TOYOTA RAV4 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

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5517-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively 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, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/ rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

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7-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
The OBD system determin es that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehi cle 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 disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is 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 system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator la mp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

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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. 565)• Warm water• Baking soda• Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 564)• 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. 562)
• “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. 559)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 592)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 595)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser
(→P. 564)⎯
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( →P. 581)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→ P. 568)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 manifold, 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 compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without smart key system
Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position,
the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning
is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 564)
Vehicles with smart key system
Be sure the engine switch is off. With the engine switch in IGNITION ON
mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 564)
■ 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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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Hood
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever to
the left and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by inserting
the supporting rod into the slot.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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2
3

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 serious injury.
■ After installing the su pport rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
NOTICE
■ When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Positioning a floor jack
◆Front
◆Rear
When using a floor jack, follow the instructions in the manual
provided with the jack and perform the operation safely.
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause
injury.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Fuse box (→P. 592)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 562)
Engine oil filler cap ( →P. 560)
Battery (→ P. 565)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 564) Radiator (
→P. 564)
Condenser ( →P. 564)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 559)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 568)1
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5597-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert
the non-flat dipstick fully with
its protruding areas ( in the
illustration) pointing towards
the engine.
Engine oil
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2
3
4
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
■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.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, c hecking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
5
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3
Flat dipstickNon-flat dipstick
Measuring side
6
Engine oil selection →P. 675
Oil quantity (Low → Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
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2
3