TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual
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8 
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
■If you have a flat front tire on a road  
covered with snow or ice (except  235/55R19 tires) 
Install the compact spare tire on one of  
the rear wheels of t he vehicle. Perform  
the following steps and  fit tire chains to  the front tires: 
1 Replace a rear tire with the compact spare tire. 
2 Replace the flat front tire with the tire removed from the rear of the vehicle. 
3 Fit tire chains to the front tires.
■Certification for the jack 
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6008-2. Steps to take in an emergency
WARNING
■When using the compact spare  
tire
●Remember that the compact spare  tire provided is specifically  
designed for use with your vehicle. 
Do not use your compact spare tire  on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one compact  
spare tire simultaneously.
●Replace the compact spare tire with 
a standard tire as soon as possible.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt 
steering, sudden braking and shift - ing operations that cause sudden  
engine braking.
■When the compact spare tire is 
attached 
The vehicle speed may not be cor - rectly detected, and the following sys - 
tems may not oper ate correctly: 
• ABS & Brake assist 
• VSC/Trailer Sway Control 
•TRC 
• Cruise control (if equipped) 
• Dynamic radar cruise control with  
full-speed range (if equipped) 
• PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if  
equipped) 
• EPS
• LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) (if  
equipped) 
• Tire pressure warning system 
• AHB (Automatic  High Beam) (if  equipped) 
• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if  equipped) 
• Rear view monitor system (if  equipped)
• Panoramic view monitor (if equipped) 
• Toyota parking assist monitor (if  equipped) 
• Toyota parking assist-sensor (if  equipped) 
• PKSB (Parking Support Brake) (if  equipped) 
• Navigation system  (if equipped) 
Also, not only can  the following sys- 
tem not be utilized fully, but it may  actually negatively affect the drive- 
train components: 
• E-Four (Electro nic On-Demand  AWD system)
■Speed limit when using the com - pact spare tire 
Do not drive at speeds in excess of 80  
km/h (50 mph) when a compact spare  tire is installed on the vehicle. 
The compact spare tire is not  
designed for driving at high speeds.  Failure to observe  this precaution  
may lead to an accident causing 
death or serious injury.
■After using the tools and jack 
Before driving, make sure all the tools  and jack are securely in place in their  
storage location to reduce the possi - 
bility of personal i njury during a colli- sion or sudden braking.
NOTICE
■Be careful when driving over  
bumps with the compact spare 
tire installed on the vehicle 
The vehicle height may become lower  
when driving with the compact spare 
tire compared to w hen driving with  standard tires. Be  careful when driv- 
ing over uneven road surfaces. 
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8 
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
One of the following may be the  
cause of the problem: 
 The AC charging cable may be  
attached to the vehicle. 
( →P.135) 
 The electronic key may not be  
functioning properly. ( →P.604) 
 There may not be sufficient fuel  
in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle. ( →P.342) 
 There may be a malfunction in  
the immobilizer system. ( →P.76) 
 There may be a malfunction in  
the steering lock system. 
 The hybrid system may be mal- 
functioning due to  an electrical  
problem such as electronic key 
battery depletion or a blown fuse. 
However, depending on the type 
of malfunction, an interim mea - 
sure is available to start the 
hybrid system. ( →P.602) 
 There is a possibility that the 
NOTICE
■Driving with tire chains and the  
compact spare tire 
Do not fit tire chai ns to the compact  spare tire. 
Tire chains may damage the vehicle  
body and adversely a ffect driving per- formance.
■When replacing the tires 
When removing or fitting the wheels,  tires or the tire pressure warning  
valve and transmitter, contact any 
authorized Toyota ret ailer or Toyota  authorized repairer, or any reliable  
repairer as the tire pressure warning 
valve and transmitter may be dam - aged if not handled correctly.
If the hybrid system will  
not start
Reasons for the hybrid system  
not starting vary depending on 
the situation. Check the follow - 
ing and perform the appropri - 
ate procedure:
The hybrid system will not  
start even though the cor - 
rect starting procedure is  
being followed ( →P.317) 
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6028-2. Steps to take in an emergency
temperature of the hybrid battery  
(traction battery) is extremely low 
(approximately below -30°C [-
22°F]). ( →P.318) 
One of the following may be the  
cause of the problem: 
 The 12-volt battery may be dis- 
charged. ( →P.606) 
 The 12-volt battery terminal con- 
nections may be loose or cor - 
roded. ( →P.508) 
One of the following may be the  
cause of the problem: 
 The 12-volt battery may be dis- 
charged. ( →P.606) 
 One or both of the 12-volt battery  
terminals may be disconnected. 
( →P.508) 
Contact any authorized Toyota  
retailer or Toyota authorized 
repairer, or any reliable repairer if 
the problem cannot be repaired, or 
if repair procedures are unknown. 
When the hybrid system does not  
start, the following steps can be 
used as an interim measure to start 
the hybrid system if the power 
switch is functioning normally.
