Last year I went to Pikes Peak in my Jeep. On my way down, at the brake temp. inspection checkpoint I was congratulated by the ranger by having the coolest brakes of the day. Just over 200 degrees (>300 and you have to have a timeout). In the Jeep (which are known for their low gears) I was in low (automatic trans.) the entire trip down the mountain. However, this past weekend, I did the same thing with the RAV, and I had to sit in timeout. My brakes were at 401 degrees! I was in low the entire way down!? Not good. I couldn't use the DAC because the speeds would occasionally be greater than 15 mph. Any thoughts, comments? Brake upgrade kit, lol?
Pikes Peak, CO - High Brake Temps.
Boar
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Last year I went to Pikes Peak in my Jeep. On my way down, at the brake temp. inspection checkpoint I was congratulated by the ranger by having the coolest brakes of the day. Just over 200 degrees (>300 and you have to have a timeout). In the Jeep (which are known for their low gears) I was in low (automatic trans.) the entire trip down the mountain. However, this past weekend, I did the same thing with the RAV, and I had to sit in timeout. My brakes were at 401 degrees! I was in low the entire way down!? Not good. I couldn't use the DAC because the speeds would occasionally be greater than 15 mph. Any thoughts, comments? Brake upgrade kit, lol?
Well, I've got you beat!
I drove Pikes Peak in my RAV and was also congratulated by the brake-checker, but my brakes were around 185
Sorry, I know this isn't a helpful post, but I couldn't resist
I drove Pikes Peak in my RAV and was also congratulated by the brake-checker, but my brakes were around 185
Sorry, I know this isn't a helpful post, but I couldn't resist
co_mtn_grl - My jaw dropped - I don't believe you, lol! 185? Were you drifting around the turns?
Seriously though, I really didn't think my brakes would have been that hot. I was dumbfounded when the ranger said it was 401. I didn't think I was that heavy on the brakes, but apparently I was. Note: I did have ~1000 pounds of cargo - adults, gear, etc.
I used the DAC for a bit. I wanted to experiment, but that was at the top. I didn't use it very long. Besides the few hundred feet I used the DAC, I was in 2-L the entire trip down. I don't recall my revs, but while driving, all the RAV wanted to do was scream down the mountain. My RAV does the massive V6, but still [little humor]. In a few weeks I will have to drive some mountains again and see if I can run a little cooler.
Thanks for the input. I am still learning the RAV.
Seriously though, I really didn't think my brakes would have been that hot. I was dumbfounded when the ranger said it was 401. I didn't think I was that heavy on the brakes, but apparently I was. Note: I did have ~1000 pounds of cargo - adults, gear, etc.
I used the DAC for a bit. I wanted to experiment, but that was at the top. I didn't use it very long. Besides the few hundred feet I used the DAC, I was in 2-L the entire trip down. I don't recall my revs, but while driving, all the RAV wanted to do was scream down the mountain. My RAV does the massive V6, but still [little humor]. In a few weeks I will have to drive some mountains again and see if I can run a little cooler.
Thanks for the input. I am still learning the RAV.
I don't have a RAV4 (thinking of getting one), but think I can solve your problem by looking at a picture....
![Image]()
Move the gear selector to the right to select first gear (L). If you're going 15-ish, 2nd sounds too high. If you have to be on the brakes a lot, are carrying a lot of weight, and there is a lower gear available, then USE IT. If you're having to use the brakes a lot, then they're going to get hot. Downshifting isn't just a formality- it's to increase drag so you don' t have to use the brakes as much. The heat eventually winds up going out the radiator instead of the brakes, which is able to handle a continous load. You probably should've been up around 4500 rpm with that kind of a load.
Move the gear selector to the right to select first gear (L). If you're going 15-ish, 2nd sounds too high. If you have to be on the brakes a lot, are carrying a lot of weight, and there is a lower gear available, then USE IT. If you're having to use the brakes a lot, then they're going to get hot. Downshifting isn't just a formality- it's to increase drag so you don' t have to use the brakes as much. The heat eventually winds up going out the radiator instead of the brakes, which is able to handle a continous load. You probably should've been up around 4500 rpm with that kind of a load.
