2000 TOYOTA RAV4 Owners Manual

Rav4(U)
972000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Automatic transmission
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Parking, engine
starting and key
removal
Reverse
Neutral
Maximum engine braking
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ”ON” position.)
Shift while holding the lock
release button in
Shift normallyDriving pattern selector button
For selecting a driving pattern
suited to existing driving conditions
”NORMAL” (Normal)
mode for general
driving conditions”POWER” (Power)
mode for powerful
acceleration”POWER” mode indicator
light on the instrument
panel shows the driving
pattern selector button is
in the ”POWER” mode
Overdrive switchFor selecting either a three−speed or
four−speed transmission
ON position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible)OFF position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)”O/D OFF” indicator light
(Shows the overdrive
switch is in OFF
position)
Always turn the overdrive switch on for better fuel economy.
Stronger engine braking Normal driving
(with overdrive on)
Vehicles with cruise control⎯When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmission by turning off the overdrive
switch, engine braking will not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see
”Cruise control” in this section.
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Rav4(U)
982000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Your automatic transmission has a shift
lock system to minimize the possibility of
incorrect operation. This means you can
only shift out of ”P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ”ON” position and the lock re-
lease button depressed).
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ”How
to start the engine” in Section 3. The
transmission must be in ”P” or ”N”.
2. After starting the engine, always push
in the overdrive switch.
3. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to ”D”.
With the selector lever in the “D” position
and the overdrive switch in the “ON” posi-
tion, the automatic transmission will shift
automatically from the first gear through
the fourth gear and select the most suit-
able gear meeting the driving condition.
Even during ordinary driving, keep the
overdrive switch turned on. (At this time,
the “O/D OFF” indicator light on the in-
strument cluster will be off.)Always keep the overdrive switch turned
on for better fuel economy and quieter
driving. If you have turned off the over-
drive switch, be sure to turn the overdrive
switch on again. If the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will
not shift into the overdrive gear even with
the overdrive switch on.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
4. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(b) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Turn off the overdrive switch. The ”O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the
third gear.
Shift into the ”2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the second
gear when the vehicle speed drops
down to or lower than the following
speed, and stronger engine braking will
be enabled.Tw o−wheel drive models
110 km/h (68 mph)
Four−wheel drive models
215/70R16 tires
100 km/h (62 mph)
235/60R16 tires
97 km/h (60 mph)
Shift into the ”L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to the first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Tw o−wheel drive models
50 km/h (31 mph)
Four−wheel drive models
215/70R16 tires
44 km/h (27 mph)
235/60R16 tires
42 km/h (26 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
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Rav4(U)
992000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
(c) Using the ”2” and ”L” positions
The ”2” and ”L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in ”2” or ”L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in ”D”.
With the selector lever in ”2”, the vehicle
will start in the first gear and automatical-
ly shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ”L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Two−wheel drive models
”2” 130 km/h (80 mph). . . . . . . . .
”L” 72 km/h (44 mph). . . . . . . . .
Four−wheel drive models
215/70R16 tires
”2” 121 km/h (75 mph). . . . . . .
”L” 67 km/h (41 mph). . . . . . .
235/60R16 tires
”2” 118 km/h (73 mph). . . . . . .
”L” 65 km/h (40 mph). . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
”2” or ”L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, ”D” position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(d) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with
your foot, shift the selector lever to the
”R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(e) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to
securely apply the parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down,
shift the selector lever to the ”P” posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector
lever into ”P” position under any cir-
cumstances while the vehicle is mov-
ing. Serious mechanical damage and
loss of vehicle control may result.
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Rav4(U)
1002000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up
and down between third gear and over-
drive when climbing a gentle slope, the
overdrive switch should be turned off.
Be sure to turn the switch on immedi-
ately afterward.
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an up-
grade with the accelerator pedal. It
can cause the transmission to over-
heat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you may
attempt to rock the vehicle free by
moving it forward and backward. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the ve-
hicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move for-
ward or backward as it becomes un-
stuck, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the
following precautions to prevent dam-
age to the transmission and other
parts.
Do not depress the accelerator ped-
al while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is com-
pletely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid
spinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after
rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as tow-
ing.
(h) Driving in ”POWER” mode
In the ”POWER” mode, the transmission
is shifted up and down at a higher vehicle
speed than in the ”NORMAL” mode and a
more powerful acceleration is achieved. To
set the ”POWER” mode, push in the driv-
ing pattern selector button. The ”POWER”
mode indicator light comes on.
