TOYOTA RAV4 EV 2012 1.G Owners Manual

341
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
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 warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly
take care of it.
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
■ Handling of the 12-volt battery
●Oils and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid expo-
sure and wash any affected area immediately.
● 12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. ( P. 362)

342
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Motor compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections.
(P. 362)
Brake fluid Is the brake fluid at the correct
level? (
P. 361)
Motor/traction battery coolant Is the coolant at the correct level?
(P. 357)
Heater coolant Is the coolant at the correct level?
(P. 359)
Condenser/radiators The condenser and radiators
should be free from foreign
objects. (
P. 360)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 365)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
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.

343
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
(P. 487)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
(P. 487)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• 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?
Transmission “Park” mechanism • When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed cor-
rectly? ( P. 398)

344 4-2. Maintenance
Parking brake• Does the parking brake lever
move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points

345
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Hood • Does the hood lock system work
properly?
Fluid leaks • There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires • Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.

346
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery condition( P. 362) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 361)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Motor/traction battery coolant
level ( P. 357)• “Zerex G 48” or “Glysantin G 48”
only
The dilution ratio for both “Zerex
G 48” and “Glysantin G 48” is
50% coolant and 50% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding motor/traction battery coolant)
Heater coolant level ( P. 359)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding heater coolant)

347
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ItemsParts and tools
Fuses ( P. 385)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Headlight aim ( P. 398) • Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulb ( P. 400)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips-head screwdriver
Condenser and radiators (P. 360) 
Tire inflation pressure (
P. 374) • Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 365) • Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

348 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The motor 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 motor compartment
●Make sure that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY”
indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fans.
● Be careful not to touch the motor, power control unit, radiator, heater, etc.
right after driving as they may be hot. Coolant and other fluids may also be
hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
motor compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to the 12-volt bat-
tery. 12-volt battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12-volt battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or 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.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors. It can cause severe burns or electric shock
that may result in death or serious injury.
■ When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P. 360)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

349
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Lift the auxiliary catch lever
and lift the hood.
Lift up the supporting rod.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

350 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■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 support 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.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.STEP 4