Toyota 2008 Rav4 Owner's Manual page 154

(b) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in "How
to start the engine" on page 342 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
the "P" or "N" position.
2. With your foot holding down the brake
pedal, shift the selector lever to the
"D" position.
When the lever is in the "D" position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always use the "D" position for better fuel
economy and quieter driving. If the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmis-
sion will not shift into the overdrive gear
even in the "D" position.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
144
'08 Rav4_U (L/O 0802)
(c) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Shift into the "3" position. The trans-
D
mission will downshift to third gear and
engine braking will be enabled.
Two−wheel drive models
173 km/h (108 mph)
Four−wheel drive models
164 km/h (102 mph)
Shift into the "2" position. The trans-
D
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models
113 km/h (70 mph)
Four−wheel drive models
107 km/h (66 mph)
Shift into the "L" position. The trans-
D
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Two−wheel drive models
56 km/h (35 mph)
Four−wheel drive models
53 km/h (33 mph)
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift from the "D" to "3"
position, engine braking will not be en-
abled because the cruise control is not
cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see "Cruise control" on page 168 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to skid or
spin.
2008 RAV4 from Feb. '08 Prod. (OM42726U)