ECU TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2020 (in English) Owner's Guide
Page 71 of 744
711-3. Emergency assistance
1
For safety and security
vehicle’s location, assess the 
emergency, and dispatch the 
necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” 
button, tell the response-center 
agent that you are not experiencing 
an emergency.
■Enhanced Roadside Assis-
tance
Enhanced Roadside Assistance 
adds GPS data to the already 
included warranty-based Toyota 
roadside service.
Subscribers can press the 
“SOS” button to reach a Safety 
Connect response-center agent, 
who can help with a wide range 
of needs, such as: towing, flat 
tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a 
description of the Enhanced 
Roadside Assistance services 
and their limitations, please see 
the Safety Connect Terms and 
Conditions, which are available 
at Toyota.com in the United 
States, Toyotapr.com in Puerto 
Rico and Toyota.ca in Canada.
Important! Read this informa-
tion before using Safety Con-
nect.
■Exposure to radio fre-
quency signals
The Safety Connect system 
installed in your vehicle is a low-
power radio transmitter and  receiver. It receives and also 
sends out radio frequency (RF) 
signals.
In August 1996, the Federal 
Communications Commission 
(FCC) adopted RF exposure 
guidelines with safety levels for 
mobile wireless phones. Those 
guidelines are consistent with 
the safety standards previously 
set by the following U.S. and 
international standards bodies.
ANSI (American National 
Standards Institute) C95.1 
[1992]
 NCRP (National Council on 
Radiation Protection and 
Measurement) Report 86 
[1986]
 ICNIRP (International Com-
mission on Non-Ionizing Radi-
ation Protection) [1996]
Those standards were based on 
comprehensive and periodic 
evaluations of the relevant sci-
entific literature. Over 120 scien-
tists, engineers, and physicians 
from universities, and govern-
ment health agencies and 
industries reviewed the avail-
able body of research to 
develop the ANSI Standard 
(C95.1).
The design of Safety Connect 
complies with the FCC guide-
lines in addition to those stan-
dards.
Safety information for 
Safety Connect 
Page 73 of 744
731-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the 
engine is warming up, etc., the 
gasoline engine will not automati-
cally stop. ( P. 7 3 )
■During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomi-
nantly used. The electric motor 
(traction motor) charges the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
as necessary.
■When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is 
depressed heavily, the power of 
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is added to that of the gas-
oline engine via the electric 
motor (traction motor).
■When braking (regenera-
tive braking)
The wheels operate the electric 
motor (traction motor) as a 
power generator, and the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) is 
charged.
■Regenerative braking
In the following si tuations, kinetic 
energy is converted to electric 
energy and deceleration force can 
be obtained in conjunction with the 
recharging of the hybrid battery 
(traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released 
while driving with the shift lever in 
D or S.
●The brake pedal is depressed 
while driving with the shift lever in 
D or S.
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when  the vehicle is driven using only the 
electric motor (traction motor) or the 
gasoline engine is stopped.
The on/off operation of the EV indi-
cator can be changed. (
P.108)
■Conditions in which the gaso-
line engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and 
stops automatically. However, it may 
not stop automatic ally in the follow-
ing conditions
*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charging
●When the temperature of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is 
high or low
●When the heater is switched on
*: Depending on the circumstances,  the gasoline engine may also not 
stop automatically  in other situa-
tions.
■Charging the hybrid battery 
(traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the 
hybrid battery (trac tion battery), the 
battery does not need to be charged 
from an outside source. However, if 
the vehicle is left  parked for a long 
time the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) will slowly dis charge. For this 
reason, be sure to drive the vehicle 
at least once every  few months for 
at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 
km). If the hybrid battery (traction 
battery) becomes fully discharged 
and you are unabl e to start the 
hybrid system, contact your Toyota 
dealer. 
Page 75 of 744
751-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
*: This function can only be used in 
the mainland U.S.A. It cannot be 
used in other states and territo-
ries, including Alaska and Hawaii.
This system operates based on 
the driving situation and traffic 
information to enhance fuel 
economy.
For details about Predictive effi-
cient drive (Predictive decelera-
tion support/Predictive SOC 
control), refer to “NAVIGATION 
AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM 
OWNER’S MANUAL”.
