For robustness and long life, more recent models use timing belts consisting of polyurethane and Kevlar. Although they can last up to 100,000 miles, it’s always a good idea to change them before that. The valves, pistons, and other internal engine components can sustain significant damage in the event of a belt failure.
In This Article...
Is there a timing belt or chain on a 2013 Toyota RAV4?
Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel-drive is what the moniker RAV4 stands for. A well-liked 5-seater SUV with a roomy cabin and comfy ride is the Toyota RAV4.
It has a reliable conventional 6-speed automatic transmission and a 4-cylinder engine.
Rear 60/40 split seat may be folded flat and reclines. The RAV4 has a load capacity of 73.4 cubic feet when the back seats are folded. Although it was added for 2016, the RAV4 Hybrid is uncommon and is not discussed in this review. The Toyota RAV4 is dependable. How are the AWD and engine performing? What issues have been reported?
Problems with the Toyota RAV4: The Toyota RAV4 had a very small number of complaints overall when compared to other SUVs of a similar design.
The navigation/rear view camera screen is difficult to see in daylight due to glare, according to a number of owners. Although Amazon sells aftermarket screen blinds, there are conflicting reviews.
A few complaints of water pump breakdowns have been made. Drops of pinkish fluid on the parking space, a low coolant level, and reddish-white residue at the belt area in the engine compartment are signs of the problem. These signs are on your left when you check under the hood.
A new water pump costs between $70-$150 in parts, plus $200-$350 in labor and additional coolant.
Numerous complaints concerning the 2014 model’s infotainment system being defective have been uncovered.
The audio system can reboot repeatedly or perhaps stop working altogether. Not just Toyota has issues with the infotainment system. If the repair is needed after the warranty has expired, it is costly. An audio unit costs more than $1,000 to replace. Many owners advised installing an aftermarket audio unit ($220-$500) as an alternative.
We looked through reviews on Amazon; numerous RAV4 owners said the aftermarket device, which costs $229 to 260, worked quite fine, albeit occasionally some of the steering wheel buttons’ functionality was lost. Another choice is to check out the offerings at a nearby auto electronics store.
When the transmission has a higher mileage, a worn-out valve and sleeve placed in the valve body of the gearbox may be the cause of a delayed or harsh engagement of the 6-speed automatic transmission (U760E/U760F) when shifting into reverse. The component is not particularly pricey. A trustworthy transmission shop will have the service bulletin outlining the issue and be able to fix it for a fair price.
In order to solve issues with torque converter shudder under light acceleration, Toyota provided the warranty extension ZH1. Click here to read more.
Consumer Reports rates the 2013-2018 RAV4’s reliability as “above average” as of September 2021. It’s interesting that the 2019 RAV4 is considered to be “below average.”
Engine: The 2.5L inline-4 2AR-FE, which has 176 horsepower, is the only one available for the North American RAV4. A DOHC engine with two tiny balance shafts and an aluminum cylinder block, it is lightweight.
Variable valve timing (VVT-i) is used on both the intake and exhaust camshafts, and there are four valves per cylinder. As opposed to direct fuel injection, which is utilized in many modern automobiles, this motor uses an older sequential multiport fuel injection system that is easier to use and more dependable. Additionally, because it is a normally aspirated (non-turbo) engine, it won’t experience many of the issues that turbo engines do.
This engine has an intriguing feature that enhances serviceability: the timing chain tensioner may be changed without removing the front cover.
Overall, the 2AR-FE is a reliable 4-cylinder engine that has been successfully installed in numerous other Toyota cars. Toyota advises using SAE 0W-20 oil for this engine. The oil capacity is stated to be 4.4 liters or 4.6 US qt (oil change with filter). At 120,000 miles, spark plugs need to be replaced.
Timing chain or timing belt? A timing chain is included with the 2AR-FE engine. No timing belt is present. It is not necessary to replace the timing chain on a regular basis.
Mechanical: The non-hybrid 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4 has a standard six-speed automatic transmission (U760E or U760F). MacPherson struts are used for the front suspension. There are independent multi-links for the rear suspension. There is electronic assistance with the steering. Brakes on the back are discs.
