Picked up a 2020 RAV4 Adventure with 58k miles and loving it so far. I’m in MA and getting the underbody rust-proofed next week. I want this thing to run smooth and look clean for years. I’ve heard about doing oil changes every 5k miles but I’m wondering what else I should stay on top of?
Check out Car Care Nut on YouTube, super helpful stuff. Also, get some rear mudguards — they help protect the door seals. Easy to install and worth it.
Brice said:
Check out Car Care Nut on YouTube, super helpful stuff. Also, get some rear mudguards — they help protect the door seals. Easy to install and worth it.
Which mudguards did you go with?
@Zayden
I got these off Amazon back in July and they’ve been good so far, but I’m in SoCal so your results may vary: Amazon.com: Bomely Mud Flaps Compatible with 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Toyota Rav4 Fender Flares Black Rear Splash Guards for Toyota Rav4 Accessories 2pcs : Automotive
Oil and filter changes are big. Also check the engine and cabin air filters, brake pads, and all fluids. Coolant too. How are your tires looking?
Porter said:
Oil and filter changes are big. Also check the engine and cabin air filters, brake pads, and all fluids. Coolant too. How are your tires looking?
Thanks! I didn’t get any maintenance records with the car. Should I bring it to a Toyota shop and ask them to go over it? I’m guessing they’ll try to upsell me though. I just don’t know what’s been done or what’s due.
@Laken
You can download the manual and maintenance schedule straight from Toyota’s site.
@Laken
Have you linked your car to a Carfax Car Care account yet? You might be able to see past service history if the previous owner kept up with it.
Blaze said:
@Laken
Have you linked your car to a Carfax Car Care account yet? You might be able to see past service history if the previous owner kept up with it.
Good idea! I’ll give that a shot.
Blaze said:
@Laken
Have you linked your car to a Carfax Car Care account yet? You might be able to see past service history if the previous owner kept up with it.
Just made an account… should I stick to their maintenance reminders?
@Laken
Their schedule is just a suggestion but it’s a good starting point if you’re unsure.
@Laken
Carfax is useful if you always go to a shop that reports to them. I usually do basic stuff myself since dealer costs are crazy. YouTube makes it easier now than it used to be.
@Laken
Just keep in mind not all shops report to Carfax, so your history might look empty even if things were done.
@Laken
If there’s no history, I’d go ahead and change everything — oil, brake fluid, trans fluid, rear diff, etc. It’s better to start fresh at 50k than wonder what’s been skipped.
@Laken
You can grab your maintenance schedule online from Toyota — just search for your year and model.
Chandler said:
@Laken
You can grab your maintenance schedule online from Toyota — just search for your year and model.
Yeah I have the manual, just meant I didn’t get any of the service records.
@Laken
You might be able to check past work done at Toyota dealers here: Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account
Chandler said:
@Laken
You might be able to check past work done at Toyota dealers here: Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account
Nice, checking that now. I also found some stuff on Carfax.
I really like your color more than my cavalry blue. I wish they still made it.
Sal said:
I really like your color more than my cavalry blue. I wish they still made it.
Didn’t know it was discontinued. I was sick of the plain colors — I might’ve gone for yellow if I could!