2001 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 137

Break-in period D Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. D Your Toyota is an electric vehicle, so avoid driving through water so deep as to have the battery pack, motor, controller and so on flooded. Further, it is not suitable for off- road driving as compared with ordinary off-road vehicles. When it is unavoidable to drive off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle's suspension, chassis and traction batteries. Drive gently and avoid high speeds. Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle: D Avoid loading any items on the roof that will raise the vehicle's center of gravity. D Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph). D Avoid full-throttle starts. D Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles). D Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control. D Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle) can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward. 129