Rav 4 Xt3 2008 Questions To The Many

[Woody01]

Hi, I have just purchased a Rav 4 Xt3 2 litre petrol, 2008 model. It is required to tow my 4 berth Caravan. I have checked the weight ratio and all is fine. Can any feed back be given in relation to things to watch out for with this new vehicle. Ie = any litlle glicks or problems any one has already come accross. Never purchased a Toyota so its going to be a new experince. Thank you. Ian

Also any good sites for the bits ans bobs I will require and so I dont have to pay top dealearship prices.

[bothwell_buyer]

Hi, I have just purchased a Rav 4 Xt3 2 litre petrol, 2008 model. It is required to tow my 4 berth Caravan. I have checked the weight ratio and all is fine. Can any feed back be given in relation to things to watch out for with this new vehicle. Ie = any litlle glicks or problems any one has already come accross. Never purchased a Toyota so its going to be a new experince. Thank you. Ian

Also any good sites for the bits ans bobs I will require and so I dont have to pay top dealearship prices.

Parts-King on here offers discount on Toyota parts from the dealership - Lindop - and a quick service! One time, the postman even delivered some bits for me on a Sunday!!!

[Bezzer]

Couple of things spring to mind for towing - you need a detachable towbar as a fixed one obscures the number plate, don't get it from a dealer they want £700 fitted :( use a decent towbar fitter, got mine supplied and fitted for £320. When hitched up with an Al-Ko or Winterhoff type towhitch the back door can only open a small amount before it fouls on the hitch but it's no real problem as you've got the rear passenger doors for access. There's plenty of clearance above the ball with nothing hitched.

[Figarella]

Woody:

I just bought mine on March 4th. This is my 3rd straight Toyota in the last 20 years. I figured I owed it to Toyota. (Past were an '88 Tercel and a '96 Avalon).

I had a gas cap on my Avalon for 10 years that I loved and transferred to the RAV4. The cap has a hole in the middle with a flap, so you actually just poke the gas filler into it, no need to take the cap on/off.

So it is fine for ~20 miles of driving, when suddenly, the VCS/engine light and 4WD lights (all yellow) come on, and the cruise control does not work. I come home, put the old cap back (on which I see the warning that if it does not seal well, the engine light will come on), but the light does not go off.

I have an OBD-II reader (my wife has a Mazda Miata, what a POS that is), which I never needed for my Avalon (mind you), but when I tried to read the RAV4, it only registered an error in communication. I figure they got sneaky and figured a way to block us savvy guys from connecting to the onboard.

Anyway, I replaced the factory gas cap, then proceeded to remove the Battery cable (leaving the car with no power). Voila, once I started the car the light was gone.

Just my two bits.

LuF