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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Engine compar tment
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 542)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 540)
Battery ( P. 546)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 544)
Fuse box ( P. 573) Radiator (
P. 544)
Condenser ( P. 544)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 538)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 550)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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542
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir cap, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3
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RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
5436-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
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7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High engine coolant temperature warning light comes on
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you notice any of the follow ing symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
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6157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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7
When trouble arises
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light goes off.
Follow the correction procedures.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*1
Indicates that a door is not
fully closed
Check that all the doors are
closed.
Seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*2
Warns the driver and/or
front passenger to fasten
their seat belts
Fasten the seat belt.If the front passenger’s
seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also
needs to be fastened to
make the warning light
(warning buzzer) off.
Low fuel level warning
lightIndicates remaining fuel is
approximately 2.4 gal. (9.0
L, 2.0 Imp. gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
High engine coolant tem-
perature warning lightIndicates that the engine is
almost overheating.
P. 653
Low washer fluid warning
light
Indicates low level of
washer fluid.
Fill the tank.
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7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning sys-
tem, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled down sufficiently, inspect the hoses and
radiator core (radiator) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant
leaks, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
● The high engine coolant temperature warning light ( P. 615) comes
on or a loss of engine power is experienced. (For example, the
vehicle speed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out from under the hood.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2
Page 654 of 732
6547-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A78U_(U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the engine and turn the air conditioning system on to check
that the radiator cooling fans oper ate and to check for coolant leaks
from the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning system is turned on immedi-
ately after a cold start. Confirm that the fans are operating by checking the
fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the air condition-
ing system on and off repeatedly. (The fans may not operate in freezing
temperatures.)
If the fans are not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and contact your Toyota dealer.
If the fans are operating:
Have the vehicle in spected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
4
1
2
3
5
6
7
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6557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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7
When trouble arises
CAUTION
■When inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot.
● Keep hands and clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from
the fans and belts. Failure to do so may cause the hands or clothing to be
caught, resulting in serious injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the engine and radiator are
hot. High temperature steam or coolant could spray out.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Add coolant slowly after the engine has cooled down sufficiently. Adding
cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly can cause damage to the engine.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
● Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).
● Do not use any coolant additive.