■Predictive deceleration sup-
port
 When a predictive decelera-
tion support point registered 
in the navigation system is 
approached, the system turns 
off the “Reference operation 
range” ( ) of the ECO Accel-
erator Guidance ( P.105) on 
the multi-information display 
and encourages the driver to 
reduce excessive accelera-
tion. 
After the accelerator pedal is 
released, the engine braking 
force will be increased 
according to the  driving condi-
tions to more efficiently 
charge the hybrid battery 
(traction battery).
■Predictive SOC control
The following types of control 
are performed based on data 
such as road and traffic informa-
tion during route guidance by 
the navigation system to help 
ensure that the vehicle effi-
ciently uses electricity.
 When there is a long downhill 
slope along the route, the sys-
tem reduces the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) level 
before reaching the slope to 
help ensure charging capacity 
for regenerative braking while 
traveling downhill.
 When traffic congestion is 
predicted along the route, the 
system helps ensure a certain 
battery level before reaching 
congested roads to reduce 
the frequency of starting the 
engine to charge the hybrid 
Predictive efficient drive 
(vehicles with navigation 
system)
*
A 
Page 77 of 744
771-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual 
item.
Warning label
Service plug
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
High voltage cables (orange)
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high 
voltage system (about 650V at maximum) as well as contains 
parts that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is 
operating. Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H 
Page 79 of 744
791-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
There is an air intake vent under 
the right side of the rear seat for 
the purpose of cooling the 
hybrid battery (traction battery). 
If the vent becomes blocked, the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
may overheat, leading to a 
reduction in hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) output.
WA R N I N G
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid 
vehicle, leave the vehicle as 
soon as possible. Never use a 
fire extinguisher that is not 
meant for electric fires. Using 
even a small amount of water 
may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be 
towed, do so with four wheels 
raised. If the wheels connected 
to the electric motor (traction 
motor) are on the ground when 
towing, the motor may continue 
to generate electricity. This may 
cause a fire. ( P.631)
●Carefully inspect the ground 
under the vehicle. If you find 
that liquid has leaked onto the 
ground, the fuel system may 
have been damaged. Leave the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
●Never resell, hand over or mod-
ify the hybrid battery. To prevent 
accidents, hybrid batteries that 
have been removed from a dis-
posed vehicle are collected 
through Toyota dealer. Do not 
dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery  is properly col-
lected, the following may occur, 
resulting in dea th or serious 
injury:
• The hybrid battery may be ille- gally disposed of or dumped, 
and it is hazardous to the envi-
ronment or someone may touch 
a high voltage part, resulting in 
an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to  be used exclusively with your 
hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid bat-
tery is used out side of your 
vehicle or modified in any way, 
accidents such as electric 
shock, heat generation, smoke 
generation, an explosion and 
electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or  handing over 
your vehicle, the  possibility of an 
accident is extremely high 
because the person receiving the 
vehicle may not be aware of these 
dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of 
without the hybrid battery hav-
ing been removed, there is a 
danger of serious electric shock 
if high voltage parts, cables and 
their connectors are touched. In 
the event that your vehicle must 
be disposed of, the hybrid bat-
tery must be disposed of by 
your Toyota dealer or a qualified 
service shop. If the hybrid bat-
tery is not disposed of properly, 
it may cause electric shock that 
can result in dea th or serious 
injury.
Hybrid battery (traction 
battery) air intake vent 
Page 81 of 744
811-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
■If a warning light comes on, a 
warning message is displayed, 
or the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected
The hybrid system  may not start. In 
this case, try to start the system 
again. If the “READY” indicator does 
not come on, contact your Toyota 
dealer. 
Page 82 of 744
821-5. Theft deterrent system
1-5.Theft deterrent system
Vehicles without smart key 
system
The indicator light flashes after 
the key has been removed from 
the power switch to indicate that 
the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing 
after the registered key has 
been inserted into the power 
switch to indicate that the sys-
tem has been canceled.
Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem
The indicator light flashes after 
the power switch has been 
turned to OFF to indicate that 
the system is operating.
The indicator light stops flashing 
after the power switch has been 
turned to ACC or ON to indicate 
that the system has been can-
celed.
