In January of 1996, Toyota introduced the all-new RAV4 compact SUV to the American market -- two years after it debuted in Japan. The 2011 RAV4, which was far more refined than the debut model, came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 179 horsepower. The RAV4's base 2.5 liter engine used an oil life system to remind its owner when it was time for an oil change. Changing the oil on the base 2011 RAV4 is a fairly simple process, despite the unusual style of filter it uses. After you complete the oil change, you need to reset the oil life system manually.
Start the engine and allow it to idle until it reaches operating temperature -- roughly halfway up the temperature gauge.
Open the hood of the RAV4 and unscrew the oil filler cap from the top, passenger side of the engine. Wedge wheel chocks under the rear wheels, then position a floor jack under the jacking point -- the exposed section of the subframe -- directly behind the center of the front bumper. Lift the front of the RAV4 into the air and set jack stands under the reinforced pinch welds just behind the front wheels. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Crawl under the front of the vehicle and find the oil drain plug on the rearmost part of the oil pan. Position a drain pan under the under the drain plug and loosen the drain plug with a six-point, box-end wrench. Wrap a thick shop cloth around your hand to protect it from the heat and remove the drain plug by hand. Allow the oil to drain from the oil pan until its flow slows to a slow drip.
Clean the drain plug's threads with a clean, lint-free cloth and thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand. Tighten the drain plug to 30 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and six-point socket.
Find the oil filter housing -- the metal housing with a hard, plastic cap -- to the side of the oil pan, and position the drain pan under it. Loosen the oil filter cap, using a ratchet and Toyota tool No. 09228-06501 or a 64 mm oil filter cup, until oil starts draining from the filter housing. Once the oil stops draining from the housing, unscrew the cap from the filter housing.
Pull the oil filter and O-ring from the cap. Clean inside the cap and its threads, using a clean, lint-free cloth. Roll a new O-ring -- included with the new oil filter -- down the cap until it seats in its cutout in the cap. Set a new oil filter in the oil filter cap, apply a coat of new 5W-20 engine oil to the O-ring with your finger and hand-thread the cap onto the filter housing. Torque the cap to 18 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench.
Lower the vehicle to the ground. Insert a clean funnel into the oil filler hole and pour 4.7 quarts of new 5W-20 engine oil into the engine.
Tighten the oil filler cap. Start the RAV4's engine and let it idle for about 30 seconds. Check for leaks from under the vehicle. Shut the engine off, then recheck the oil level. Verify that the oil level is at the upper hole in the dipstick. Add more oil, as needed, to reach this level.
Take the old oil and filter to a used automotive fluid recycler or an auto parts store for disposal.
Turn the ignition to the "On" position , then press and release the trip meter button until the "Trip A" reading shows.
Turn the ignition to the "Off" position.
Press and hold the trip meter reset button, then turn the ignition to the "On" position. Continue holding the trip meter reset button until the trip meter reads "000000." Turn the ignition to the "Off" position.
