1997 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 125

Off-road driving precautions ! CAUTION S Before driving off, make sure that the parking brake if fully released and the parking brake reminder light is off. S Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the engine is running. S Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor fuel economy. S To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively, they may overheat and not work properly. S Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, down shifting or braking on a slippery surface. Sudden acceleration or engine braking, could cause the vehicle to spin or skid. S 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 tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds. S Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle securely. ! CAUTION Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle: S Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous places. S Do not grip the steering wheel 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. S Always cehck your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or snow. S After driving through tall grass, 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 underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur. 121