4wd question...newbie

[Lisa1745]

I haven't had a Toyota in 25 years until now so please be patient . On my Fords, I just pressed in the 4wd button.

Today I was going up a mountain and there were cars stuck everywhere. Since I never came to a full stop, I was able to somehow navigate up and around them. I had hit the LOCK button but since there isn't a dashboard light indicating it was engaged, I honestly had no idea whether or not it was really locked. I was going approx 10-15 mph.


Anyone know how to tell if you are truly in lock mode with the absence of a dash light?


Many thanks.


Lisa
CT

[Carbon]

There is a dashboard light. See your owner's manual section 2-4. "Using other driving systems
Four-wheel drive lock switch (4WD models)". That is on page 192 in the 2009 Owner's Manual. That light should light during the lamp test after you turn the key on (or the equivalent if you have a Limited) but before you start.

The indicator light you want is called LOCK. The one labeled 4WD is a warning light.

[rav4two]

If that light doesn't come on when you press the lock button, I would suggest bringing it into the dealer to make sure your AWD system is working correctly. On our Rav, we get two or three flashes of the instrument panel warning light before it comes on solid to indicate that the AWD is in its fully locked state (which isn't really fully locked but that's another story).

[Dr. Dyno]

Just to be sure what year is your RAV4?
2006s & later activate 4WD automatically as needed even w/o the LOCK button pushed.

[whtbaron]

That manual lockup kicks out at about 30k on Canadian models...not sure about the US ones but you were probably going to fast to keep it locked on. Wait until you start sliding around in snow and find out the VSC system starts applying brakes and slowing you down when you're trying not to get stuck. I find that one realllly annoying in mud and snow.

[vanib]

Originally Posted by whtbaron

That manual lockup kicks out at about 30k on Canadian models...not sure about the US ones but you were probably going to fast to keep it locked on. Wait until you start sliding around in snow and find out the VSC system starts applying brakes and slowing you down when you're trying not to get stuck. I find that one realllly annoying in mud and snow.

Put the VSC off if you think it will kick in. I like how VSC keeps my wheel on the asphalt! Tood bad, if I ever want to put it off, I'll have to do the "brake dance" which I do not have a button to put VSC off.

[Dr. Dyno]

Originally Posted by whtbaron

Wait until you start sliding around in snow and find out the VSC system starts applying brakes and slowing you down when you're trying not to get stuck. I find that one really annoying in mud and snow.

Which you often encounter as evidenced by your "removal" of your canister system. Vapor canister

Sounds to me you might want to lift your RAV4. See links here: anyone know about these?

And the so called "Lock" cutoff speed is 25 mph. It's done so the 4WD doesn't interfere with ABS, TRAC & VSC

[whtbaron]

LOL...I'm not naughty, they just drew me that way! I live in a rural area and my job takes me down muddy trails. Some might call that offroading , but the rocks are graded off so I just call them "interesting". I have an 08 and there is no button to shut the VSC off. I'm not a big fan of the lift kits on a short light vehicle because they make them more unstable and I also do a lot of highway driving. Might need a good skid plate under there though.