Toyota RAV4 (2023 year). Manual in english - page 24

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6-2.Maintenance

■

Repair and replacement

It is recommended that genuine 

Toyota parts be used for repairs to 

ensure performance of each sys-

tem. If non-Toyota parts are used in 

replacement or if a repair shop other 

than a Toyota dealer performs 

repairs, confirm the warranty cover-

age.

■

Allow inspection and repairs to 

be performed by a Toyota 

dealer

●

Toyota technicians are well-

trained specialists and are kept up 

to date with the latest service 

information. They are well 

informed about the operations of 

all systems on your vehicle.

●

Keep a copy of the repair order. It 

proves that the maintenance that 

has been performed is under war-

ranty coverage. If any problem 

should arise while your vehicle is 

under warranty, your Toyota 

dealer will promptly take care of it.

General maintenance should be 
performed on a daily basis. This 
can be done by yourself or by a 
Toyota dealer.

Scheduled maintenance should 
be performed at specified inter-
vals according to the mainte-
nance schedule.

For details about maintenance 
items and schedules, refer to the 
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or 
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

Maintenance require-

ments

To ensure safe and econom-
ical driving, day-to-day care 
and regular maintenance 
are essential. It is the 
owner’s responsibility to 
perform regular checks. 
Toyota recommends the fol-
lowing maintenance:

WARNING

■

If your vehicle is not properly 

maintained

Improper maintenance could 

result in serious damage to the 

vehicle and possible death or seri-

ous injury.

■

Handling of the battery

●

Engine exhaust, some of its 

constituents, and a wide variety 

of automobile components con-

tain 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 pro-

duced by component wear con-

tain or emit chemicals known to 

the State of California 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 han-

dling. (



P.403)

General maintenance

Scheduled maintenance

388

6-2. Maintenance

■

Resetting the message indicat-

ing maintenance is required 

(with 7-inch display)

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 

.

A message will be displayed when 

the reset procedure has been com-

pleted.

■

Resetting the message indicat-

ing maintenance is required 

(with 12.3-inch display)

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 and hold 

 to display the 

cursor on the content display 
area (center) of the multi-infor-
mation display.

2

Press 

 or 

 of the meter 

control switches to select 

 

and then press 

.

3

Press 

 or 

 of the meter 

control switches and select 
“

Vehicle Settings”. Then 

press and hold 

.

4

Press 

 or 

 of the meter 

control switches and select 
“Scheduled Maintenance”. Then 
press 

.

5

Select “Yes” and press 

.

A message will be displayed when 

the reset procedure has been com-

pleted.

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

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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 off and ensure 

that there is adequate ventilation 

before performing maintenance 

checks.

Engine compartment

Items

Check points

Battery

Check the connec-
tions. (



P.403)

Brake fluid

Is the brake fluid at 
the correct level? 
(



P.401)

Engine coolant

Is the engine cool-
ant at the correct 
level? (



P.400)

Engine oil

Is the engine oil at 
the correct level? 
(



P.398)

Exhaust sys-
tem

There should not 
be any fumes or 
strange sounds.

Radiator/con-
denser

The radiator and 
condenser should 
be free from for-
eign objects. 
(



P.401)

Washer fluid

Is there sufficient 
washer fluid? 
(



P.403)

Vehicle interior

Items

Check points

Accelerator 
pedal

• The accelerator 

pedal should 
move smoothly 
(without uneven 
pedal effort or 
catching).

Automatic 
transmission 
“Park” mecha-
nism

• When parked on 

a slope and the 
shift position is in 
P, is the vehicle 
securely 
stopped?

Brake pedal

• Does the brake 

pedal move 
smoothly?

• Does the brake 

pedal have 
appropriate 
clearance from 
the floor?

• Does the brake 

pedal have the 
correct amount 
of free play?

Items

Check points

390

6-2. Maintenance

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 and 
lock securely?

Indica-
tors/buzzers

• Do the indica-

tors and buzzers 
function prop-
erly?

Lights

• Do all the lights 

come on?

• Are the head-

lights aimed cor-
rectly?

Parking brake

• Does the park-

ing brake oper-
ate normally?

• When parked on 

a slope and the 
parking brake is 
on, is the vehicle 
securely 
stopped?

Items

Check points

Seat belts

• Do the seat belts 

operate 
smoothly?

• The seat belts 

should not be 
damaged.

Seats

• Do the seat con-

trols operate 
properly?

Steering wheel

• Does the steer-

ing wheel rotate 
smoothly?

• Does the steer-

ing wheel have 
the correct 
amount of free 
play?

• There should not 

be any strange 
sounds coming 
from the steer-
ing wheel.

Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Doors

• Do the doors 

operate 
smoothly?

Engine hood

• Does the engine 

hood lock system 
work properly?

Fluid leaks

• There should not 

be any signs of 
fluid leakage 
after the vehicle 
has been parked.

Items

Check points

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The OBD system determines 
that a problem exists some-
where in the emission control 
system. Your vehicle 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 discon-
nected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set 
during ordinary driving are 
erased. 
Also, depending on your driv-
ing habits, the readiness 
codes may not be completely 
set.



When the fuel tank cap is 

Tires

• Is the tire infla-

tion pressure 
correct?

• The tires should 

not be damaged 
or excessively 
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, split-
ting, wear, con-
tamination or 
deformation.

• The wiper blades 

should clear the 
windshield with-
out streaking or 
skipping.

Items

Check points

Emission inspection 

and maintenance (I/M) 

programs

Some states have vehicle 
emission inspection pro-
grams which include OBD 
(On Board Diagnostics) 
checks. The OBD system 
monitors the operation of 
the emission control sys-
tem.

