
seat, 1 in fourth seat
16 through 2072 in front, 2 in second seat, 2 in third
seat, 1 in fourth seat