In 1996, Toyota released an all-new compact SUV: the RAV4. The 1997 RAV4 came in either two- or four-door models, as well as either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. One feature that a buyer could not change was the engine, as all 1997 RAV4s came fitted with a 120-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota recommends replacing the engine coolant in the 1997 RAV4 every 30,000 miles, and you can complete this task using two drain plugs: one on the engine and one on the radiator.
Allow the RAV4 to sit until the engine is cool to the touch. Unscrew the radiator cap from the radiator and inspect it for any defects, including excessive rusting, torn gasket or dry-cracked gasket. If any defects exist, replace the cap with a new one. Set the cap aside.
Raise the front of the RAV4 with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the vehicle’s subframe. Lower the SUV onto the jack stands.
Crawl under the Toyota until you are under the driver’s side of the radiator. Find the radiator petcock on the bottom of the radiator. Position a drain pan under the petcock and rotate the petcock counterclockwise until coolant begins flowing from the radiator.
Close the petcock once coolant has stopped flowing from the radiator.
Move rearward until you reach the side of the engine block nearest the rear of the engine compartment. Find the engine block drain plug near the base of the driver’s side of the engine block. Position a drain pan under the drain plug and remove the drain plug with a ratchet and socket to start the flow of coolant from the engine block.
Clean the threads of the drain plug with a clean, lint-free cloth, then hand-thread the drain plug into the engine block once the flow of coolant stops. Torque the drain plug to 18 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.
Raise the RAV4 off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
Slowly pour 50-50 premixed ethylene-glycol-based (green) coolant into the radiator until it reaches the bottom of the radiator’s filler neck. Wait about two minutes to let the coolant settle, then repeat this step until the coolant level remains steady.
Tighten the radiator cap and start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until the upper radiator hose feels hot, which means the coolant is circulating through the engine. Shut the engine off and allow the vehicle to sit until the engine is cool to the touch.
Open the radiator cap and add more 50-50 premixed ethylene-glycol-based (green) coolant until the coolant level reaches the base of the filler neck, if needed. In total, the RAV4’s engine holds 2.12 gallons of coolant when equipped with a manual transmission and 2.02 gallons when equipped with an automatic transmission, but the amount needed to refill your RAV4 may vary slightly.
Open the coolant overflow tank and add 50-50 premixed ethylene-glycol-based (green) coolant until the level reaches the “Full” line. Close the overflow tank.
Take the old coolant to a used automotive-fluid recycling center. Some automotive parts stores take old coolant free of charge.
