Toyota RAV4: Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity
of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■ Before driving the vehicle
Observe the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or creeping.
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity. ■ Total load capacity: Without third seat 825 lb. (375 kg) With third seat 1155 lb. (5 ...Selecting tire chains
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains. Chain size is regulated for each tire size. Side chain 1. 0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter 2. 0.39 in. (10 mm) in width 3, 1.18 in. (30 ...See also:
Manual transmission operation (if equipped)
Using the clutch
Manual transmission vehicles have a starter interlock that prevents
cranking the engine unless the clutch pedal is fully pressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parkin ...
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission performance.
Use only manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lub ...
Extra features
There are more features available than can be
displayed at one time. This menu allows the
selected features to be displayed, for example:
- Ambient lighting: While the headlamps are
turned on, sel ...