1996 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 111

Trailer towing This product is available at your Toyota dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how much to mix with water. Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your local Toyota dealer for further details before towing. WEIGHT LIMITS Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits. The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc. ! CAUTION S The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load) must not exceed 680 kg (1500 lb.). S The gross combination weight (sum of your vehicle weight plus its load and the total trailer weight) must not exceed the following. 2-door models 2250 kg (4960 lb.) 4-door models Two-wheel drive models 2330 kg (5136 lb.) Four-wheel drive models 2410 kg (5313 lb.) S The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of the unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. It also includes the weight of any special equipment installed on your vehicle. NOTICE Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may damage your vehicle's paint. Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into "P" (automatic) or into first or reverse (manual) and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emergency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, etc. 105