TOYOTA RAV4 2021 Owners Manual (in English)
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2021, Model line: RAV4, Model: TOYOTA RAV4 2021Pages: 748, PDF Size: 30.79 MB
Page 661 of 748

6618-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
●Avoid sudden acceleration, 
abrupt steering, sudden brak-
ing and shifting operations that 
cause sudden engine braking.
■When the compact spare tire 
is attached
The vehicle speed may not be 
correctly detecte d, and the follow-
ing systems may not operate cor-
rectly:
• ABS & Brake assist
• VSC/Trailer Sway Control
•TRAC
• Dynamic radar cruise control 
with full-speed range
• PCS (Pre-Collision System)
•EPS
• LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
• Tire pressure warning system (if  equipped)
• AHB (Automatic High Beam)
• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if  equipped)
• Downhill assist control system  (if equipped)
• Rear view monitor system (if  equipped)
• Panoramic view monitor (if  equipped)
• Toyota parking assist monitor (if  equipped)
• Intuitive parking assist (if  equipped)
• Navigation system (if equipped)
Also, not only c an the following 
systems not be ut ilized fully, but 
they may actually negatively 
affect the drive-train components:
• Dynamic Torque Control AWD 
system (if equipped)
• Dynamic Torque Vectoring  AWD system (if equipped)
■Speed limit when using the 
compact spare tire
Do not drive at speeds in excess 
of 50 mph (80 km /h) when a com-
pact 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 acci-
dent causing death or serious 
injury.
■After using the tools and jack
Before driving, ma ke sure all the 
tools and jack are securely in 
place in their storage location to 
reduce the possibility of personal 
injury during a collision 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 drivi ng with the com-
pact spare tire compared to when 
driving with standard tires. Be 
careful when driving over uneven 
road surfaces. 
Page 662 of 748

6628-2. Steps to take in an emergency
One of the following may be the 
cause of the problem:
There may not be sufficient 
fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
 The engine may be flooded.
Try to restart the engine again 
following correct starting pro-
cedures. ( P.195, 196)
 There may be a malfunction 
in the engine immobilizer sys-
tem. ( P.70)
One of the following may be the 
cause of the problem:
 The battery may be dis-
charged. ( P.666)
NOTICE
■Driving with tire chains and 
the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the com-
pact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehi-
cle body and adversely affect driv-
ing performance.
■When replacing the tires 
(vehicles with tire pressure 
warning system)
When removing or fitting the 
wheels, tires or the tire pressure 
warning valve and transmitter, 
contact your Toyota dealer as the 
tire pressure warning valve and 
transmitter may be damaged if not 
handled correctly.
If the engine will not 
start
If the engine will not start 
even though correct start-
ing procedures are being 
followed ( P.195, 196), con-
sider each of the following 
points:
The engine will not start 
even though the starter 
motor operates normally
The starter motor turns 
over slowly, the interior 
lights and headlights are 
dim, or the horn does not 
sound or sounds at a low 
volume 
Page 663 of 748

6638-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
The battery terminal connec-
tions may be loose or cor-
roded.
The engine starting system may 
be malfunctioning due to an 
electrical problem such as elec-
tronic key battery depletion or a 
blown fuse. However, an interim 
measure is available to start the 
engine. ( P.663)
One of the following may be the 
cause of the problem:
 The battery may be dis-
charged. ( P.666)
 One or both of the battery ter-
minals may be disconnected.
 There may be a malfunction 
in the steering lock system 
(vehicles with smart key sys-
tem).
Contact your Toyota dealer if 
the problem cannot be repaired, 
or if repair procedures are 
unknown. When the engine does not start, 
the following steps can be used 
as an interim measure to start 
the engine if the engine switch is 
functioning normally:
1
Pull the parking brake switch 
to check that the parking 
brake is set. ( P.205)
Parking brake indicator will come 
on.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Turn the engine switch to 
ACC.
4 Press and hold the engine 
switch for about 15 seconds 
while depressing the brake 
pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be 
started using the above steps, 
the system may be malfunction-
ing. Have the vehicle inspected 
by your Toyota dealer.
The starter motor does 
not turn over (vehicles 
with smart key system)
The starter motor does 
not turn over, the interior 
lights and headlights do 
not turn on, or the horn 
does not sound
Emergency start function 
(vehicles with smart key 
system) 
Page 664 of 748

