549
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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)
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(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.
576
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with the tire pressure
warning system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled
correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when repairing or replacing the tire. ( →P. 567)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s
wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of e ach tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
582
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles
with the tire pressure warning system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.
607
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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
● The engine is running but the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or commercial towing service,
using a wheel-lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing your vehicl e with a wheel-lift type truck
from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. ( →P. 608, 611)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flatbed truck.
AWD models: If towing your vehicle with a wheel-lift type truck,
use a towing dolly. ( →P. 608, 611)
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
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9-1. Specifications
■Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline
●If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure that it has an octane rating no
lower than 87.
● Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■ Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this
happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
■ If your engine knocks
●Consult your Toyota dealer.
● You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while accelerat-
ing or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
●
Use only gasoline containing up to 15%
ethanol.
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline
that could contain more than 15% etha-
nol, including from any pump labeled
E30, E50, E85 (which are only some
examples of fuel containing more than
15% ethanol).
DO NOT use gasoline
containing more than
15% ethanol.
(30% ethanol)
(50% ethanol)
(85% ethanol)
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
6859-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
This information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Toyota
vehicles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answe r any questions you may have as
you read this information.
■DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must c onform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 wo uld wear one and a half (1 - 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tire s depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use. Performance may differ significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
■Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditio ns on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
733Alphabetical index
RAV4_OM_OM0R005U_(U)
Resetting the maintenance required reminder
message ................................. 543
Seat belts.................................... 28 Adjusting the seat belt ............ 31
Automatic Locking Retractor............................... 32
Child restra int system
installation ............................ 61
Cleaning and maintaining the seat belt ........................ 540
Emergency Locking
Retractor............................... 32
How to wear your seat belt ..... 28
How your child should wear the seat belt ................. 32
Pregnant women, proper seat belt use ......................... 33
Reminder light and buzzer .... 616
Seat belt extender................... 32
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners ............... 707
Seat belt pretensioners ........... 31
SRS warning light ................. 615
Seat heaters ............................. 499
Seat position memory ............. 144
Seating capacity ...................... 180 Seats ................................. 139, 141
Adjustment.................... 139, 141
Adjustment
precautions................. 140, 143
Child seats/child restraint
system installation ................ 61
Cleaning ............................... 539
Driving position memory ....... 144
Folding down the rear seatbacks ........................... 142
Head restraint ....................... 146
Properly sitting in the seat ...... 26
Seat heaters ......................... 499
Seat position memory ........... 144
Sensor Automatic headlight system .......... ...................... 216
Inside rear view mirror .......... 152
Intuitive parking assist .......... 277
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) .......... 253
Radar sensor ........................ 234
Touchless sensor ................. 115
Service reminder indicators ..... 78
Shift lever Automatic transmission ........ 203
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 209
Shift lock system ..................... 209
Shopping bag hooks ............... 508
Side airbags ............................... 36
Side marker lights ................... 213 Light switch ........................... 213
Replacing light bulbs .... 594, 597
Wattage ................................ 676
S
*: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULT IMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.