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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006

2127 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2011 at 8:50 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 190 of 213

#1887 of 2127 Just bought a RAV4 by dan1701a

Jul 07, 2005 (12:23 pm)

Hi,
 
I just bought a 1999 RAV4 (this morning, in fact), based on a couple of things:
 
1) the fact that we (my wife and I) had done mucho research into the RAV4, with the original intent of buying a new one, and
 
2) the fact that the one we bought only had 65,000 miles on it.
 
I was initially very pleased during my test drive, and I am excited to drive it. It is very clean on the inside, no body dents or dings, and the engine is exceptionally clean and free of seepage. However, I was wondering a couple of things. The Edmunds.com website maintenance schedule on the 1999 RAV4 calls for oil changes every 5,000 miles, instead of every 3,000. Is this normal, in your experience?
 
Also, in looking through the maintenance records on this particular vehicle, I can find no evidence that things like coolant flushes or spark plug replacements were ever done. Can anyone tell me, on a car that is driven around 10,000 miles a year, if such things are absolutely necessary? And what kind of trouble will I find when I finally do decide to have these things checked?
 
One more question: I get an "Error 1" on the CD player (in-dash 3-disc changer), which in the owners' manual means the disc is either scratched, dirty, or put in backwards. (The test disc was a new, clean, unscratched disc, and we followed the instructions for putting the discs in the changer.) The original owner stated he never used it. Does anyone know about the 3-disc changer, and if I can simply clean it to make it work, or is this a symptom of a deeper problem?
 
Overall, this former GM driver (still own a 1997 Chevy Cavalier, only because it hasn't fallen apart on me yet) is looking forward to the experience of owning a Toyota, because of all the good things I've heard about their reliability. If anyoen can give me some answers to the above questions, I'd be grateful. Thanks.

#1888 of 2127 Re: Just bought a RAV4 [dan1701a] by mcdawgg

Jul 08, 2005 (5:26 am)

Replying to: dan1701a (Jul 07, 2005 12:23 pm)
Follow the owner's manual for all maintenance schedules - I think 5,000 oil changes is the severe (city, short trips, etc.) schedule. As far as coolant, plugs, tranny fluid, transfer case fluid, rear differential fluid - follow owner's manual. I think coolant is supposed to be changed every 2 years or 30,000 miles, whichever is sooner. Plugs I think are regular, non-irridium in older Ravs, so they would need to be changed every 30,000. After 6 years and 65,000, I'd take a close look at the belts and probably change them. Clean the throttle body, change air filter, pcv valve, maybe even change brake fluid and power steering fluid.
Don't know about CD.

#1889 of 2127 Fog Lights Question?? by ecuakid24

Jul 08, 2005 (9:19 am)

Replying to: ravnbike (May 25, 2004 12:10 pm)
This may be a stupid question but here goes....
 
I just bought a 2005 RAV 4 base model and wanted to install fog lights on my own. The black holes are not there but they are filled with the turning signal ones. Can I remove those and install my fog lights?

#1890 of 2127 Hesitation at Start Up by titan613

Jul 12, 2005 (2:15 pm)

My wife has a 2004 RAV4 L with 12K miles. About 4 weeks ago, she began to have difficulty on start up... especially in the morning. The engine would turn over, but not start immediately.
 
She had been using 87 octane. I thought she may have purchased some bad gas. Once the tank was empty, I added some Chevron gas additive and filled up with premium. The problem improved, but it did not completely go away. I filled up with another tank of premium... and then on the third week, I added another Chevron treatment with a full tank of premium fuel.
 
The problem remains. The engine has to turn over at least 3 times before start up... but may be as many as 5-7 times. Acceleration seems normal... though I think it is not as strong as it once was.
 
She has had zero problems with the RAV4 prior to this. She has had regular oil changes at the dealer every 3-4K miles.
 
Has anyone had any experience with this issue? Any advice before we head to the dreaded dealer.
 
Thanks

#1891 of 2127 Rav4 Shakes by msyring1

Jul 12, 2005 (5:07 pm)

Hello
 
I am looking for some advice in regards to my 2002 Rav4. I just recently hit 80,000 miles, and the car has started to shake when i am on the highway, and go about 65 MPH or higher. You can especially feel the steering wheel shake, and it is very frustrating.
 
I completed the 60K mile maintenance through Toyota at about 65K miles. At that time, they said everything looked good. They did NOT change the spark plugs, as i believe they are the Iridium Spark plugs. Do you think i should have the spark plugs changed? Would this stop the shaking? Any advice would help!!!

#1892 of 2127 Re: Rav4 Shakes [msyring1] by toyotaken

Jul 12, 2005 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: msyring1 (Jul 12, 2005 5:07 pm)
From what you're describing, it sounds like one or more of the tires are out of ballance. One of the weights may have fallen off the wheel. Before looking into something more substantial, I'd have the wheels checked.
 
Ken

#1893 of 2127 Re: Rav4 Shakes [toyotaken] by msyring1

Jul 13, 2005 (7:19 am)

Replying to: toyotaken (Jul 12, 2005 5:13 pm)
Thanks Ken...
 
I'll have the tires looked at first. Now that you mention it, I believe I am due for a rotation and allignment check.

#1894 of 2127 Re: Rav4 Shakes [msyring1] by toyotaken

Jul 13, 2005 (7:29 am)

Replying to: msyring1 (Jul 13, 2005 7:19 am)
Something like that, I always recommend looking into the basics first. Sort of like the person saying that their lamp won't work and calling in an electrician to rewire the house and he walks in and flips the switch... It's easy enough to find out if it is something more involved if needed, but always look for the most simple explanation first.
 
Ken

#1895 of 2127 Is this the 2006 RAV4? by ravorcrv

Jul 13, 2005 (8:20 pm)

Can anyone read this web site?
 
http://www.caradisiac.com/media/images/le_mag/mag218/toyota_rav4_1.jpg
 
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.caradisiac.com/media/images/le_mag/mag21- 8/toyota_rav4_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.caradisiac.com/php/essai_tun/topsecret/218/mg_945- 1_toyota_rav4.php&h=266&w=400&sz=26&tbnid=bbcxReQNpjkJ:&tbnh=79&tbnw=120&hl=en&

#1896 of 2127 Re: Is this the 2006 RAV4? [ravorcrv] by paulcudlip

Jul 13, 2005 (9:50 pm)

Replying to: ravorcrv (Jul 13, 2005 8:20 pm)
It is another photo shopped mock-up. The new 2006 Toyota RAV 4 will be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show in October. The new 2006 RAV 4 will be almost as long as the Highlander and will have a V-6 engine option.

Messages Page 190 of 213

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