Hi everyone, I bought my RAV4 (second hand 2005 model) at the beginning of April and it's fab, I love it!

Just wondered if anyone could help me with this though - when I got in my car this morning and started the engine the alarm went off - I can't find any mention of the alarm in my manual - just the immobiliser. Does anyone know what might have caused this?

Cheers!

[quote name='happybunny' post='746466' date='Apr 25 2008, 10:54 AM']Hi everyone, I bought my RAV4 (second hand 2005 model) at the beginning of April and it's fab, I love it!

Just wondered if anyone could help me with this though - when I got in my car this morning and started the engine the alarm went off - I can't find any mention of the alarm in my manual - just the immobiliser. Does anyone know what might have caused this?

Cheers![/quote]
A grand welcome to the forum!
I'm by no means an expert on such a recent RAV, but many on here are so a few will be along soon..... my guess would be something like a low battery but I'm probably wrong.

hi, unhappy bunny :-)

Alarm is a standard fit on the 2005 RAV I am sure (my 2005 RAV has one) - my alarm likes to go off when the battery is drained - when did you last use the car (batteries don't seem to hold their charge for that long)

[quote name='Hoovie' post='746485' date='Apr 25 2008, 12:23 PM']hi, unhappy bunny :-)

Alarm is a standard fit on the 2005 RAV I am sure (my 2005 RAV has one) - my alarm likes to go off when the battery is drained - when did you last use the car (batteries don't seem to hold their charge for that long)[/quote]


Thanks for that - my car is sometimes sitting in my driveway for a couple of days without being used right enough. The last time I went any mentionable distance was Tuesday and I used it very briefly yesterday. Does that mean the battery could soon need renewed or do I just have to drive it more? Sorry - one last thing I take it the alarm won't just off randomly then (like during the night since my neighbours bedroom window overlooks my wee friend!).

Cheers guys!

there is a long battery thread may be worth looking at!

It seems the RAV battery does not like being left for more then about 4-5 days without a decent run, it drains down, and when it gets past a certain point, the alarm thinks someone has opened the door and goes off.

On another topic - you say your car is a 2005 - is it still under 3 years old? if so and you didn't know this already, check your wheels for any corrosion bubbles - if it has some (a Toyota perennial problem), then you may well be entitled to nice shiney brand new ones under the initial 3 year warranty (I got my new ones about a month ago)

Finally, welcome to TOC RAV4

The RAV battery has been a regular topic in this forum if you try searching. Its fairly small - I normally get no more than 3 years out of them.

You can drop into a garage where they could do a proper battery test on it to see how healthy it is. Also, make sure the terminals are nice and clean and no corrosion so that the battery gets charged properly.

Using trickle feed chargers has been mentioned here recently and again you should find it thru a search.

Thanks again - what a friendly helpful bunch you are - it's good to be part of your club!

Think I'll have to take my new friend out for a run more often then - not hard as it's such a pleasure to drive. My RAV will be 3 in July and credit to the salesman as he told me to look out for any bubbles on the tyres etc. as they are covered under the warranty. He also said to book it in for its first MOT just before the warranty runs out so I'm covered for that too.

Cheers - have a good weekend!

Good on the salesman - enjoy your RAV and make sure you have enough Petrol to get home again