Toyota RAV4 (XA40) 2013-2018 Service Manual: Engine
On-vehicle inspection
- Inspect engine coolant
- Inspect engine oil
- Inspect battery
- Inspect air cleaner filter element subassembly
- Remove the air cleaner cap.
- Remove the air filter element.
- Visually check that the air filter is not excessively
damaged or oily.
If necessary, replace the air filter.
- Inspect spark plug
- Inspect fan and generator v belt
Hint:
You do not need to check the belt deflection because the
auto tensioner has been adopted.
- Inspect ignition timing
Notice:
- Turn all the electrical systems and the a/c off.
- Inspect the ignition timing with the cooling fan
off.
- When checking the ignition timing, shift the
transmission to the neutral position.
- Warm up and stop the engine.
- When using intelligent tester:

- Connect the intelligent tester to the dlc3.
- Allow the engine to idle.
- Select the following menu items:
diagnosis / enhanced obd ii / data list
/ primary / ign advance.
- Read ign advance to check the ignition
timing.
Standard ignition timing: 5 to 15° btdc @ idle
- check that the ignition timing advances
immediately when the engine speed is
increased.
- Turn the ignition switch off.
- Disconnect the intelligent tester from the dlc3.
- When not using intelligent tester:
- Remove the no. 1 Engine cover (see page em-
22).

- Open the ignition cover located to the right of
the no. 4 Ignition coil.
- Pull out the wire harness from the ig cover.
- Connect a timing light to the wire harness.
Notice:
Use a timing light that detects the first
signal.

- Using sst, connect terminals 13 (tc) and 4
(cg) of the dlc3.
Sst 09843-18040
- Allow the engine to idle and check the ignition
timing.
Standard ignition timing:
8 to 12° btdc @ idle
Hint:
Run the engine at 1,000 to 1,300 rpm for 5
seconds, then check that the engine speed
returns to the idling speed.
- Remove sst from the dlc3.
- Allow the engine to idle and check the ignition
timing.
Standard ignition timing:
5 to 15° btdc
- Check that the ignition timing advances
immediately when the engine speed is
increased.
- Turn the ignition switch off.
- Remove the timing light.
- Close the ig cover.
- Install the no. 1 Engine cover (see page em-
43).
- Inspect engine idle speed

- When using intelligent tester:
- Turn off all the accessories and air
conditioning.
- Move the shift lever to p or neutral.
- Connect the intelligent tester to the dlc3.
- Warm up the engine.
- Select the tester menus:
diagnosis / enhanced obd ii / data list
/ primary / engine spd.
- Read engine speed to check the idle speed
while the radiator-cooling fan is not rotating.
Standard idle speed:
600 to 700 rpm
- Turn the ignition switch off.
- Disconnect the tester from the dlc3.
- When not using intelligent tester:
- Turn off all the accessories and air
conditioning.
- Move the shift lever to p or neutral.
- Connect sst to 9 (tac) of the dlc3 terminal,
and then connect a tachometer to sst.
Sst 09843-18030
- Warm up the engine.
- Check the idle speed while the radiator-cooling
fan is not rotating.
Standard idle speed:
600 to 700 rpm
- Turn the ignition switch off.
- Remove the tachometer and disconnect sst
from the dlc3.

- Inspect compression
- Warm up and stop the engine.
- Remove the no. 1 Engine under cover.
- Remove the 4 ignition coils (see page ig-9).
- Remove the 4 spark plugs.
- Disconnect the 4 fuel injector connectors.
- Set sst and a compression gauge. Sst 09992-00500
- Insert the compression gauge into the spark plug
hole.
- While cranking the engine, measure the
compression pressure.
Standard compression pressure:
1,300 kpa (13.8 Kgf/cm2, 196 psi)
Minimum pressure:
1,000 kpa (10 kgf/cm2, 142 psi)
Standard difference between each cylinder:
100 kpa (1.0 Kgf/cm2, 14 psi)

Notice:
- Always use a fully charged battery to obtain
an engine speed of 250 rpm or more.
- Check the other cylinders' compression
pressures in the same way.
- This measurement must be done as quickly
as possible.
If the cylinder compression is low, pour a small
amount of engine oil into the cylinder through the
spark plug hole and inspect again.
Hint:
- If adding oil increases the compression, the
piston rings and/or cylinder bore may be worn or
damaged.
- If pressure stays low, a valve may be stuck or
seated improperly, or there may be leakage in
the gasket.
- Connect the 4 fuel injector connectors.
- Install the 4 spark plugs.
Torque: 25 n*m (255 kgf*cm, 18 ft.*Lbf)
- Install the 4 ignition coils (see page ig-9).
- Install the no. 1 Engine under cover.
- Inspect co/hc
Hint:
The ecm properly controls the co/hc concentration in
the emission gas.
- Start and warm up the engine.
- Start and warm up the engine.
- Insert the co/hc meter testing probe at least 40 cm
(1.3 Ft.) Into the tailpipe while idling.
- Inspect the co/hc concentration while idling and/or
at 2,500 rpm.
If the co/hc concentration is not as specified,
perform troubleshooting.
Hint:
See the table below for possible causes, and then
inspect and repair the applicable causes if
necessary.

Other materials:
Rear seats
Reclining adjustments and
folding the seatbacks can
be done with lever operation.
Adjustment procedure
Pull the seatback angle adjustment
lever A, and adjust the
seatback angle.
WARNING
■When operating the seatback
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause death
or serious in ...
Power outlets
The power outlet can be used for 12 v accessories that run on
less than 10 a.
Open the lid.
The power outlets can be used when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “acc” or “on” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in ...
Windshield wiper de-icer
This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the windshield
and wiper blades.
On/off
The windshield wiper de-icer will
automatically turn off after approximately
15 minutes. Pressing the
switch again also turns the de-icer
off.
Operating conditions
Vehicles without a smart ...