1997 TOYOTA RAV4 check engine

166Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do-it-yourself main-
tenance. Remember all Toyota parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools
must be metric. Checking the engine oil level Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API SH, Energy-Conserv-
ing IIº multigrade or ILSAC multigrade
having viscosity proper for your cli-mate
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level Parts (if level is low): Ethylene-glycol antifreeze
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools: Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid Parts (if level is low): SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake fluid Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid Parts (if level is low): Automatic transmission fluid DEX- RON [
-II or III
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition Non-maintenance batteriesÐ
Tools: Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteriesÐ Parts (if level is low): Distilled water Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Coin (for vent plugs)
Funnel (only for adding distilled water)
Checking and replacing fuses Parts (if replacement is necessary): Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Tools: Screwdriver (for driver's side instru-
ment lower panel nut)
Conventional wrench (for passenger's
side kick panel nut)
Adding washer fluid Parts: Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Parts and tools

Part 7Checking the engine oil level
169
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-2 Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level
Checking the engine coolant level
Checking brake fluid
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure
Checking and replacing tires
Rotating tires

Installing snow tires and chains
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions
With the engine at operating tempera- ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle
should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom ofthe engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick 'push it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not becorrect.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
CAUTION!
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level line, add engine oil
of the same type as already in the en- gine. Remove the oil filter cap and add engine oil in small quantities at a time, checking the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level line and the full
level line on the dipstick is indicated below
for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct range, install the filler cap hand-tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)

Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
NOTICE

171
Look at the see-through coolant res-
ervoir when the engine is cold. The
coolant level is satisfactory if it is be-
tween the FULLº and LOWº lines on
the reservoir. If the level is low, add
ethylene-glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the LOWº line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the FULLº line. Use only ethylene-glycol type coolant. See information in the next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the ra-
diator, hoses, radiator cap and drain cock
and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer
test the cap pressure and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
CAUTION! Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-gly- col antifreeze. In addition to preventingfreezing and subsequent damage to the
engine, this will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or addi-
tives are neither needed nor recom- mended.
Read
the antifreeze container for informa-
tion on freeze protection. Follow the
manufacturer 's directions for how much
to mix with water. The total capacity of the
cooling system is given in Part 8. We rec-
ommend 50% solution be used for your
Toyota, or a sufficient quantity to provideprotection to about -35 C (-31 C).
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze
or plain water alone.
NOTICE
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAXº and
MINº lines on the reservoir. It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled. If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious mechanical prob- lem.
If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir. Remove and replace the reservoir cover by hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
Checking brake fluid
Checking the engine coolant level

172line. This brings the fluid to the correct
level when you put the cover back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture
from the air, and excess moisture can cause a dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION!
Take care when filling the reservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water.
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
NOTICE
Check the fluid level through the reser-
voir. If necessary, add automatic trans-
mission fluid DEXRON [
-II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around
80 km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (60 C ' 80 C or 140 F ' 175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid is cold (about room temperature, 10 C
' 30 C or 50 F ' 85 F) if the engine has
not been run for about five hours. Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoirtank and look at the fluid level. If the fluid is cold, the level should be in the COLDº
range. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the HOTº range. If the level
is at the low side of either range, add auto-
matic transmission fluid DEXRON
[
-II or
III to bring the level within range.
To remove the filler cap, turn it counter-
clockwise and lift up. To reinstall it, turn it
clockwise. After replacing the filler cap,
visually check the steering box case, vane
pump and hose connections for leaks or damage.
CAUTION!
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
NOTICE
Checking power steering fluid

180
Check the battery for corroded or
loose terminal connections, cracks, or
loose hold-down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with
a solution of warm water and baking soda. Coat the outside of the terminals with
grease to prevent further corrosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsÐbut do not over-
tighten.
c. Tighten the hold-down clamp only
enough to keep the battery firmly in place.
Overtightening may damage the battery case.
NOTICE
Be sure the engine and all acces-
sories are off before performing
maintenance.
When checking the battery, re-move the ground cable from the
negative terminal (-º mark) first
and reinstall it last.
Be careful not to cause a short cir-cuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets into thebattery when washing it.
There are two types of batteries: Main-
tenance type and non-maintenance type. A non-maintenance battery has MAIN-
TENANCE FREE BATTERYº on its top. A
maintenance type battery does not havesuch indication. Maintenance type batteryÐ Check the fluid condition by the fluid level
lines on the side of the battery. Or if the
battery has a hydrometer on its top, you
can also check the hydrometer. Non-maintenance batteryÐ
Check the battery condition by the
hydrometer on the top of the battery.
ÐChecking battery exterior
ÐChecking battery fluid

183
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work, check the
fuses. If any of the fuses are blown,
they must be replaced.
See Fuse locationsº in Chapter 7-1 for
locations of the fuses.
Turn the ignition switch and inopera-
tive component off. Pull a suspected
fuse straight out and check it.
Determine wh ich fuse may be causing the
problem. The lid of the fuse box shows the name of the circuit for each fuse. See Part8 of this manual for the functions con-
trolled by each circuit.
Checking and replacing fuses

185
To prevent burning yourself, do not check the washer fluid level when
the engine is hot.CAUTION
!
NOTICE
After checking the washer fluid
level, make sure the dipstick is se-
curely reinserted. If it is loose, fluid may leak from the reservoir.
Do not check the washer fluid lev-el or add washer fluid when the en-gine is running or when it is hot.If the fluid is spilled over the hot
engine, a fire could result.
If you have added washer fluid un-til it is close to the top of the open-
ing for adding fluid, do not pullout the dipstick. Otherwise, thefluid will overflow.
Do not use engine antifreeze or
any other substitute because itmay damage your vehicle's paint.
The headlights have the beam angle
gauges to check:
1. Vertical movement
2. Horizontal movement
To obtain correct gauge readings, do
these before you check the headlightaims. Make sure the body around the head- light is not deformed.
Park the vehicle on a level spot.
Fill up the fuel tank.
Bounce the vehicle several times.
A passenger should sit on the driver's
seat while checking the headlight aims.Vertical movement gauges: The bubble
on the gauge should be within six marks
from center on both sides.
Checking headlight aims

196
Oil grade:
API SH, Energy-Conserving IIº mul-
tigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade en-
gine oil is recommended. Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp., qt.):
Manual Transmission 8.0 (8.5, 7.0)
Automatic transmission
7.7 (8.1, 6.8) Coolant type:
With ethylene-glycol antifreeze (Do not use alcohol type.)
BATTERY Open voltage* at 20 C (68 F):
12.6 '12.8 V Fully charged
12.2 '12.4 V Half charged
11.8 '12.0 V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after
the key is removed with all the lights
turned off Charging rates: 5 A max.
CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
5' 15 (0.2 '0.6)
Fluid type: SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): Two-wheel drive models 3.9 (4.1, 3.4)
Four-wheel drive models
5.0 (5.3, 4.4) Oil type:
Two-wheel drive models
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5
Four-wheel drive models
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W-90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp. qt.): Two-wheel drive models Up to 3.3 (3.5, 2.9)
Four-wheel drive models Up to 7.0 (7.4, 6.2)
Fluid type:
Two-wheel drive models Automatic transmission fluid D-II or DEXRON [
III (DEX
RON [
II)
Four-wheel drive models Toyota automatic transaxle
fluid Type T or equivalent