2009 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

353
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Fuse boxes (
P. 388)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 360)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 356)
Battery ( P. 363)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 361)Radiator ( P. 361)
Condenser ( P. 361)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 355)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 367)

354 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment cover■ Removing the engine compartment cover
■ Installing the clips

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level gro und. After turning off the engine,
wait more than five minutes for the oil to drain back into the
bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
Low
Full
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

356 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engineLow
Full
■ Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil. Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to raise the level from low to full on
the dipstick is indicated as follows:
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp. qt.)
Oil grade ILSAC multi-grade engine oil
Items Clean funnel
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■
Recommended viscosity
2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
5W-20, 0W-20
*1: SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 engineoil may be used. However,
SAE 0W-20 is the best choice
for good fuel economy, and
good starting in cold weather.
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for
good fuel economy, and good
starting in cold weather.
*2: If SAE 5W-30 oil is not avail-able, SAE 10W-30 oil may be
used. However, it should be
replaced with SAE 5W-30 at
the next oil change.
■ How to read oil container labels
Some oil containers are labeled with ILSAC certification marks that
help you to select the proper oil.
Outside temperature
*1
Outside temperature
*2

358 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Engine oil consumption
●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
● More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
● A new engine consumes more oil.
● When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-
rately.
● Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp.qt./600 miles (1.0 L per
1000 km)
● If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 lmp.qt.) every 600
miles (1000 km), contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
To reset the oil change system, follow the procedure below:
Vehicles without smart key system Turn the engine switch off with the trip meter A reading shown.
(P. 156)
While pressing the trip meter reset button, turn the engine switch to
the “ON” position.
Press and hold the button until the trip meter displays “000000”.
Vehicles with smart key system Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off with the trip meter A
reading shown. ( P. 156)
While pressing the trip meter reset button, turn the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode.
Press and hold the button until the trip meter displays “000000”.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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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.