Everything To Know About Toyota RAV4 Dashboard Symbols and Their Meanings

Since its official launch in 1996, the Toyota RAV4 has developed a reputation for being a safe, reliable, and long-lasting SUV that’s an absolute joy to drive. Features such as all-wheel drive and Toyota Safety Sense take away a lot of the anxiety that’s inherent in the modern driving experience. Nevertheless, most drivers feel a twinge of unease when a dashboard symbol they don’t recognize lights up in their car.

Toyota RAV4 dashboard symbols and meanings are somewhat different from other SUV models. This article from Beaverton Toyota will help you navigate them so you can always be aware of what your car is trying to tell you.

Low Fuel Level Warning

Looks like: image of fuel pump

Chances are, you’ve seen this symbol before a few times: the low fuel level warning appears when your car is in danger of running out of gas. On more recent generations of the Toyota RAV4, this is indicated by the “Distance to Empty” display on your dash. Once the low fuel level light appears, you only have about two gallons of gas left. This will usually get you about 20 to 30 miles, so head to the nearest gas station to fill up.

Battery Charging Warning

Looks like: “Battery Charging”

As in most vehicles, a Toyota RAV4 charges its 12V battery through the process of driving itself. If the battery does not charge properly, the vehicle will be unable to cycle on and off, potentially forcing you to call a tow the next time you try to start your car. There are several issues that may cause the battery to fail to charge effectively; the most common is an ailing alternator. This requires the attention of a maintenance professional, so if a light that says “Battery Charging” comes on in your RAV4, consider taking your car in for a diagnostic.

Low Oil Pressure Light

Looks like: old-fashioned oil can

This icon indicates a problem with the oil pressure in your Toyota RAV4. There are many reasons why this might be the case: it may be because it’s been too long since the car had an oil change, due to a faulty sensor, or most worryingly, due to an actual leak of oil through the oil pan of the vehicle.

Low oil pressure is a serious problem that if left unchecked can lead to the catastrophic failure of your car’s engine. For this reason, if you see the oil pressure light, you should assume that it’s a more serious issue and immediately bring your car to a licensed mechanic.

Coolant Temp Warning

Looks like: thermometer floating in water

As you’ve probably guessed, this indicates that the coolant in your car is in danger of overheating. This means that the coolant is no longer able to prevent the engine itself from overheating. This, of course, can damage the engine and ultimately cause your car to fail to drive. If you see this light, you should pull over and allow the car to rest until it cools down. After the temperature becomes more manageable, bring your vehicle in for maintenance to diagnose and repair the issue that caused the overheating in the first place.

Tire Pressure Light

Looks like: front view of a bulging flat tire with an exclamation point

Your car also has sensors that continuously work to detect the air pressure in the tires. If these sensors detect that this pressure level is too low, your tire pressure light will come on.

Tires with air pressure levels that are lower than they should be can cause all sorts of issues. At best, they’ll increase wear and tear on the car while also dramatically reducing the gas mileage. At worst, they can be indicative of a problem with your tires that can ultimately lead to a blowout; this is dangerous, to say the least. When the tire pressure light comes on, you may be able to solve the problem by adding air to the tires. However, if the light comes back on even after you have done so, you should bring your car to your certified Toyota technician to diagnose the problem.

Slip Indicator

Looks like: car with two curved lines behind it

Your Toyota RAV4 is equipped with All-Wheel Drive, meaning that it continuously receives torque from all four wheels. This is a major safety feature, as vehicles with this function have superior traction and are far less likely to slip, even on wet or icy surfaces.

Nevertheless, no safety feature can single-handedly prevent slippage on its own: that’s why the Toyota RAV4 also has Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), which activate on their own when the sensor detects the vehicle losing control. When they do, the slip indicator light will activate. This is a sign that you may need to reduce your speed and drive more cautiously, as the terrain has become slick and potentially dangerous.

Check Engine Light

Looks like: engine with “CHECK” in capital letters

The check engine light in a Toyota RAV4 can indicate a number of different issues, ranging from minor to serious. Minor issues may include anything from a loose gas cap to a temporarily overextended catalytic converter due to a lot of stop-and-start driving.

In other cases, the check engine light may indicate that your Toyota RAV4 is in need of maintenance. This could be anything from a spark plug issue to a problem with the onboard computer. Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system will record the problem as a code, which will need to be accessed and interpreted by a maintenance professional from Beaverton Toyota or another licensed dealer.

A check engine light that is blinking indicates a more serious issue. In most cases, it’s a sign of an engine misfire, meaning that gasoline may be being vented into the exhaust of the vehicle. This is a major problem, so if your check engine light is blinking, stop driving your RAV4 immediately and have it brought to a Toyota certified technician as soon as possible.

Tags: Dashboard Warning Lights, Toyota Certified Technician, Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
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