Toyota RAV4 Service Manual: Outside 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. Tires

1. Check the tire inflation pressure with a gauge. Make adjustments if necessary.
2. Check the surfaces of the tires for cuts, damage or excessive wear.

3. Wheel nuts

1. Check for nuts that are loose or missing. Tighten them if necessary.

4. Tire rotation (see page tw-1)

5. Windshield wiper blades

1. Check the blades for wear or cracks whenever they are unable to wipe the windshield clean. Replace them if necessary.

6. Fluid leaks

1. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel, oil, water and other fluids.

Notice:

If you smell gasoline fumes or notice any leaks, locate the cause and correct it.

7. Doors and engine hood

1. Check that all of the doors and the hood operate smoothly and that all the latches lock securely.
2. When the primary latch is released, check that the engine hood secondary latch prevents the hood from opening.