2021 TOYOTA RAV4 check oil

35Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
MAINTAINING YOUR WARRANTY
IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
It is especially important to both
routinely check your vehicle’s engine
oil level (once a month) and regularly
replace the engine oil and oil filter
(see the Maintenance Log section of
this booklet to determine how often
you should change your vehicle’s oil
and filter). Failure to do so can cause
oil starvation and/or oil gelling, which
can result in severe damage to your
vehicle and require costly repairs that
are not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Maintenance Records
Maintaining your vehicle according to
the recommendations in this booklet is
required to ensure that your warranty
coverage remains intact. You should keep
detailed records of vehicle maintenance,
including date of service, mileage at time
of service and a description of service
and/or parts installation performed. The
scheduled maintenance log in this booklet
can help you document this information. If
you sell your vehicle, be sure to give your
maintenance records to the new owner.
Toyota will not deny a warranty claim
solely because you do not have records
to show that you maintained your vehicle.
However, damage or failure caused by lack
of proper maintenance is not covered
under warranty.


Maintenance Providers
Maintenance and repair services may be
performed by you or by any automotive
service provider you choose. Toyota will
not deny a warranty claim solely because
you used a service provider other than a
Toyota dealership for maintenance and
repairs. However, damage or failure
caused by improper maintenance or
repairs is not covered under warranty.
Dealer-Recommended
Maintenance
Your dealer may recommend more
frequent maintenance intervals or more
maintenance services than those listed in
the scheduled maintenance log. These
additional services are not required to
maintain your warranty coverage. Ask
your dealer to explain any recommended
maintenance not included in the scheduled
maintenance log.
For a complete description of Toyota
warranty coverages, see the Warranty
Information portion of this booklet.
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 35126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 357/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM

37Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
Special Operating Conditions
In addition to standard maintenance items,
the maintenance log indicates services that
should be performed on vehicles that are
driven under especially demanding
conditions. These “special operating
conditions” and their required maintenance
items are clearly indicated in each chart.
NOTE:
You should perform these additional
maintenance services only if the
majority of your driving is done under
the special operating conditions
indicated. If you only occasionally
drive under these circumstances, it
is not necessary to perform the
additional services.
Engine Oil Selection
Please refer to your Owner’s Manual for the
specific oil viscosity rating recommended
for your vehicle/engine type.
Additional Maintenance
In addition to scheduled maintenance,
your Toyota requires ongoing general
maintenance, such as fluid checks and
visual inspections. These procedures are
explained in the “Maintenance and Care”
section of the Owner’ s Manual. Be sure
to perform these procedures regularly to
ensure the most trouble-free operation
of your vehicle.
SuperChrome and
Alloy Wheel Care
If you purchased Genuine Toyota Accessory
SuperChrome or Aluminum Alloy Wheels,
follow these cleaning guidelines to maintain
the appearance of your wheels:
• If wheels are hot, wait for them to cool
before washing.
• Use a soft sponge or cotton cloth to
apply the same mild car-wash soap as
used for the vehicle body. Quickly rinse
off with water. Use a soft cloth to apply
the same car wax as used for the
vehicle body.
•
DO NOT USE: Any kind of chemical-
based cleaners, alcohol, solvents,
gasoline, steam cleaners, scouring
pads, wire brushes or coarse abrasives
to clean your wheels.
USING THE MAINTENANCE LOG CHARTS
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 37126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 377/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM

54Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS
T
he following descriptions are
provided to give you a better
understanding of the maintenance
items that should be performed on your
vehicle. The scheduled maintenance log
indicates at which mileage/time intervals
each item should be performed. Please
note that many maintenance items should
be performed only by a qualified technician.
For further information on maintenance
items you can perform yourself, see the
“Maintenance and Care” section of the
Owner’s Manual.
Automatic Transmission Fluid

Inspect or replace at specified intervals.
When performing inspections, check each
component for signs of leakage. If you
discover any leakage, have it repaired by
a qualified technician immediately.
Ball Joints and Dust Covers
Check the suspension and steering
linkage ball joints for looseness and
damage. Check all dust covers for
deterioration and damage. Replace
any deteriorated or damaged parts.
A qualified technician should perform
these operations.
Brake Lines and Hoses
Visually inspect for proper installation.
Check for chafing, cracks, deterioration
and signs of leakage. Replace any
deteriorated or damaged parts. A qualified
technician should perform these operations.
Brake Linings/Drums and
Brake Pads/Discs
Check the brake linings (shoes) and
drums for scoring, burning, fluid leakage,
broken parts and excessive wear. Check
the pads for excessive wear and the discs
for runout, excessive wear and fluid
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts. A qualified technician
should perform these operations.
Cabin Air Filter
Replace at specified intervals. Driving in
heavy traffic, on dirt roads or in urban,
desert or dusty areas may shorten filter’s
life. More frequent replacement may
be necessary.
Drive Belts
Inspect for cracks, excessive wear and
oiliness. Check the belt tension and adjust
if necessary. Replace the belts if they
are damaged.
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 54126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 547/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM

55Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
Drive Shaft Boots
Check the drive shaft boots and clamps for
cracks, deterioration and damage. Replace
any deteriorated or damaged parts and, if
necessary, repack the grease. A qualified
technician should perform these operations.
Driver’s Floor Mat
• Only use the driver’s floor mat
designed specifically for the model
and model year of your vehicle.
•
Always properly secure the driver’s
floor mat using the retaining hooks.
•
Never install another floor mat on top
of the existing driver’s floor mat.
•
Never install the driver’s floor mat
upside down.
Engine Air Filter
Inspect or replace at specified intervals.
When performing inspections, check for
damage, excessive wear and oiliness, and
replace if necessary.
Engine Coolant
Drain the cooling system and refill with an
ethylene-glycol type coolant. Inspect hoses
and connections for corrosion and leaks.
Tighten connections and replace parts
when necessary. A qualified technician
should perform these operations. (For
further details, refer to “Radiator, Condenser
and Hoses” in the “Maintenance and Care”
section of the Owner’s Manual ).
Your Toyota is equipped with Genuine
Toyota Super Long-Life Coolant. The
replacement intervals for engine coolant
recommended in this booklet are based
on replacement with Genuine Toyota
Super Long-Life Coolant or similar
high-quality non-silicate, non-amine,
non-borate ethylene-glycol coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology
(i.e., a combination of low phosphates
and organic acids). If another type of
ethylene-glycol coolant is used,
replacement intervals may be different.
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 55126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 557/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM

56Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Replace the oil filter and drain and refill
the engine oil at specified intervals. For
recommended oil grade and viscosity,
refer to the Owner’s Manual.
NOTE: Your vehicle is certified with
Genuine Toyota 0W-16 motor oil. For
VEHICLES CERTIFIED FOR 0W-16 motor
oil, the oil change interval is 10,000 miles
or 12 months IF 0W-16 MOTOR OIL IS
BEING USED. If 0W-16 is not available,
0W-20 mineral oil may be used. However,
it must be replaced at a 5,000-mile or
six-month INTERVAL with 0W-16 motor oil.
For customers who primarily drive their
vehicle under any of the listed Special
Operating Conditions, the motor oil and
filter should be replaced at 5,000 miles or
six months, REGARDLESS OF THE OIL USED
(OR CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE).
Exhaust Pipes and Mountings
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler
and hangers for cracks, deterioration and
damage. Start the engine and listen
carefully for any exhaust gas leakage.
Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Fuel Lines and Connections,
Fuel Tank Band and Fuel Tank
Vapor Vent System Hoses
Visually inspect for corrosion, damage,
cracks, and loose or leaking connections.
Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Fuel Tank Cap Gasket
Visually inspect for cracks, deterioration
and damage and replace if necessary.
Nuts and Bolts on Chassis
and Body
Retighten the seat-mounting bolts and
front /rear suspension member retaining
bolts to specified torque.
Propeller Shaft
Re-torque the propeller shaft bolt. Only
a qualified technician should perform
this operation.
Radiator and Condenser
Inspect for debris, corrosion and signs
of damage. Have any problem repaired
immediately by a qualified technician.
Rear Differential Oil
Inspect or replace at specified intervals.
When performing inspections, check each
component for signs of leakage. If you
discover any leakage, have it repaired
by a qualified technician immediately.
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 56126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 567/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM

57Maintenance Log
MAINTENANCE
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Spark Plugs
Replace at specified intervals. Install new
plugs of the same type as originally
equipped. A qualified technician should
perform this operation.
Steering Gear
Inspect for signs of leakage. If you
discover any leakage, have it repaired
immediately by a qualified technician.
Steering Linkage and Boots
With the vehicle stopped, check for
excessive freeplay in the steering wheel.
Inspect the linkage for bending and
damage and the dust boots for
deterioration, cracks and damage. Replace
any damaged parts. A qualified technician
should perform these operations.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated according to the
instructions in the Owner’s Manual. When
rotating tires, check for damage and
uneven wear. Replace if necessary.
Transfer Case Oil
Inspect or replace at specified intervals.
When performing inspections, check
for signs of leakage. If you discover any
leakage, have it repaired by a qualified
technician immediately.
Vacuum Pump for Brake Booster
Inspect or replace at specified intervals.
A qualified technician should perform
this operation.
Wiper Blades
The wiper blades should not show any
signs of cracking, splitting, wear,
contamination or deformation. The wiper
blades should clear the windshield without
streaking or skipping.
126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 57126981_19-TCS-14207 MY21 WMG RAV4 GUTS 2_R1.indd 577/7/20 7:26 AM7/7/20 7:26 AM