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2010 Rav4 4wd button lock

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rav4long

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just bought a 2010 4-cyl RAV$ Limited Edition..thought it was AWD initially but then when I saw the lock button in the car I checked the lettering in the back again and it's a tilted 4 instead of A ..so it's a 4WD instead :wall

Question is when do I engage the 4wd ?. Do I have to stop the car to do that or can I do it while driving (high speed, low speed ??)

Can I leave it on all the time (ie: like AWD) or does it get turned off automatically ?

Does it save some gas driving in 2WD and not leaving the button lock ?

Thank you for your help
 
#2 ·
Its in AWD all the time. If it senses slippage it engages. Lock button engages 4wd up to 40kph then reverts to fwd/awd. Works quite well really for what it is. Also it always starts from a stop in 4wd. Lots of info on here about the system.

Make sure you keep the rear diff oil changed. It only holds about 750ml and calls for every 64 000km.
 
#3 ·
There are many threads on this subject.
IMO, we have the best system available. It operates in 2WD for better fuel economy most of the time. When you start from a stop or when the 4WD ECU anticipates it's needed the rear wheel drive is automatically engaged.
The LOCK button activates the rear drive full time up to 25 mph when it disengages and the system reverts to the as-needed mode.
 
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#5 ·
Beginning with the 2010 model year, accelerometers in the front and rear of the vehicle are also used to detect yawing, compared to where the steering wheel is pointing.

If needed, the system will apply power to whatever wheels need it in order to correct the yawing.

It's pretty cool, actually.

:thumbs_up:

.
 
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#6 ·
DVS said:
Beginning with the 2010 model year, accelerometers in the front and rear of the vehicle are also used to detect yawing, compared to where the steering wheel is pointing.

If needed, the system will apply power to whatever wheels need it in order to correct the yawing.
Click to expand...
Well, not quite accurate. All 2006-on models have the yaw, acceleration and steering angle sensors which work as part of the skid control system. The stability correction is done by reducing engine power.

Traction Control "applies" power to to wheels that have traction by braking wheels that are spinning.

I do agree it's all pretty cool.
 
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#7 ·
I know I had to swap my steering angle sensor when I upgraded by Clockspring.
Also, the Yaw has to be recalibrated even in my 2008 Rav after an alignment.
So, yes, they exist for those years too.

May be Toyota made some adjustments after 2009 but I am not aware of them.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
drzsmum said:
Its in AWD all the time. If it senses slippage it engages. Lock button engages 4wd up to 40kph then reverts to fwd/awd. Works quite well really for what it is. Also it always starts from a stop in 4wd. Lots of info on here about the system.

Make sure you keep the rear diff oil changed. It only holds about 750ml and calls for every 64 000km.
Click to expand...
Sorry I'm not a car person.

Are you saying 4WD is in AWD all the time or you have to activate using the lock button ? If it's engaged all the time why do they bother having the button. I saw another comment below saying that it will be in AWD at at start and stop . Is that correct ?

Also when I tried it, it unlocked ~25kph.

Thanks for your help
 
#9 ·
It's awd all the time but most of the time it only powers a minimum amount of torque to the rear wheels so you save on gas. When you press the lock button it will send the maximum amount of torque/power to the rear wheels which is up to 50% up to a speed of 25mph. In extreme situations when the ecu senses the rear wheels need more power it can power the rear wheels up to 50% at any speed. Hope this helps.
 
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#11 ·
Joolstacho said:
Well. I'm not impressed! AWD... ? AWD Lock button? Wheelspin on my driveway today. Yes we've had a lot of rain (broken drought), but I don't think our old 2014 Forester would have spun it's wheels.
What a shame, we're getting close to 'backtrade' our RAV4 2018 for a 2013 Fozzie. Shame.
Click to expand...
If you have a 2018 RAV, you might want to post in the 4th Gen section. This is the 3rd Gen.
 
#14 ·
On the contrary, I do understand "the point". I've designed many webs, creating logical site navigation systems, and currently I regularly use about 6.
My point is that most vehicles of a certain model incorporate many common components and features. For example, many of our RAV4s will have AWD (which is what my post was referring to). So it's quite possible that many other drivers with different MY vehicles will have valuable input.
 
#15 ·
Joolstacho said:
On the contrary, I do understand "the point". I've designed many webs, creating logical site navigation systems, and currently I regularly use about 6.
My point is that most vehicles of a certain model incorporate many common components and features. For example, many of our RAV4s will have AWD (which is what my post was referring to). So it's quite possible that many other drivers with different MY vehicles will have valuable input.
Click to expand...
If many other drivers have a different model year than you, then yours could be designed and controlled differently than theirs. So what "valuable input" would they have? There's a reason these sites group different generations of models the way they do.
 
#16 ·
IMO, just generation division forums often isn't even specific enough since many changes occur within a generation. Yes, we do have a hybrid subdivision in gen 4 and a Prime/PHEV in gen 5 & 6 but in earlier generations all engines are all lumped together.

Just considering engine changes, we have three 4.3 ones; the oil burning 2006-2008 2.4L I4s, the 2009-2012 2.5L I4s and the 2006-2012 3.5L V6s. Then there are several different exteriors from Base to Limited trims and facelifts. Add in the interior electronic upgrades and a 2006 has little in common with a 2012 except the same body and suspension.

I'm not that familiar with gen 1 & 2 RAV4s but thankfully several members are so they are able to address questions like https://www.rav4world.com/threads/parts-compatible-between-1996-2000-ravs.182377/

In line with this thread the AWD is a completely different system in the 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 generations. Then curiously the only change to that system from 4.3 to 4.4 was the name, from 4WD to AWD. No mechanical changes.

So I agree with ravenuer, very little useful info translates across generation let lines.
 
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#18 ·
Obviously tire recommendation except for tire sizes would not be generation specific or even car manufacturer dependent. The logical place for such questions would be:

RAV Lounge
General discussion about the RAV4, not limited to any particular generation.

But then if you posted there what's the first question you'd get? "What year is your RAV4?"
That's why listing your year & trim in your member's signature is quite helpful.

 
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Dr. Dyno
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