05:15 Don't flush your power steering fluid like this. You'll run the pump dry, and have tons of air in the system which can cause cavitation and ruin your pump. Instead, do what he shows as far as lifting the front and disconnecting the hoses, but don't turn on the engine. Turn the wheel by hand with the key in the ON position and the engine off. Turn the wheel from lock to lock, and then get out and check the reservoir, because as you turn the wheel you'll be pushing the old fluid out of your open hose. Pour fresh fluid into the reservoir as the fluid level drops. Continue doing this (turning the wheel, then pouring in new fluid, etc) until you have added about a quart of new fluid, and then you will have replaced all of the old fluid. You'll notice that the fluid exiting your open hos is clean. Next, close up the lines, but leave the reservoir lid open. Get back inside and turn the wheel again (engine OFF) from lock to lock about 5 times, then center the wheel. Check the fluid level: add fluid if needed (notice that the reservoir has two sets of marks -- one for "HOT" and one for "COLD", use the COLD marks). Get back in and turn the wheel again another 5 or so times from lock to lock. If you don't have any fluid level drop after that, you are good and have properly bled the system and saved your pump from cavitation.

I feel like I hit the jackpot with your RAV4 series! Thanks for documenting all of this Paul! I bought a 4Runner last year and learned that there's a bunch of work you can do yourself on them. I'd never worked on my cars before, but the sheer amount of forums and videos showing you step-by-step how to do repairs and save a ton of $$$ made it look easy. So, I started doing some projects on my 4R and loving it. Then, I started feeling guilty because my wife has a 99 RAV4 and I've never done any work on it - just took it to the service shop when needed. I started looking online and on KZfaq to see if there's as much support for RAV4 repair as there is for 4Runners and found your series. Now I can start showing my wife's RAV4 some love too. Unfortunately, I'm gonna be busy on car projects for the next year. ;-)

Dude, u can’t imagine how much I love watching your videos. I wish I’m mechanicaly incline as you are. Going to watch all episodes!!

"It's just a plug. It doesn't hold your car together." Tell that to the Jiffy Lube tech who used an impact wrench on my old cars oil drain plug.

Thanks Paul for sharing this. I just got my own 97 Rav4 with 140 km. I'm looking to do a complete service and your steps help a lot! Subscribed from Vancouver, Canada. Also keep us up to date with your next upgrades! Cheers

Thanks for including proper disposal of old fluids.

Best video ever when you own a 1st generation rav4 ; comentary very clear and efficient, no useless bla bla. Merci beaucoup !

Little sidenote on the differential fluid change. Back in the day these cars where sold (including the 2nd gen wich has the same diff) there was an option to include a torsen diff. Not many people have this torsen diff because it was fairly expensive. But if you have one you really should add an lsd additive to the oil. Or else your diff will start making ugly noises. You can recognize this torsen diff by a number stamped on the left front of the diff. If you have a 1 it’s a regular diff if it’s stamped 2 you are lucky enough with a torsen diff.

Very informative! My mechanic teacher always said two fingers tight on the oil plug. Meaning only tighten it with two fingers on the wrench.

Best if watched at .75 speed. Great vid, thanks!

The single greatest tough to beat Rav4 maintenance video of all time is what this is like.

I'm doing some product testing on my 1999 Toyota RAV4. I've never changed the differential fluid the automatic transmission fluid or the coolant in 287,000 mi. The oil gets changed every 10,000 MI. So far the vehicle runs very nicely and I've driven across the country five times with it and I spent four years in Washington DC driving over the terrible roads and dealing with the winters on the east coast and then a year in the Appalachian mountains mostly off-road. I think the Toyota RAV4 is possibly the toughest vehicle we've ever created LOL

Ill bet my brake fluid and gear oils are just as black as this. Remember to tighten up the slack in the throttle cable and clean the butterfly valve too when you get to the point to do all of this. Thx for the vid Paul!

I'm getting a 99 RAV4 for a good price in pretty good condition with 190 k's unfortunately I won't put as much work as you have. I admire the amount of work you put into it! it looks awesome too!

The automatic transmission fluid is DEXTRON III type.

i just acquired one of the 95 4 doors recently, i will be doing all of this on the weekends 😂

While you’re at it, replace all plugs with new ones. Gearbox plugs, oil pan plug etcetera . There is a special tool for the hard to get to hose clamp.

Hi! I'm enjoying all of your Rav4 videos. I inherited a 1998 Rav4 in very bad condition and your vids are helping me a lot. Good Job!

If you have a 1998-2000 model the T55 is also used for the drain plug on the rear diff, was confused to see it was different. Used royal purple oil tho, just so I can say my car is sipping on lean :)

Besides locating the correct plug, this video also helped me with OBD2 connector position :) Thank you twice :)

The captions at the start say “my name is polish baka” and I think it’s amazing

Old oil is also useful to coat the underside of the car to help with rust prevention.....I watched Matt from Diesel Creek do it on his old F250.