Do not use this starting procedure 
except in cases of emergency. 
1 Pull the parking brake switch to  
check that the parking brake is 
set. ( →P.326)
Parking brake indicator will come on.
2Shift the shift lever to P. 
3 Turn the power switch to ACC. 
4 Press and hold the power switch  
for about 15 seconds while 
depressing the brake pedal 
firmly. 
Even if the hybrid system can be  
started using the above steps, the 
system may be malfunctioning. 
Have the vehicle inspected by any 
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota 
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer.
The interior lights and head - 
lights are dim, or the horn  
does not sound or sounds at 
a low volume
The interior lights and head - 
lights do not turn on, or the 
horn does not sound
Starting the hybrid system  
in an emergency 
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8 
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
1 Remove the cover inside the  
luggage compartment by insert - 
ing a screwdriver.
When removing the cover, to prevent  damage, cover the tip of the screw - 
driver with a rag.
2 Pull the lever.
Using the lever to open the fuel filler  
door may not allow for an adequate 
reduction in fuel tank pressure before  refueling. To prevent fuel from spilling  
out, turn the cap slowly when removing 
it. 
During refueling, fuel may spill out from  
the filler opening  due to air being dis- 
charged from insi de the fuel tank. 
If you lose your keys
New genuine keys can be  
made by any authorized 
Toyota retailer or Toyota 
authorized repairer, or any reli - 
able repairer using the other 
key and the key number 
stamped on your key number 
plate. Keep the plate in a safe 
place such as your wallet, not 
in the vehicle.
NOTICE
■When an electron ic key is lost 
If the electronic ke y remains lost, the  
risk of vehicle theft increases signifi - cantly. Visit any authorized Toyota  
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, 
or any reliable repairer immediately  with all remaining electronic keys that  
were provided with your vehicle.
If the fuel filler door can- 
not be opened
If the fuel filler door opener  
switch cannot be operated, 
contact any authorized Toyota 
retailer or Toyota authorized 
repairer, or any reliable 
repairer to service the vehicle. 
In case where refueling is 
urgently necessary, the follow - 
ing procedure can be used to 
open the fuel filler door.
Opening the fuel filler door 
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6048-2. Steps to take in an emergency 
Therefore, fill the fuel tank carefully and  
slowly.
■When the electronic key does not  work properly
●Make sure that the smart entry & start system has not been deactivated in  
the customization setting. If it is off, 
turn the function on.  (Customizable features:  →P.633)
●Check if battery-saving mode is set. If  
it is set, cancel  the function. (→P.225)
Use the mechanical key (→P.204) 
If the electronic key  
does not operate prop-
erly
If communication between the  
electronic key and vehicle is 
interrupted ( →P.225) or the  
electronic key cannot be used 
because the battery is 
depleted, the smart entry & 
start system, push button start 
and wireless re mote control  
cannot be used. In such cases, 
the doors can be opened and 
the hybrid system can be 
started by following the proce - 
dure below.
NOTICE
■In case of a smart entry & start  
system malfunction, or other key 
related problems 
Take your vehicle  with all the elec- 
tronic keys provided with your vehicle 
to any authorized Toyota retailer or  Toyota authorized repairer, or any  
reliable repairer.
Locking and unlocking the  
doors 
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605
8 
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
in order to perform the following  
operations. 
1 Locks all the doors 
2 Unlocks all the doors
■Key linked functions 
1 Closes the windows and the pan- 
oramic moon roof*1 (turn and hold)*2
2 Opens the windows and the pan- 
oramic moon roof*1 (turn and hold)*2 
*1: If equipped
*2: These settings must be customized  
at any authorized Toyota retailer or 
Toyota authorized repairer, or any 
reliable repairer.
1 Ensure that the shift lever is in P  
and depress the brake pedal. 
2 Touch the area behind the but- 
tons on the electronic key to the 
power switch.
When the electronic k ey is detected, a  
buzzer sounds and the power switch 
will turn to ON. 
When the smart entr y & start system is  
deactivated in customization setting, 
the power switch  will turn to ACC.
3Firmly depress the brake pedal  
and check that   is dis -
WARNING
■When using the mechanical key  
and operating the power win - 
dows or the pa noramic moon  roof (if equipped)  
Operate the powe r window or the  
panoramic moon roof after checking  to make sure that th ere is no possibil- 
ity of any passeng er having any of  
their body parts caught in the window 
or the panoramic moon roof. Also, do  not allow children to operate the  
mechanical key. It i s possible for chil- 
dren and other passengers to get  caught in the power window or the  
panoramic moon roof.
Starting the hybrid system 
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6068-2. Steps to take in an emergency
played on the multi-information  
display. 
4 Press the power switch shortly  
and firmly. 
In the event that the hybrid system  
still cannot be st arted, contact any  
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota 
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer.
