Hello, dear readers! Today we’ll talk about changing the oil in the automatic transmission of a Rav 4 vehicle. This car was equipped with several types of gearboxes. Depending on the type of automatic transmission or variator, the oil will be selected. But more on this in a special section. Now I’ll tell you about lubricant replacement intervals.
Write in the comments how often you change the lubricant in Toyota Rav 4 automatic transmissions.
Transmission oil change interval
Modifications of the 3rd generation Toyota Rav4 were equipped with CVTs. The first cars had four-speed hydromechanical transmissions. If the latter could be patient with both the quality and lack of oil, then the CVT type does not like dirty lubricant and does not tolerate underfilling.
In general, changing the oil in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission is not that difficult, so I recommend checking the level and changing the transmission fluid according to the following regulations:
- after a mileage of 30,000 kilometers, do only a partial oil change;
- after 60,000 kilometers, carry out a complete change using the replacement method using a high-pressure apparatus. If you don’t have one, then in a special block below, I’ll tell you how to change the oil in a garage.
You don't have to take the manufacturer's word for it. He points out that the latest box models are maintenance-free. This means that the oil in them does not need to be changed. It will last until the end of the life of the Toyota Rav 4. In fact, this is not so.
Read
Automatic transmission oil Nissan
The manufacturer does not take into account that Russian climatic conditions are difficult. And sometimes the driver’s aggressive driving destroys the oil in the car’s automatic transmission literally within 100,000 kilometers.
The cleanliness of the oil is affected by overheating, wear of mechanical parts, and the cleanliness of the filter device. When changing the oil in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission, be sure to change the filter. Since some filter devices are made from a felt membrane, which becomes clogged over time and stops passing lubricant through the system. As a result, the pressure drops and the car begins to push and kick. You feel vibration throughout the body during stops.
Infrequent replacement of the oil and filter device, as well as negligent attitude towards the automatic transmission will lead to a major overhaul of the Toyota Rav4 after 100 thousand kilometers. That’s why it’s so important to care not only for the engine, but also for the automatic transmission.
Attention! Never mix original oil and analogue. This will lead to a change in technical properties, which will result in the box failing.
Why change the oil
The Rav4 is equipped with automatic machines from the Japanese manufacturer Asin. The company is known in the automotive industry as a reliable brand. These gearboxes are capable of operating throughout the entire service life of the machine.
Crossovers of the 3rd, 4th and 5th generations are equipped with maintenance-free gearboxes. According to the regulations, cars purchased in 2006, 2007 and later are equipped with gearboxes in which transmission fluid is filled “for life.” In fact, such boxes also require maintenance.
During operation, the oil is exposed to physical and chemical attack. This leads to a change in the composition of the lubricant. Air oxygen radicals react with some components of the mixture and oxidize them.
Temperature changes have a destructive effect. The viscosity of the composition is regulated by polymer macromolecules. At temperatures below 0°C, the helix of the macromolecule curls into a ball. This reduces the viscosity of the lubricant, which has increased due to the onset of crystallization of higher paraffins.
During heating, the reverse process occurs. Higher paraffins change their state of aggregation and enter the liquid phase. Macromolecules unfold from the ball and increase the viscosity of the composition.
Constant cycles of folding and unfolding destroy the structure of the molecule. Over time, the performance properties of the lubricant deteriorate.
Moving parts in the box of the 2010 Toyota Rav4 and other model years rub against each other. The result is metal shavings. It also reduces the performance of the mixture.
These factors deteriorate the quality of the oil. Lubricating properties are reduced. The risk of scoring and scratches on the surface of the moving elements of the box increases.
Practical advice on choosing oil in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission
High-quality original oil in the box plays an important role. Only the original has the necessary technical properties that allow the oil to:
- build up a protective film on metal parts to protect them from premature wear;
- prevent foaming;
- protect copper parts from oxidation.
The original oil will not lose its properties even with severe overheating, and in frosts down to minus 30 degrees it will not freeze.
Write in the comments what kind of lubricant you fill in the Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission?
