Page 404 of 624
404
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exte-
rior
● Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
Page 408 of 624

408
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces
with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool detergent.
● Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off
all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining
moisture. Allow the leather to dr y in a shaded and ventilated area.
● Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a sponge
or soft cloth.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the dirt and
wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior
and keep it in top condition:
Protecting the vehicle interior
Cleaning the leather areas
Cleaning the synthetic leather areas
Page 420 of 624
420
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 438)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 436)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Page 424 of 624
424
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system
Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position,
the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning
is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 436)
Vehicles with a smart key system
Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in IGNITION ON
mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 436)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.
Page 436 of 624
436
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is ex tremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have yo ur vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid ty pe and prepare the necessary item.
Radiator and condenser
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.
Brake fluid
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
Page 443 of 624
443
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear indica-
tors is shown by the “TWI” or “”
marks, etc., molded on the sidewall
of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
pressure if not rotated.
Replace or rotate tires in acco rdance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
1
2
3
Page 448 of 624

448
RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.10 of the
replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
■ Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driv-
ing under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on
snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads,
the use of snow tires is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure
to replace all four tires.
● All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be
adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance com-
pared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall
short in acceleration and handling performance compared with summer
tires in highway driving.
● Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construc-
tion and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle
has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also have
radial construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking local
regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels. ( P. 276)
■ If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost. For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold tire
inflation pressure mentioned on the side-
wall of the tire. ( P. 566)
Page 451 of 624

RAV4_OM_OM42809U_(U)
4516-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Tire pressure warning system certification
TRW Automotive
Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor
FCC ID: GQ4-51T
NOTE:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
WARNING:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
TRW Automotive
Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor
Model: 228408
IC: 1470A-32T
MADE IN U.S.A
NOTE:
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’lndustrie Canada applicables
aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux
conditions suivantes :
(1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et
(2) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le
fonctionnement.
FCC ID: PAXPMVC010
NOTE:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC WARNING:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.