Pwr & Man Selection

October 14, 2008

I have just aquired a 1997 2L Auto petrol Rav4 and need some information on driving the beast.

I am advised that my Rav4 is a Japanese import! (I dont know what difference that means though)

The problem I have is knowing what the two buttons on the dash are for < PWR and MAN >

PWR seems to allow the engine to change down gear sooner and change up later - revs more like a sport selection.

I haven't a clue what the < MAN > button does though.

When the buttons are pressed the dash indicates ECT PWR or ECT MAN respectivley.

It is rather difficult to detect any difference because of the poor performance of the vehicle, it would not pull the skin off a rice pudding. With me and three passengers I have had to select 2nd gear to keep going up hills, not steep at that.

As I have read on this forum this model has poor performance and bad fuel economy so I would like to know which transmission settings should be used.

Thanking you all in anticipation :)

P.S.

I am getting rather worried cos I'm only getting about 18 mpg so I think something is badly wrong, I did not mention but its a four door long wheelbase version.

Somebody >HELP< PLEASE.

November 3, 2008

I have just aquired a 1997 2L Auto petrol Rav4 and need some information on driving the beast.
I am advised that my Rav4 is a Japanese import! (I dont know what difference that means though)
The problem I have is knowing what the two buttons on the dash are for < PWR and MAN >
PWR seems to allow the engine to change down gear sooner and change up later - revs more like a sport selection.
I haven't a clue what the < MAN > button does though.
When the buttons are pressed the dash indicates ECT PWR or ECT MAN respectivley.
It is rather difficult to detect any difference because of the poor performance of the vehicle, it would not pull the skin off a rice pudding. With me and three passengers I have had to select 2nd gear to keep going up hills, not steep at that.
As I have read on this forum this model has poor performance and bad fuel economy so I would like to know which transmission settings should be used.
Thanking you all in anticipation :)
P.S.
I am getting rather worried cos I'm only getting about 18 mpg so I think something is badly wrong, I did not mention but its a four door long wheelbase version.
Somebody >HELP< PLEASE.

03/11/08

OK so nobody knows!

Not a problem any more because I have just traded it in for a new Ford Fusion.

I think the last four week have taught me a lesson good and proper, dont buy what you dont understand. Sales men can be so persuasive and I fell for it huck line and sinker. I took the RAV4 to local independant garage for a second opinion, no comperssion, he thinks the car had done 170,000 miles not 70,000 as shown on the speedo. I had no option but to trade in for a new model to get my money back, not good because I always fancied a RAV4, not to be. Anyway I have a new car now.

Almost happy now

November 4, 2008

a funny one - I get some notification of new posts but others seem to go down the legside so to speak.

My reaction is that the 4.1 RAV4 in 3 or 5 door version was never a slow or underpowered car. Even with the original engine, my RAV carried 4 folk easily and sprinted up hills with no problem at all.

Cars imported from japan are normally low mileage as theres not a lot of miles to travel in Japan. Once they get here, then of course they can clock up miles.

I can only guess that you had been gifted enough to find a RAV that has been abused badly. These cars can be absolutely thrashed and 170,000 miles is not over the top by any way. In fact, I found that my RAV was one of the very few cars that could handle the abuse I gave it - and I went through a score of brand new Fords of various types all of which struggled to cope.

I wish you well with your new purchase - although being a Scotsman I find it difficult to find logic in going from a 97 RAV to a brand new Ford. No doubt you must have got a good deal in these lean months!!