[Commando]

Welcome... nice looking RAV4!

Same thing for me: the speedometer is more accurate with the 225/75/16 than the original 235/60/16.

 

[Commando]

@05RAV: your chart is very interesting.... but you need to correct the ring and pinion diff ratio.

With this Toyota FWD drivetrain orientation, you don't use the rear diff ratio. This ratio is calculated to get 1:1 with the transmission ring and pinion ratio (via the t-case ratio)... whatever is the trans diff ratio! So the final drive ratio you need to use in your calculations is the transaxle diff ratio.

• U140F: 3.08
• E352F: 4.56
• E359F: 4.56

And now the magic number (for off-road and not highway haha!) is the RAV4.1 manual trans diff ratio....

- E250F: 4.93

 

[Commando]

I'm confused though, why the E359F is regarded as yielding poorer city mileage and greater highway efficiency, despite having more gear reduction everywhere? My intuition would be the opposite is true.

I think what makes the difference is the engine... 2.0L vs 2.4L.