Rav 4.2 Xt5

[matt@theforce]

Hi,

My wife and I have put a deposit on an 06 Rav 4.2 xt5 2l Petrol, the AA inspection came back with only 1 fault that I didn't spot which we are happy with however you pay for a 4x4 check yet they didn't check to see if it worked :angry2:

Anyway, I've done quite a bit of searching and can't find a common set of faults for these cars so I guessing that means that they are quite reliable?

Having come from a Skoda background for many years it's a little daunting buying into a new brand but I'm looking forward to a change.

What diagnostic tool/software is recommended for these cars? I'm not a mechanic but like to know whats going on with my cars

I look forward to spending many more hours on here and hope to meet up with some of you to share experiences.

Matthew

[dave.m]

Welcome to the club, and congrats on a great choice of car.

Some of the petrol guys will advise on any known problems, but for diagnostics you want an OBD reader.

A few on here have them already.

[bonjo]

I have a 2003 GX XLT(stands for excellent ;) ). No doubt your will have the same experience.

The car (with petrol engine) is bullet proof provided you don't do rough off roading.

Have had mine since new (>50k miles now).

Touch wood, all the electricals have been superb so have had no need to look deep into diagnostics

Have the rear (preferably all 4) wheel alignment checked including the camber/toe adjustment mechanism cause if they haven't seized, they will!

You will get some squeak & rattles from the plastics in the cabin. They are mostly caused by the hardish suspension of the car

happy motoring

[anchorman]

Welcome to the club Matt.

I think you might have a 4.3 as the 4.2s are permanent 4WD (have a read of the "which model do you have?" at the top of the RAV page).

So far no problems with 4.3 petrols and only the odd oxygen sensor on 4.2s. You can get a code reader off eBay for about £27 - just search for U480. It will do everything you need.

Regards

[matt@theforce]

Welcome to the club Matt.

I think you might have a 4.3 as the 4.2s are permanent 4WD (have a read of the "which model do you have?" at the top of the RAV page).

So far no problems with 4.3 petrols and only the odd oxygen sensor on 4.2s. You can get a code reader off ebay for about £27 - just search for U480. It will do everything you need.

Regards

Thats just what I thought, I spoke to our local Toyota service centre and they also said they thought there was a button to lock the rear diff enabling 4wd however I can't find any button in the car nor a button mentioned in the owners manual, I also thought from my findings that the 2l came with permenant 4wd and the 1.8 only came in 2wd?

Obviously I am new an welcome your advise and I did make a typing error earlier, its actually a 2005 model not a 2006.

Here's some pics if it helps determine which model (4.2 or 4.3) it is.

I guess that there is also a small chance this used to belong to someone on here

Matthew

[local hero]

Lovely car Mate + it is def a 4.2

[anchorman]

.............and there is definately no diff lock button - it is permanent 4WD.

A very nice looking motor - you just need a chrome tailpipe to match the rest of the body kit!!!

[matt@theforce]

phew, was getting a little worried, we specifically wanted the 4wd, although SWMBO will never take it 'off road' 4wd is needed for where she works (Peak District) and we don't want her getting stuck in the snow and ice like she did last year with our 2 children over 30miles from home, I have no doubt though that she will start to get lazy with moving feeds/hay/riding jumps round the field and start using the car too, only a matter of time I guess until she gets it stuck in the horses field :D

One other quick question,

Is there an anti hi-jack setting so the doors lock when you reach a set speed and don't unlock until the ignition is turned off? or would that need to be set using an aftermarket alarm?

I was able to enable this on SWMBO's Skoda Fabia and she likes the idea of the doors locking without her having to remember to lock them

[anchorman]

Ah ha! So I might see it around my neck of the woods (Chapel-Buxton).

Unfortunately, there is no such setting on the RAV and to make it worse, unless she remembers to press the lock button, somebody can just walk up and help themselves to the contents of the boot before she realises what has happened. Its one of the few poor ideas on the RAV and there isn't even an unlock once for the drivers door option like there is in the USA.