Original oil
The original oil for automatic transmission of Toyota Rav4 is ATF Type IV with catalog number 0553-00405 and Toyota WS with number 08886-01705. The first oil is recommended for use in automatic transmissions created before 2005, and the second - after 2005.
Read
Original oil and analogues for Toyota automatic transmissions
The oil is sold in black iron liter cans and 4 liter canisters. Manufactured in Russia. There is no clear opinion about the quality of this type of transmission fluid. I personally doubt buying such a lubricant.
Therefore, I usually buy the original from Japan in tin cans. European canisters are gray in color. They only come in five-liter sizes. If you see plastic canisters with this name, then they are from America.
Analogs
This oil has no analogues. Therefore, I would not recommend buying lubricants of dubious quality that are passed off as analogues of this transmission fluid. I believe that ATF Type T IV is the only transmission fluid that needs to be poured into a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission.
Attention! In addition to following the lubricant replacement schedule, do not forget to check the level and add oil as necessary.
Types of boxes for Rav 4
In different model years and on different trim levels, these cars, in addition to the classic “mechanics”, were equipped by the Toyota concern with conventional automatic transmissions or a CVT - variator. Depending on this, the transmission fluid and related parts are selected - pan gasket, filter, etc.
In the first generation, the CVT was installed on cars in the EV configuration; it was also supplied to all 3rd generation of Japanese production, including the 2008 restyling, some 2013 models, etc. A comparison table of transmissions, which will help determine what type of box is in a particular model, can be found at https://www.drom.ru/catalog/toyota/rav4/specs/transmission/
Checking the level
I recommend checking the oil level in the Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission every 10,000 kilometers. If operating conditions are extreme, then reduce the difference to 5000 kilometers.
The verification procedure is carried out as follows:
- Warm up the automatic transmission to 70 degrees.
- Press the brake pedal and move the selector through all gears.
- Place the Toyota Rav4 on a flat surface or hole.
- Turn off the engine and open the hood.
- Unscrew the dipstick and wipe the tip with a lint-free cloth.
- Place the dipstick back into the hole and turn it 180 degrees.
- Pull it out and look at the marks.
- If the oil is at the “Max” level, then leave everything as is. If not, then add about 1 liter.
- Then check the level again.
Read
Changing the oil and filter of an Infiniti FX35 automatic transmission yourself
Don't forget to look at the rag. If you see that the lubricant remaining on the rag is black and has metallic inclusions, then the transmission fluid should be replaced.
Toyota Rav4 3rd generation CA30W automatic oil U140F/U241E (4 gears)
In the late 90s, specialists from the Japanese company Aisin Warner developed a 4-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission U140F, working in tandem with a 2.5-liter engine. Accordingly, this automatic transmission began to be actively installed on all-wheel drive crossovers and rear-wheel drive cars. Later, a modernized version of it was released, designated U241E. And it was the automatic machines of these modifications that were installed on the third generation Toyota Rav4 CA30W. As for the transmission fluid, these automatic transmissions must be filled with oil with Type WS approval. First of all, we draw your attention to the original Toyota Type WS oil, analogues of which are the products Wolf Ecotech Multivehicle ATF FE, Aisin ATF AFW+.
| Toyota Type WS | 4 liters Article: 08886-02305 Average price: 4000 rubles 1 liter Article: 08886-81210 Average price: 1300 rubles |
| Wolf Ecotech Multivehicle ATF FE | 1 liter Article: 8329449 Average price: 800 rubles |
| Aisin ATF AFW+ | 4 liters Article: ATF-6004 Average price: 3000 rubles |
Materials for a comprehensive oil change in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission
Materials needed to change the oil in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission:
- original oil. It will depend on the year the box was produced. Therefore, see the instruction manual;
- box oil filter;
- gaskets and seals. The filter and gaskets for different types of boxes are different from each other, both externally and by catalog number. Therefore, look in the operating book for the number;
- wrenches, flathead screwdriver, ratchet and sockets;
- gloves;
- carbocleaner;
- funnel;
- hose and fittings;
- five liter bottle;
- container for draining lubricant.
