1999 TOYOTA RAV4 check engine

'99 Rav4.U193
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 for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum com-
ponents.
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.
Always use ethylene- glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. 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
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system. Your coolant
must contain ethylene- glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of your
engine that contains aluminum
components. Use ºToyota Long Life
Coolantº or equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and
subsequent damage to the engine, this
type of coolant will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or additives
are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information
on freeze protection. Follow the manufac-
turer's directions for how much to mix
with plain water (preferably demineralized
water or distilled water). The total c
apacity
of the cooling system is given in Part 8. We recommend to use 50% solution for
your Toyota, to provide protection down to
about -35
C (- 31 F). When it is extreme-
ly cold, to provide protection down to
about -50 5C (- 58 5F), 60% solution is rec-
ommended. Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
Checking the engine coolant level

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196
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. 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.

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204
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
Green
Ty p e A
Dark
White Clear or
light yellow
Ty p e B Blue 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 LIGHTYELLOW
REDHave 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 (5 A or
less). Charging at a quicker rate is
dangerous. The battery may ex-
plode, causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure allaccessories are turned off.
Checking and replacing fuses
Ty p e A
Good Blown
Ty p e B
Good Blown
Ty p e C
Good Blown
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
Outer
HB3 HB460 51B A
Parking and front
turn signal lights1157NA27/8C
Front side marker
lights2175D
Rear side marker
lights1943.8D
Rear turn signal
lights744021D
Stop and tail lights744321/5D
Back- up lights744021D
License plate light1685D
High mounted
stop light
Hardtop
Soft- top
921
744018 21D D
Interior lightÐ8E

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218
Oil grade:
API grade SJ, ºEnergy- Conservingº or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil is recom-
mended.
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): Manual transmission8.0 (8.5, 7.0)
Automatic transmission 7.7 (8.1, 6.8) Coolant type:
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene- glycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
BATTERY
Open voltage *
at 20 C (68 F):
12.6Ð12.8 V Fully charged
12.2Ð12.4 V Half charged
11.8Ð12.0 V Discharged
* : Voltage that is checked 20 minutes af-
ter the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging rates:
5 A max.
CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.): 5Ð15 (0.2Ð0.6)
Fluid type: SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): Two- wheel drive models3.9 (4.1, 3.4)
Four- wheel drive models
5.0 (5.3, 4.4) Oil type:
Two- wheel drive models
Gear oil API GL- 4 or GL- 5
Four- wheel drive models Gear oil API GL- 5
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 75W- 90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Fluid capacity (drain and ref ill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.): Up to 3.3 (3.5, 2.9)
Fluid type: Two- wheel drive models
Automatic transmission fluid
D- II or DEXRON III (DEXRON II)
Four- wheel drive models
Toyota automatic transaxle fluid
Type T or equivalent