All-wheel drive (AWD) system: Although completely automatic, this system is not meant for real off-roading. It is designed for front-wheel drive (front-biased). The front wheels are therefore constantly powered. The rear differential receives the torque from the transaxle through the rear driveshaft with the help of a tiny transfer case. When necessary, the rear axle is engaged via the electromagnetic coupling in the rear differential. With this straightforward, lightweight system, the rear axle only engages when necessary, resulting in higher fuel efficiency.
Fuel Economy: Several comparable non-hybrid SUVs, such the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5, have superior gas efficiency. However, compared to many other SUVs of a similar size, the RAV4 is more fuel-efficient. The RAV4 with all-wheel drive is rated for 26 mpg combined (22/28 mpg city/highway) from 2013 to 2018. This indicates that on a lengthy highway trip, you can travel for up to 429 miles (690 km) on a single tank.
The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive RAV4 at 23/30 mpg (10.2/7.8 L/100km) or up to 461 miles (742 km) on one tank, making it more fuel-efficient. Among its close rivals, the RAV4 Hybrid is undoubtedly the most fuel-efficient vehicle. According to the EPA, the 2016 AWD Toyota RAV4 Hybrid achieves 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the interstate.
Are there a timing belt or chain on the 2007 Toyota RAV4?
Knowing as much as you can about your car is a smart idea. A 2007 Toyota RAV4 in this instance lacks a timing belt. Instead, a timing chain is used.
Both timing belts and timing chains serve the same function: to keep your car’s pistons and valves operating properly and to guarantee that the camshaft moves in unison with the crankshaft.
Every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, a timing belt needs to be replaced. It is made of thick rubber. Timing chains are composed of sturdy metal and do not require frequent replacement.
As opposed to a timing belt, your 2007 Toyota RAV4 features a timing chain, so you can at least cross that maintenance task off your list!
Other engine maintenance is unlikely to be covered, but a good auto insurance plan can assist you in paying for many pricey repairs. Use Jerry to get the best insurance plan for your requirements.
Jerry, a certified broker, undertakes all the legwork involved in obtaining affordable estimates from the most well-known insurance providers and purchasing new auto insurance. Jerry will even assist you with rescinding your prior coverage.
Jerry will also send you fresh quotations each time your policy is up for renewal, ensuring that you always have the best rate and that you always have the coverage you want. Jerry became the top insurance app in the nation as a result of its high level of customer care, earning a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store.
When ought the Toyota RAV4’s timing chain to be changed?
The timing chain does not have a suggested replacement cycle. They could stretch, but that would probably take place after traveling more than 200,000 miles.
How long does a Toyota Rav4 timing chain last?
Older cars might have a timing chain, which is comparable to a motorbike chain and has a lifespan of about 60,000 miles. For robustness and long life, more recent models use timing belts consisting of polyurethane and Kevlar. Although they can last up to 100,000 miles, it’s always a good idea to change them before that.
Which issues does the Toyota RAV4 have?
There were 35 reports of gearbox issues made by RAV4 drivers as of December 2021. One customer claimed that after purchasing a 2019 RAV4 with 17,500 kilometers, he frequently experienced issues with the gears changing correctly. When this RAV4 owner brought his vehicle to a Toyota dealership, the problem was fixed with a software update. As vehicles do not become better with time, these kinds of software updates are frequently more of a band aid than a remedy.
Another driver complained that his RAV4 was lurching forward at slower speeds, making the on-ramp to the busy 10 highway unpredictable and perhaps dangerous. Shuttering and shaking were other prevalent concerns. He was informed that his vehicle was functioning as intended and that the dealership could not reproduce the problem.
There were reportedly six recalls for the 2019 RAV4 due to difficulties with the backup camera, separating suspension arms, and coolant leaks, among other things. Surprisingly, there were no transmission-related recalls.
Transmission issues with the 2019 Toyota RAV4 have been extensively reported. The 2020 RAV4 was expected to be an improved model, but there have already been far too many complaints and reports of unhappiness. The 2020 RAV4 has a number of concerns that drivers are having, some of which are listed below:
- Unsteady transmission.
- Transmission that is slow.
- Transmission Leaks
- The fuel gauge occasionally malfunctions and indicates that the tank is empty.
- Sometimes the brakes give out suddenly.
- Alignment and steering problems
No recalls have yet been issued as a result of the 2020 RAV4 transmission issues. But these are the recalls for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 as of April 2021:
- Select 2020 RAV4s have engine problems and coolant leaks, which led Toyota to conduct a recall and provide some RAV4 owners a free replacement engine and engine block.
