Toyota RAV4 Service Manual: Inside vehicle

General maintenance

Performing the following maintenance checks on the vehicle is the owner's responsibility. The owner may perform the maintenance or take the vehicle to a service center. Check the parts of the vehicle described below on a daily basis. In most cases, special tools are not required. It is recommended that the owner perform these checks. The procedures for general maintenance are as follows.

1. General notes

• Maintenance requirements vary depending on the country.
• Check the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual supplement.
• Following the maintenance schedule is mandatory.
• Determine the appropriate time to service the vehicle using either miles driven or months elapsed, whichever reaches the specification first.
• Maintain similar intervals between periodic maintenance, unless otherwise noted.
• Failing to check each vehicle part could lead to poor engine performance and increase exhaust emissions.

2. Lights

1. Check that the headlights, stop lights, taillights, turn signal lights, and other lights illuminate or blink properly. Also, check if they have enough brightness.
2. Check that the headlights are aimed properly.

3. Warning lights and buzzers

1. Check that all the warning lights and buzzers are working.

4. Horns

1. Check that the horn is working.

5. Windshield glass

1. Check for scratches, pits or abrasions.

6. Windshield wipers and washer

1. Check that the windshield washers are aimed properly. Also, check that the center stream of washer fluid sprays on the windshield within the operating range of the wipers.
2. Check if the wipers streak or not.

7. Windshield defroster

1. When the heater or air conditioning is on the defroster setting, check if air comes out of the defroster outlet.

8. Rear view mirror

1. Check that the rear view mirror is securely mounted.

9. Sun visors

1. Check that the sun visors move freely and are securely mounted.

10. Steering wheel

1. Check that the steering wheel has the proper amount of free play. Also check for steering difficulty and unusual noises.

11. Seats

1. Check that the seat adjusters, seatback recliner and other front seat controls operate smoothly.
2. Check that all the latches lock securely in all positions.
3. Check that the locks hold securely in all latched positions.
4. Check that the headrests move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely in all latched positions.
5. When the rear seatbacks are folded down, check that the latches lock securely.

12. Seat belts

1. Check that the seat belt system such as the buckles, retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly.
2. Check that the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged. Replace if necessary.

13. Accelerator pedal

1. Check that the accelerator pedal operates smoothly.

   In other words, check that the pedal does not have uneven pedal resistance or become stuck in certain positions.

14. Clutch pedal

1. Check that the clutch pedal operates smoothly.
2. Check that the pedal has the proper free play.

15. Brake pedal

1. Check that the brake pedal operates smoothly.
2. Check that the pedal has the proper reserve distance and free play.
3. Start the engine and check the brake booster function.

16. Brakes

1. In a safe place, check that the vehicle remains straight when applying the brakes.

17. Parking brake

1. Check that the parking brake lever has the proper amount of travel (see page pb-4).
2. On a safe incline, check that the vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake applied.

18. Automatic transaxle "park" mechanism

1. Check the lock release button of the shift lever for proper and smooth operation.
2. When the shift lever is in the p position and all brakes are released on a low incline, check that the vehicle is stable.