2013 TOYOTA RAV4 check oil

17Pictorial index
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 229
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 276
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*1. . . . . . . . . . . P. 307
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 237
Refueling method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 237
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 554
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 443
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 561
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 276
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . P. 443
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 519
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 425
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 425
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 555
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 546
Camera
*1, 2
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Fog lights
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 228
Turn signal lights
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 207
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
4
5
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 476, Watts: P. 562)
*1: If equipped
*2: For vehicles with a Display Audio system, refer to “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When encounterin g flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), rear differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
2854-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the stream for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake drums and around
brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system
components.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

415
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. ( P. 438)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct
level? (P. 436)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level? (P. 434)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(P. 430)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
(P. 436)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 442)

430
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark 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.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert
the non-flat dipstick fully with
its protruding areas ( in
the illustration) pointing
towards the engine.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
1

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
4316-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may differ depending on the type of vehicle or
engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
5
1
2
3
Flat dipstickNon-flat dipstick
6

432
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
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 consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
Engine oil selection P. 555
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
1
2
3

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
4336-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and 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, or 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.