Toyota Rav4: Brake Lights Stuck On → Diagnosis

It is both frustrating and unsafe to drive your Toyota Rav4 if the brake lights are stuck on.  The most common reason that they stay on is a brake light switch that has failed.   How Brake Lights Work Brake lights work by having an electric current sent to the brake pedal switch at all … Read more

Toyota Rav4: Shaking When Accelerating → Diagnosis

One of the more common issues that can occur is a vehicle that shakes when accelerating.  If your Toyota Rav4 is shaking when accelerating, it’s something that should not be ignored.  While the vibration can be annoying, it is often indicative of a serious problem.   Speed Matters Vehicle speed matters when you feel a … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Lifter Ticking Diagnosis

One of the most annoying things that you can coming from under the hood of your Toyota Rav4 is a ticking lifter.  The ticking noise makes it sound like the engine is going to give up the ghost at any time.  There are a few things that can cause a lifter to tick, such as … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  VSC Light Meaning + Diagnosis

The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system is a traction/stability control system designed by Toyota and is used on all of their modern cars and trucks, including the Rav4.  Like any other electronics system in a vehicle, it can malfunction.  We’ll go over how the VSC system works and what can cause it to malfunction below. … Read more

Toyota Rav4: P0171 and P0174 Diagnosis

P0171 and P0174 both indicate that there is a lean condition present in your Toyota Rav4.  By themselves, these are some of the most common OBD2 codes.   When they appear together, it indicates that the entire engine is running lean. Definition Both of these codes are generic, which means they have the same meaning … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Clutch Slipping → Diagnosis

Your Toyota Rav4’s clutch provides a direct connection between the engine and transmission.  Without it, it can’t move at all. This connection requires a tremendous amount of pressure.  This guide is intended to help you determine why your clutch is slipping on the flywheel. Note:  This article is for manual cars only.  Here’s the automatic … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Engine Sputtering (Causes + Diagnosis)

A sputtering engine can indicate a number of problems.  If your Toyota Rav4 has a sputter, it is most likely going to be caused by bad fuel system, ignition system, MAF sensor, or bad catalytic converter.  Your Rav4’s engine is a giant pump.  It pulls in air (where it is measured by the mass airflow … Read more

Toyota Rav4:  Brake Pedal Going to Floor Diagnosis

The single most important safety feature in your Toyota Rav4 is a good set of brakes.  If your brake pedal is going to the floor, it indicates that there is a serious problem in the braking system.  When the pedal goes to the floor, it’s usually caused by a bad master cylinder, leaking brakes, bad … Read more

Toyota Rav4 Shifting Hard: Causes + Diagnosis

One of the most common automatic transmission problems is shifting hard.  If your Toyota Rav4 has a hard shifting transmission, it can be uncomfortable to drive and a sign of serious problems. If your vehicle’s transmission is shifting hard, it can cause a harsh ride and lead to potential damage over time. Numerous factors can … Read more