Super helpful video! Also, sweet magnet!

Cool I bought one yesterday Love from Saudi Arabia

Dope! You make it look so easy. Thanks for the video

Love your videos. Just got a 2 door first gen! Thank you.

Excellent tutorial buddy...thx!!!!

5star video U have helped me a bit . Just Australia uses KMs and right hand drive . Going to be interesting my diff oil . My 95 gen 1 has 347 thousand ks

When I come back in my next life I want to be your car 😂 you do such a wonderful job I'd buy a car from you any day.

You are awesome! Love your rav4! Have a white one just like it in Denver, and a few more Toyotas.

I wish I could send over my rav4 to you for service.

Thanks so much for this video, im going to do the same with my 97 Rav4

In an auto AWD rav4 make sure you use T-IV aisin or Toyota ATF. My GF’s transmission was ruined when a dumb shop put dexron III In it. Dexron is only for the 2wd models.

Thank you polish baka(according to closed captions)

Excellent!! YOU ARE Awesome!

Sadly someone put gasket maker on the thermostat housing and didn't wipe of the excess from the threads. So they tightened down the nuts and there was gasket maker on the threads. So now I'm having to cut off the thermostat housing to be able to get a grip on the nut. I have a new thermostat housing on the way. Sucks. I think I'm having the same issue as you with the thermostat. The heat would get hot but would get cold pretty quickly. The temp gauge stays in the middle though.

this is so good!! :D thanks Paul!

I've had to Rev Toyota 97 for about 3 years it's worked wonderful air conditioning heater everything works well but right now what's going on starting the car it's making me started three times it could be the clutch but all this that I see that you're saying it's so scary because where do you go for all this I can't do it alone

Hello,Thanks for usefull videos.Could you advise ,did and how you replaced the windscreen on this RAV4?Thanks in advance,

Well done, Paul!

great vid!

Супер

man i wish you had bought a 2013 frontier!

7:55 why don't you remove the screw (under the exhaust manifold) to drain all the liquid in 1 step ?

It would be greatly helpful if you could add a list of fluids and parts and a list of needed tools to the discription.:)

Great stuff

Thx paul your the best!

Thankyou Paul, i have the same type of vehicle. I wish you could service my vehicle...

Holy fuck this was very informative

Like the differential, you should also first try to loosen the transmission-filler-plug before draining... if it doesn't come lose you got a problem. Good vid, very clear!

On my ‘97 RAV the bleeders take 1/4” inside diameter hose I got from Home Depot for $4

Excelent as always mate !!!! I was playing with idea of adding a transmission cooler for longer off road/ overland trips as this transmission might get hot and burn out faster ...... have you considered such modification ? As always love the vids !!!!! Cheers

just got a 98 rav 4 going to do all this!

Great, please, how much is the amount of brake fluid (how much is it in milliliters)?

Does the year engine not have a block drain port for the coolant?

Good informative...thank you

You are fckin amazing bro, helped a looot with your rav 4 videos. I have a Toyota Carina 3SFE

Mine is a manual and I need to change my transmission fluid. At the store they have transmission fluid and gear oil? So do I need to use gear oil instead if transmission fluid? My Rav4 is a 98.

Very nice video

Thanks Paul! This is great info for me. My RAV4 is a 1998 Automatic. Nearly 300,000 miles. I LOVE my RAV4. Have owned it for 15 years. It needs all the fluids changed. Oil is done... haha. Will these steps be comparable in these two models/years?

hey im trying to replace my clutch on my 98 fwd so is it easier dropping ir picking it up

I was planning on changing my atf and was wondering if I could just pour the fluid from ontop where the dipstick is instead of using a pump ?

Love my rav4 its a 98 with almost 250k miles i believe its overdue for maintenance

"Again, that clamp by the radiator cap, is a bitch." rofl

Hi LCP! I really appreciate your videos! I am changing the fluids in my 1998 RAV4 2WD A/T vehicle. I wish you had added a few more details about the thermostat and which gaskets are needed to reinstall. I'm guessing you bought 2 gaskets, but again, I'm not sure. What do the gaskets look like? Are they O-rings? This information would be helpful when buying the correct parts. Thanks again for the professional videos.

Great job on the tutorial; straight to the point. By chance do you think synthetic gear oil is worth getting or is conventional preferred?

Excellent

Is there two different plugs for front differential and rear differential?

You are hilarious!

I just want to confirm, the transmission and t case share the same fill up plug.

Hi sir. One of my friend has RAV4 2002(2nd Gen) model 2000cc having a 1AZ-FSE engine. According to him it sucked/consume engine oil about 1 quarter/ 750 miles.he said that it is also written in the said engine specifications. Is it correct or is there some issue in the said engine? Also it consumes too much gasoline and its SPARK PLUGS turn Black immediately after installation. Requests for your humble response/guidance. Thanks in anticipation.