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free 
type immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the 
system to malfunction
●If the grip portion  of the key is in 
contact with a  metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or 
touching a key to the security sys-
tem (key with a built-in transpon-
der chip) of another vehicle
Immobilizer system
The vehicle’s keys have 
built-in transponder chips 
that prevent the hybrid sys-
tem from starting if a key 
has not been previously 
registered in the vehicle’s 
on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside 
the vehicle when you leave 
the vehicle.
This system is designed to 
help prevent vehicle theft but 
does not guarantee absolute 
security against all vehicle 
thefts.
Operating the system 
Page 83 of 744
831-5. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
■Certification for the immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in t he U.S.A., Hawaii, Ame rican Samoa, Guam, Saipan 
and Puerto Rico
For vehicles sold in Canada 
Page 85 of 744
851-5. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
*: If equipped
■Items to check before lock-
ing the vehicle
To prevent unexpected trigger-
ing of the alarm and vehicle 
theft, make sure of the following:
 Nobody is in the vehicle.
 The side windows and moon 
roof (if equipped) or pan- oramic moon roof (if 
equipped) are closed before 
the alarm is set.
 No valuables or other per-
sonal items are left in the 
vehicle.
■Setting
Close the doors and hood, and 
lock all the doors. The system 
will be set automatically after 30 
seconds.
The security indicator changes from 
being on to flashing when the sys-
tem is set.
■Canceling or stopping
Do one of the following to deac-
tivate or stop the alarm:
 Unlock the doors.
 Turn the power switch to ACC 
or ON, or start the hybrid sys-
tem. (The alarm will be deacti-
vated or stopped after a few 
seconds.)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free 
type alarm system.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the 
following situations:
Alarm*
The alarm uses light and 
sound to give an alert when 
an intrusion is detected.
The alarm is triggered in the 
following situations when 
the alarm is set:
 Vehicles without smart key 
system: A locked door is 
unlocked or opened in any 
way other than using the 
wireless remote control or 
key. (The doors will lock 
again automatically.)
 Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem: A locked door is 
unlocked or opened in any 
way other than using the 
entry function, wireless 
remote control or mechani-
cal key. (The doors will lock 
again automatically.)
 The hood is opened.
Setting/canceling/stop-
ping the alarm system 
Page 92 of 744
922-1. Instrument cluster
*1: This light illuminates on the multi-information display with a 
message.
*2: Depending on the operating con-ditions of the system, the color 
and state (illuminat ed/blinking) of 
the indicator change.
*3: The light comes on when the  system is turned off.
*4: Intuitive parking assist OFF indi-cator turns on wh en the power 
switch is turned t o ON while the 
Intuitive parking assist function is 
on. It will turn off after a few sec-
onds.
*5: These lights tu rn on when the 
power switch is turned to ON to 
indicate that a  system check is 
being performed.  They will turn 
off after the hybr id system is on, 
or after a few seconds. There 
may be a malfunction in a sys-
tem if the lights do not turn on, or 
turn off. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
*6: This light illuminates on the out- side rear view mirrors.
*7: When the outside temperature is approximately 37°F (3°C) or 
lower, the indicator will flash for 
approximately 10 seconds, then 
stay on.
*8: This light illuminates on the cen-ter panel.
(Flashes)
Slip indicator light*5 
(  P.369)
VSC OFF indicator
*3, 
5
 (  P.369)
PCS warning light
*3, 5 
(  P.251)
BSM outside rear view 
mirror indicators
*5, 6 ( i f  
equipped) ( P.281)
BSM indicator (if 
equipped) ( P.281)
RCTA OFF indicator*3, 5 
(if equipped) (
P.281)
Brake hold standby 
indicator
*5 (  P.227)
Brake hold operated 
indicator
*5 (  P.227)
Security indicator 
(  P.82, 85)
“READY” indicator 
(  P.212, 210)
Low outside tempera-
ture indicator
*7 
(  P.95, 101)
EV indicator ( P.73)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indica-
tor ( P.224)
(Canada)
Parking brake indica-
tor ( P.224)
EV drive mode indica-
tor ( P.217)
Eco drive mode indi-
cator ( P.365)
Sport mode indicator 
( P.365)
Trail Mode indicator 
(  P.366)
“AIR BAG ON/OFF” 
indicator
*5, 8 (  P. 4 5 )