For ordinary driving, Toyota recommends
using the ”NORMAL” mode to improve fuel
economy.
(i) If you cannot shift the selector le-
ver out of ”P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from
the ”P” position even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see ”If
you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” in Section 4.
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Rav4(U)
1012000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Manual transmission
The shift pattern is as shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while
shifting, and then release it slowly. Do not
rest your foot on the pedal while driving,
because it will cause clutch trouble. And
do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle
when stopped on an uphill grade–use the
parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and
upshifting or downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel
economy and vehicle performance, you
should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if accel-
eration is needed when you are cruising
below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too
late will cause lugging and, possibly, ping-
ing. Regularly revving the engine to maxi-
mum speed in each gear will cause ex-
cessive engine wear and high fuel
consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower
traffic, maximum acceleration may be nec-
essary. Make sure you observe the follow-
ing maximum allowable speeds in each
gear:
Tw o−wheel drive models
gear km/h (mph)
1 47 ( 29)
2 95 ( 59)
3 144 ( 89)
4 198 (114)Four−wheel drive models
215/60R16 tires
gear km/h (mph)
1 44 ( 27)
2 88 ( 53)
3 133 ( 83)
4 183 (114)
235/60R16 tires
gear km/h (mph)
1 43 ( 26)
2 86 ( 53)
3 121 ( 75)
4 165 (102)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
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Rav4(U)
1022000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use the fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.The center differential lock system is pro-
vided for use only when the vehicle does
not have enough traction to move itself
out of the following situations.
All front wheels or rear wheels are off
the ground or on a slippery surface.
One of the four wheels is off the
ground or on a slippery surface.
Operating precautions
If the front wheels and rear wheels are
worn unevenly, the center differential
may not lock or unlock smoothly.
Before locking the center differential,
make sure the wheels have stopped
spinning.
Unlock the center differential immedi-
ately after you finish using the center
differential lock system. An indicator
buzzer will sound while the center dif-
ferential is being unlocked.
After you have pushed the center dif-
ferential lock switch to lock and moved
the vehicle a short distance, the indica-
tor light in the instrument panel stays
on. If the light either fails to come on
or goes out, ask your Toyota dealer to
check the electrical system and the
locking mechanism.
CAUTION
The center differential must be un-
locked in normal driving. Locking the
center differential will result in diffi-
cult cornering control.
NOTICE
Do not drive on a dry paved surface
with the center differential locked.
This may damage the locking mecha-
nism and the drive system.
Center differential lock system
(four−wheel drive models
with manual transmission)
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Rav4(U)
1032000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
To lock the center differential:
1. Press the brake pedal and stop the
wheel spinning.
2. Put the front wheels in as straight−
ahead a position as possible.
3. Push the center differential lock switch
and check that the indicator light in the
instrument panel comes on.To unlock the center differential:
1. Put the front wheels in as straight−
ahead a position as possible.
2. Push the center differential lock switch
once again and check that the indicator
light in the instrument panel goes out
and that the indicator buzzer stops
sounding.
The indicator buzzer will sound while the
center differential is being unlocked. It
stops sounding when unlocking is com-
pleted.
Sometimes complete unlocking of the cen-
ter differential may take longer.If unlocking of the center differential is not
completed, check the area around you for
safety, then accelerate or decelerate, or
move the vehicle backward.
NOTICE
While the indicator buzzer is sound-
ing, do not make turns, and do not
put the vehicle into a garage. This
may damage the locking mechanism
and the drive system.
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Rav4(U)
1042000 RAV4 (OM42479U)
Parking brake
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
When parking, firmly apply the parking
brake to avoid inadvertent creeping.
To set: Pull up the lever. For better hold-
ing power, first depress the brake pedal
and hold it while setting the parking
brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly,
press the thumb button, and lower.
To remind you that the parking brake is
set, the parking brake reminder light in
the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the park-
ing brake reminder light is off.
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to cruise
the vehicle at a desired speed over 40
km/h (25 mph) even with your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained up
or down grades within the limits of engine
performance, although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or
down the grades. On steeper hills, a
greater speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control
of your vehicle, do not use the
cruise control when driving in
heavy or varying traffic, or on slip-
pery (rainy, icy or snow−covered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when
driving downhill. If the vehicle
speed is too fast in relation to the
cruise control set speed, cancel the
cruise control then downshift the
transmission to use engine braking
to slow down.
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