2012 TOYOTA RAV4 engine coolant

373
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine coolant
The 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.
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.

374 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 serious injuries, such as burns.
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.

432
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature g auge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

476
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam:
Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam:
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating:
Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fans are not operating:
Stop the engine and call your Toyota dealer.After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed.
( P. 369)
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable.
(  P. 491)
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 5 STEP 4
STEP 5

5
When trouble arises
477
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■
Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the engine and radiator are
hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.
Have the vehicle chec ked at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.

491
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Cooling system
*: With towing package
Ignition system
Capacity (Reference) 2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
7.2 qt. (6.8 L, 6.0 Imp. qt.)
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
9.4 qt. (8.9 L, 7.8 Imp. qt.)
9.8 qt. (9.3 L, 8.2 Imp. qt.)*
Coolant type Use either of the following.
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and
non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Spark plug
Make
Gap 2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
DENSO, SK16HR11
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
DENSO FK20HR11
0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■ Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust gap when tuning the
engine.

504 6-1. Specifications
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressure The maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, s hown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended infla-
tion pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of auto-
matic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio
and heater, to the extent that these items are
available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded vehi-
cle weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight

534 Alphabetical index
Electric power steering ........... 191
Electronic keyIf your electronic key battery is discharged........... 471
Emergency flasher
Switch.................................... 424
Emergency, in case of If a warning buzzer
sounds... ............................ 436
If a warning light turns on ........................................ 436
If the electronic key does not operate properly............ 471
If the engine will not start ...... 468
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted ................................. 469
If the vehicle has a
discharged battery .............. 473
If you have a flat tire ............. 449
If you lose your keys ............. 470
If you think something is wrong .................................. 432
If your vehicle becomes
stuck ................................... 478
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency .......................... 480
If your vehicle needs to be towed .................................. 425
If your vehicle overheats ....... 476 Engine
Compartment ........................ 367
Engine switch ................ 145, 149
Hood ..................................... 363
How to start the
engine ......................... 145, 149
Identification number............. 486
If the engine will not start ...... 468
Ignition switch ............... 145, 149
Overheating .......................... 476
Engine compartment cover .... 369
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................ 491
Checking ............................... 373
Preparing and checking before winter ....................... 217
Engine coolan t temperature
gauge ...................................... 158
Engine immobilizer system ...... 95
Engine oil Capacity ................................ 488
Checking ............................... 370
Preparing and checking before winter ....................... 217
Enhanced vehicle stability control .................................... 192
Enhanced VSC ......................... 192
EPS............................................ 191
Event data recorder ................. 434E