You can see an alarm specialist and see what they say. Please let us know how you go on.

Cheers

[matt@theforce]

Thank You for all your help.

She works just outside of Penistone (North Sheffield) and heads out into the Peaks that way.

We shall have to start educating ourselfs to lock the doors when we get in especially as most of the time she carries her horses sadle/bridle etc etc.

[Goggy]

Hi I think you can set the doors to lock when you turn on the ignition :)

But you have to set it up to do so

i cant remember were i have seen it You do it by using the key and opening the door ETC

I think someone on here has done it ?

Sorry I can't be more help

hope you like your new car

Alan

[shcm]

I reckon some people who should know better are having "senior moments" :P.

Not quite exactly what you want, but this works on the 4.2 (not 4.3):

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48369

Strangely, it's a fixed post in the maintenance section :D

Agree, you definitely want an exhaust trim to finish off what is a fine looking vehicle.

[matt@theforce]

Picked it up this afternoon and have allready removed the rotton exhaust trim (looks 100% better) and cleaned all the glass and applied some Rain-x. Tomorrow & Fridays job (providing the weather stays dry) clean up the paintwork and get it protected. It doesn't look to be that bad just lots of swirl marks (and its just come back from being professionally prepped ) I'm sure they would do a propper job if it was their own car.

Also getting x4 Kuhmo's fitted on friday so should see it good for a few months until MOT & Service.

I know I'm still getting used to driving the car and it's actually for SWMBO but the accelerator/engine/smoothness does seem a little jerky when making small movements on the accelerator pedal, (difficult to explain) I've gone from driving a drive by wire 340ftlb diesel with high performance engine/gearbox mounts so the instant you touched the accelerator the engine responded yet kept the engine movement firm and smooth making it feel less sloppy. Do engine/gearbox mounts wear out on these or can you get uprated items to eliminate the feeling.

[anchorman]

You need to check it has the proper Iridium tipped plugs fitted.

shcm - I was just seeing if the young bucks were awake!!!

[matt@theforce]

All clay'd / polished & glossed and looking and feeling much smoother. x4 Kumhos fitted and slightly quieter than the Bridgestones

I assume the Iridium tipped plugs are a form of spark plug? Should they be replaced/re-gapped? Please excuse my ignorance, I don't know a great deal about cars and know even less about petrols than diesels.

[anchorman]

You can't gap them Matt. They are spark plugs with a very fine tip and if it has been fitted with "regular" plugs as is often the case, it will run so much better with the proper Iridium plugs. I will post some pics next time I get chance. It is a fiddle to get at No 4 as the air filter bracket has to come off.

[matt@theforce]

Just had a quick look round and the Iridium plugs look to last approx 15,000miles before they start to under perform, is this built into the service schedule?

For approx £50 to replace them all I'm going to allow a couple of tanks of fuel to run through get a benchmark mpg figure then look to swap them and see if the performance seems any better and also see how much difference to mpg they make swapping them out at 50k (if they've not been done, all we have is the service booked (fully main dealer stamped) but no receipts to say what has been replaced at each service interval, unless it says in the service book but thats at home and I'm at work) :(

[kingsgraphic]

Just had a quick look round and the iridium plugs look to last approx 15,000miles before they start to under perform, is this built into the service schedule?

For approx £50 to replace them all I'm going to allow a couple of tanks of fuel to run through get a benchmark mpg figure then look to swap them and see if the performance seems any better and also see how much difference to mpg they make swapping them out at 50k (if they've not been done, all we have is the service booked (fully main dealer stamped) but no receipts to say what has been replaced at each service interval, unless it says in the service book but thats at home and I'm at work) :(

Hi Matt. We've just bought one (2005) and you should have as standard something called VST, which I think is the Toyota traction control. This does something with the brakes and power if you get in a asymetric skid condition. There is a video on YouTube about it. I concur with the throttle response, having downsized from a Land Cruiser diesel, but I'm getting used to it....Tony.