2012 TOYOTA RAV4 oil

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4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition ( P. 377)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 375)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 373)• “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.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)
Engine oil level P. 370) • Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used only for adding oil)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fans and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with
clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■ When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without smart key system: Be sure the engine switch is OFF. With
the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P. 375)
Vehicles with smart key system: Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
is OFF. With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the
electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on
and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 375)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine compar tment
2.5 L 4-cylinder (2AR-FE) engine
Fuse boxes (P. 401)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 373)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 371)
Battery ( P. 377)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 375)Radiator ( P. 375)
Condenser ( P. 375)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 370)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 380)

368 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Fuse boxes (P. 401)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 373)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 371)
Battery ( P. 377)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 375)Radiator ( P. 375)
Condenser ( P. 375)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 370)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 380)

370 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 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

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Low
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.
Engine oil selec-
tion P. 488
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp. qt.)
Item Clean funnel
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

372 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 Imp. qt./600 miles (1.0 L per
1000 km)
● If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.) every 600
miles (1000 km), contact your Toyota dealer.
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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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.