Let owners of Rav4 meet here to discuss the cars durability, efficien9and it's problems too, so we can. Share ideas

I just got a Rav4 2004 model from cotonou, drove on full tank, on reaching asaba, my fuel indicator light came on for me to refill. I heard this car has good efficiency but mine is guzzling enough fuel. Any remedy

Is it a V6 or I4 engine? Is your "check engine" light on?

Is your "check engine" light on?

Yes the light is on, trac vsc is also on

There's a problem with ur engine. Thats why its consuming fuel. You need to scan it, post the codes here so we can interprete and advise you further.

DECOtech:
There's a problem with ur engine. Thats why its consuming fuel. You need to scan it, post the codes here so we can interprete and advise you further.

A lot of things can set off a MIL, VSC and TRAC off in a toyota/lexus not necessarily engine palava. Even an improperly closed fuel filler cap will send even the most patient mecho to run high fever except he's experienced and has the right diagnostic tool. A lot of things can cause high fuel consumption in cars, Eg, opened windows on highways, wrong tyre spec and pressure, clogged air intake, etc not always necessary engine problem. However, I suggest OP hooks up his car to a diagnostic machine and retrieve fault codes.

Lastly, Nigerians are funny, they might put 5,000 fuel and expect the car to run from Badagry thru Lagos demonic traffic, enter the highway drive like maniac and expect higher MPG as tho its a 3 cylinder engine they're running.

lomomike:



Lastly, Nigerians are funny, they might put 5,000 fuel and expect the car to run from Badagry thru Lagos demonic traffic, enter the highway drive like maniac and expect higher MPG as tho its a 3 cylinder engine they're running.

I marvel @ such expectations too o

Guys pls tell me, asides the difference in price;
1. what do you see as a difference between rav4 2003, 2004 and 2005?
2. which would u advice me to purchase looking at the difference in PRICE and MAINTENANCE?
I intend to purchase one of the three models

lomomike:


A lot of things can set off a MIL, VSC and TRAC off in a toyota/lexus not necessarily engine palava. Even an improperly closed fuel filler cap will send even the most patient mecho to run high fever except he's experienced and has the right diagnostic tool. A lot of things can cause high fuel consumption in cars, Eg, opened windows on highways, wrong tyre spec and pressure, clogged air intake, etc not always necessary engine problem. However, I suggest OP hooks up his car to a diagnostic machine and retrieve fault codes.

Lastly, Nigerians are funny, they might put 5,000 fuel and expect the car to run from Badagry thru Lagos demonic traffic, enter the highway drive like maniac and expect higher MPG as tho its a 3 cylinder engine they're running.

Bro, I asked if his CEL was on and he said yes. what else would set off a CEL if not a powertrain anomaly?

DECOtech:


Bro, I asked if his CEL was on and he said yes. what else would set off a CEL if not a powertrain anomaly?

They're two replies in my comment, one meant for you which is in my 1st paragraph.
quotted again here:

Lomomike:
A lot of things can set off a MIL, VSC and
TRAC off in a toyota/lexus not necessarily
engine palava. Even an improperly closed
fuel filler cap will send even the most
patient mecho to run high fever except he's
experienced and has the right diagnostic
tool. A lot of things can cause high fuel
consumption in cars, Eg, opened windows on
highways, wrong tyre spec and pressure,
clogged air intake, etc not always necessary
engine problem. However, I suggest OP
hooks up his car to a diagnostic machine and
retrieve fault codes.

The second quote referred to the OP asserting he put NGN5,000 worth of fuel and travelled from Lagos to Asaba only to be disappointed by a low fuel indicator lamp.

Lastly, Nigerians are funny, they might put 5,000 fuel and expect the car to run from
Badagry thru Lagos demonic traffic, enter
the highway drive like maniac and expect
higher MPG as tho its a 3 cylinder engine
they're running.

Hope you've read thru and get the "clearer picture"?

Amybijou:
Guys pls tell me, asides the difference in price;
1. what do you see as a difference between rav4 2003, 2004 and 2005?
2. which would u advice me to purchase looking at the difference in PRICE and MAINTENANCE?
I intend to purchase one of the three models

I read that 2001 to 2003 Rav4 has some engine problems. Better stick with either 2004 or 2005. The major difference between them is that 2005 have for light while 2004 has a space for the fog light, so you fix it yourself. Aside that, not much difference.

After having replaced my catalyst that was stolen, I can now get a good sound out of my engine. I diagnosed my car and found out that oxygen sensor was the culprit, I have changed it yet I get the CEL. I removed my battery and replaced it and it disappeared and came back after a short while. What can I do to get ride of that.

