’03 Rav4_U (L/O 0208)
Off−road driving precautions
When driving your vehicle off−road, please
observe the following precautions to en-
sure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off−road
vehicles.
D Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden accelera-
tion or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle:
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where
D 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 con-
off−road vehicles are permitted to trav-
el.
D Drive carefully when off the road.
Do not take unnecessary risks by
driving in dangerous places.
b. Respect private property. Get owner’s
permission before entering private prop-
erty.
D Do not grip the steering wheel
spokes when driving off−road.
bad bump could jerk the wheel and
injure your hands. Keep both hands
and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
A
c. Do not enter areas that are closed.
Honor gates, barriers and signs that re-
strict travel.
sult
a
tire dealer to determine
d. Stay on established roads. When condi-
tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to pre-
vent damage to roads.
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high−speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
D Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
D Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
D 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 under-
body. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering
to the underbody, a breakdown or
fire could occur.
wet, your vehicle will require
a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the park-
ing brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off−road, consult
the following organizations.
D State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments
D State Motor Vehicle Bureau
D Recreational Vehicle Clubs
D U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management
2003 RAV4 from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM42517U)
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