2012 TOYOTA RAV4 air condition

Maintenance and care4
345
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ......... 346
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .......... 349
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 352
General maintenance....... 355
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 358
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 359
Hood ................................ 363
Positioning a floor jack ..... 365
Engine compartment ........ 367
Tires ................................. 381
Tire inflation pressure ...... 388
Wheels ............................. 392
Air conditioning filter......... 395
Key battery ....................... 397
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 401
Light bulbs........................ 413

361
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
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.

375
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.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ Adding fluid
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.
Fluid type SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
■ Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.

387
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, whee
ls, tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with a tire pressure
warning system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled cor-
rectly.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters (vehicles with a tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 383)
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats (vehicles with a
tire pressure warning system)
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may
cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle's wheels
and body.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical
to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
Otherwise, the following conditions may occur and result in an accident
causing death or serious injury.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or mo isture could get into the valve and
cause air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps have
been lost, replace them as soon as possible.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be changed regularly to maintain air
conditioning efficiency.
■ Removal method
Vehicles without smart key system: Turn the engine switch
off.
Vehicles with smart key system: Turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch off.
Open the glove box. Slide off
the damper.
Push in each side of the glove
box to disconnect the claws.
Remove the filter cover.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

396 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas wit h heavy traffic flow, early replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace it if necessary.
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the
system.
■ Replacement method
Remove the air conditioning
filter and replace it with a new
one.
The“UP ” marks shown on the
filter should be pointing up.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Fuse layout and amperage ratings
■ Engine compartment
Type A (driver’s side)
FuseAmpereCircuit
1 SPARE 30 A Spare fuse
2 SPARE 20 A Spare fuse
3 SPARE 10 A Spare fuse
4 ECU-B2 7.5 A Air conditioning system, power win-
dows, smart key system
5 ALT-S 7.5 A Charging system
6 STR LOCK 20 A Smart key system
7 RAD NO.1 20 A Audio system