Experience4u:

I read that 2001 to 2003 Rav4 has some engine problems. Better stick with either 2004 or 2005. The major difference between them is that 2005 have for light while 2004 has a space for the fog light, so you fix it yourself. Aside that, not much difference.

Thanks for the info man. I appreciate.

Experience4u:
After having replaced my catalyst that was stolen, I can now get a good sound out of my engine. I diagnosed my car and found out that oxygen sensor was the culprit, I have changed it yet I get the CEL. I removed my battery and replaced it and it disappeared and came back after a short while. What can I do to get ride of that.

There's a procedure to follow before replacing parts.

Meanwhile asaba to lagos is 400km if your car was averaging 10-1. 40liters would have been used on the highway, the remaining 10liters can be easily burnt in lagos traffic.

The key thing is to scan before taking a decision.

OK, thanks. I have replaced my stolen catalyst, watching. My fuel consumption. Does leaking exhaust cause high fuel consumption

I need help to calculate my car's MPG. I bought full tank into my Rav4 of 58 litres with low fuel indication and drove it for 170miles. please help me calculate the mpg . Thanks

What could responsible for sluggish movememt of my rav when over taking, & slowing u down as if u hold break

Experience4u:
I need help to calculate my car's MPG. I bought full tank into my Rav4 of 58 litres with low fuel indication and drove it for 170miles. please help me calculate the mpg . Thanks

mpg = miles per gallon a us gallon is about 3.8liters, but for ease in calculation you can assume its for 4liters
58/3.8 = 15.3gallons . now you drove 170miles , so 170miles/15.3gallons= 11.1mpg.
the petrol station you bought the petrol might have inaccurate dispensing meter as the rav fuel tank is only 14.8gal /55 liters when fully empty

the rav4 is good condition does about 25 to 30mpg on the highway . so a full tank is expecetdd to take u in excess of 320miles
so you need to confirm if the 170 miles you drove are highway miles.

and yes a leaking exhaust consumes more fuel

earthrealm:


mpg = miles per gallon a us gallon is about 3.8liters, but for ease in calculation you can assume its for 4liters
58/3.8 = 15.3gallons . now you drove 170miles , so 170miles/15.3gallons= 11.1mpg.
the petrol station you bought the petrol might have inaccurate dispensing meter as the rav fuel tank is only 14.8gal /55 liters when fully empty

the rav4 is good condition does about 25 to 30mpg on the highway . so a full tank is expecetdd to take u in excess of 320miles
so you need to confirm if the 170 miles you drove are highway miles.

and yes a leaking exhaust consumes more fuel

I buy from NNPC mega station here in Enugu. I usually buy 57 to 58 litres of fuel with low tank indication. I mostly drive the car in town (in city). But please can you calculate it based on kilometer and teach me how.
What can i do to get better fuel economy as I serviced my car for the first time with AP visco 2000 of oil weight 20w50 , couldn't see the oil specification of 5w30 around.
Maybe my exhaust pipe is open.

LETTING UR CAR low fuel light sign come on b4 u buy fuel is a very terrible practise!!!...........ou r ruining ur injector......
why do u want to convert to kilometers?
anyway 1.6km = 1mile

you need to get ur car scanned.....i blv 1 0r 2 of ur oxygen sensors are bad n ur check engine light is on.

u r using wrong oil.........u can use mobil1 0w 40...if u can see 5w 30 as specified for ur car.....if u must use that wrong oil...change every 45 to 60 days or 1500miles...wch ever comes first

earthrealm:
LETTING UR CAR low fuel light sign come on b4 u buy fuel is a very terrible practise!!!...........ou r ruining ur injector......
why do u want to convert to kilometers?
anyway 1.6km = 1mile

you need to get ur car scanned.....i blv 1 0r 2 of ur oxygen sensors are bad n ur check engine light is on.

u r using wrong oil.........u can use mobil1 0w 40...if u can see 5w 30 as specified for ur car.....if u must use that wrong oil...change every 45 to 60 days or 1500miles...wch ever comes first

I recently scanned my car which has Check engine Light and it read P0037 oxygen sensor bank 02 , please how much will it cost to fix and what are the dangers of having it. my car has been gulping a lot of fuel. Thanks.

earthrealm:
LETTING UR CAR low fuel light sign come on b4 u buy fuel is a very terrible practise!!!...........ou r ruining ur injector......
why do u want to convert to kilometers?
anyway 1.6km = 1mile

you need to get ur car scanned.....i blv 1 0r 2 of ur oxygen sensors are bad n ur check engine light is on.

u r using wrong oil.........u can use mobil1 0w 40...if u can see 5w 30 as specified for ur car.....if u must use that wrong oil...change every 45 to 60 days or 1500miles...wch ever comes first

1500miles? 45-60days? This is wrong advice.

GAZZUZZ:


1500miles? 45-60days? This is wrong advice.

My own never reach 5000 miles, its just 4,300 It must do close to 5000 miles about 4800 miles.

@lomomike
I have been following your advise on issues people post and am very impressed with your dept knowledge of Lexus and Toyota.

My in law has issues with her Rav4 2001 model. The issues are check engine displayed on the dash board and gear drags from 1-2 before moving on although I have instructed her to scan the vehicle first before my advise. Will post the fault codes after the scan.

Thanks.

justfash50:
@lomomike
I have been following your advise on issues people post and am very impressed with your dept knowledge of Lexus and Toyota.

My in law has issues with her Rav4 2001 model. The issues are check engine displayed on the dash board and gear drags from 1-2 before moving on although I have instructed her to scan the vehicle first before my advise. Will post the fault codes after the scan.

Thanks.

Looking forward to the codes posted

GAZZUZZ:


1500miles? 45-60days? This is wrong advice.

@ gauzz............i said that for convententional mineral oil....u say what i said is wrong.......so tell him the right thing.

my motto is oil is cheap...car engine isnt, leaving conventional oil in ur car upto 3 months when u take short trips isnt good.....i use mobil 1 on my car and i drive 3k miles in about 4 to 5 months......so i end up changing my oil at about 6 to 8months or when i hit 5500 miles.
but if i was using cheap mineral oil...i wud change it abt every 2months or 2k miles chikena

when giving advice on the internet...i try to err on the safe side by giving lower ranges...cos i know most people will try to add jara to whatever u tell them

earthrealm:


@ gauzz............i said that for convententional mineral oil....u say what i said is wrong.......so tell him the right thing.

my motto is oil is cheap...car engine isnt, leaving conventional oil in ur car upto 3 months when u take short trips isnt good.....i use mobil 1 on my car and i drive 3k miles in about 4 to 5 months......so i end up changing my oil at about 6 to 8months or when i hit 5500 miles.
but if i was using cheap mineral oil...i wud change it abt every 2months or 2k miles chikena

when giving advice on the internet...i try to err on the safe side by giving lower ranges...cos i know most people will try to add jara to whatever u tell them

With conventional oil colour of oil and viscosity would still look and feel new @ 1500miles.

justfash50:
@lomomike
I have been following your advise on issues people post and am very impressed with your dept knowledge of Lexus and Toyota.

My in law has issues with her Rav4 2001 model. The issues are check engine displayed on the dash board and gear drags from 1-2 before moving on although I have instructed her to scan the vehicle first before my advise. Will post the fault codes after the scan.

Thanks.

Hmmmm....sounds like that notorious ECM-trans issue that affects Mk2 rav4s ....uh..oh.

Experience4u:


I recently scanned my car which has Check engine Light and it read P0037 oxygen sensor bank 02 , please how much will it cost to fix and what are the dangers of having it. my car has been gulping a lot of fuel. Thanks.

just like a said..ur oxygen sensor is bad..it cost about $60 to $90 on amazon.......google to be sure the exact one to buy and simply replace..the fuel savings u will make from replacing the bad sensor will cover the cost of the sensor....also continued use of the car with the bad sensor will wreck ur catalytic converter

note: buy brand new sensor...dont buy toks sensor...unless its dirt cheap.., n u dont hv any option

@lomomike
We have scanned the Rave 4 2001 and discovered fault code PO420 only. She just bought the car about 3 months ago and have only given it to a mechanic to change the ATF last week when she noticed the car drags from gear 1-2.

Please what could be the possible solution.

Thanks

justfash50:
@lomomike
We have scanned the Rave 4 2001 and discovered fault code PO420 only. She just bought the car about 3 months ago and have only given it to a mechanic to change the ATF last week when she noticed the car drags from gear 1-2.

Please what could be the possible solution.

Thanks

Your Bank 1 catalytic converter is bad.
However, before you replace it, remove the catalytic converter and check if its blocked. If its not, check the O2 sensor and A/F sensor on that bank. If all other sensors including the O2 and A/F sensors are good, change the catalytic converter.