Get In case of an emergency -> If your vehicle needs to be towed Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

If your vehicle needs to be

towed—

If your vehicle becomes stuck

If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,

mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt

to rock the vehicle free by moving it

forward and backward.

NOTICE

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

If you rock your vehicle, observe the

following precautions to prevent dam-

age to the transmission and other

parts.

—From front

You can use the “AUTO LSD” switch

(two−wheel drive models) or four−wheel

drive lock switch (four−wheel drive

models) in this situation. (For details,

see “AUTO LSD system” on page 151

or “Active torque control 4WD system”

on page 148 in Section 1−7.)

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.

CAUTION

z If your vehicle remains stuck after

rocking the vehicle several times,

consider other ways such as tow-

ing.

Do not attempt to rock the vehicle

free by moving it forward and back-

ward if people or objects are any-

where near the vehicle. During the

rocking operation the vehicle may

suddenly move forward or backward

as it becomes unstuck, causing injury

or damage to nearby people or ob-

jects.

(b) Using flat bed truck

Two−wheel drive models

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’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

If towing is necessary, we recommend

TOWING PRECAUTIONS:

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck—

—From front

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).

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.

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 369 in this Section.

Two−wheel drive models—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck

From front—Release the parking brake.

—From rear

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.

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.

(b) Using flat bed truck

From rear—

Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.

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.

Four−wheel drive models

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’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

—Emergency towing

(b) Using flat bed truck

(c) Towing with sling

type truck

Four−wheel drive models—

(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck

Use a towing dolly under the wheels not

lifted by the truck.

(b) Using flat bed truck

All models—

If towing is necessary, we recommend

you to have it done by your Toyota

dealer or a commercial tow truck ser-

vice.

(c) Towing with sling type truck

NOTICE

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

on the front of the vehicle. Use extreme

caution when towing vehicle.

Do not tow with sling type truck, ei-

ther from the front or rear. This may

cause body damage.

To install the front towing eyelet, see

“—Installing front towing eyelet” described

below.

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2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

—Installing front towing eyelet

NOTICE

z 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.

z Never tow a vehicle from the rear

with four wheels on the ground.

This may cause serious damage to

the transmission.

Before towing, release the parking brake

and put the transmission in “N”. The key

must be in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON”

(engine running).

A driver must be in the vehicle to steer

it and operate the brakes.

CAUTION

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.

1. Remove the front towing eyelet cover

on the front bumper, using a flathead

screwdriver which is wrapped with a

cloth.

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.

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.

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2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

—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.

D Fasten the towing cable or chain se-

curely to the eyelet.

D Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady

and even force.

D To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not

pull from the side or at

a

vertical

angle. Always pull straight ahead.

2. Use the front towing eyelet in the tool

bag. Secure it to the hole on the

bumper by turning clockwise. (For the

tool bag location, see “—Required tools

and spare tire” on page 356 in this

Section.)

3. Tighten the front towing eyelet securely

by a wheel nut wrench.

CAUTION

When installing the eyelet on the ve-

hicle, be sure to tighten the front

eyelet securely. If the eyelet is loose,

it may come off when being towed

and result in death or serious injury.

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2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

—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

screwdriver or equivalent.

a

flathead

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2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

In case of an emergency -> If your vehicle needs to be towed for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

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