Newbie Rav-4 Owner

December 17, 2010

Picked up the wee beastie yesterday - and it was persisting it down with snow - how apt and timely! Fun driving back home...
Have spent a few hours trawling through the manual, so some questions answered, many more sussed out on these forums and Searching. Some still to be sorted - after 8 years of SEAT Leon (nee VW) ownership, some of the manual seems very vague and confusing, even contradictory...? Too many unanswered questions and far too much: "Take it to your nearest Mr T dealer / stealer..."
The Leon's had tyre pressure sensors operated via the ABS system so it sensed any change in wheel revolutions caused by slow / fast deflation, etc. - never let me down, ie: picking up the slightest drop in pressure when a big fat woodscrew had dug itself in. I am assuimg that the sensors on the RAV4 are in the valve or something...? Wireless 'Bleep & Booster' stuff? Anyone any ideas of costs when replacing the tyre? My piggy-bank looks a bit sick at the moment.
Talking of wheels, if I can source a cheapo suitable spare, what should I be looking for re: PCD, width of rim, etc. etc.? Or is there anything I can get as a type of "space saver" that will fit...? Or maybe the latter thought is a bad idea?
Again, huge thanks for the help so far. Much appreciated
Not clear if you have a Toyota TPMS. I have an after market one made by Tyresure which is radio transmission from sensor in the ( special ) tyre valve. Suspect Toyota ones work same way. Changing tyres is not a problem on mine BUT I would suggest that you always remind the tyre dealer and the fitter that the system is fitted. Damage to Toyota ones is likely to be expensive. From memory the Tyresure ones have a design life of 7 years ( including Battery ) and cost about £40 each.
I got my spare wheel from the Toyota dealer that I bought the car from for £150 complete. It is actually a 16" steel wheel with a tyre fitted that is almost the same O/dia as the standard 17" tyres ( confirmed as an acceptable spare by Toyota GB ). It is worth looking through the forum at all the posts on RAV spare wheels as the wheel dimensions have been listed a couple of times. There doesn't seem to be a spacesaver available with the right (hub) bore although the Honda CRV(?) spacesaver fits the studs and offset. VERY DANGEROUS to use a wheel with the wrong bore as all load is then taken through studs. Anchorman HAD some alloy wheels & tyres but may have sold them by now.

I'm confused - your 08 XTR has a TPMS system?

Certainly not fitted as standard to that vehichle as far as I know.

As for a spare, genuine 17" RAV wheels do come up from time to time on e-bay - usually with a tyre fitted. Another option is a Toyota steel rim LINK or you could source an aftermarket alloy of correct size.

December 17, 2010

Yep, got Mr T's tyre pressure system. Will keep looking for wheels - hopefully it won't be needed too soon (if ever...). :blink:

December 17, 2010

Yep, got Mr T's tyre pressure system. Will keep looking for wheels - hopefully it won't be needed too soon (if ever...).

So does it have the run flat rims too? If so, you have my comiserations :!Removed!:

Now, as for 'Bleep and Booster' - age will out :D `

December 17, 2010

No - thankfully not got the Run Flats (AFAIK...). :) However, still finding my way around - but haven't seen the Run Flat symbol on the tyres. Off to play with the bluetooth now and get that set up :yes:

December 17, 2010

Yep, got Mr T's tyre pressure system

You sure???

December 19, 2010

Some good reading in this thread for me and has cleared up many points/worries :)
Are there any other issues with the 09 2.2 XTR that I need to consider,as I pick mine up tomorrow :)
Sure the dealer told me it had RFT's fitted - discount time?
If you were led to believe that you are paying a premium for RFTs, then I think you could be justified in asking for something in lieu
Enjoy your RAV

Thanks mate :)

No RFT fitted but got a full set of new genuine RAV mats fitted :)

December 19, 2010

You sure???

:ermm: Having had quite a bit of time to look closer and nosey about - no, I haven't got the TPMS... :no: Convinced myself it had it fitted as an option. Anyways, having read about it on here and the pitfalls and costs, maybe it isn't such a tragedy that I haven't got it... :g: