Toyota 2003 Rav4 Owner's Manual page 181

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
consumption.
'03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
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:
Two–wheel drive models
gear km/h (mph)
1
2
3 144
4 187 (116)
Four–wheel drive models
gear km/h (mph)
1
2
3 131
4 170 (106)
NOTICE
fuel
Do not downshift if you are going
faster than the maximum allowable
speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
D
If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put
the transmission in neutral, release the
clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
D
When towing a trailer, in order to main-
tain engine braking efficiency, do not
use fifth gear.
50 (31)
94 (58)
(89)
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface.
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
46 (29)
85 (53)
(81)
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before shifting into reverse.
2003 RAV4 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM42517U)
CAUTION
Abrupt shifting
NOTICE
105