LOL, no, my secret is I was in L (1st) MOST of the way down. I was driving like a grandma and pulling over to let faster drivers pass.
I wasn't driving like that from fear though, oh no, I was simply enjoying the scenery
I tend to be a bit OVERLY cautious with brake use when coming down mountains.
Have you ever driven Mt. Evans?
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All this talk of driving up the mountains has got me wanting to make a trip out west! Though Mt. Washington in New Hampshire pales in comparison, it was long and steep and as I began my trek up, I could smell the brakes of other cars as they were getting to the bottom. On my ride down, I left it in L the whole way. Sure, the engine was "screaming" (3,000 - 4,000), but it can run without damage like that for a while whereas the brakes doing the same amount of slowing...no thank you. Sure, I let a few people go around me and I did pull off a couple times, "just in case." I wasn't in a hurry--I was enjoying the scenery and the countless ecosystems I passed through. Slow, safe, and un-damaged equipment is always a winner in my book! Put it in low; let the engine coil up; tap the brakes gently until you're slowed and RPMs are lowered.
I just face-palmed. Well, I think I found my problem. It's quite obvious now, but it wasn't on my down from Pikes Peak. I didn't realize there was a 2 and L compared to the 2L that I saw in my head on the way down the mountain. I had the gear selector moved all the way down and not right which would then shift it to L. I feel stupid, oops. Actually, on second thought I feel better. Now I know. Live and learn I guess. My wife is gonna laugh at me tonight when I tell her.
Thanks everyone for the resolve.
and as I hit Submit, I am still shaking my head. I am gonna laugh at this one for awhile.
Thanks everyone for the resolve.
and as I hit Submit, I am still shaking my head. I am gonna laugh at this one for awhile.
Just want to clarify it for you, Boar. If you were in 2, DAC wasn't engaged. It only engages in L or R, and you have to keep your feet off the brake or accelerator. If the DAC light is flashing, it's turned on but NOT engaged. Only when the DAC light is on steady is it actually operating.
Thanks Junebug, I got that.
Clearly I was in a low gear RAV4 mess going down the mountain this past weekend.
Texas, I wasn't overloaded. I have the V6. It's 1300 lbs of payload where the I4 has around 950 lbs. That was one of the main reasons I got the V6.
Thanks everyone - 1 more point for the forum.
Clearly I was in a low gear RAV4 mess going down the mountain this past weekend.
Texas, I wasn't overloaded. I have the V6. It's 1300 lbs of payload where the I4 has around 950 lbs. That was one of the main reasons I got the V6.
Thanks everyone - 1 more point for the forum.
If brake overheating is a potential problem, I don't think it would be too hard to construct some cooling ducts based on what I saw under there when I was changing the oil this past weekend. You wouldn't need a whole lot of air to cool it off, but it does appear the design of the spokes in the wheel we have would tend to pull air into the brakes from outside the vehicle, so the duct would have to move enough air to overcome that. But just some short pieces of ducting might do.
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2,666 Posts
Technically, only the 3rd row V6 is 1300 lbs, but not the regular V6.
So what is the regular V6's load capacity?
According to Toyota's vehicle comparison the V6 limited shows a load capacity of 1300 lbs. It says nothing about only in the 3rd row seating version.
Does the third row seating version have stiffer springs? If so, I feel Toyota should of made a note of it.
I need some clarification.
According to Toyota's vehicle comparison the V6 limited shows a load capacity of 1300 lbs. It says nothing about only in the 3rd row seating version.
Does the third row seating version have stiffer springs? If so, I feel Toyota should of made a note of it.
I need some clarification.
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2,666 Posts
Those specs are misleading. For example under Capacities, they show one curb weight for the Limited: 3560 lbs. But, under Gross Vehicle Weight, they show 4600 without 3rd row, and 4895 with 3rd row. By my calculations, the curb weight of a Limited 3rd row should be 295 lbs. higher at 3855. So the true load capacity would be 1040 lbs., not 1335. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Mathematics not Zathras's skill.
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That seems like it would be about right
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