2001 TOYOTA RAV4 maintenance

'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2092001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
If you are a skilled do±it±yourself mechan-
ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-
mended. Please be aware that do±it±your-
self maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See ªOwner 's Warranty Informa-
tion Bookletº or ªOwner 's Manual Supple-
mentº for the details.
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-
fied service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where ade-
quate ventilation can be obtained if
you run the engine.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
page 225 in Section 7±2 for additional
information.Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See page 226 in Sec-
tion 7±2 for additional information. When
checking the tires, make sure no nuts are
missing, and check the nuts for loose-
ness. Tighten them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to
the ªScheduled Maintenance Guideº or
ªOwner 's Manual Supplementº.) See page
227 in Section 7±2 for additional
information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors and back door oper-
ate smoothly and all latches lock securely.
Make sure the engine hood secondary
latch secures the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2102001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. For folding±up rear seat-
backs, check that the latches lock secure-
ly.Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.Automatic transmission ªParkº mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ªPº position and all brakes re-
leased.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See page 235 in Section 7±3 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the ªFULLº and ªLOWº lines on the see±
through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 221 in Section 7±2 for addition-
al information.
Battery electrolyte level
Your Toyota has a maintenance free bat-
tery. You do not have to add distilled wa-
ter. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 232 for additional information.
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2482001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
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 free play, 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 models
2.5 (2.6, 2.2)
Four±wheel drive models
3.4 (3.6, 3.0)
Oil type:
Gear oil API GL±4 or GL±5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W±90AUTOMATIC 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 3.9 (4.1, 3.4)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV
Change automatic transmission fluid only
as necessary.
Generally, it is necessary to change
automatic transmission fluid only if your
vehicle is driven under one of the Special
Operating Conditions listed in your
ªScheduled Maintenance Guideº or
ªOwner 's Manual Supplementº. When
changing the automatic transmission fluid,
use only Toyota Genuine ATF Type T±IV
(ATF JWS3309 or NWS6500) to aid in
assuring optimum transaxle performance.
Notice: Using automatic transmission
fluid other than Toyota Genuine ATF
Type T±IV may cause deterioration in
shift quality, locking up of your trans-
mission accompanied by vibration, and
ultimately damage the automatic trans-
mission of your vehicle.TRANSFER
(four±wheel drive models)
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
0.9 (1.0, 0.8)
Oil type:
Hypoid gear oil API GL±5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Above ±18
C (0
F)
SAE 90 or 85W±90
Below ±18
C (0
F)
SAE 80W or 80W±90
REAR DIFFERENTIAL
(four±wheel drive models)
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
0.9 (1.0, 0.8)
Oil type:
Hypoid gear oil API GL±5
Recommended oil viscosity:
Above ±18
C (0
F)
SAE 90
Below ±18
C (0
F)
SAE 80W or 80W±90
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2132001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
DO±IT±YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Introduction
Engine compartment overview214 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do±it±yourself service precautions215 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools217 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7± 1
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2152001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
Fuse locations
Spare fuses
If you perform maintenance by yourself,
be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in this section.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operating
problems.
Performing do±it±yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect your
warranty coverage. Read the separate
Toyota Warranty statement for details and
suggestions.
This section gives instructions only for
those items that are relatively easy for an
owner to perform. As explained in Section
6, there are still a number of items that
must be done by a qualified technician
with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do±
it±yourself maintenance, see page 217 in
ªParts and toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that
you should be especially careful to ob-
serve:
Do±it±yourself service
precautions
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2192001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
DO±IT±YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level221 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid223 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the air conditioning filter224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires227 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains228 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7± 2
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2242001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
The air conditioning filter is behind the
glove box.
The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows become to fog up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. (For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the ªScheduled Main-
tenance Guideº or ªOwner 's Manual
Supplementº.)1. Push each side of the glove box to
disconnect the claws.2. Remove the filter case from the filter
outlet as shown in the illustration.
Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter
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'01 Rav4_U (L/O 0008)
2282001 RAV4 (OM42483U)
To equalize tire wear and help extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that you
rotate your tires according to the main-
tenance schedule. (For scheduled main-
tenance information, please refer to the
ªScheduled Maintenance Guideº or
ªOwner 's Manual Supplementº.) Howev-
er, the most appropriate timing for tire
rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface condi-
tions.
See ªIf you have a flat tireº on page 187
in Section 4 for tire change procedure.
When rotating tires, check for uneven
wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usu-
ally caused by incorrect tire pressure, im-
proper wheel alignment, out±of±balance
wheels, or severe braking.WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR
CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recommended
when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires
provide better traction than snow tires.
SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select the same
size, construction and load capacity as
the original tires on your Toyota.
Do not use tires other than those men-
tioned above. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions.
NOTICE
Four±wheel drive models:
Do not use tires of different brands,
sizes and constructions. This may
damage the drive system.
SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front wheels
only can lead to an excessive difference
in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires, which could cause loss of
vehicle control.
When storing removed tires, you should
store them in a cool dry place.
Mark the direction of rotation and be sure
to install them in the same direction when
replacing.
CAUTION

Do not drive with the snow tires
incorrectly inflated.

Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)
with any type of snow tires.
Installing snow tires and
chains
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