6648-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■When the electronic key does 
not work properly
●Make sure that the smart key sys-
tem has not been deactivated in 
the customization setting. If it is 
off, turn the function on. 
(Customizable features:  P.703)
●Check if battery-saving mode is 
set. If it is set, cancel the function. 
( P.130)
Use the mechanical key 
( P.107) in order to perform the 
If you lose your keys
New genuine keys can be 
made by your Toyota dealer 
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 electronic key is lost 
(if equipped)
If the electronic key remains lost, 
the risk of vehicle theft increases 
significantly. Visit your Toyota 
dealer immediately with all 
remaining electronic keys that 
were provided wit h your vehicle.
If the electronic key 
does not operate prop-
erly (vehicles with 
smart key system)
If communication between 
the electronic key and vehi-
cle is interrupted ( P.130) 
or the electronic key cannot 
be used because the battery 
is depleted, the smart key 
system and wireless remote 
control cannot be used. In 
such cases, the doors can 
be opened and the engine 
can be started by following 
the procedure below.
NOTICE
■In case of a smart key system 
malfunction, o r other key 
related problems
Take your vehicle with all the 
electronic keys provided with your 
vehicle to your  Toyota dealer.
Locking and unlocking 
the doors 
Page 665 of 748

6658-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
following operations.
1Locks all the doors
2 Unlocks the door
Turning the key rearward unlocks 
the driver’s door. Turning the key 
once again within 5 seconds 
unlocks the other doors.
■Key linked functions
1 Closes the windows and the 
moon roof
*1 or panoramic moon 
roof
*1 (turn and hold)*2
2 Opens the windows and the 
moon roof
*1 or panoramic moon 
roof
*1 (turn and hold)*2
*1
: If equipped
*2: These settings must be custom- ized at your Toyota dealer.
1 Ensure that the shift lever is 
in P and depress the brake 
pedal.
2 Touch the Toyota emblem 
side of the electronic key to 
the engine switch.
When the electronic key is 
detected, a buzzer sounds and the 
engine switch will turn to ON.
When the smart key system is 
deactivated in customization set-
ting, the engine s witch will turn to 
ACC.
WARNING
■When using the mechanical 
key and operating the power 
windows or the moon roof (if 
equipped) or panoramic 
moon roof (if equipped)
Operate the power window or the 
moon roof or panoramic moon 
roof after checking to make sure 
that there is no p ossibility of any 
passenger having any of their 
body parts caught in the window 
or the moon roof or panoramic 
moon roof. Also, d o not allow chil-
dren to operate t he mechanical 
key. It is possible for children and 
other passengers to get caught in 
the power window or the moon 
roof or panoramic moon roof.
Starting the engine 
Page 666 of 748

6668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
3Firmly depress the brake 
pedal and check that   
is displayed on the multi-
information display.
4 Press the engine switch 
shortly and firmly.
In the event that the engine still 
cannot be started, contact your 
Toyota dealer.
■Stopping the engine
Shift the shift lever to P, set the 
parking brake and press the engine 
switch as you no rmally do when 
stopping the engine.
■Replacing the key battery
As the above proc edure is a tempo-
rary measure, it is recommended 
that the electronic key battery be 
replaced immediate ly when the bat-
tery is depleted. ( P.613)
■Alarm (Canada only)
If a door is unlocked using the 
mechanical key when the alarm sys-
tem is set, the alarm may be trig-
gered.
*
*
: These settings must be custom- ized at your To yota dealer.
■Changing engine switch modes
Release the brake pedal and press 
the engine switch in step  3 above.
The engine does not start and 
modes will be cha nged each time 
the switch is pressed. ( P.199)
If you have a set of jumper (or 
booster) cables and a second 
vehicle with a 12-volt battery, 
you can jump start your vehicle 
by following the steps below.
1Vehicles with alarm: Confirm 
that the electronic key is 
being carried.
When connecting the jumper (or 
booster) cables, depending on the 
situation, the alarm may activate 
and the doors locked. ( P.74)
2 Open the hood. ( P.579)
If the vehicle battery 
is discharged
The following procedures 
may be used to start the 
engine if the vehicle’s bat-
tery is discharged.
You can also call your 
Toyota dealer or a qualified 
repair shop.
Restarting the engine 
Page 667 of 748

