Get In case of an emergency -> If your vehicle needs to be towed Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

If your vehicle needs to be

towed—

NOTICE

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

If you rock your vehicle, observe the

following precautions to prevent dam-

age to the transmission and other

parts.

—From front

z Do not depress the accelerator ped-

al while shifting the selector lever

or before the transmission is com-

pletely shifted to forward or reverse

gear.

—From rear

z Do not race the engine and avoid

spinning the wheels.

z If your vehicle remains stuck after

rocking the vehicle several times,

consider other ways such as tow-

ing.

(b) Using flat bed truck

Two−wheel drive models

Four−wheel drive models

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

199

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

If towing is necessary, we recommend

you to have it done by your Toyota

dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-

vice. In consultation with them, have

your vehicle towed using either (a) or

(b).

TOWING PRECAUTIONS:

NOTICE

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.

Do not tow with the key removed or

in the “LOCK” position when towing

from the rear without a towing dolly.

The steering lock mechanism is not

strong enough to hold the front

wheels straight.

Only when you cannot receive a towing

service from a Toyota dealer or com-

mercial tow truck service, tow your ve-

hicle carefully in accordance with the

instructions given in “—Emergency tow-

ing” on page 201 in this section.

Two−wheel drive models—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck

From front—Release the parking brake.

D Automatic transmission:

Use

wheels.

a

towing dolly under the front

NOTICE

Proper equipment will help ensure that

your vehicle is not damaged while being

towed. Commercial operators are generally

aware of the state/provincial and local

laws pertaining to towing.

When lifting wheels, take care to en-

sure adequate ground clearance for

towing at the opposite end of the

raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper

and/or underbody of the towed vehicle

will be damaged during towing.

NOTICE

Never tow a vehicle with an automatic

transmission from the rear with the

front wheels on the ground, as this

may cause serious damage to the

transmission.

Your vehicle can be damaged if it is

towed incorrectly. Although most operators

know the correct procedure, it is possible

to make a mistake. To avoid damage to

your vehicle, make sure the following pre-

cautions are observed. If necessary, show

this page to the tow truck driver.

From rear—

D Manual transmission:

(b) Using flat bed truck

We recommend using

a

towing dolly

Four−wheel drive models—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck

under the front wheels. If you do not

use a towing dolly, place the ignition

key in the “ACC” position and put the

transmission in neutral.

Use a towing dolly under the wheels not

lifted by the truck.

(b) Using flat bed truck

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

200

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

—Emergency towing

(c) Towing with sling type

truck

Front

Rear (four−wheel drive models with auto-

matic transmission)

All models—

(c) Towing with sling type truck

If towing is necessary, we recommend

you to have it done by your Toyota

dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-

vice.

NOTICE

Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-

ther from the front or rear. This may

cause body damage.

If towing service is not available in an

emergency, your vehicle may be tempo-

rarily towed by a cable or chain se-

cured to the emergency towing eyelets

under the front of the vehicle or the

left emergency towing eyelet under the

rear of the vehicle. Use extreme caution

when towing vehicle.

Rear (four−wheel drive models with manu-

al transmission and two−wheel drive mod-

els)

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

201

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

—Emergency towing eyelet

precautions

D Before emergency towing, check that

the eyelet is not broken or damaged

and that the installation bolts are not

loose.

NOTICE

Only use specified towing eyelet;

otherwise your vehicle may be dam-

aged.

Use only a cable or chain specifically

intended for use in towing vehicles.

Securely fasten the cable or chain to

the towing eyelet provided.

D Fasten the towing cable or chain se-

curely to the eyelet.

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer

it and operate the brakes.

D Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady

Before towing, release the parking brake

and put the transmission in neutral (manu-

al) or “N” (automatic). The key must be

in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine run-

ning).

and even force.

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.

D To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not

pull from the side or at

a

vertical

angle. Always pull straight ahead.

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.

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.

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

202

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

—Tips for towing a stuck

vehicle

If you cannot shift automatic

transmission selector lever

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.

CAUTION

If the emergency towing eyelet is

used to get out when your vehicle

becomes struck in mud, sand or oth-

er condition from which the vehicle

cannot be driven out under its own

power, make sure to observe the pre-

cautions mentioned below. Otherwise,

excessive stress will be put on the

eyelet and the towing cable or chain

may break, causing serious injury or

damage.

D Remove the soil and sand in the front

and the back of the tires.

D Place a stone or wood under the tires.

D 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.

If you cannot shift the selector lever

out of “P” position to other positions

even though the brake pedal is de-

pressed, use the shift lock override but-

ton as follows:

D Tow the vehicle as straight ahead

as possible.

1. Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”

position. Make sure the parking

brake is applied.

D Keep away from the vehicle during

towing.

2. Pry up the cover with a flat−bladed

screwdriver or equivalent.

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

203

In case of an emergency -> If your vehicle needs to be towed for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals