New To Automatic Cars - Stupid Question Alert!

[YvonneR-J]

Hi,

I've just bought a 1997 Rav4 automatic VX which I love to bits but I've never driven an automatic before.

As the weather has just turned nasty and I live in the middle of nowhere, I'm worried about icy roads.

Would someone be able to explain to me when (if) i use O/D (which I assume is overdrive?) and ECT (which I have no idea about!)?

Sorry, I did warn you that it was a muppett-y question!

Thanks in advance,

Yvie

[Plutus]

Welcome to the forum Yvonne.

I have the model which follows yours so I only have the O/D button on the gearstick and no ECT button

I just leave the O/D on all the time - it's an extra gear really. Handy for towing I guess and also for overtaking but that's about all.

I'm afraid I can't answer the other query.

[bothwell_buyer]

Welcome to the forum Yvonne.

I have the model which follows yours so I only have the O/D button on the gearstick and no ECT button

I just leave the O/D on all the time - it's an extra gear really. Handy for towing I guess and also for overtaking but that's about all.

I'm afraid I can't answer the other query.

ECT in the Haynes manual stands for engine coolant temperature.

I'm not an expert on the auto version of the first series RAV, but I'd guess that like the manual version, your car will be reasonably stable. But like any black ice rink, if you use the normal tyre then you'll get the normal handling. I slipped and fell on black ice getting out of a van on Monday this week and someone said I should have been wearing tackitty boots (boots with studs on the souls). I really don't think on the icy surface that wearing skiis; tennis racquets; socks or anything else would have mattered.... my derriere hit the ground hard and I re-kindled the previous damage to my spine from the compaction trauma...now back to the high high doses of diazepam for the muscle spasms....

so the end point for you is if the roads in the middle of nowhere are icy, then you treat them with the utmost respect and just take things slow.

[Davrav]

Hi,

I've just bought a 1997 Rav4 automatic VX which I love to bits but I've never driven an automatic before.

As the weather has just turned nasty and I live in the middle of nowhere, I'm worried about icy roads.

Would someone be able to explain to me when (if) i use O/D (which I assume is overdrive?) and ECT (which I have no idea about!)?

Sorry, I did warn you that it was a muppett-y question!

Thanks in advance,

Yvie

Hello Yvie and welcome to the club.

ECT stands for Electronically controlled transmission. [it's not ETC by the way? That stands for electronic traction control and helps prevent loss of traction in slippery conditions]

This link explains ECT: LINK

The overdrive function is explained here:LINK

As I read it, keep overdrive on for normal driving and switch it off if you want engine braking assistance or are towing.

Switch the ECT on if you want to get away a bit quicker :)

Hope that all makes sense.

[bitman]

we have 2 of those rav4 with auto boxes. they do miss the possibility of engine brake like you have with a manual box. but you can still get some kind of engine brake on low speeds to put the gear lever in 2 of even L position. this will help you when driving down hill on a icy roads. for the rest no worries as i drove through 30 cm snow without any problems.