2016 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

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7-2. Maintenance
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemic als known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( →P. 561)

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7-2. Maintenance
7
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. 561)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
(→P. 560)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level?
(→P. 558)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(→P. 555)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. ( →P. 560)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (→P. 564)

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7-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( →P. 676)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( →P. 676)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.

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5477-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively 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 not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/ rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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7-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
The OBD system determin es that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehi cle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
● When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator la mp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself service 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. 561)• Warm water• Baking soda• Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 560)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant
level ( →P. 558)
• “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
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(→ P. 555)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 588)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 591)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser
(→P. 560)⎯
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( →P. 577)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→ P. 564)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without 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. 560)
Vehicles with 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. 560)
■ 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.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Hood
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever to
the left and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by inserting
the supporting rod into the slot.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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