engine TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

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RAV4 PRIME_QG_OM42B93U_(U)
1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system features
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the
actual item.
Gasoline engine
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
The plug-in hybrid system is a system excellent in both econom-
ical efficiency of electric vehicles and practicality of hybrid vehi-
cles.
● EV driving can be performed using electricity charged from an
external power source.
*
●If the amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid battery (t raction
battery) becomes low, the vehicle is automatically controlled i n
such a way that it can be driven as a hybrid vehicle through the
joint use of the gasoline engine.
*: The EV driving range will vary in accordance with conditions s uch as
vehicle speed, the amount of charge remaining in the hybrid bat tery
(traction battery) and the usage of the air conditioning system. The gaso-
line engine may also be used simultaneously in accordance with driving
conditions.
A
B
C

RAV4 PRIME_QG_OM42B93U_(U)
31. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Plug-in hybrid system
■Charging from an external power source
This is a charging method used when charging from an AC outlet
(120 V) with the AC charging cable equipped to the vehicle or
charging at a public charging station.
The charging start time (or departure time) and day can be set to carry
out charging using the charging schedule at the desired date an d time.
■
Using the hybrid battery (tr action battery) charge mode
The plug-in hybrid system can be switched to hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) charge mode to charge the hybrid battery (tractio n bat-
tery) using electric ity generated by gas oline engine operation.
The maximum charge amount in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
charge mode is approximately 80% of the fully charged capacity for the
charging from an external power source.
Types of charging methods

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1. Plug-in hybrid system
■EV mode
When a sufficient amount of
electricity is remaining after
charging, EV driving is per-
formed using electricity stored
in the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
When in EV mode, the EV drive
mode indicator illuminates.
■
AUTO EV/HV mode
Normally, the electricity stored
in the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is used for EV driving.
However, when more power is
required, such as for driving
uphill or accelerating suddenly,
the gasoline engine starts and
provides powerful acceleration
by strongly depressing the
accelerator pedal.
When the vehicle is in a conditi on where EV driving is possible , EV
mode and AUTO EV/HV mode can be switched by operating the
switch.
When in AUTO EV/HV mode, the AUTO EV/HV mode indicator illumi-
nates.
Plug-in hybrid syst em operation mode

RAV4 PRIME_QG_OM42B93U_(U)
51. Plug-in hybrid system
1
Plug-in hybrid system
■HV mode
When in HV mode, the vehicle
is driven using both the gaso-
line engine and electric motor.• If electricity needed for EV driving in EV mode or AUTO
EV/HV mode is not remain-
ing, the operation mode will
be automatically switched to
HV mode.
• The operation mode can be switched to HV mode at any timing by operating the switch to keep electricity for EV driving etc.
Switching to HV mode when driving on a highway or when driv-
ing uphill is recomme nded in order to conse rve battery power.
When in HV mode, the HV drive mode indicator illuminates.
■
Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
Electricity generated in the gas-
oline engine can be charged in
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) by switching to the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode when electricity needed
for EV driving is not remaining. • The system may not be able to switch to the hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge
mode due to the state of the
plug-in hybrid system.
• Charging time differs depending on the driving state of the ve hi-
cle when driving in hybrid batte ry (traction battery) charge mode.
When in the hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode, the hybrid
battery charge mode indicator illuminates.

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RAV4 PRIME_QG_OM42B93U_(U)
1. Plug-in hybrid system
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
●The following may occur to protect the system, etc.
• Cannot switch to hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode or cannot
cancel it
• Gasoline engine does not start or stops even after switching to hybrid bat- tery (traction battery) charge mode
● If a load to the system is large, such as when the power consumption of the
air conditioning system is large or when the temperature of the engine cool-
ant is high, it may take longer time than usual to charge using the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) charge mode, or charging to the hybrid battery
(traction battery) may not be performed.
When driving with the gasolin e engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accordance with the driving speed, will be played in order
to warn people nearby of the vehicle’s approach.
The sound will stop when the vehicle speed exceeds approximatel y 22
mph (35 km/h).
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

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3. Things you must know
Things you must know
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in conjunction with the rech arging 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.
■ Gasoline engine operation in EV mode or AUTO EV/HV mode
Even if there is a sufficient amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and EV driving range is being displayed on the multi-
information display, EV driving (driving using only the electri c motor) may be
canceled and both gasoline engine and electric motor are used depending on
the situation (EV driving will be returned to automatically aft er EV driving
becomes possible again).
EV driving may be canceled automatically in the following circu mstances
*1:
● When vehicle speed is more than approximately 84 mph (135 km/h) .
● When power is needed temporarily, for example when the accelera tor pedal
is depressed firmly or when accelerating suddenly.
*2
● When the temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● When the temperature of the hybrid system is low.
● When the heater is switched on when the outside temperature is below
about 14°F (-10°C).
● When the windshield defogger switch is pressed.
● When the system determines that the gasoline engine needs to be started.
*1: The gasoline engine may also operate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on conditions.
*2: When driving in AUTO EV/HV mode. Even in EV mode, the gasolineengine may start, depending on the condition of the hybrid battery (traction
battery).

RAV4 PRIME_QG_OM42B93U_(U)
333. Things you must know
3
Things you must know
■Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions
*:
● During gasoline engine warm-up
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low
● When the windshield defogger switch is pressed.
*: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in situations other than those above.
WARNING
■ While driving
The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the v ehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even though
the vehicle is equipped with the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Syst em, drive with
care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the ve hicle if the sur-
rounding area is noisy.
NOTICE
■ DC/DC converter air intake vent
● Make sure not to block the air intake vent with anything, such as a seat
cover, plastic cover, or luggage. Blocking the air intake vent may prevent
the plug-in hybrid system from operating properly.
● When dust etc. has accumulated in the air intake vent, clean it with a vac-
uum cleaner to prevent the vent from clogging.
● Do not wet or allow foreign substances to enter the air vent as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the DC/DC converter.
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottle s in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the DC/DC converter, the converte r may be
damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
● A filter is installed to the air intake vent. When the filter r emains noticeably
dirty even after cleaning the air intake vent, filter cleaning or replacement
is recommended. When cleaning the filter, refer to “OWNER’S MAN UAL”.
● If “Maintenance required for DCDC converter cooling parts See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the multi-information display, the air intake vent and
filter may be clogged. Refer to “OWNER’S MANUAL” for information on
how to clean the air intake vent.

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3. Things you must know
NOTICE
■Notice about fuel
● For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 12 m onths (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine .
● If the vehicle has not been refueled for a certain amount of ti me and it is
possible that the quality of the fuel remaining in the tank has changed, “No
New Fuel has been Added Recently Please refuel” is displayed on the
multi-information display when the power switch is turned to ON. If the
message is displayed, refuel the vehicle immediately.