When Servicing Full-Time 4WD Vehicles

WHEN SERVICING FULL-TIME 4WD VEHICLES

The Full-Time 4WD RAV4 is equipped with the mechanical lock type center differential system.
If incorrect preparations or test procedures are used, the test will not only be unsuccessful, but may be dangerous as well.
Therefore, before beginning any such servicing or test, be sure to check the following items:
- Whether wheels should be touching ground or jacked up
- Transaxle gear position
- Maximum testing vehicle speed
- Maximum testing time
- Manual transaxle only:
Center differential lock position

CAUTION:
- Never accelerate or decelerate the vehicle suddenly
- Observe the other cautions given for each individual test

a. Manual Transaxle Only:
Before Beginning Test
During tests with a brake tester or chassis dynamometer, such as braking force tests or speedometer tests, if only the front or rear wheels are to be rotated, it is necessary to set the position of the center differential to the FREE position or to the LOCK position depending on the type of test being performed.
- Select the position of the center differential by pushing the center differential lock switch.
- After selecting the position, confirm the operation of indicator light.




b. Bring Force Test
(Vehicle Speed: Below 0.5 km/h or 0.3 mph)
When performing low-speed type brake tester measurements, observe the following instructions.

1. Position the wheels to be tested (front or rear) on the tester.
2. Shift the transaxle shift lever to Neutral (or "N" range).
3. Idle the engine, operate the brake booster and perform the test.





c. Speedometer Test or Other Tests
(Using Speedometer Tester or Chassis Dynamometer)
When performing test at high speed or high load, use the methods shown.

NOTE:
- Confirm that the vehicle is securely immobilized.
- Never operate the clutch or brakes to drive the wheels or stop them suddenly.

d. On-Vehicle Wheel Balancing
When doing on-vehicle wheel balancing on a full-time 4WD vehicle, to prevent the wheels from rotating at different speeds in different directions from each other (which could damage the center differential), always be sure to observe the following precautions:





1. All 4 wheels should be jacked up, clearing the ground completely.
2. The parking brake lever should be fully released.
3. None of the brakes should be allowed to drag.
4. The wheels should be driven on the wheel balancer with the engine running.

HINT: When doing this, be careful of the other wheels, which will rotate at the same time.

5. Avoid sudden acceleration, deceleration and braking.
6. Carry out the wheel balancing with the transaxle in 3rd or 4th gear (automatic transaxle in D range).