Toyota RAV4 2019 Owner's Manual page 149

power train components (engine, trans-
mission, differential, wheel bearings,
etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 800 km
(500 miles) of driving.
■
Maintenance
●
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See "War-
ranty and Service Booklet".)
●
Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer towing.
■
If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, pass-
ing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing instability.
●
If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer
straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by
turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal
immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply
vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with
the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize (if enabled, Trailer
Sway Control can also help to stabilize
the vehicle and trailer.).
●
After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants
out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the
trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appro-
priate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not over-
loaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the
speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular
vehicle-trailer combination. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability.
Remember that swaying of the towing
4-1. Before driving
vehicle-trailer increases as speed
increases.
WARNING
■
To avoid an accident
●
Observe the legal maximum
speeds for trailer towing.
●
Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts while descending steep or
long downhill grades.
●
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
●
Do not use cruise control or
dynamic radar cruise control (if
equipped) when trailer towing.
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