- Toyota has agreed to replace the front lower suspension arms on some 2020 RAV4s at no cost in order to restore their safety. These arms may have cracks in them.
- Toyota has decided to replace the power steering gearboxes in a small number of 2020 RAV4s because they have issues with the electric power steering system.
- Toyota was compelled to replace the fuel pump assemblies in select 2020 RAVs because the fuel pumps in those vehicles have started to malfunction and create engine issues.
- Toyota is offering to replace the steering columns in select 2020 RAV4s because they may have an influence on the airbags in them.
Several sources claim that a software update that was issued on April 15, 2019, can fix the Toyota RAV4 transmission. However, other owners claimed that even after receiving updates from the Toyota dealership, the transmission issues persisted, and owners had to take their RAV4 to a dealership to get the update.
Timing belts or chains: which is superior?
Prior to making a purchase decision, you may be examining the specifications of various cars. What is the displacement of the engine? What type of brakes is it equipped with? How is the transmission handled? Exists a long-range AEB with it? Before making a decision, there are several factors you can compare between each car. We’ll be discussing timing chains and belts today.
The camshaft and crankshaft rotations are synchronized using timing chains or belts. As a result of the Overhead Cam (OHC) arrangement used by the majority of modern engines, the crankshaft and camshaft must be connected by a belt or chain. Timing belts or timing chains are also necessary for engines with push rod configurations (although shorter in length).
Some contend that the greater lifespan of timing chains makes them superior. Some contend that the cheaper replacement costs and quieter operation of timing belts make them superior. The problem is that when buying a car, you cannot select whether it will have a timing chain or belt. If you liked one timing system over the other, you’d have to purchase a new vehicle.
Consider a Perodua Myvi and a Proton Iriz as examples. An Iriz has a timing belt, whereas a Myvi has a timing chain. Does that mean that one car is better than the other? Does one require less upkeep than the other?
A: Timing chains outperform timing belts in strength. Timing links are also more durable. Timing belts are more affordable, simpler to replace, and quieter than timing chains.
A: Yes. usually only slightly. Since the gear teeth are worn out as well, fixing the timing chain also necessitates changing certain gears. Timing chains, however, do not require as frequent replacement as timing belts.
A: Yes. The engine oil must lubricate the timing chains. As a result, they live in a more contained structure. Consequently, it will take more effort to reach the timing chain. Timing belts are easier to service because they often only have a plastic cover to protect them.
A: Yes. The sprockets and gear teeth mesh. Over time, the chain stretch lengthens and the gear teeth begin to wear out. They eventually need to be replaced. A timing chain replacement does not, however, have a set replacement interval.
When the timing chain stretch could potentially harm the engine, the engine warning light will typically on. If that happens, turn off the engine. Chain strain could result in the chain jumping a gear tooth, throwing off the timing of the pistons and valves and resulting in some rough idling.
A: Yes. They must be replaced as a result around every 100,000 kilometers. Timing belts that aren’t maintained could rupture and seriously harm the engine (especially interference engines). Teeth that are worn down could potentially cause timing belts to slip.
What is the worst thing that could happen if the timing chain or belt breaks?
This is true for interference engines, which are smaller and more effective in their design. Timing belts tend to snap more frequently, although in most cases, if you change them on schedule, this issue shouldn’t arise.
A combination. A timing belt is used by an earlier RB26DETT. A timing chain is used by more recent VR38DETTs.
Timing belts and chains aren’t even used in some vehicles, like the Ferrari Enzo. Instead, they synchronize the valves with the engine rotation using a number of timing gears. Compared to timing chains, timing gears are louder.
To sum up:
- Timing chains are more expensive than timing belts but have a longer lifespan.
- Using one over the other has no impact on performance or fuel economy.
- Timing belts were mostly used in autos due to their lower cost. They function just as well.
- Timing chains may sag over time, resulting in gear teeth that “jump.”
- Teeth on timing belts can wear out and move. Timing belts are also more susceptible to breaking.
- Timing belt or timing chain failure can have disastrous effects on the engine.
- The lower operating noise of timing belts is an additional advantage.
No matter what type of timing system your car has, you should undertake routine maintenance to keep an eye on the condition of your timing belt or chain.