2005 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 239

'05 Rav4_U (L/O 0409) How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer When restarting out after parking on a slope: 1. With the transmission in "P" position (automatic) or the clutch pedal depressed (manual), start the engine. (With an automatic transmission, be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.) 2. Shift into gear. 3. Release the parking brake (also foot brake on automatic transmission vehicles) and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes. 4. Have someone retrieve the blocks. D Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden downshifts. Improving fuel economy is easy-just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs: D Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency. D Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel. See page 291 in Section 7- 2 for instructions. D Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption. D Avoid lengthy warm- up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly, begin driving-but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days this may take a little longer. CAUTION D Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of a towing vehicletrailer combination usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control. D Keep the automatic transmission overdrive turned on when engine braking is not required. Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy. (For details, see "Automatic transmission" on page 121 in Section 1- 7.) slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high gear as quickly as possible. D Accelerate 239 2005 RAV4 from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM42570U)