Toyota 2008 Rav4 - How to Save Fuel and Make Your Vehicle Last Longer

’08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
353
2008 RAV4 from Feb. ’08 Prod. (OM42726U)
When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position,
start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Slowly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
! Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or
the posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Because insta-
bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle−
trailer combination usually in-
creases as the speed increases, ex-
ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may
cause loss of control.
! Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.
! Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.
Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
! Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
408 in Section 7−2 for instructions.
! Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
! Avoid lengthy warm−up idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
! Put the selector lever into the “D”
when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the select lever in “3”
(4−speed) or “4” (5−speed) will reduce
the fuel economy. (For details, see
“Automatic transmission” on page 143
or 147 in Section 1−7.)
! Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer