Hi folks...new here......I have a 2012 Rav4 4 Cyl. AWD. 100K miles.
The Rav4 exhibits a bad sounding rattle/grinding when lightly accelerating at 1500 RPM and 35-40 MPH. It mostly happens when driving around town in that speed/RPM range and is easier to reproduce while going uphill. If I accelerate or remove foot from the gas pedal the noise goes away. There is a sweet spot at 40 MPH and 1500 RPM where I can make the noise last a couple of seconds by lightly accelerating at 40/1500. But mostly, it's a very quick rattle/grind as I accelerate through the 40/1500 range. I can make the problem happen several times fairly easily on 5-10 minute drive under those conditions(40 MPH/1500 RPM).
If driving with transmission set at D3, the grinding/rattle never happens. Probably because in D3 the RPMs never get down to 1500 at 40 MPH. Lately, I just use D3 to avoid the issue (and hopefully prevent further damage) when driving around town at speeds lower than 40 MPH.
When the issue was first noticed a couple of months ago, it was noticed that the fluid was black so the transmission fluid was drained and the filter was replaced. Fluid was not flushed, so only 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid was actually replaced. After this service, the problem disappeared for about 4-6 weeks. The problem is back again at about the same level as it was prior to the fluid/filter change. I also noticed that the fluid color is black again, probably due to it mixing in with the old fluid that remained after the first change.
This vehicle is only used under normal driving conditions....no towing, rough roads and fairly light usage as can be seen by the low mileage. It concerns me that the fluid is black under these conditions.
Wondering if I should proceed with another drain/fill since the first one definitely made a difference. I had an independent guy do it last time but would consider doing it myself this time if it's just a drain/fill.
Any other thoughts on next steps?
The Rav4 exhibits a bad sounding rattle/grinding when lightly accelerating at 1500 RPM and 35-40 MPH. It mostly happens when driving around town in that speed/RPM range and is easier to reproduce while going uphill. If I accelerate or remove foot from the gas pedal the noise goes away. There is a sweet spot at 40 MPH and 1500 RPM where I can make the noise last a couple of seconds by lightly accelerating at 40/1500. But mostly, it's a very quick rattle/grind as I accelerate through the 40/1500 range. I can make the problem happen several times fairly easily on 5-10 minute drive under those conditions(40 MPH/1500 RPM).
If driving with transmission set at D3, the grinding/rattle never happens. Probably because in D3 the RPMs never get down to 1500 at 40 MPH. Lately, I just use D3 to avoid the issue (and hopefully prevent further damage) when driving around town at speeds lower than 40 MPH.
When the issue was first noticed a couple of months ago, it was noticed that the fluid was black so the transmission fluid was drained and the filter was replaced. Fluid was not flushed, so only 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid was actually replaced. After this service, the problem disappeared for about 4-6 weeks. The problem is back again at about the same level as it was prior to the fluid/filter change. I also noticed that the fluid color is black again, probably due to it mixing in with the old fluid that remained after the first change.
This vehicle is only used under normal driving conditions....no towing, rough roads and fairly light usage as can be seen by the low mileage. It concerns me that the fluid is black under these conditions.
Wondering if I should proceed with another drain/fill since the first one definitely made a difference. I had an independent guy do it last time but would consider doing it myself this time if it's just a drain/fill.
Any other thoughts on next steps?
