trinituner.com

Hello all. Just got a 2013 Rav4. It has a CNG kit installed. Looking for any heads up on maintenance and common issues. Feedback on oil, filters, fuel type being used and DIY maintenance.

Specs is 4x2
Year 2013 local.
Milage 87000km
Engine 3ZR.

All. Any suggestions on changing transmission oil on 2013 rav4. DIY job or needs specialist?

Following...

I'll give my experiences tomorrow. Just getting in here as a reminder. Too late now to type up.

But in short, you should have no issues. That vehicle is well built.

I'll share some more tomorrow

Sniper,

I own the same model RAV4 with the 3ZR engine. Mines was purchased new in 2014 and currently it has about 97,000km on the odometer.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=237573&start=15420

Read some of my posts on the RAV4 from that thread. Start reading from my post Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:41 pm. I made a few and there you will see some commentary on issues with the RAV4. Nothing to be alarmed about in all honesty.

I am not aware of the impact that CNG will have on the vehicle as mines is not CNG, so my contribution is from the perspective of fuel only.

Fuel Used (since Day 1) - Super.

Oil - when servicing at TTTL under warranty, Castrol was used. Since I service outside of the firm now, the Oil used in Bizol All Round. Admittedly, I have noticed improvements in engine sound (i.e. generally quieter) when using this Oil compared to the Castrol.

Filter/Parts - Only use original Toyota filters and original Toyota replacements for other wear and tear items such as Disc Pads, wiper refills, AC filters, etc. My service technician does not advocate using anything else other than Toyota original parts and I don't dispute his judgement. I have no experience with other brands but will say that the Toyota parts work well and last long. Last Saturday, I replaced front disc pads at a cost of $1,350. But this is the second time I have replaced pads on the vehicle since owning it. Prior to COVID-19, this vehicle would do highway runs daily. Wear on the disc pads is subjective and would vary according to driving conditions, driving style and driving speeds. I would say two front disc replacements over 97,000 km is not bad.

Injectors - serviced at 80,000km. Service entailed an injector flush and a cleaning of the injectors. Since your vehicle is 87,000km, if this has not been done already, its overdue.

Transmission oil - replaced at 80,000km. Was not a complicated replacement and was done quite effortlessly by my service technician. A pump was not used so it was the equivalent of a drain and refill. Since your vehicle is 87,000km, if this has not been done already, its overdue.

Rear bumper mounted reverse sensors - the sensor itself is housed an a circular bracket which clips into the bumper. I suspect when the vehicle was washed sometime ago (not by me) the sensor/bracket was pushed in too hard thereby breaking the bracket and causing the sensor to fall into the bumper. During those times, the reverse sensor would always detect an obstacle, obviously because it was in the bumper so it was disabled on the inside via the switch next to the clock until I had it repaired. I managed to get the old bracket and the sensor was fitted back into it and inserted in the bumper. The bracket was broken and Toyota does not sell the bracket only - the full sensor/bracket assembly needs to be purchased. I am fine with it as is since it still works.

I am not sure if you have an owner's manual, but attached are pics from the same showing the maintenance requirements for this vehicle.

Other than what I have stated here and what's on the other thread, no real issues. The vehicle is bland inside and the "infotainment" is mediocre, but you can upgrade these as time goes by. The vehicle is well built.

If you are interested in a very good service technician (Master Technician actually) PM me with your name and I will provide the contact information.

carluva wrote:Following...

Hey. Thanks for an excellent reply. Everything I wanted to know. Ok so super works fine. Will try it. The transmission oil was changed at 80000km also. But I want to establish my own starting point so looking to replace everything. Will take your advice on original filters. What body oil are you using? 15w 30? Yes I gave the owners manual it's a long read especially for the radio setting. Do you use crew control? What's your milage on a tank of super?

Also. Tell me about cleaning the throttle body. How often?

I actually don't recall cleaning throttle body. There was one time I found the vehicle was rough idling but after the injector service, that went away.

Oil body used - 10W40

Cruise control - hardly ever used. IMO waste of time in Trinidad.

On a tank of fuel, I average it to be about 450-500 km. But I don't drive down to an empty tank. So typically $180-200 will give me about 450ish km.

Remember sparkplugs

Thanks for the reply. Do you clean the MAF sensor also? Haven't had a gas vehicle in a long while.

kamakazi wrote:Remember sparkplugs

Yep. The spark plug has a lot to play with the performance of a cng vehicle. Haven't inspected it as yet. What brand and number do you use?

I get a croaking noise when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds(For example when reversing, thought it was transmission but the noise only occurs when turning the steering wheel). Do you know what might be the cause of this. I recently changed the cradle arms in Jan. 135,000km. Ever had to change that in yours?

Where to get the original oil filters? Any parts place around Caroni or Sanjuan?

Superstar2704 wrote:I get a croaking noise when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds(For example when reversing, thought it was transmission but the noise only occurs when turning the steering wheel). Do you know what might be the cause of this. I recently changed the cradle arms in Jan. 135,000km. Ever had to change that in yours?

