winter tires TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

17Pictorial index
Precautions against winter season ......................................P.378
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*...................P.529
Precautions against car wash
(Rain-sensing windshield wipers)
*.......................................P.567
Replacing the wiper insert .................................... ...............P.615
Fuel filler door ............................................... .....................P.241
Refueling method ............................................... ..................P.241
Fuel type/fuel tan k capacity .................................................P.685
Tires ....................................................................................P.590
Tire size/inflation pressure ................................... ................P.690
Winter tires/tire chain ........................................ ...................P.378
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*.................P.590
Coping with flat tires......................................... ....................P.658
Hood ....................................................................................P.579
Opening ........................................................ .......................P.579
Engine oil ..................................................... ........................P.686
Coping with overheat ........................................... ................P.677
Warning messages ..............................................................P.654
Headlights..................................................... ......................P.229
Turn signal lights ...............................................................P.223
Parking lights .....................................................................P.229
Daytime running lights .. ....................................................P.229
Side marker lights ............................................. .................P.229
Fog lights
*............................................................... ............P.235
Stop lights/tail lights/turn s ignal lights ....................P.223, 229
Tail lights .................................................... ........................P.229
Back-up lights
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P .624, Watts: P.692)
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F
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3774-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
When driving in a traffic jam,
gently release the brake pedal
to allow the vehicle to move for-
ward slightly while avoiding
overuse of the accelerator
pedal. Doing so can help control
excessive gasoline consump-
tion.
Control and maintain the vehicle
at a constant speed. Before
stopping at a toll booth or simi-
lar, allow plenty of time to
release the accelerator and gen-
tly apply the brakes. A greater
amount of electrical energy can
be regenerated when slowing
down.
Use the air conditioning only
when necessary. Doing so can
help reduce excessive gasoline
consumption.
In summer: When the ambient
temperature is high, use the
recirculated air mode. Doing so
will help to reduce the burden on
the air conditioning system and
reduce fuel consumption as
well.
In winter: Because the gasoline
engine will not automatically cut
out until it and the interior of the
vehicle are warm, it will con-
sume fuel. Also, fuel consump-
tion can be improved by avoiding overuse of the heater.
Make sure to check the tire infla-
tion pressure frequently.
Improper tire inflation pressure
can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause
large amounts of friction, their
use on dry roads can lead to
poor fuel economy. Use tires
that are appropriate for the sea-
son.
Carrying heavy luggage will lead
to poor fuel economy. Avoid car-
rying unnecessary luggage.
Installing a large roof rack will
also cause poor fuel economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts
up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the
engine is unnecessary. More-
over, frequently driving short
distances will cause the engine
to repeatedly warm up, which
can lead to excess fuel con-
sumption.
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Luggage
Warming up before driv-
ing

3784-6. Driving tips
Use fluids that are appropriate
to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
Have a service technician
inspect the condition of the
12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with
four snow tires or purchase a
set of tire chains for the front
tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same
size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary
preparations and inspec-
tions before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always
drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the pre-
vailing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so m ay result in a
loss of vehicle control and cause
death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended
level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75
mph (120 km/h), regardless of
the type of snow tires being
used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just
some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the
vehicle being unable to be driven
safely, and may cause death or
serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the
speed limit specifi ed for the tire
chains being used, or 30 mph
(50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road
surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration,
abrupt steering, sudden brak-
ing and shifting operations that
cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before
entering a curve to ensure that
vehicle control is maintained.
●Do not use LTA (Lane Tracing
Assist) system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow
tires (vehicles with tire pres-
sure warning system)
Request repairs or replacement of
snow tires from your Toyota
dealer or legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and
attachment of snow tires affects
the operation of the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters.