Get Engine and Chassis Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

SECTION 7− 2

DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Engine and Chassis

Checking the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398

Checking the engine coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400

Checking the radiator and condenser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Checking brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Checking tire inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402

Checking and replacing tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404

Rotating tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406

Installing snow tires and chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

Replacing wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409

Aluminum wheel precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410

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Checking the engine oil level

NOTICE

CAUTION

Low level

Full level

z Be careful not to spill engine oil on

the vehicle components.

Be careful not to touch the hot ex-

haust manifold.

z Avoid overfilling, or the engine

could be damaged.

NOTICE

z Check the oil level on the dipstick

once again after adding the oil.

Be careful not to drop engine oil on

the vehicle components.

Add oil

O.K.

Too full

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.

With the engine at operating tempera-

ture and turned off, check the oil level

on the dipstick.

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.

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.

The approximate quantity of oil needed to

raise the level between low and full on the

dipstick is indicated as follows:

2.4 L 4−cylinder (2AZ−FE) engine

1.1 L (1.2 qt., 1.0 lmp. qt.)

2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under

the end and wipe it clean.

3.5 L V6 (2GR−FE) engine

3. Reinsert the dipstick—push it in as far

as it will go, or the reading will not be

correct.

1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 lmp. qt.)

For the engine oil capacity, see “Service

specifications” on page 423 in Section 8.

4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil

When the level reaches within the correct

range, install the filler cap hand−tight.

level while holding

end.

a

rag under the

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ENGINE OIL SELECTION

3.5 L V6 (2GR−FE) engine

SAE 5W−30

“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in

your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved

“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent

to satisfy the following grade and

viscosity.

Oil grade:

ILSAC multigrade engine oil

Recommended viscosity:

2.4 L 4−cylinder (2AZ−FE) engine

SAE 5W−20 or 0W−20

Outside temperature

Oil identification mark

The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-

dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-

fication Mark is added to some oil con-

tainers to help you select the oil you

should use.

SAE 5W−30 is the best choice for good

fuel economy and good starting in cold

weather.

If SAE 5W−30 is not available, SAE

10W−30 may be used. However, it

should be replaced with SAE 5W−30 at

the next oil change.

Outside temperature

SAE 5W−20 or 0W−20 engine oil may be

used. However, SAE 0W−20 is the best

choice for good fuel economy and good

starting in cold weather.

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Checking the engine coolant

level

Look at the see−through coolant reser-

voir when the engine is cold. The cool-

ant level is satisfactory if it is between

the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the

reservoir. If the level is low, add the

coolant. (For the coolant type, see

“Coolant type selection” described be-

low.)

Coolant type selection

Use of improper coolants may damage

your engine cooling system.

Only use “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. (Coolant

The coolant level in the reservoir will vary

with engine temperature. However, if the

level is below the “LOW” line, add cool-

ant. Bring the level between the “FULL”

and “LOW” lines.

with

technology is

long−life

hybrid

combination of low

organic

acid

a

phosphates and organic acids.)

For the U.S.A.—“Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and

50% deionized water. This coolant pro-

vides protection down to about −35_C

(−31_F).

If the coolant level drops within a short

time after replenishing, there may be a

leak in the system. Visually check the

radiator, hoses, coolant reservoir cap and

drain cock and water pump.

To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-

mance for your engine, “Toyota Genuine

Motor Oil” is available, which has been

specifically tested and approved for all

Toyota engines.

For Canada—“Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and

45% deionized water. This coolant pro-

vides protection down to about −42_C

(−44_F).

If you can find no leak, have your Toyota

dealer test the cap pressure and check

for leaks in the cooling system.

Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-

ther details about “Toyota Genuine Motor

Oil”.

CAUTION

NOTICE

Do not use plain water alone.

To prevent burning yourself, do not

remove the coolant reservoir cap

when the engine is hot.

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Checking the radiator and

condenser

Checking brake fluid

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 the

work by yourself.

Toyota recommends “Toyota Super Long

Life Coolant”, 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 Coolant” is formulated

To check the fluid level, simply look at

the see−through reservoir. The level

should be between the “MAX” and

“MIN” 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.

with

long−life

hybrid

organic

acid

technology and has been specifically

designed to avoid engine cooling system

malfunction on Toyota vehicles.

If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it

may indicate a serious mechanical prob-

lem.

Please contact your Toyota dealer for

further details.

If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or

FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid to the

brake reservoir.

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Checking tire inflation

pressure

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.

Keep your tire inflation pressures

at the proper level.

The recommended cold tire inflation

pressures, tire sizes and the com-

bined weight of occupants and cargo

(vehicle capacity weight) are de-

scribed on page 422 and 427. They

are also on the tire and loading infor-

mation label.

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

You should check the tire inflation

pressure every two weeks, or at least

once a month. And do not forget the

spare!

Take care when filling the reservoir

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.

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The following instructions for

checking tire inflation pressure

should be observed:

5. After completing the tire inflation

Tire pressure gauge

pressure measurement and ad-

justment, apply soapy water to the

valve and check for leakage.

D The

pressure

should

be

checked only when the tires are

cold. If your vehicle has been

parked for at least 3 hours and has

not been driven for more than 1.5

km or 1 mile since, you will get

an accurate cold tire inflation pres-

sure reading.

6. Install the tire valve cap.

If a gauge and air pump are not avail-

able, have your vehicle checked by

your Toyota dealer.

CAUTION

Be sure to reinstall the tire valve

caps. Without the valve caps, dirt

or moisture could get into the

valve core and cause air leakage.

If the caps have been lost, have

new ones put on as soon as pos-

sible.

D Always use a tire pressure

gauge. The appearance of a tire

can be misleading. Besides, tire

inflation pressures that are even

just a few pounds off can degrade

ride and handling.

D Do not bleed or reduce tire

inflation pressure after driving.

It is normal for the tire inflation

pressure to be higher after driving.

INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT

PROCEDURE

1. Remove the tire valve cap.

2. Press the tip of the tire pressure

gauge to the tire valve.

3. Read the pressure using the grad-

uations of the gauge.

4. In case the tire inflation pressure

is not within the prescribed range,

insert the compressed air from the

valve. In case of applying too

much air, press the center of the

valve and release the air to adjust.

Incorrect tire inflation pressure may

waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-

ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-

hicle less safe to drive.

If a tire frequently needs refilling,

have it checked by your Toyota deal-

er.

D Never exceed the vehicle capac-

ity weight. Passenger and lug-

gage weight should be located so

that the vehicle is balanced.

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Checking and replacing tires

CAUTION

High tire pressure (overinfla-

tion)—

Tread wear indicator

Keep your tires properly inflated.

Otherwise, the following condi-

tions may occur and cause an ac-

cident resulting in death or seri-

ous injuries.

D Poor handling

D Excessive wear

D Uneven wear

D A greater possibility of tire

damage from road hazards

Low tire pressure (underinfla-

tion)—

D Excessive wear

D Uneven wear

D Poor handling

CHECKING YOUR TIRES

D Possibility of blowouts from an

Check the tire’s tread for tread

wear indicators. If the indicators

show, replace the tires. The loca-

tion of tread wear indicators is

shown by the “TWI” or “Δ” marks,

etc., molded on the sidewall of

each tire.

overheated tire

D Poor sealing of the tire bead

D Wheel deformation and/or tire

separation

D A greater possibility of tire

damage from road hazards

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The tires on your Toyota have built−in

tread wear indicators to help you

know when the tires need replace-

ment. When the tread depth wears to

1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indica-

tors will appear. If you can see the

indicators in two or more adjacent

grooves, the tire should be replaced.

The lower the tread, the higher the

risk of skidding.

If air loss occurs while driving, do not

REPLACING YOUR TIRES

continue driving. Driving even a short

distance can damage a tire beyond

repair.

When replacing a tire, use a tire of

the same size and construction,

and the same or greater maximum

load as the originally installed

tires. Also, on four−wheel drive

models, all the tires must be the

same brand and have the same

tread patterns.

Any tires which are over 6 years

old must be checked by a qualified

technician even if damage is not

obvious.

Tires deteriorate with age even if they

have never or seldom been used.

This applies also to the spare tire and

tires stored for future use.

Using any other size or type of tire

may seriously affect handling, ride,

speedometer/odometer calibration,

ground clearance, and clearance be-

tween the body and tires or snow

chains.

Check that the maximum load of the

replaced tire is greater than 1/2 of the

Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR)

of either the front axle or the rear

axle, whichever is greater. As for the

maximum load of the tire, see the load

limit at maximum cold tire inflation

pressure mentioned on the sidewall

of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle

Weight Ratings (GAWR), see the Cer-

tification Label.

The effectiveness of snow tires is

lost if the tread wears down below

4 mm (0.16 in.).

If you have tire damage such as

cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to

expose the fabric, or bulges indi-

cating internal damage, the tire

should be replaced.

If a tire often goes flat or cannot be

properly repaired due to the size or

location of a cut or other damage, it

should be replaced. If you are not

sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.

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Rotating tires

For details about the side wall of the

tire and the Certification Label, see

pages 319 and 322.

D Four−wheel drive models:

Do not use tires of different

brands, sizes, construction or

tread patterns, as this may

cause dangerous handling

characteristics resulting in

loss of control.

CAUTION

Observe the following instruc-

tions. Otherwise, an accident

may occur resulting in death or

serious injuries.

Toyota recommends all four tires,

or at least both of the front or rear

tires be replaced at a time as a set.

D Do not mix radial, bias belted,

or bias−ply tires on your ve-

hicle, as this may cause dan-

gerous handling characteris-

tics resulting in loss of control.

See “If you have a flat tire” on page

355 in Section 4 for tire change proce-

dure.

With a spare tire of the same

wheel type as the installed tires

D Do not use tires other than the

manufacturer’s recommended

size, as this may cause danger-

ous handling characteristics

resulting in loss of control.

When a tire is replaced, the wheel

should always be balanced.

An unbalanced wheel may affect ve-

hicle handling and tire life. Wheels

can get out of balance with regular

use and should therefore be balanced

occasionally.

When replacing a tubeless tire, the

air valve should also be replaced

with a new one.

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Installing snow tires and

chains

WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR

CHAINS

To equalize tire wear and help ex-

tend tire life, Toyota recommends

that you rotate your tires accord-

ing to the maintenance schedule.

(For scheduled maintenance infor-

mation, please refer to the “Sched-

uled Maintenance Guide” or “Own-

Snow tires or chains are recommended

when driving on snow or ice.

On wet or dry roads, conventional tires

provide better traction than snow tires.

SNOW TIRE SELECTION

er’s

Manual

Supplement”.)

If you need snow tires, select tires of

the same size, construction and load

capacity as the originally installed tires.

Also, on four−wheel drive models, all

the tires must be the same brand and

have the same tread patterns.

However, the most appropriate tim-

ing for tire rotation may vary ac-

cording to your driving habits and

road surface conditions.

See “If you have a flat tire” on page

355 in Section 4 for tire change proce-

dure.

When rotating tires, check for uneven

wear and damage. Abnormal wear is

usually caused by incorrect tire pres-

sure, improper wheel alignment, out−

of−balance wheels, or severe braking.

With a spare tire of different

wheel type from the installed

tires

Do not use tires other than those men-

tioned above. Do not install studded tires

without first checking local regulations for

possible restrictions.

CAUTION

Observe the following instructions.

Otherwise, an accident may occur re-

sulting in death or serious injuries.

D Do not use snow tires other than

the manufacturer’s recommended si-

ze, as this may cause dangerous

handling characteristics resulting in

loss of control.

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NOTICE

D Four−wheel drive models:

Side chain

Do not use snow tires of different

brands, sizes, construction or tread

patterns, as this may cause danger-

ous handling characteristics result-

ing in loss of control.

If the wrong combination of tire and

chain is used, the chains could dam-

age the vehicle body.

CHAIN INSTALLATION

Cross chain

Install the chains on the front tires as

tightly as possible. Do not use tire

chains on the rear tires. Retighten

SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION

Snow tires should be installed on all

wheels.

chains

after

driving

0.5—1.0

km

Installing snow tires on the front wheels

only can lead to an excessive difference

in road grip capability between the front

and rear tires, which could cause loss of

vehicle control.

(1/4—1/2 mile).

When installing chains on your tires, care-

fully follow the instructions of the chain

manufacturer.

TIRE CHAIN SELECTION

Use the tire chains of correct size.

If wheel covers are used, they will be

scratched by the chain band, so remove

the covers before putting on the chains.

For 215/70R16, 225/65R17 and 235/55R18

tires, use the following type chains.

When storing removed tires, you should

store them in a cool dry place.

mm (in.)

Mark the direction of rotation and be sure

to install them in the same direction when

replacing.

A Diameter of side chain

B Width of side chain

C Length of side chain

D Diameter of cross chain

E Width of cross chain

3 (0.12)

10 (0.39)

30 (1.18)

4 (0.16)

CAUTION

14 (0.55)

F

Length of cross chain

25 (0.98)

D Do not drive with the snow tires

Regulations regarding the use of tire

chains vary according to location or

type of road, so always check local reg-

ulations before installing chains.

incorrectly inflated.

D Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)

with any type of snow tires.

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Replacing wheels

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS

Replacement with used wheels is not rec-

ommended as they may have been sub-

jected to rough treatment or high mileage

and could fail without warning. Also, bent

wheels which have been straightened may

have structural damage and therefore

should not be used. Never use an inner

tube in a leaking wheel which is designed

for a tubeless tire.

CAUTION

If you have wheel damage such as

bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the

wheel should be replaced.

D Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or

the chain manufacturer’s recom-

mended speed limit, whichever is

lower.

If you fail to replace a damaged wheel,

the tire may slip off the wheel or cause

loss of handling control.

D Drive carefully avoiding bumps,

holes, and sharp turns, which may

cause the vehicle to bounce.

WHEEL SELECTION

When replacing wheels, care should be

taken to ensure that the wheels are re-

placed by ones with the same load ca-

pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.

CAUTION

D Avoid sharp turns or locked−wheel

braking, as use of chains may ad-

versely affect vehicle handling.

Observe the following instructions.

Otherwise, an accident may occur re-

sulting in death or serious injuries.

Correct replacement wheels are available

at your Toyota dealer.

D When driving with chains installed,

be sure to drive carefully. Slow

down before entering curves to

avoid losing control of the vehicle.

Otherwise an accident may occur.

D Do not use wheels other than the

manufacturer’s recommended size,

as this may cause dangerous han-

dling characteristics resulting in

loss of control.

A wheel of a different size or type may

adversely affect handling, wheel and bear-

ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odom-

eter calibration, stopping ability, headlight

aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clear-

ance, and tire or snow chain clearance to

the body and chassis.

D Four−wheel drive models:

Do not use wheels of different

brands, sizes and types, as this

may cause dangerous handling

characteristics resulting in loss of

control.

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Aluminum wheel precautions

D When installing aluminum wheels,

check that the wheel nuts are tight

after driving your vehicle the first 1600

km (1000 miles).

D If you have rotated, repaired, or

changed your tires, check that the

wheel nuts are still tight after driving

1600 km (1000 miles).

D When using tire chains, be careful not

to damage the aluminum wheels.

D Use only Toyota wheel nuts and

wrench designed for your aluminum

wheels.

D When balancing your wheels, use only

Toyota balance weights or equivalent

and a plastic or rubber hammer.

D As with any wheel, periodically check

your aluminum wheels for damage. If

damaged, replace immediately.

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Engine and Chassis for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

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