If the malfunction indica-
tor lamp comes on

Your vehicle may not 
pass the I/M test in the fol-
lowing situations:

392

6-2. Maintenance

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 sys-
tem will not be cleared unless 
the vehicle is driven 40 or more 
times.

Contact your Toyota dealer to 
prepare the vehicle for re-test-
ing.

When the malfunction 
indicator lamp still 
remains on after several 
driving trips

If your vehicle does not 
pass the I/M test

393

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6-3.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

Items

Parts and tools

Battery con-
dition
(



P.403)

• Grease
• Conventional 

wrench (for termi-
nal clamp bolts)

Brake fluid 
level 
(



P.401)

• 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.400)

• “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.398)

• “Toyota Genuine 

Motor Oil” or 
equivalent

• Rag or paper 

towel

• Funnel (used only 

for adding engine 
oil)

Fuses 
(



P.428)

• Fuse with same 

amperage rating 
as original

Items

Parts and tools

394

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Light bulbs
(



P.432)

• Bulb with same 

number and watt-
age rating as origi-
nal

• Phillips-head 

screwdriver

• Flathead screw-

driver

• Wrench

Headlight aim
(



P.431)

• Phillips-head 

screwdriver

Radiator and 
condenser 
(



P.401)



Tire inflation 
pressure
(



P.416)

• Tire pressure 

gauge

• Compressed air 

source

Washer fluid
(



P.404)

• 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.

Items

Parts and tools

●

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.

●

Do not leave anything that may 

burn easily, such as paper and 

rags, in the engine compart-

ment.

●

Do not smoke, cause 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 fan may automati-

cally start to run if the air condi-

tioning is on and/or the coolant 

temperature is high. (



P.401)

■

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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1

Pull the hood lock release 
lever.

The hood will pop up slightly.

2

Push the auxiliary catch lever 
to the left and lift the hood.

3

Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into 
the slot.

Hood

Release the lock from the 
inside of the vehicle to open 
the hood.

Opening the hood

WARNING

■

Pre-driving check

Check that the hood is fully closed 

and locked.

If the hood is not locked properly, 

it may open while the vehicle is in 

motion and cause an accident, 

which may result in death or seri-

ous injury.

■

To prevent injuries

The support rod may be hot after 

driving the vehicle. Touching the 

hot support rod may lead to burns 

or other serious injuries.

■

After installing the support 

rod into the slot

Make sure the rod supports the 

hood securely from falling down 

on to your head or body.

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

Front

WARNING

■

When closing the hood

When closing the hood, take extra 

care to prevent your fingers etc. 

from being caught.

NOTICE

■

When closing the hood

Be sure to return the support rod 

to its clip before closing the hood. 

Closing the hood without return-

ing the support rod properly could 

cause the hood to bend.

Positioning a floor 

jack

When using a floor jack, fol-
low the instructions in the 
manual provided with the 
jack and perform the opera-
tion safely. 
When raising your vehicle 
with a floor jack, position 
the jack correctly. 
Improper placement may 
damage your vehicle or 
cause injury.

Location of the jack point

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Rear

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Fuse boxes (



P.428)

Engine oil filler cap (



P.399)

Engine oil level dipstick (



P.398)

Battery (



P.403)

Brake fluid reservoir (



P.401)

Radiator (



P.401)

Electric cooling fan

Condenser (



P.401)

Washer fluid tank (



P.404)

Engine coolant reservoir (



P.400)

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

G

H

I

J

Checking and adding the 
engine oil

399

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■

Checking the engine oil

1

Park the vehicle on level 
ground. After warming up the 
engine and turning off the 
engine, wait more than 5 
minutes for the oil to drain 
back into the bottom of the 
engine.

2

Holding a rag under the end, 
pull the dipstick out.

3

Wipe the dipstick clean.

4

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

5

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.

6

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert 
it fully.

■

Checking the oil type and 
preparing the items needed

Make sure to check the oil type 
and prepare the items needed 
before adding oil.



Engine oil selection



P.488



Oil quantity (Low 



 Full)

1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)



Item

Clean funnel

■

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.

1

Remove the oil filler cap by 
turning it counterclockwise.

2

Add engine oil slowly, check-
ing the dipstick.

3

Install the oil filler cap by 
turning it clockwise.

■

Engine oil consumption

A certain amount of engine oil will 

be consumed while driving. In the 

following situations, oil consump-

A

B

C

400

6-3. 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 or decelerating 

frequently

●

When leaving the engine idling for 

a long time, or when 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.480)

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 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 recy-

cling 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 dip-

stick every time you refill the 

vehicle.

●

Be sure the engine 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 possible using a neu-

tral detergent. Do not use an 

organic solvent such as brake 

cleaner.

Checking the coolant

A

B

C

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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■

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 Toyota 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, test 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 fan 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

402

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

Adding fluid

1

Slide and lift up the rubber 
strip to partly remove it as 
shown.

2

Disconnect the claws and 
remove the service cover.

3

Remove the reservoir cap.

4

Add brake fluid slowly while 
checking the fluid level.

Make sure to check the fluid 
type and prepare the necessary 
item.

■

Brake fluid can absorb moisture 

from the air

Excess moisture in the brake fluid 

can cause a dangerous loss of brak-

ing efficiency. Use only newly 

opened brake fluid.

Fluid 
type

FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or 
SAE J1703 brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or 
SAE J1704 brake fluid

Item

Clean funnel

WARNING

■

When filling the reservoir

Take care as brake fluid can harm 

your hands and eyes and damage 

painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in 

your eyes, flush the affected area 

with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, 

see a doctor.