2001 RAV4 108,000 miles; maintenance priorities?

[newoilguy1]

What advice do you have for someone who wants to do all possible maintenance and repairs on an older car? Or what I shouldn’t even try?

I have an elderly neighbor with 108,000 miles on their 2001 RAV4 (sole owner) . They’re of limited income and have been neglecting maintenance and repairs for some time. As far as I can tell, aside from a Transmission Control Module replacement and a failed ball joint (which had put them over a financial cliff), the car is in “good” running shape. The rust is fair for its age and our climate, I couldn’t poke my screw driver through any of the scale.

I am going to start with all fluids, moving on to brakes and suspension. There’s a bit of seepage from the valve cover but it doesn’t seem like much, something to address later after I fix up drivability items.

 

[kschachn]

Here are a few earlier discussions on similar topics that may be of assistance:

S

Thread 'What are the most critical preventative maintenance parts on older vehicles?'

Dec 4, 2020

Things like ignition parts, etc that would leave you stranded if it broke.

Thermostat maybe.

Alternator, battery.

• Silver
• Replies: 30
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 

E

Thread 'What is considered as good preventative maintenance and bad preventative maintenance?'

May 28, 2022

I have a 2001 Pontiac grand prix 3800 V6 with 117000 miles. I want be proactive and keeit for a while at least the used car market comes back to normal, say two or three years. Is replacing all the old parts with new parts considered a good preventative maintenance? given my car is 21 years old.

• easym
• Replies: 39
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

Z

Thread 'Things you had to do to old cars that you don't have to anymore with newer cars. Go!'

Oct 18, 2024

Tech and auto maintenance sure has changed over the years. Tell us some of the changes you remember.

I will start....You no longer have to pump the gas pedal to start a car.

• ZZman
• Replies: 135
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

G

Thread 'Bought an old car: Should I change the oil and what should I use?'

Dec 30, 2018

I just bought a 1991 Peugeot 309 with a 1.4 liter carbuerated engine. The car has 88k km on the tachometer and has been sitting in a yard for 2 years. I checked the oil and it's at full level and black like it should be, however I don't know when it's been changed for the last time and I don't know which oil should go into such an old-styled engine. If I should change it should I change the other fluids and filters too?

• Glam_Stachee
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

V

Thread 'Important maintenance items not in Owner's Manuals'

Dec 27, 2006

It seems to me that certain maintenance items which are critical to long-term durability of the vehicle are not included in manufacturers' recommendations.

For instance, automatic transmission fluid changes. Rarely have I seen them on a manufacturer's maintenance schedule...sometimes they are on the severe service schedule, but they are usually not on the regular maintenance schedule.

Maybe this is because I consider "long-term" to be longer than the manufacturers. I could not imagine never changing the ATF in my cars, even though they are not subjected to any severe service.

Or...

• Vaca
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Automotive General Topics

C

Thread 'Old Car, low mileage. What original fluids would you change?'

Jan 5, 2020

2004 Toyota Solara 48,000 miles

So far:
-Changed oil, Mobil 1 5w-30 HM and Bosch filter
-Flushed (with Prestone Flush) radiator, then distilled many times, now red Valvoline 50/50 coolant. (was original coolant, was nasty!)

To Do:
Gear oil to Redline GL-4 (5 speed manual)
(Edit) Turkey Baster out old dark power steering fluid

Should I change the brake fluid? (it's dark!) How about the clutch Fluid? (looks fine) What about the Headlight Fluid? (Just joking)

• Clubber_Lang
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

Thread 'Suggest one thing that will elongate your cars life.'

Sep 28, 2023

My friend said to me a few weeks back.

"I really like my car, and ai want to keep it as long as possible. What can I do to make it last."

His car is a Toyota Corolla. Mechanical wise it's bullet proof. Parts wise, they are easy to come by. (Standard yearly maintenance will suit it fine).

My suggestion was. Make sure you clean, polish and wax the areas you don't think about on your cars.

Living in the wet UK weather often causes cars to be scrapped for rust rather than mechanical failure. Specially when not cared for.

Here are a few examples of placew that are serious damp and dirt...

• jtay2024
• Replies: 76
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum

• 

C

Thread 'Used car maintenance.'

Sep 28, 2018

I am wondering does the majority of the general used vehicle buying public care how a used car is maintained or just the bottom line price. I see the postings I bought this vehicle and the engine, transmission ,rear end and power steering and brake cylinder is is sludged up and what oil will clean it up. The coolant has never been changed and how can I flush the brown slime out?

• CT8
• Replies: 21
• Forum: General and Off Topic

 

[Ride_Red]

I'd start with the fluids and whatever is needed to make it safe. Inspect the brakes (pads, rotors, etc) brake lines. I've had rusty brake lines pop before.

Everything else can be scheduled at your convenience.

 

[Leo99]

I had a 2004 RAV4. The transfer case leaked. So, because of that, I'd change out the transfer case fluid. It's easy once you figure it out. It took me some time to figure out that I needed a couple of my longest extensions to get enough room to turn a ratchet to break it loose. Also, needed a gear fluid pump. The AFT is easy, the rear diff was not too hard. I think I did the valve cover gasket. It's right on top of the engine so it's not hard. The coolant was easy on that RAV4. Just find the right size silicone tubing to put on the stopcock and avoid making a mess. Spray some cleaner on the MAF. Mine went to the junkyard at 400k miles with the factory struts. Just needed to replace one sway bar link. It's an easy vehicle to work on.

Edit: what's not easy are the brakes. I found it very difficult to get the ears in the clips just right. Maybe if you're more experienced at brakes than me, you won't have any issues.