Rav4 Tyre Pressure Warning Light And Whistling Noise

[Kupari]

As a new RAV4 D-Cat 177 owner (just bought a used 2006 model with 72k kms on the clock), I would like to ask a couple of questions from you pros.

When cold, the engine makes a faint whistling sound which I would guess is the turbo. The sound goes away after the engine has warmed up. Is this normal or is the turbo about to give up? If it does, what are the implications?

Another thing: The tyre pressure warning light started flashing recently. At the moment the car has winter tyres which, according to the previous owner, are not equipped with any senders and therefore the pressure warning system has been deactivated by the dealer. The summer tyres are the run flat 18" originals which are coded to work with the system. Can the system be activated/deactivated diy or only at the dealer? What could be the reason for the light to start blinking all of a sudden?

Thanks in advance!

Harri

[wardude]

hi matey

Cant really comment on the whistling but one of the technos will im sure.

The tyre warning sytem? Well I was told by 2 dealers that this cant be deactivated. Id like to think its false info as id like to put new alloys and normal tyres (instead of run flats) on mine.

all best

[anchorman]

Welcome to the club.

The turbo whistle is more pronounced when cold.

Regards

[local hero]

As a new RAV4 D-Cat 177 owner (just bought a used 2006 model with 72k kms on the clock), I would like to ask a couple of questions from you pros.

When cold, the engine makes a faint whistling sound which I would guess is the turbo. The sound goes away after the engine has warmed up. Is this normal or is the turbo about to give up? If it does, what are the implications?

Another thing: The tyre pressure warning light started flashing recently. At the moment the car has winter tyres which, according to the previous owner, are not equipped with any senders and therefore the pressure warning system has been deactivated by the dealer. The summer tyres are the run flat 18" originals which are coded to work with the system. Can the system be activated/deactivated diy or only at the dealer? What could be the reason for the light to start blinking all of a sudden?

Thanks in advance!

Harri

Hi harri + welcome,I am honestly not the best to advise you here so i hope i don't lead you astray, but my impression of the runflat system is that there are senders located at the base of each VALVE this (if i am correct) has nothing to do with the actual tyres that are fitted, If these valves + senders have been removed then replacing original tyres is not going to bring them back, If they have not been removed then the blinking light could indicate one of your tyres is losing pressure. This is only supposition on my part as i do not have this system on my XT4, but there are lots + lots of posts regarding the RFT issues, hopefully someone more knowledgable than me will answer soon.. Stew

[wardude]

see the thread below. Yeah if you fit normal tyres onto the run flat wheels,leaving the pressure sensors in (BUT REMOVING THE SAFTEY BANDS), the warning light shouldent come on. BUT if you swap the wheels around like putting the front onto the back and vice versa, this can cause the light to come on as the system gets confused. The thread below is very imformative

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51249&hl=runflat tyres&st=220

[Kupari]

Thanks folks! So the turbo whistle is nothing to worry about then? The tyre pressure warning feature is something I could do without altogether since it just makes motoring more expensive with those run flats and senders in the tyres.

Otherwise the extras are great: smart key, reversing camera, integrated navigation etc., much more than would have been available in the BMW X3s and LR Freelanders I had a look at too when buying the RAV.

Regards

Harri

[wardude]

Or as per that link, you can just dispose of the runflats and put normal tyres on. Then carry a spare in the boot or some tyre weld

[crofter]

Re answer #3,would the turbo come in at light throttle on moving off.?

[Kupari]

Re answer #3,would the turbo come in at light throttle on moving off.?

I would assume it does rotate even at low revs but the noise could also be a belt whining. Anyways i'm not that worried about it anymore.

I called the local Toyota dealer about the tyres today and they said the cost of installing four tyres is around 160 euros, ie. 2 hours labour. Normal tyres can be used and they recommended Nokian Hakka SUVs. They said some Lexus models have the same run flats.

Interesting how the models differ in different countries. Over here most of the D-Cat 177s are with 17" alloys, no leather and the spare tyre on the rear door. That model is called "Luxury". The RAV4 "X" has the leather interior, run flats etc.

Regards

Harri

[crofter]

harri,

Many thanks for your reply.

I too am concerned about a whine/whistle on my RAV,although mine is a petrol.

Happy trouble free motoring.

Derek

[anchorman]

Re answer #3,would the turbo come in at light throttle on moving off.?

Yes it would but yours doesn't have a turbo. That VVTi engine is extremely durable. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Kupari]

Hi Anchorman. Does that mean I should be worried about that whistle :o ?

Derek. Thanks, trouble free motoring to you too. We had a '06 RAV4 VVTi as a company car until my wife started her maternity leave recently. It covered over 110k kms without anything going wrong so I second that the engine is really trouble free.

Harri

[crofter]

Cheers chaps for responces.

Enlightenment is a rung in the ladder of knowledge.