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2019–2022 Toyota RAV4 2.5L gas

12-volt battery replacement

Good first job: 2 tools, no lifting, about 30 min

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Terminal nuts44 in-lb
Hold-down bolt14 ft-lb
Battery60 Ah or more
OrderNegative off first

What you need

Links open Amazon.

Parts

  • 1
    12-volt batterySame dimensions as the original; 60 Ah or more at 20-hour rate (65 Ah or more with Stop and Start)Get 65 Ah or more if your RAV4 has Stop and Start.
    Amazon

Tools

  • 1 set
    Socket set with extensionMust include an extension; the clamp bolt sits at the battery base.
    Amazon
  • 1
    Torque wrench (inch-pounds)Terminal nuts 44 in-lb / 5.0 N·m (negative 48 in-lb / 5.4 N·m with Stop and Start); clamp bolt 14 ft-lb / 18.5 N·mNeeds an inch-pound scale; 44 in-lb is below most ft-lb wrenches.
    Amazon

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Every step in this video (11)
  1. You need a battery the same size as the original, rated 60 amp-hours or more, and a socket set with an extension.
  2. It sits on the driver's side of the engine bay. Negative post here, positive under a clip-on cover, and a hold-down clamp at the base.
  3. Close the power liftgate and switch off. Then wait one minute before you disconnect. Six minutes if the car is enrolled in Safety Connect or Entune.
  4. Negative comes off first, so the wrench can't short to the body. Loosen the nut, lift the cable off, and push it aside.
  5. Press both claws to lift off the positive cover. Then loosen the nut and remove that cable.
  6. Remove the bolt and the clamp at the base, and lift the battery straight out.
  7. Set the new one in the same way round. Hook the clamp over its base and tighten the bolt to 14 foot-pounds.
  8. Positive cable back on first, 44 inch-pounds. That's inch-pounds, not foot-pounds. Then snap the cover on until both claws click.
  9. Negative last, also 44 inch-pounds, or 48 with Stop and Start.
  10. If the camera screen then shows an exclamation mark, turn the wheel fully left and right with the engine running. A short straight drive above 10 miles an hour resets the steering sensor.
  11. Final check: neither terminal turns by hand, the battery doesn't move, and the engine starts.

Written by our repair experts, checked against real jobs mechanics logged. If your owner’s manual says something different, go with the manual.

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