I read somewhere it's the power steer system. Common issue.

kamakazi wrote:Remember sparkplugs

carluva wrote:I actually don't recall cleaning throttle body. There was one time I found the vehicle was rough idling but after the injector service, that went away.

Oil body used - 10W40

Cruise control - hardly ever used. IMO waste of time in Trinidad.

On a tank of fuel, I average it to be about 450-500 km. But I don't drive down to an empty tank. So typically $180-200 will give me about 450ish km.

Guys. I dicided to replace the sparkplug today. The manual say SK20HR11 denso. However when I bought them and removed the old ones the recommended spark plug from the owners manual was too big. Not able to thread in. Any experience with this? The ones in the vehicle was the original one same denso but SC20HR11.
Thanks.

Normally owners manual will list the parts for all the different versions.

Did you look under the section for your particular engine.

Sorry to hear you got the wrong part

SNIPER 3000 wrote:

kamakazi wrote:Remember sparkplugs

carluva wrote:I actually don't recall cleaning throttle body. There was one time I found the vehicle was rough idling but after the injector service, that went away.

Oil body used - 10W40

Cruise control - hardly ever used. IMO waste of time in Trinidad.

On a tank of fuel, I average it to be about 450-500 km. But I don't drive down to an empty tank. So typically $180-200 will give me about 450ish km.

Guys. I dicided to replace the sparkplug today. The manual say SK20HR11 denso. However when I bought them and removed the old ones the recommended spark plug from the owners manual was too big. Not able to thread in. Any experience with this? The ones in the vehicle was the original one same denso but SC20HR11.
Thanks.

Sniper, you bought the wrong spark plug. Seems like you may have misread the manual... This engine is the 3ZR. See pic which quotes the correct plug part number for this engine.

SNIPER 3000 wrote:

kamakazi wrote:Remember sparkplugs

carluva wrote:I actually don't recall cleaning throttle body. There was one time I found the vehicle was rough idling but after the injector service, that went away.

Oil body used - 10W40

Cruise control - hardly ever used. IMO waste of time in Trinidad.

On a tank of fuel, I average it to be about 450-500 km. But I don't drive down to an empty tank. So typically $180-200 will give me about 450ish km.

Guys. I dicided to replace the sparkplug today. The manual say SK20HR11 denso. However when I bought them and removed the old ones the recommended spark plug from the owners manual was too big. Not able to thread in. Any experience with this? The ones in the vehicle was the original one same denso but SC20HR11.
Thanks.

Can't explain why manual says that^

Also I asked the part place for an original oil filter and was given YZZA6 do you all use that or the YAAZ1? Also my oil filter housing foes not have the oil drain hole...

Sorry YZZA1

I am at a loss. That is a seriously odd typo. Why don't you call the firm and enquire? I am very curious.

Unless it was a typo which was addressed bin and subsequent manuals. Mines is a 2014 RAV4 whereas yours is 2013.

*shrugs shoulders*

SNIPER 3000 wrote:

Can't explain why manual says that^

Also I asked the part place for an original oil filter and was given YZZA6 do you all use that or the YAAZ1? Also my oil filter housing foes not have the oil drain hole...

I Told Saleem about it also. Any feedback on the oil filter?

Can't remember

carluva wrote:Can't remember

Ok so YZZA6 is the correct filter. It seems like our local rav4 does not have the filter drain plug on the housing also.

hey guys where can I get original stabilizer linkages and tie rod ends for my 2014 rav4?

Check toyolink

livershd wrote:hey guys where can I get original stabilizer linkages and tie rod ends for my 2014 rav4?

Hi all. I am also the proud owner of a 2014 rav 3zrfe. I must say that this is an excellent vehicle overall. The only area I'm not totally satisfied with is the ride comfort. The ride can be a bit rugged in my opinion.
Do you guys have the same experience?

On the contrary, the ride is not rugged as you have stated. The RAV4 ride quality is quite good and far from rugged, unless you hitting some bumpy roads.

Does the ride quality feel the way you have described when applying brakes? Or simply driving down the highway not smooth road? Can you elaborate some more?

On the highway, its ok.
On main and side roads, going over small bumps is less comfortable than my 141 corolla and tiida. It feels kind of uneven and "bumpy" as if the majority of the road conditions are being transferred to the cabin.
Noticeably, the ride does get "smoother" when the whole family is in the vehicle as opposed to just me.
Not sure if this is related to spring rates.

Not related to brakes

I have never encountered any of these issues.

Perhaps a thorough inspection of the suspension is in order to ensure coils and absorbers are in good order. Bushings and mounts could also be a culprit. Tyres nearing their end of life can be a huge contributor to ride quality.

is that a website or store or person?

*KRONIK* wrote:Check toyolink

livershd wrote:hey guys where can I get original stabilizer linkages and tie rod ends for my 2014 rav4?