Page 296 of 732

296
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
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”.
Page 511 of 732
511
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
6Maintenance and care
6-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 512
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 516
6-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 520
General maintenance........ 523
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 527
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 528
Hood ................................. 533
Positioning a floor jack ...... 535
Engine compartment ......... 537
Tires .................................. 551
Tire inflation pressure ....... 562
Wheels .............................. 565
Air conditioning filter.......... 568
Wireless remote control/electronic
key battery ...................... 570
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 573
Light bulbs......................... 584
Page 523 of 732
523
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(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. 546)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct
level? (P. 544)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level? (P. 542)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(P. 538)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
(P. 544)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 550)
Page 526 of 732
526
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
6-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock systemwork properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs offluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure cor-rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear window
wiper
• The wiper blades should notshow any signs of cracking,
splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/r ear window with-
out streaking or skipping.
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
Page 538 of 732
538
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(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
Page 539 of 732
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
5396-3. 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 dipstickNon-flat dipstick
6
Page 540 of 732

540
RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(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. 663
Oil quantity
(Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
1
2
3
Page 541 of 732

RAV4_OM_OM42A04U_(U)
5416-3. 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.