2021 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Maintenance and care

Maintenance and care

Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.

Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois.

For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly with water.

Wipe away any water.

Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deterio- rates.

If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehi- cle body is cool.

Before car washes

Check that the fuel filler door and charging port lid on your vehicle are closed properly.

Automatic car washes

Before washing the vehicle:

Fold the mirrors

Turn off the power back door (if equipped)

Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.

Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface, parts (wheel, etc.) and harm your vehicle’s paint.

Rear spoiler may not be washable in some automatic car washes. There may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.

High pressure car washes

As water may enter the cabin, do not bring the nozzle tip near the gaps around the doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray these areas continuously.

Note for a smart key system

If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the following correction pro- cedures to wash the vehicle:

Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2

or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)

Set the electronic key to battery- saving mode to disable the smart key system. (P.218)

Wheels and wheel ornaments

Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent.

Wash detergent off with water immediately after use.

To protect the paint from damage, make sure to observe the follow- ing precautions.

Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive detergent

Do not use hard brushes

Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after driving or parking in hot weather

Front side windows water- repellent coating (except quar- ter window)

The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repellent coating.

Remove any dirt, etc., from the front side windows regularly.

Do not allow dirt and dust to accu- mulate on the windows for a long period. Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possi- ble.

Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the windows.

Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.

Bumpers

Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

Plated portions

If dirt cannot be removed, clean the

Use a soft cloth dampened with an approximately 5% solution of neutral detergent and water to clean the dirt off.

Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.

To remove oily deposits, use alco- hol wet wipes or a similar product.

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces with a cloth damp- ened with lukewarm water.

If dirt cannot be removed, wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral deter- gent diluted to approximately 1%.

Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off remaining traces of detergent and water.

Shampooing the carpets

There are several commercial foam- ing-type cleaners available. Use a sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible.

Handling the seat belts

Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.

Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth damp- ened with diluted detergent.

Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool detergent.

Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off all remaining traces

of detergent.

Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and ventilated area.

Caring for leather areas

Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.

Wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral deter- gent diluted to approximately 1%.

Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off remaining traces of detergent and water.