2009 TOYOTA RAV4 check engine

359
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for
information concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, as the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

360 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir cap, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Enabled: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■ When the engine is hot
Do not remove the coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.

361
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser, and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicl e checked by your Toyota dealer.
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
“MAX”
“MIN”
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
NOTICE
■ When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and may cause
burns.

364 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Type BGreen: Good condition
Dark: Charging is necessary.
Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
Clear or light yellow: Not
working properly. Have the
vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and
disconnecting the charger cables to the battery.
■ After recharging/reconnecting the battery (vehicles with smart key sys-
tem)
In some cases, the engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to ini-
tialize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P, and turn the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch OFF.
Open and close any of the doors.
Start the engine. (If the engine does not start first time, repeat the
procedure.)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

388
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
off.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch off.
The fuses are located in the following places. To check the
fuses, follow the in structions below.
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment Type A: Push the tab in and lift
the lid off.
Type B: Push the tab in and lift
the lid off.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

400
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Light bulbs
You may replace the following bulbs yourself. The difficulty level of
replacement varies depending on the bulb. If necessary bulb
replacement seems difficult to perfor m, contact your Toyota dealer.
For more information about replacing other light bulbs, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ Preparing a light bulb for replacement
Check the wattage of the light bulb being replaced. ( P. 476)
■ Removing the engine compartment cover
 P. 354
■ Front bulb locations
Headlight
low beam
Front turn signal, parking and
front side marker lights
Headlight high beam
Front fog lights
(if equipped)

5
When trouble arises
425
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Follow the correction procedures.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light Indicates that a door is not
fully closed. Check that all doors are
closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Indicates that remaining
fuel is about 2.4 gal. (9.0
L, 2.0 Imp. gal.) or less Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
(on the center panel) Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his or her
seat belt.
Fasten the seat belt.
(Flashes) Active torque control 4WD
system warning light
(4WD models)
Indicates that the driveline
temperature is too high.
(When the light comes on.
P. 423) Reduce vehicle speed (until
the light goes off) or stop
the vehicle at a safe place
and allow the engine to idle
until the light goes off.

426 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Automatic transmission
fluid temperature warning
light (if equipped)Indicates that the auto-
matic transmission fluid
temperature is too high. Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and shift the shift
lever to P.
If the light does not go off,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Low washer fluid warning
light Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.
(U.S.A.) Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flashes for
about 15 seconds approxi-
mately 4500 miles (7200
km) after the engine oil is
changed: Indicates that the
engine oil is scheduled to be
changed.
Check the engine oil, and
change it if necessary.
Comes on and remains on if
the distance driven exceeds
5000 miles (8000 km): Indi-
cates that the engine oil
should be changed. Check and change the
engine oil.
Tire pressure warning
light (if equipped)
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure