Get Introduction -> Do-it-yourself service precautions Guide for Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

Do−it−yourself service

precautions

If you perform maintenance by yourself,

be sure to follow the correct procedure

given in this Section.

D Be sure that the ignition is off if

CAUTION

you work near the electric cooling

fans or radiator grille. With the

ignition on, the electric cooling fans

will automatically start to run if the

engine coolant temperature is high

and/or the air conditioning is on.

D When the engine is running, keep

hands, clothing, and tools away

from the moving fan and engine

You should be aware that improper or in-

complete servicing may result in operating

problems.

drive

belts.

(Removing

rings,

Performing

do−it−yourself

maintenance

watches, and ties is advisable.)

during the warranty period may affect your

warranty coverage. Read the separate

Toyota Warranty statement for details and

suggestions.

D Right after driving, the engine

compartment—the engine, radiator,

exhaust manifold and spark plug

boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-

ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids

and spark plugs may also be hot.

D Use eye protection whenever you

work on or under your vehicle

where you may be exposed to flying

or falling material, fluid spray, etc.

This Section gives instructions only for

those items that are relatively easy for an

owner to perform. As explained in Section

6, there are still a number of items that

must be done by a qualified technician

with special tools.

D Used engine oil contains potentially

harmful contaminants which may

cause skin disorders such as in-

flammation or skin cancer, so care

should be taken to avoid prolonged

and repeated contact with it. To re-

move used engine oil from your

skin, wash thoroughly with soap

and water.

D If the engine is hot, do not remove

the coolant reservoir cap or loosen

the drain plugs to prevent burning

yourself.

For information on tools and parts for do−

it−yourself maintenance, see “Parts and

tools” on page 394 in this Section.

D Do not leave anything that may

burn easily, such as paper or rags,

in the engine compartment.

Utmost care should be taken when work-

ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental

D Do not leave used oil within the

reach of children.

D Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-

low open flames around fuel or the

battery. Their fumes are flammable.

injury. Here are

few precautions that

D Dispose of used oil and filter only

in a safe and acceptable manner.

Do not dispose of used oil and fil-

ter in household trash, in sewers or

onto the ground. Call your dealer or

you should be especially careful to ob-

serve:

D Do not get under your vehicle with

just the body jack supporting it. Al-

ways use automotive jack stands or

other solid supports.

service station for information

concerning recycling or disposal.

393

2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

’07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701)

Parts and tools

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.

z Do not allow dirt or anything else

to fall through the spark plug holes.

D Be extremely cautious when work-

ing on the battery. It contains poi-

sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

z Use only spark plugs of the speci-

fied type. Using other types will

cause engine damage, loss of per-

formance or radio noise.

CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

NOTICE

z Remember that battery and ignition

cable carry high currents or volt-

ages. Be careful of accidentally

causing a short circuit.

z Do not reuse iridium−tipped spark

plugs by cleaning or regapping.

D “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equiva-

lent

z Do not overfill automatic transmis-

sion fluid, or the transmission

could be damaged.

See page 398 in Section 7−2 for de-

tails about engine oil selection.

z Add only “Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” or similar high quality eth-

ylene glycol based non−silicate,

non−amine, non−nitrite, and non−bo-

rate coolant with long−life hybrid

organic acid technology to fill the

radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-

ant and 50% deionized water (for

the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45%

deionized water (for Canada).

Tools:

z Do not drive with the air cleaner

filter removed, or excessive engine

wear could result. Also backfiring

D Rag or paper towel

D Funnel (only for adding oil)

could cause

compartment.

fire in the engine

CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT

LEVEL

z Be careful not to scratch the glass

surface with the wiper frame.

Parts (if level is low):

D “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” 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.

z When closing the engine hood,

check to see that you have not for-

gotten any tools, rags, etc.

z If you spill some of the coolant, be

sure to wash it off with water to

prevent it from damaging the parts

or paint.

“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” 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).

394

2007 RAV4 from Dec. ’06 Prod. (OM42662U)

Introduction -> Do-it-yourself service precautions for Your Toyota Rav4 SUV Third Generation (2006-2012)

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