Get Vehicle maintenance and care -> General maintenance Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

General maintenance

If you are a skilled do−it−yourself mechan-

ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-

mended. Please be aware that do−it−your-

self maintenance can affect your warranty

coverage. See “Owner’s Warranty Informa-

tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-

ment” for the details.

Listed below are the general maintenance

items that should be performed as fre-

quently as specified. In addition to check-

ing the items listed, if you notice any

unusual noise, smell or vibration, you

should investigate the cause or take your

vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-

fied service shop immediately. It is recom-

mended that any problem you notice be

brought to the attention of your dealer or

the qualified service shop for their advice.

Tire surface and wheel nuts

Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage

or excessive wear. See page 234 in Sec-

tion 7−2 for additional information. When

checking the tires, make sure no nuts are

missing, and check the nuts for loose-

ness. Tighten them if necessary.

Tire rotation

Rotate the tires according to the

maintenance schedule. (For scheduled

maintenance information, please refer to

the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or

“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.) See page

235 in Section 7−2 for additional

information.

CAUTION

Make these checks only where ade-

quate ventilation can be obtained if

you run the engine.

Fluid leaks

Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-

ter or other fluid after the vehicle has

been parked for a while. If you smell fuel

fumes or notice any leak, have the cause

found and corrected immediately.

OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE

Items listed below should be performed

from time to time, unless otherwise

specified.

Doors and engine hood

Tire pressure

Check that all doors and back door oper-

ate smoothly and all latches lock securely.

Make sure the engine hood secondary

latch secures the hood from opening when

the primary latch is released.

Check the pressure with a gauge every

two weeks, or at least once a month. See

page 233 in Section 7−2 for additional

information.

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213

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

INSIDE THE VEHICLE

Seat belts

Automatic transmission “Park” mecha-

nism

Items listed below should be checked

regularly, e.g. while performing periodic

services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.

Check that the seat belt system such as

buckles, retractors and anchors operate

properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt

webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-

aged.

Check the lock release button of the se-

lector lever for proper and smooth opera-

tion. On a safe incline, check that your

vehicle is held securely with the selector

lever in “P” position and all brakes re-

leased.

Lights

Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail

lights, turn signal lights, and other lights

are all working.

Accelerator pedal

Check the pedal for smooth operation and

uneven pedal effort or catching.

IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Service reminder indicators and warning

buzzers

Items listed below should be checked

from time to time, e.g. each time when

refueling.

Clutch pedal

Check that all service reminder indicators

and warning buzzers function properly.

Check the pedal for smooth operation.

Brake pedal

Washer fluid

Steering wheel

Check the pedal for smooth operation and

that the pedal has the proper clearance.

Check the brake booster function.

Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the

tank. See page 243 in Section 7−3 for

additional information.

Check that it has the specified free play.

Be alert for changes in steering condition,

such as hard steering or strange noise.

Brakes

Engine coolant level

Seats

At a safe place, check that the brakes do

not pull to one side when applied.

Make sure the coolant level is between

the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the see−

through reservoir when the engine is cold.

See page 228 in Section 7−2 for addition-

al information.

Check that all seat controls such as seat

adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate

smoothly and that all latches lock securely

in any position. For folding−up rear seat-

backs, check that the latches lock secure-

ly.

Parking brake

Check that the lever has the proper travel

and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle

is held securely with only the parking

brake applied.

Radiator, condenser and hoses

Check that the front of the radiator and

condenser are clean and not blocked with

leaves, dirt, or insects. See page 230 in

Section 7−2 for additional information.

2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)

214

’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)

Does your vehicle need

repairing?

Battery electrolyte level

Be on the alert for changes in perfor-

mance, sounds, and visual tip−offs that

indicate service is needed. Some impor-

tant clues are as follows:

If you notice any of these clues, take your

vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as

possible. It probably needs adjustment or

repair.

Your Toyota has a maintenance free bat-

tery. You do not have to add distilled wa-

ter. For longer life of the battery, however,

see page 240 for additional information.

D Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

D Appreciable loss of power

D Strange engine noises

CAUTION

Brake fluid level

Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.

See page 230 in Section 7−2 for addition-

al information.

Do not continue driving with the ve-

hicle unchecked. It could result in se-

rious vehicle damage and possibly

personal injury.

D A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-

ter dripping from the air conditioning

after use is normal.)

Engine oil level

Check the level on the dipstick with the

engine turned off and the vehicle parked

on a level spot. See page 226 in Section

7−2 for additional information.

D Change in exhaust sound (This may

indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide

leak. Drive with the windows open and

have the exhaust system checked im-

mediately.)

Power steering fluid level

D Flat−looking tire; excessive tire squeal

Check the level through the reservoir. The

level should be in the “HOT” or “COLD”

range depending on the fluid temperature.

See page 231 in Section 7−2 for addition-

al information.

when cornering; uneven tire wear

D Vehicle pulls to one side when driving

straight on a level road

D Strange noises related to suspension

Exhaust system

movement

If you notice any change in the sound of

the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have

the cause located and corrected immedi-

ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on

page 159 in Section 2.)

D Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy

feeling brake or clutch pedal; pedal al-

most touches floor; vehicle pulls to one

side when braking

D Engine coolant temperature continually

higher than normal

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215

Vehicle maintenance and care -> General maintenance for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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