Toyota RAV4 Routine Maintenance

Unblock Your Engine Block

We’ll start where you may have the most questions—under the hood. There are a lot of components, and we’ll go over a few key pieces of maintenance here.

Oil Changes

Your vehicle should get an oil change every 10,000 miles or six months. This will help keep the engine well-lubricated and prevent overheating in the course of everyday driving. An oil change involves removing the old oil, possibly running some cleaner through the system, and then topping off the oil.

Transmission Service

Much like the engine, your vehicle’s transmission fluid needs to be changed every so often. Most experts recommend changing the transmission fluid every 45,000 to 80,000 miles. Occasionally, the transmission will need to be flushed as well, which will run cleaner and fluid through the transmission to remove any debris or detritus.

Battery Care

The battery is the electric center of your vehicle, and it needs care. Provided you don’t see any corrosion or warping on the battery, your vehicle can go 50,000 to 60,000 miles between services. If there’s a problem, replacing the battery is likely your best option.

Your Brakes Need a Break

Everyone needs a break, but none more than your vehicle’s brakes. These hard-working components need to be checked roughly every year and a half or so.

Brake Fluid Check

The brakes work on a hydraulics system, which means you’ll need to make sure to top off the brake fluid. You should do this every 45,000 miles or so to make sure the brakes are healthy.

Replacing Brake Pads

Your vehicle’s brake pads are small, rough pads that provide friction on the rotors to help stop your Toyota RAV4. These pads will wear out and become worn over the course of regular driving, so be sure to get them replaced every 30,000 miles or so.

Changing Brake Rotors

On the other hand, the brake rotors are big metal discs that sit inside the wheels and help bring your vehicle to a stop. These rotors will need to be replaced roughly every 60,000 miles to ensure your vehicle can stop safely.

On a Roll With Your Tires

How often do you think about your tires other than when you have a flat? You should probably think about them more often, and we’ll explain why.

Rotating Your Tires

Everyday driving wears down the tires, and to keep the wear pattern even, you should have the tires rotated every 7,000 miles or so. This ensures your RAV4 will always have a firm grip on the road.

Replacing Your Tires

Provided there aren’t any flats or punctures, the tires should be good for between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. After that, most experts recommend you get a new set to ensure you’ll have plenty of traction on the road.