FUEL ECONOMY RATINGS

Toyota’s RAV4 line offers some of the best in class fuel economy you can get for the size and type of vehicle you’re dealing with. The best ratings come, of course, from the hybrid versions of the RAV4, but almost every RAV4 is designed to offer good fuel economy and performance. The thing is that you need a mechanic working with you to maintain that fuel economy if you want to keep it long-term. Relatively minor maintenance work, like changing out of the fuel injectors when they start to have trouble, is critical to keep fuel performance high. That means you need a detail-oriented mechanic who will take you seriously if you start to notice a fuel efficiency decline, and who will work with you to fix the problem before it gets worse.

DELAYED TRANSMISSION SHIFTS

Automatic transmission shifting problems are one of the biggest challenges the RAV4 has in terms of performance, though there are some complaints about the manual transmission as well. The good news is that this is mostly a problem when the RAV4 is cold, or on aging models that may need some additional transmission maintenance. The bad news is that there isn’t always a good repair option depending on the source of the problem. When you first notice a transmission issue in your RAV4 it’s important to take it to the mechanic to get checked. A fluid flush and fill may be a good option to resolve the issue and keep your transmission working. Additionally, your mechanic may check the throttle position sensor and shift solenoids since those are common transmission parts that can fail and need replacement before the general transmission does.

COOLANT LEAKS

Coolant leaks are always a problem when they happen, and they’re a problem that can escalate and cause additional damage in your RAV4 if not taken care of immediately. Engine stalling and overheating are just two of the more serious problems that can happen when you’re dealing with leaking coolant, and the problems only get worse from there. Coolant leaks can happen when a line wears out, a gasket or valve stops working properly, or because the coolant pump itself is leaking. The first step is diagnosing the source of the leak, then your mechanic will consult with you about repair options. Usually, the best and most long-lasting repair is to replace the leaking part.
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STEERING PROBLEMS

Steering issues are also one of the more commonly reported problems with the RAV4. Specifically, one of the more common and more problematic issues is when the RAV4 loses electric steering, which is a bigger problem than it sounds because it takes a lot of torque to steer, meaning you need excellent upper body strength to maintain control of a vehicle that’s lost electric steering. This issue can be intermittent, but it’s important to diagnose both the steering and electrical systems to find the source of the problem and make a solid repair.
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OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE

Your O2 sensor is critical for making sure you’re getting efficient combustion in the engine. Since efficient combustion is a huge part of maintaining good fuel efficiency. Usually when the O2 sensor fails the best (and sometimes only) option is to replace it entirely and get a new sensor calibrated for your system. Thankfully, since this is a relatively common repair, it doesn’t usually take too long to complete. Need a maintenance appointment for your RAV4? Give Precision Auto Care a call and schedule your next appointment, today.

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