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Toyota RAV4 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12 volt car battery in the engine bay of a 4th generation 2013 to 2016 Toyota RAV4 with photos.

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2013 RAV4 12V Battery
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Loosen 10mm Bolt
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Loosen 10mm Nut
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and perhaps also the updated 2017 model year) Toyota RAV4 SUV in changing a dead 12 volt automotive battery in the engine bay.

Owners of other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Matrix, Prius, Camry, Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, Avalon, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, IS 250, ES 350, GS 350, tC, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The OEM battery is a "Group Size 35" and the Toyota part number is 65D23L (Johnson Controls Battery Group).

The tools required to complete this procedure include a deep well 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet or a 10mm wrench.



 

A few other compatible replacement 12V Group Size 35 batteries with their part numbers are as follows: Optima 8020-164 35 RedTop, Optima 8040-218 D35 YellowTop, EverStart MAXX-35N (Walmart), AutoCraft Gold 35-2-S or 35-2, Optima BAT N9935RED and NAPA Legend BAT 8435.
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Remove "J" Hook Bar
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"J" Hook, 10mm Nut, Bolt
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Loosen 10mm Terminal Nut
The 12V battery is located on the right (driver) side of the engine bay just in front of the engine air filter box.

It is held in place by a black metal battery hold down bar or "clamp".

Remove the bolt on the front of the clamp by turning it counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Loosen the nut on the rear of the clamp with a deep well 10mm socket or use a standard 10mm wrench.

Remove the "J" hook bar and set it aside in a safe place along with the 10mm nut and 10mm bolt.

Then loosen the 10mm nut on the "-" negative terminal by turning it counterclockwise a few turns.

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Pull Off Negative Terminal
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Cover Terminal & Tuck Away
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Pull Off Plastic Cover
Pull the negative terminal off the "-" battery post, wrap it in a towel and tuck it away on the side of the battery to help prevent accidental electrical contact.

Lift open the black plastic cover on the positive terminal.

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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Pull Off Positive Terminal
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Move Clamp Behind Hose
Loosen the 10mm nut on the positive terminal by turning it counterclockwise a few turns.

Pull the positive terminal off the "+" battery post and tuck it away on the side of the battery.

Move the black metal battery hold down bar away from the battery and tuck it behind the rubber coolant hose.

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Remove Foam Battery Box
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Lift Out Old 12V Battery
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OEM Part # 65D23L
Lift out the foam battery box or "heat shield" and set it aside in a safe place.

Remove the old 12V battery from the engine bay and gently set it down on the ground.

Try to avoid dropping or tipping over the old battery to prevent from having battery acid leak out.

Be sure to take the old battery with you to the store (Walmart, Advance Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, etc) to avoid having to pay a "core" charge. The retailer will also have the battery properly disposed or recycled.



 

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Plastic Battery Tray
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Lower In New Battery
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Replace Heat Shield
Clean off any debris from the plastic battery tray so that the new battery will rest evenly on it.

Gently lower the new 12 volt battery in to the engine bay with the "+" post on the left (passenger side) and the "-" negative battery post on the right (driver) side.

Lower the foam battery heat shield box over the new battery.

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Foam Cover Replaced
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Replace Hold Down Bar
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Push On Positive Terminal
Carefully lower the metal battery hold down bar over the top of the new battery while avoiding contact with the battery posts.

If you've had a problem with corrosion (white or blue powder) building up on the terminals or battery posts, consider installing some felt anti-corrosion washers over the battery posts.

Push the positive terminal on to the "+" battery post.

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Tighten 10mm Clockwise
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Close Plastic Terminal Cover
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Insert "J" Hook In Hole
Tighten the 10mm terminal nut in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from damaging the battery post which could cause an acid leak.

Close the plastic cover over the positive terminal.

Lower the "J" bar in to place and attach the hook to the hole on the rear edge of the battery tray.

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Re-Insert 10mm Bolt
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Tighten Clockwise
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Tighten 10mm Nut
Re-insert the 10mm bolt on the front of the battery hold down bar and tighten it in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Spin on the 10mm nut on the rear of the hold down clamp and tighten it in the clockwise direction.

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Push On Negative Terminal
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Tighten 10mm Terminal Nut
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12V Battery Replaced
Push the negative terminal on to the "-" battery post.

Tighten the 10mm terminal nut in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Test the new 12V battery by starting the engine and turning on the headlights.

Be sure to adjust the time on the clock and program your favorite radio station presets before you start driving.

Also don't forget to record the 12V battery change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, check out my other 2013-2016 Toyota RAV4 DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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