check engine TOYOTA RAV4 2005 XA30 / 3.G Owner's Guide

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Do not allow dirt or anything elseto fall through the spark plug holes.

Use only spark plugs of the speci-fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-formance or radio noise.

Do not reuse iridium- tipped sparkplugs by cleaning or regapping.

Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid, or the transmissioncould be damaged.

Do not drive with the air cleanerfilter removed, or excessive enginewear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the enginecompartment.

Be careful not to scratch the glasssurface with the wiper frame.

When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform do- it- yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):

Toyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equiva-
lent
See page 286 in Section 7- 2 for de-
tails about engine oil selection.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):

Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non- silicate, non- amine, non- ni-
trite, and non- borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology.
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for
Canada). Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II
or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Parts and tools

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DO- IT- YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 288
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 289
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 290
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
Checking power steering fluid 290
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 291
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 293
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 295
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 296
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 298
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 298
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7- 2

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Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick. 1. To get a correct reading, the vehicle should be on level ground. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under the end and wipe it clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level while holding a rag under the
end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop engine oil on
the vehicle components.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick. We recommend that you use
a funnel when adding oil.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
raise the level between low and full on the
dipstick is indicated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the f iller cap hand- tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
NOTICE

Be careful not to spill engine oil onthe vehicle components.

Avoid overfilling, or the enginecould be damaged.

Check the oil level on the dipstickonce again after adding the oil.
Checking the engine oil level

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Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SL. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W- 30. Energy-
Conservingº shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel- saving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, Toyota Genuine
Motor Oilº is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all
Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about Toyota Genuine Motor
Oilº.Look at the see- through coolant reser-
voir when the engine is cold. The cool-
ant level is satisfactory if it is between
the FULLº and LOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add the
coolant. (For the coolant type, see
Coolant type selectionº described be-
low.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the LOWº line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the FULLº
line.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Checking the engine coolant
level

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Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your engine cooling system.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non- silicate, non- amine, non- nitrite,
and non- borate coolant with long- life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant
with long- life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
For the U.S.A.ÐToyota Super Long Life
Coolantº is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about -35C
(- 31 F).
For CanadaÐToyota Super Long Life
Coolantº is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about -42 C
(- 44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Toyota recommends Toyota Super Long
Life Coolantº, which has been tested to
ensure that it will not cause corrosion nor
result in malfunction of your engine
coolant system with proper usage. Toyota
Super Long Life Coolantº is formulated
with long- life hybrid organic acid
technology and has been specifically
designed to avoid engine cooling system
malfunction on Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for
further details. If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, be care-
ful not to touch the radiator or con-
denser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator
and condenser, do not perform thework by yourself.
Checking the radiator and
condenser

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To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see- through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAXº and
MINº lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.
If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the
brake reservoir. Remove and replace the reservoir cap by
hand. Fill the brake fluid to the dotted
line. This brings the fluid to the correct
level when you put the cap back on.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the r
eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
hands or eyes. If fluid gets on your
hands or in your eyes, flush the af-
fected area with clean water immedi-
ately. If you still feel uncomfortable
with your hands or eyes, go to the
doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill some of the fluid, be sure to wipe it off to prevent it from dam-aging the parts or paintwork.
Close Open
If cold add If cold O.K.
If hot add
If hot O.K.
Check the fluid level through the reser-
voir. If necessary, add automatic trans-
mission fluid DEXRON
II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little
more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is
hot (80 C or 175 F). You may also check
the level when the fluid is cold (about
room temperature, 10 CÐ30 C or
50 FÐ85 F) if the engine has not been
run for about five hours.
Checking brake fluid Checking power steering fluid

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c. Tighten the hold- down clamp onlyenough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
After checking the battery, reinstall the
battery cover.
NOTICE

Be sure the engine and all accesso- ries are off before performing main-tenance.

When checking the battery, remove
the ground cable from the negativeterminal (- º mark) first and rein-stall it last.

Be careful not to cause a short cir-cuit with tools.

Take care no solution gets into thebattery when washing it.
Ty p e A
Green Dark Clear or
light yellow
Ty p e B Blue White Red
CHECKING BY INDICATOR
Check the battery condition by the indi-
cator color.
Indicator color
ConditionTy p e ATy p e BCondition
GreenBlueGood
DarkWhite
Charging necessary.
Have battery
checked by your
Toyota dealer.
Clear orlight
yellow
RedHave battery
checked by your
Toyota dealer.
During recharging, the battery is pro-
ducing hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect
the ground cable.
2. Be sure the power switch on the re- charger is off when connecting the
charger cables to the battery and when
disconnecting them.
CAUTION

Always charge the battery in an un-
confined area. Do not charge the
battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventila-
tion.

Only do a slow charge (5 A or
less). Charging at a quicker rate is
dangerous. The battery may ex-
plode, causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure allaccessories are turned off.
ÐChecking battery c ondition Battery recharging pr ecautions

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If the new fuse immediately blows out,
there is a problem with the electrical sys-
tem. Have your Toyota dealer correct it as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
Never use a fuse with a higher am-
perage rating, or any other object, in
place of a fuse. This may cause ex-
tensive damage and possibly a fire.
If any washer does not work or wind-
shield washer fluid level warning light
comes on, the washer tank may be
empty. Check the washer fluid level on
the level gauge. If the washer fluid lev-
el is below LOWº, add washer fluid.
You may use plain water as washer fluid.
However, in cold areas where tempera-
tures range below the freezing point, use
washer fluid containing antifreeze. This
product is available at your Toyota dealer
and most auto parts stores. Follow the
manufacturer 's directions for how much to
mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or anyother substitute because it may dam-age your vehicle's paint.
Adding washer fluid

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Tire size:215/70R16 99S
235/60R16 100H
Cold tire inflation pressure, kPa
(kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi):
200 (2.0, 29)
Wheel size: Steel wheel 16
61/2J
Aluminum Wheel 16
7JJ
Wheel nut torque, N
´m (kg f´m, ft´lbf):
103 (10.5, 76)
NOTE: For a complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires
or replacing wheels), see
Checking tire inflation pres-
sureº through Aluminum
wheel precautionsº, pages
291 through 298 in Section
7- 2.
Engine compartment
Instrument panel
Fuses (type A)
1. RADIO 15 A: Audio system
2. DOME 10 A: Clock, personal light, in-
terior lights, vanity lights, garage door
opener, air conditioning system, wire-
less remote control system, gauges
and meters
3. CUT 30 A: RADIOº and DOMEº fuses
4. A/C 5 A: Air conditioning system
5. MAIN 30 A: H- LP RHº and H- LP LHº
fuses
6. HAZ 10 A: Emergency flashers
Tires Fuses