The same website provides access to an electronic copy of the owner's manual.Full-size sedan mainly produced and marketed in North America and China. You can check the maintenance schedule online at the Toyota Owners website.
Have your vehicle inspected in a repair shop annually to keep it safe. When doing any repairs, it's always better to use original Toyota parts. When replacing a faulty ignition coil, it might be a good idea to replace all the spark plugs if they are old. Regular oil changes will help your engine last longer. If you notice any issues with the way the automatic transmission shifts, have it looked at before the problem gets worse. In the 4WD models, transfer case oil and rear differential oil also need to be changed regularly. Keep all other fluids clean and topped up. You can find transmission fluid capacity in the 'Specifications' section of your owner's manual. Maintenance tips: Keep your tires properly inflated, it's especially important for an AWD model.Ĭhange transmission fluid regularly it's best to use the genuine Toyota transmission fluid. We found plenty of Toyota RAV4 off-roading videos. The RAV4 is not a true off-roader, but its full-time AWD, light weight and compact size give this little SUV some advantage when leaving the pavement. When the front wheels start slipping, more power is transferred to the rear wheels and visa versa. Have the vehicle properly inspected before buying.ĪWD system: The RAV4's full-time 4WD system uses a viscous coupling center differential to distribute power to the front and rear wheels.
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Read more: How to inspect a used car - illustrated guide. Watch out for a clunking noise coming from the steering. When test driving, make sure to check that the automatic transmission shifts properly and smoothly in all conditions. If the "Check Engine" light is on, have the problem checked out before buying a vehicle. For 2001, 20 RAV4, you may want to check if the ECM has already been replaced with an updated part. The misfiring at a startup can also be caused by a leaking head gasket.
Commonly the smoke is caused by bad valve seals. Usually it's more noticeable when the engine is started cold in the morning. What to look for when buying a used Toyota RAV4: Watch out for a blue or grey smoke or misfiring at a startup after the vehicle has been parked for a while. Competitors include Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V.Īntilock brakes, traction control and stability control are standard from 2004. The 2001-2003 RAV4 has a better engine.ĭespite the problems mentioned above, the RAV4 overall reliability is still not too bad, considering its age. Maintenance costs are low compared to other SUVs. The cargo space is limited, but a rooftop carrier can help. Overall: The RAV4 is a rare small SUV with a full-time AWD.
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With mostly highway driving, the 2005 FWD RAV4 with a manual transmission gets up to 346 miles (557 km) on a 14.8-gallon (56 L) tank. Pros: Sleek styling, available full-time AWD, versatility, fuel economy, car-like handling, fun to drive.Ĭons: Front seats are not very comfortable, limited space, rear door glass doesn't open separately, lack of highway passing power, road noise, engine noise, rattles.įuel Economy: The RAV4 is one of the class leaders in terms of fuel economy. The engine is a bit noisy and lacks highway passing power, but is very fuel-efficient. The tight turning circle makes it maneuverable around town. Handling: The Toyota RAV4 is agile and fun to drive. On the downside, the cargo space is limited. The rear swing door glass does not open separately as in the Honda CR-V, but the low cargo floor makes loading easier. Controls are conveniently located and easy to use. High driving position offers good all-around visibility. Inside: The RAV4's interior is simple and comfortable. Watch this YouTube video that shows the repair.
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We found the Toyota TSB T-SB-0015-11 on this issue that says to install Time Sert® thread repair inserts. Symptoms include coolant leaks on the back of the engine, overheating, misfiring at startup, running rough. There are reports of stripped treads in the 2004-2005 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine cylinder block. It's important to keep the tire pressure up to the specs in all tires. The difference in tire pressure or tire size can cause issues with the AWD system. That's why it's important to have the hinges well lubricated. This may cause the rear swing door to be difficult to close.