After all materials have been prepared, proceed to replacing the lubricant. I will describe the procedure below.
Materials and tools
To carry out the entire range of measures aimed at changing the engine fluid, you will need to prepare a certain set of materials and tools. When scheduling a full, standard, or intermediate gear lube change, you'll know how much you'll need. The automatic transmission installed on the RAV4 holds a total of about 8 liters of oil. But this is true for a complete replacement. Mostly, car enthusiasts make do with 4–5 liters.
To work you will need:
- set of wrenches;
- flat screwdriver;
- hex key for automatic transmission pan plug;
- filler neck or funnel;
- new automatic transmission pan gasket;
- gasket for the drain plug;
- new transmission filter;
- fresh lubrication of appropriate parameters;
- container for draining waste;
- dry rags;
- gasoline or carburetor cleaner;
- workwear;
- additional lighting, etc.
This is enough to manually drain the old transmission lubricant from the automatic transmission of the RAV4 crossover and fill it with new one.
Do-it-yourself oil change in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission
The procedures for changing the oil in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission do not differ from each other in different generations of this car. There is nothing difficult about changing the lubricant in an automatic transmission Rav 4 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 model year. In these automatic transmissions, only the filter and gaskets may differ.
The procedure consists of several stages. I will describe the steps of each stage in detail in the following subsections. Read carefully so as not to miss details.
Draining old oil
The first step is to drain the old waste. This is done like this:
Read
Full and partial oil change in Toyota automatic transmission
- Warm up the automatic transmission to 60 degrees. Drive the car so that the oil becomes thinner and gets into all hard-to-reach parts.
- Place the machine on a pit or overpass.
- Turn off the engine.
- Unscrew the drain plug and place the container.
- Wait until all the lubricant flows out of the hole.
- Wear gloves when working so that the hot oil does not burn your skin.
After the grease has drained, unscrew the pan bolts and carefully remove it. There may be old waste left in it, pour it into a container with liquid. Proceed to the next step.
Write in the comments if you have done a partial change of lubricant in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission?
Washing the tray and removing chips
Now we have to wash the automatic transmission pan and clean the magnets. The latter attract a lot of chips onto themselves, so they must be removed and cleaned with a wire brush. Then wash the bottom of the tray with carbocleaner. Clean it with a brush too.
Remove the old gasket with a knife and clean the area. Degrease it. Put on a new gasket. Leave everything to dry.
Replacing the filter
To change the filter in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission you need to do this:
- Remove the three bolts that hold the filter device in place.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully remove it and throw it away.
- Put on new ones and tighten them.
There is no need to wash the old filter and install it back. Such actions will only damage the automatic gearbox.
Filling with new oil
After the filter device has been replaced, apply sealant to the new gasket on the pan and install it on the automatic transmission. Tighten the bolts and tighten the drain plug. Proceed with the lubricant filling procedure:
Read
How much oil is needed for a complete and partial change in an automatic transmission?
- Open the hood.
- Remove the air filter to allow clear access to the filler hole.
- Unscrew the dipstick and insert a funnel into the hole.
- Add oil. It will take about 4 liters to partially change the lubricant.
Tighten the plug and install all the elements that were removed back. Close the hood and start the engine. Warm up the automatic and take the Toyota Rav4 for a ride. Then check the level again.
Complete replacement of transmission fluid in automatic transmission
The complete procedure for changing transmission fluid in a Toyota Rav4 automatic transmission is no different from the partial procedure if you do it without a high-pressure apparatus.
- Repeat all the steps that I described in the previous block.
- Just stop before starting the engine and warming up the automatic transmission. Remove the hose from the cooling system return. If necessary, extend it using an adapter and clamps.
- Insert the free end into the neck of a five-liter bottle.
- Call your partner and ask them to start the engine.
- Black liquid will flow into the container. Drain about a liter and turn off the engine.
- Top up and repeat the procedure.
- Repeat the process of draining and filling the automatic transmission oil until the oil runs clear.
After completing the procedure, warm up the automatic transmission and drive the car so that the oil penetrates into all hard-to-reach components of the machine. Check the lubricant level.
