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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Fuse box (→P. 588)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 558)
Engine oil filler cap ( →P. 556)
Battery (→ P. 561)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 560) Radiator (
→P. 560)
Condenser ( →P. 560)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 555)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 564)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
5557-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
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
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.
■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, c hecking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
5
1
2
3
Flat dipstickNon-flat dipstick
Measuring side
6
Engine oil selection →P. 673
Oil quantity (Low → Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
5577-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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
WARNING
■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.
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RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
5817-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning sys-
tem)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to
provide advance warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure.
Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must be installed. ( →P. 567)
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leak ing wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
■When installing the wheel nuts
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
■Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air during driving, possibly causing
an accident.
●Be sure to install the wheel nuts with
the tapered ends facing inward.
Installing the nuts with the tapered
ends facing outward can cause the
wheel to break and eventually cause
the wheel to come off while driving,
which could lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
ITI41P007
Ta p e r e d
portion
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■Replacing light bulbs
● Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after
turning off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
● Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth
to avoid getting moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
● Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so
may result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
● Do not attempt to repair or disassemble light bulbs, connectors, electric
circuits or component parts.
Doing so may result in death or serious injury due to electric shock.
● When replacing the back up light of the right side, be careful not to touch
the exhaust pipes until they have cooled down sufficiently, as touching hot
exhaust pipes can cause burns.
■ To prevent damage or fire
● Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
● Check the wattage of the bulb before installing to prevent heat damage.
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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Charging system warning light (if equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system;
• The electronic automatic transmission control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low engine oil pressure wa rning light (if equipped)
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
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6338-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4_OM_OM42A41U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the BSM (Blind Spot
Monitor) systemA buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates abnormal engine oil pressure
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid
temperature is too high A buzzer also sounds.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
(AWD models only)
Indicates a malfunction in the AWD system A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
Warning messageDetails/Actions