For AWD manual transmission, use GL-5 75W90 for both gearbox and differential?

Planning to do gearbox and diff oil on my 96 RAV4. Do you need new washers for the drain bolts?

I've changed oil before on my other cars but I now own a 1997 Toyota Rav4 and the oil filter is located differently then in your video! Mine is located near the alternator and you can't use a standard filter wrench (like the one you're using) because there's no room to fit it! You're reaching it on the bottom where mine is on top. Visited Auto Zone and said I have to purchase the wrench from Toyota dealer because it's an industrial tool wrench. Really?? Would an oil filter cap wrench work found at Walmart??? Thx

How do I change the front def oil on the automatic model 1996 year

I have a ‘97 Rav4 as well. It appears that my fuel pump has gone bad. Will you do a video on that process or at least provide some information/instructions?

Just bought a 97 rav4 with 141k miles and i have a question about coolant I noticed its a bit rusty so I'm gonna flush it should i buy the toyota long life or are there other less expensive options I just dont want my head gasket to blow haha also im pretty sure transmission oil has been neglected it doesn't smell burnt it doesn't shift rough but it is on the darker red side is it safe to change like a regular drain and fill ?

Hello - I have a 1st Gen Automatic, how do you fill the transmission? Is it through the dip stick?

Just curious does your thermostat have a jiggle valve ??

I have the same car same year but automatic transmission and I can’t find the hole to fill the oil!! 😭😭😭 plz help!

Sweet magnet. Funny. Why would you put green coolant in a Toyota? Ive read there is a significant chemical composition difference.

Does your Toyota have a transfer case ? Rt frt side under side dip stick...Awd system. Thanks. 🚗 Los.

I couldn’t get more than 4 litres (gallon) of my coolant to drain, any pointers ?

Hey Paul! thanks for this video, very helpful. I did come across a problem tho. when I changed my power steering fluid as shown in the video, it's making a very screechy noise and is leaking from the cap. I've tried to fill it again but same thing keeps happening. Can you help me please.

The gear oil you use (Valvoline 75w-90) does not appear to be compatible with synchromesh transmissions. Do you know if this is an issue? On a Rav4 forum folks are recommending synthetics such as Redline 75w-90ns. Your opinion? Thanks.

My Haynes Manual refers to changing the oil in the Transfer Box as a separate task to the Transmission oil. I assume that's what the second drain hole on the transmission is. Does it have a separate fill hole too ?. Thanks for the great video.

Why did you put gear oil in the transmission? It should go in the front differential…?

I’m curious. The old coolant looked like it was the OEM, either red Toyota Long Life or the pink Toyota Super Long Life. What made you flush and switch to the universal?

How can I check the transmission fluid level? I'm obsessed with my 2 door, '97 silver RAV. She's leaking something but oil, brake fluid and power steering levels are staying the same. Could it be the transmission fluid? How can I check the level to see? Love the you've got the exact same rig! And your videos are awesome!

Hey did you not need to jack up the car when changing the engine oil n oil filter? That is so cool! Hello from New Zealand :)

Hey I have a leak at the junction where the upper radiator house feeds into the engine. I just replaced that upper radiator hose so I am thinking it might be one of the other two tubes that meet at that same junction. Just not sure what they are for and neither does autozone can you help me out? I can send pics if this is not descriptive enough. Thanks in advance.

Hey! If my '97 rav is automatic, does the 30k rule apply? Also, could you apply the routine maintenance mileage for changing the fluids to other vehicles? For example, I drive a manual '07 pontiac vibe (which has a toyota engine). Could I apply the 30k rule to the transmission fluid or should I research the specifics for it?

Where to change front differential oil?

I'm curious to why you chose the RAV4

I need a Tow hitch App.😅

Hello, I am the possessor of a 1996 rav4 and I was wondering if the oil filter is universal for this vehicle? Also, what Is the type of oil that is used for this vehicle? Thanks

if you make a 97 RAV 4 awesome you'll get a nobel prize

You forgot about the clutch. You did that one?

When a unit like the transmission has a DRAIN plug AND a FILL plug, remove the FILL plug first. It may be totally stuck. If so, then you can't fill it from the DRAIN hole.

Nice video, but I really disagree with your coolant procedure. For one, the green coolant is a DOWNGRADE from the pink coolant that was in there. the pink stuff is a newer formulation from Toyota themselves that lasts much longer than the generic green stuff. Also, your approach to mixing coolants is a wild guessing game. You just dumped raw coolant hoping you'd have the same amount of water in the system. You could've easily overestimated how much water was present and have too much water which can lead to a cracked engine block in the winter.