Off−Road Driving Precautions - Toyota RAV4 2003 Manual

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Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
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Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high−speed capability
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to con-
sult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high−speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
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Do not continue normal
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance,
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
172
Off−road driving precautions
When driving your vehicle off−road, please
observe the following precautions to en-
sure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off−road
vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where
off−road vehicles are permitted to trav-
el.
b. Respect private property. Get owner's
permission before entering private prop-
tires.
erty.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed.
Honor gates, barriers and signs that re-
strict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When condi-
tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to pre-
vent damage to roads.
driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
and it To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off−road, consult
the following organizations.
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State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments
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State Motor Vehicle Bureau
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Recreational Vehicle Clubs
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U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management
'03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
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Drive carefully when off the road.
Do not take unnecessary risks by
driving in dangerous places.
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Do not
spokes when driving off−road. A
bad bump could jerk the wheel and
injure your hands. Keep both hands
and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
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Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
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After driving
mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check
that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or
trapped on the underbody. Clear off
any such matter from the under-
body. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering
to the underbody, a breakdown or
fire could occur.
2003 RAV4 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM42517U)
CAUTION
grip the steering wheel
through tall grass,