2021 TOYOTA RAV4 coolant

5737-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Resetting the message indicat-
ing maintenance is required
After the required maintenance is
performed according to the mainte-
nance schedule, please reset the
reminder light or message.
To reset the reminder light or mes-
sage, follow the procedure
described below:
1 Press or of the meter
control switches and select
on the multi-information display.
2 Press or of the meter
control switches and select
“Vehicle Settings”. Then press
and hold .
3 Press or of the meter
control switches and select
“Scheduled Maintenance”. Then
press .
4 Select “Yes” and press .
You can perform some mainte-
nance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-your-
self maintenance may affect
warranty coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals
is recommended.
For details about warranty cover-
age, refer to the separate “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Do-it-yourself mainte-
nance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general
maintenance items that
should be performed at the
intervals specified in the
“Owner’s Warranty Informa-
tion 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.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine o ff and ensure
that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance
checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connec-
tions. ( P.587)
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at
the correct level?
( P.585)
Engine coolant
Is the engine cool-
ant at the correct
level? ( P.584)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at
the correct level?
( P.582)

5777-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
7-3.Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions
If you perform maintenance
by yourself, be sure to fol-
low the correct procedure as
given in these sections.
Maintenance
ItemsParts and tools
Battery con-
dition
( P.587)•Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for termi-
nal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid
level
( P.585)
• FMVSS No.116
DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE
J1704
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake
fluid)
Engine cool-
ant level
( P.584)
• “Toyota Super
Long Life Cool-
ant” or a similar
high quality eth-
ylene 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 Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant
and 50% deion-
ized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super
Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant
and 45% deion-
ized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil
level
( P.582)
• “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine
oil)
Fuses
( P.616)• Fuse with same
amperage rating
as original
ItemsParts and tools

5787-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Light bulbs
( P.619)
• Bulb with same
number and watt-
age rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screw- driver
•Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(  P.585)

Tire inflation
pressure
( P.604)• Tire pressure
gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P.588)
• Water or washer
fluid containing
antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or
washer fluid)
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 mani-
fold, etc., right after driving as
they may be hot . Oil and other
fluids may also be hot.
ItemsParts and tools●Do not leave anything that may
burn easily, such as paper and
rags, in the engine compart-
ment.
●Do not smoke, c ause sparks or
expose an open flame to fuel or
the battery. Fuel and battery
fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when
working on the battery. It con-
tains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
■When working near the elec-
tric cooling fan or radiator
grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in ON, the
electric cooling fa n may automati-
cally start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant
temperature is high. ( P.585)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety gla sses 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 ai r cleaner filter
removed may cause excessive
engine wear due to dirt in the air.

5827-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Fuse boxes (P.616)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.583)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.582)
Battery ( P.587)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.585)
Radiator ( P.585)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.585)
Washer fluid tank ( P.588)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.584)
With the engine at operating
temperature and turned off, check the oil level on the dip-
stick.
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
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5847-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
tion 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 inap-
propriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine
speeds or with a heavy load,
when towing, or when driving
while accelerating o r decelerating
frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for
a long time, or wh en driving fre-
quently through heavy traffic
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. ( P.670)
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains poten-
tially 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 an d 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 recy-
cling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil
within the rea ch 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 dip-
stick every time you refill the
vehicle.
●Be sure the engin e oil filler cap
is properly tightened.
■If oil is spilled on the engine
cover
To prevent the engine cover from
being damaged, remove any
engine oil from the engine cover
as soon as possi ble using a neu-
tral detergent. Do not use an
organic solvent such as brake
cleaner.
Checking the coolant
A
B
C

5857-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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 tem-
perature: -31°F [-35°C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is
a mixture of 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water. (Minimum tem-
perature: -44°F [-42°C])
For more details about coolant, con-
tact your To yota dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within
a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiators, hoses,
engine/power control unit coolant
reservoir caps, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your
Toyota dealer, t est the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling sys-
tem.
Check the radiator and con-
denser, and clear away any for-
eign objects.
If either of the above parts is
extremely dirty or you are not
sure of their condition, have
your vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant
reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under
pressure and may spray hot cool-
ant 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.
Checking the radiator and
condenser
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or con-
denser as they may be hot and
cause serious injuries, such as
burns.
■When the electric cooling fan
is operating
Do not touch the engine compart-
ment.
With the engine switch in ON, the
electric cooling fa n may automati-
cally start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant
temperature is high. Be sure the
engine switch is off when working
near the electric cooling fan or
radiator grille.
Checking and adding the
brake fluid

6368-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air
conditioning after use is nor-
mal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven
tire wear
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge needle continually
points higher than normal.
 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,
spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor
If you think something
is wrong
If you notice any of the fol-
lowing symptoms, your
vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

6398-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display with a message.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display with a message.
■Malfunction indicator lamp*
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
■SRS warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine is overheating
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place.
Handling method ( P.670)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The electronic engi ne control system;
 The electronic throttle control system; or
 The emission control s ystem (if equipped)
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
 The front passenger o ccupant classification
system; or
 The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.