2008 TOYOTA RAV4 oil filter

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
399
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
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 “Parts and
tools” on page 400 in this Section.
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:CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine
compartment—the engine, radiator,
exhaust manifold and spark plug
boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-
ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids
and spark plugs may also be hot.
If the engine is hot, do not remove
the coolant reservoir cap or loosen
the drain plugs to prevent burning
yourself.
Do not leave anything that may
burn easily, such as paper or rags,
in the engine compartment.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Be sure that the engine is off if you
work near the electric cooling fans
or radiator grille. With the engine
on, the electric cooling fans will
automatically start to run if the en-
gine 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.
Doityourself service
precautions

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition
cable carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonbo-
rate coolant with longlife hybrid
organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water (for
the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water (for Canada).
 If you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.
 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 iridiumtipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.
 Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
 Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
 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.Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform 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):
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equiva-
lent
See page 404 in Section 7− 2 for de-
tails about engine oil selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non −silicate, non −amine, non− ni-
trite, and non −borate coolant with long −
life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for
Canada).
Parts and tools

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Oil capacity (drain and refill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.):2.4 L 4 −cylinder (2AZ −FE) engine
With filter 4.3 (4.5, 3.8)
Without filter 4.1 (4.3, 3.6)
3.5 L V6 (2GR −FE) engine
With filter 6.1 (6.4, 5.4)
Without filter 5.7 (6.0, 5.0)
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in
your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
to satisfy the following grade and
viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil Recommended oil viscosity:
2.4 L 4 −cylinder (2AZ −FE) engine
SAE 5W −20 or 0W −20
Outside temperature
3.5 L V6 (2GR −FE) engine
SAE 5W −30
Outside temperature
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details.

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
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2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
A
“ABS” warning light129
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“AUTO LSD” system 153
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Active torque control 4WD system 150 . . . . .
Adding washer fluid 422
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment
Front seats 36,37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear/second seat 41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat belt 53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioning filter 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioning system
Automatic air conditioning system 276 . . . .
Manual air conditioning system 270 . . . . . .
Airbags 64,71,81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 416
. . . . . . . . . .
Anti −glare inside rear view mirror 110 . . . . . .
Anti −theft steering column lock 142 . . . . . . . .
Appearance care
Cleaning the interior 386
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting your Toyota from corrosion 382
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing and waxing 383
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio system 172
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio system
AUX 191
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio/video system 194
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio/video system operating tips 232 . . . . . .
Automatic air conditioning system 276 . . . . . .
Automatic transmission
Driving with an automatic transmission 143,147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift lock override button 378
. . . . . . . . . . . . Shift pattern
143,147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting speed 143,147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid
temperature warning light 129
. . . . . . . . . . .
AUX 191
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary box 291,292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary catch, Engine hood 27
. . . . . . . . . . .
B
Back door 26
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery
Checking battery condition 418
. . . . . . . . . .
Gas caution 418
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handling safety 418
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recharging precautions 420
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 346
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 342
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bluetooth  239
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bottle holders 295
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 319 . . . . . . . .
Brake system 316
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system warning light 129
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes
Fluid level 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pad wear limit indicators 319
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 167
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break −in tips 309
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness control 116
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
Carbon monoxide caution 313
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo and luggage
Capacity 335
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacity and distribution 337
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Stowage precautions 336
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo net 300
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification label 321
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging system warning light 129
. . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing fuses 420
. . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the air conditioning filter 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 404
. . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and
condenser 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint
Child restraint system 86
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation 88
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation with child restraint lower anchorages 104
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precautions 85
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of child restraint system 87 . . . . . . . .
Using a top strap 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning the interior 386
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 288
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cold weather
Operation 346
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact disc changer 172
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact disc changer controller 172 . . . . . . .
Compact disc player 172
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Condenser
Checking the condenser 407
. . . . . . . . . . . .

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
Where to obtain the Repair Manual
The repair manual for RAV4 may be purchased
from any Toyota dealer or the Material Distribu-
tion Center. To purchase the repair manual, please
contact your Toyota dealer or call the Material
Distribution Center tollfree at 18006222033.
Maintenance procedures for the engine,
chassis, body, electric al system, and more,
are clearly explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tuneup
Periodic maintenance and tuneup helps to prevent
small problems from growing into larger ones later on.
The repair manual outlines exactly what maintenance
is required and clearly explains how to do the work
yourself stepbystep.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug re-
placement, valve clearance adjustment and engine oil
and filter replacement.