The 2011 Toyota RAV4 has a surprising amount of computer-controlled electronics, which includes the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system. The 2011 Toyota RAV4 four-wheel-drive is completely different from other four-wheel-drive vehicles and even different from some of Toyota’s past vehicles. Toyota decided to take the primary functions of the four-wheel drive system out of the control of the driver. The driver’s control of the 4WD system only lasts for a short period.
Start the engine. Place the shift lever into drive and hold the brake with your foot.
Locate the four-wheel-drive button between the radio and instrument cluster. Press the four-wheel-drive button. The "4WD" light should illuminate on the instrument cluster.
Remove your foot from the brake and accelerate the vehicle. To disengage the four-wheel drive, tap the brake and the vehicle will automatically switch back into front-wheel drive. The vehicle will also automatically disengage four-wheel drive when you increase speed to more than 25 mph.
The active torque control four-wheel-drive system will automatically switch to four-wheel drive any time you corner or begin a takeoff from a stop when the roads are slippery. The 2011 Toyota RAV4 does not permit the use of manual four-wheel drive when driving more than 25 mph.