■Stopping the hybrid system 
Shift the shift lever to P, set the parking  
brake and press the  power switch as  you normally do when stopping the  
hybrid system.
■Replacing the key battery 
As the above procedure is a temporary  measure, it is rec ommended that the  
electronic key battery be replaced 
immediately when  the battery is  depleted. ( →P.543)
■Alarm (if equipped) 
Using the mechanical key to lock the  
doors will not set the alarm system. 
If a door is unlocked using the mechani - 
cal key when the al arm system is set,  
the alarm may be triggered. ( →P.78)
■Changing power switch modes 
Release the brake pedal and press the  power switch in step  3 above. 
The hybrid system  does not start and  
modes will be changed each time the  switch is pressed. ( →P.320)
If you have a set of jumper (or  
booster) cables an d a second vehi- 
cle with a 12-volt battery, you can 
jump start your vehicle by following  
the steps below. 
1 Vehicles with alarm (→P.78)  
Confirm that the electronic key 
is being carried.
When connecting the jumper (or  booster) cables, depending on the situ - 
ation, the alarm ma y activate and the  
doors locked. ( →P.79)
2Open the hood (→P.498) and  
fuse box cover.
If the 12-volt battery is  
discharged
The following procedures may  
be used to start the hybrid sys - 
tem if the vehicle’s 12-volt bat - 
tery is discharged.
You can also call any autho - 
rized Toyota ret ailer or Toyota  
authorized repairer, or any reli - 
able repairer or a qualified 
repair shop.
Restarting the hybrid sys - 
tem 
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8 
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
Push claw ( ) and ( ) to com - 
pletely release the lock, and then lift up  the cover.
3 Open the exclusive jump start- 
ing terminal cover. 
4 Connect a positive jumper cable clamp to   on your vehicle and con- 
nect the clamp on the other end o f the positive cable to   on the sec- 
ond vehicle. Then, connect a ne gative cable clamp to   on the second  
vehicle and connect the clamp at  the other end of the negative cable to  
. 
Exclusive jump starting terminal (your vehicle) 
Positive (+) battery terminal (second vehicle) 
Negative (-) battery terminal (second vehicle) 
Solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point away from the exclu sive jump  
starting terminal and any moving parts as shown in the illustra tion 
5 Start the engine of the second  
vehicle. Increase the engine  
speed slightly and maintain at  
that level for a pproximately 5 
AB
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D 
Page 610 of 666
6088-2. Steps to take in an emergency
minutes to recharge the 12-volt  
battery of your vehicle. 
6 Open and close any of the doors  
of your vehicle with the power 
switch off. 
7 Maintain the engine speed of  
the second vehicle and start the 
hybrid system of your vehicle by 
turning the power switch to ON. 
8 Make sure the “READY” indica- 
tor comes on. If the indicator 
light does not come on, contact 
any authorized Toyota retailer or 
Toyota authorized repairer, or 
any reliable repairer. 
9 Once the hybrid system has  
started, remove the jumper 
cables in the exact reverse 
order from which they were con - 
nected. 
10 Close the exclusive jump start- 
ing terminal cover, and reinstall 
the fuse box cover to its original 
position. 
Once the hybrid system starts,  
have the vehicle inspected at any 
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota 
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer as soon as possible.
■Starting the hybrid system when  
the 12-volt battery is discharged 
The hybrid system c annot be started by  push-starting.
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis - 
charge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio 
system while the hybrid system is off.
●Turn off any unnecessary electrical 
components when the vehicle is run - ning at a low speed for an extended  
period, such as in heavy traffic.
■When the 12-volt battery is 
removed or discharged
●Information stored in the ECU is 
cleared. When the 12 -volt battery is  depleted, have the  vehicle inspected  
at any authorized Toyota retailer or 
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reli - able repairer.
●Some systems may r equire initializa- tion. ( →P.643)
■When removing the 12-volt battery  
terminals 
When the 12-volt batte ry terminals are  removed, the in formation stored in the  
ECU is cleared. Before removing the 12-
volt battery termi nals, contact any  authorized Toyota r etailer or Toyota  
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer.
■Charging the 12-volt battery 
The electricity stor ed in the 12-volt bat- 
tery will discharge gr adually even when  
the vehicle is not in  use, due to natural  discharge and the dr aining effects of  
certain electrical appliances. If the vehi - 
cle is left for a long  time, the 12-volt bat- tery may discharge, and the hybrid  
system may be unable t o start. (The 12- 
volt battery recharges automatically  while the hybrid syst em is operating.)
■When recharging or replacing the  
12-volt battery
●In some cases, it may not be possible 
to unlock the doors using the smart 
entry & start system  when the 12-volt  
battery is discharged. Use the wire - less remote control o r the mechanical  
key to lock or unlock the doors.
●The hybrid system may not start on 
the first attempt after reinstalling the 
12-volt battery. In t hat case, start the  hybrid system in t he same manner as  
when the electr onic key does not  
operate properly ( →P.605). This is not