1998 TOYOTA RAV4 check engine

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Be sure that the ignition is off if
you work near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans
will automatically start to run if the
engine coolant temperature is high
and/or the air conditioning is on.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to flying
or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as in-
flammation or skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged
and repeated contact with it. To re-
move used engine oil from your
skin, wash thoroughly with soap
and water.
Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and fil-
ter in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer or
a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cable carry high currents or volt-ages. Be careful of accidentallycausing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or distilled water to fill the radiator. And if youspill some of the coolant, be sure
to wash it off with water to preventit from damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything elseto fall through the spark plug holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-trode.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not reuse platinum- tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
Do not overfill automatic transmis-sion fluid and transfer oil, or the
transmission and transfer could bedamaged.
Do not drive with the air cleaner filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the enginecompartment.
Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood,check to see that you have not for-gotten any tools, rags, etc.

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Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do- it- yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API grade SH, ºEnergy- Con-
serving IIº or SJ, ºEnergy- Conservingº
multigrade or ILSAC multigrade having
viscosity proper for your climate
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 DEXRON -II
or III
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
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)
Tools:
Funnel
Replacing light bulbs
Parts: Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in ºRe-
placing light bulbsº in Chapter 7- 3.)
Tools:
Screwdriver

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Part 7
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
Checking the engine oil level
Low level
Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
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 of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
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, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler 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 and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for refer-
ence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand- tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the enginecould be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstickonce again after adding the oil.

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Look at the see- through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the ºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethyl-
ene- glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the lev-
el is on or below the ºLOWº line, add coolant.
Bring the level up to the ºFULLº 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 radiator,
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.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene- glycol
antifreeze. In addition to preventing freez-
ing and subsequent damage to the engine,
this will also prevent corrosion. Further
supplemental inhibitors or additives are
neither needed nor recommended.
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
recommend 50 % solution be used for
your Toyota, or a sufficient quantity to
provide protection to about ±35
C (±31 F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
Checking brake fluid
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see- through reservoir. The level
should be between the ºMAXº and
ºMINº 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 ref illing, it
may indicate a serious mechanical problem.
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 line.
This brings the fluid to the correct level when
you put the cover back on.
Checking the engine coolant level

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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 r
eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash
it off with water to prevent it fromdamaging the parts or paint.
Checking power steering fluid
Close Open
If hot O.K. If hot add If cold O.K.
If cold add
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 CÐ80 C or 140 FÐ175 F). You may
also check the level when the fluid is cold
(about room temperature, 10 CÐ30 C or
50 FÐ85 F) if the engine has not been run
for about five hours. Clean all dirt from outside of the reservoir
tank and look at the fluid level. If the fluid
is cold, the level should be in the ºCOLDº
range. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the ºHOTº 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 the range.
To remove the filler cap, turn it c ounterclock-
wise and lift up. To reinstall it, turn it clock-
wise. 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.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steer-
ing could be damaged.

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ÐChecking battery exterior
Ground cable
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
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 accesso- ries are off before performing main-tenance.
When checking the battery, remove
the ground cable from the negativeterminal (º- º mark) first and rein-stall it last.
Be careful not to cause a short cir- cuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets into thebattery when washing it.
ÐChecking battery fluid
Type A
Type B Green Dark
Clear or light yellow
Blue White Red
CHECKING BY THE HYDROMETER
Check the battery condition by the
hydrometer color. Hydrometer color
ConditionTy p e ATy p e BCondition
GREENBLUEGood
DARKWHITECharging necessary. Have
battery checked by your
Toyota dealer.
CLEAR or
LIGHT
YELLOWREDHave battery checked by
your Toyota dealer.

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Battery recharging precautions
During recharging, the battery is pro-
ducing hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
2. Be sure the power switch on the re- charger is off when connecting the
charger cables to the battery and when
disconnecting them.
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an un-
confined area. Do not charge the
battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventila-
tion.
Only do a slow charge (5A or less).
Charging at a quicker rate is dan-
gerous. The battery may explode,
causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure allaccessories are turned off.
Checking and replacing fuses
Type A
Type B
Type C Good Blown Good Good
BlownBlown
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 ºFuse locationsº in Chapter 7- 1 for
locations of the fuses.
Turn the ignition switch and inoperative
component off. Pull a suspected fuse
straight out and check it.
Determine which fuse may be causing the
problem. The lid of the fuse box shows
the name of the circuit for each fuse. See
Part 8 of this manual for the functions
controlled by each circuit.

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CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
check the washer fluid level when the
engine is hot.
NOTICE
After checking the washer fluid lev- el, make sure the dipstick is se-curely reinserted. If it is loose, fluid may leak from the reservoir.
Do not check the washer fluid levelor add washer fluid when the en- gine is running or when it is hot.
If the fluid is spilled over the hotengine, a fire could result.
If you have added washer fluid untilit is close to the top of the opening for adding fluid, do not pull out the
dipstick. Otherwise, the fluid willoverflow.
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may damage your vehicle's paint.
Replacing light bulbsÐ
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the
wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and require special handling.
They can burst or shatter if scratched
or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its
plastic or metal case. Do not touch
the glass part of a bulb with barehands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
Light bulbsBulb No.WTy p e
Headlight inner outerHB3
HB460 51B A
Parking and front turn
signal lights1157NA27/8C
Front side marker lights2175D
Rear side marker lights1943.8D
Rear turn signal lights774021D
Stop and tail lights774321/5D
Back- up lights773021D
License plate lightÐ5D
High mounted
stop light92118D
Interior lightÐ8E
Personal light
(with moon roof)Ð10C
Personal lights
(without moon roof)Ð8C
A: HB4 halogen bulbs
B: HB3 halogen bulbs
C: Single end bulbs
D: Wedge base bulbs
E: Double end bulbs