6678-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
3Connect a positive jumper cable clamp to   on your vehicle and 
connect the clamp on the other end of the positive cable to   on  
the second vehicle. Then, connect a negative cable clamp to   
on the second vehicle and connect the clamp at the other end of 
the negative cable to  .
Positive (+) battery terminal (your vehicle)
Positive (+) battery terminal (second vehicle)
Negative (-) battery term inal (second vehicle)
Solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point away from the batte ry 
and any moving parts as shown in the illustration
4 Start the engine of the sec-
ond vehicle. Increase the 
engine speed slightly and 
maintain at that level for 
approximately 5 minutes to 
recharge the battery of your 
vehicle.
5 Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem only: Open and close 
any of the doors of your vehi-
cle with the engine switch 
OFF.
6 Vehicles without smart key 
system: Maintain the engine  speed of the second vehicle 
and start the engine of your 
vehicle.
Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem: Maintain the engine 
speed of the second vehicle 
and start the engine of your 
vehicle by turning the engine 
switch to ON.
7 Once the vehicle’s engine 
has started, remove the 
jumper cables in the exact 
reverse order from which 
they were connected.A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D 
Page 668 of 748

6688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Once the engine starts, have the 
vehicle inspected at your Toyota 
dealer as soon as possible.
■Starting the engine when the 
battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started by 
push-starting.
■To prevent battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the 
audio system while  the engine is 
stopped.
(Vehicles with Stop  & Start system: 
Except when the engine is stopped 
due to the Stop & Start system)
●Turn off any unnec essary electri-
cal components when the vehicle 
is running at a low speed for an 
extended period, such as in heavy 
traffic.
■When the battery is removed or 
discharged
●Information stor ed in the ECU is 
cleared. When the battery is 
depleted, have the vehicle 
inspected at your Toyota dealer.
●Some systems may  require initial-
ization. ( P.712)
■When removing the battery ter-
minals
When the battery terminals are 
removed, the information stored in 
the ECU is cleared . Before remov-
ing the battery terminals, contact 
your Toyota dealer.
■Charging the battery
The electricity stor ed in the battery 
will discharge gradu ally even when 
the vehicle is not i n use, due to nat-
ural discharge and the draining 
effects of certain  electrical appli-
ances. If the vehicle is left for a long 
time, the battery may discharge, 
and the engine ma y be unable to 
start. (The battery recharges auto-
matically during driving.)
■When recharging or replacing 
the battery (vehicles without 
smart key start system)
The engine may not start on the first 
attempt after th e battery has 
recharged but will start normally 
after the second attempt. This is not 
a malfunction.
■When recharging or replacing 
the battery (vehicles with smart 
key system)
●In some cases, it may not be pos-
sible to unlock the doors using the 
smart key system when the bat-
tery is discharged. Use the wire-
less remote control or the 
mechanical key to lock or unlock 
the doors.
●The engine may not start on the 
first attempt after  the battery has 
recharged but will start normally 
after the second attempt. This is 
not a malfunction.
●The engine switch mode is memo-
rized by the vehicle. When the 
battery is reconnected, the system 
will return to the mode it was in 
before the bat tery was dis-
charged. Before disconnecting the 
battery, turn the engine switch to 
OFF. 
If you are unsure what mode the 
engine switch wa s in before the 
battery discharged, be especially 
careful when reconnecting the 
battery.
■When the battery is removed or 
discharged (vehicles with Stop 
& Start system)
The Stop & Start system may not 
automatically stop the engine for up 
to an hour.
■When replacing the battery
●Vehicles with Stop & Start system:
Use a genuine battery specifically 
designed for use with the Stop & 
Start system or a battery with equiv-
alent specifications to a genuine 
battery. If an unsup ported battery is 
used, Stop & Start system functions  
Page 669 of 748

6698-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
may be restricted to protect the bat-
tery. Also, battery performance may 
decrease and the engine may not 
be able to restart. Contact your 
Toyota dealer for details.
●Use a battery tha t conforms to 
European regulations.
●Type A:
Use a battery that the case size is 
same as the previous one (LN3), 20 
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-
alent (65Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent 
(603A) or greater.
Type B:
Use a battery that the case size is 
same as the previous one (LN2), 20 
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-
alent (60Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent 
(360A) or greater.
Type C:
Use a battery that the case size is 
same as the previous one (LN2), 20 
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-
alent (60Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent 
(563A) or greater.
• If the sizes differ, the battery can- not be properly secured.
• If the 20 hour rate  capacity is low, 
even if the time period where the 
vehicle is not used is a short time, 
the battery may discharge and 
engine may not be able to start.
WARNING
■When removing the battery 
terminals
Always remove the negative (-) 
terminal first. If the positive (+) ter-
minal contacts any metal in the 
surrounding area when the posi-
tive (+) terminal is removed, a 
spark may occur, l eading to a fire 
in addition to electrical shocks 
and death or serious injury.
■Avoiding battery fires or 
explosions
Observe the following precautions 
to prevent accidentally igniting the 
flammable gas that may be emit-
ted from the battery:
●Make sure each jumper cable is 
connected to the correct termi-
nal and that it is not unintention-
ally in contact with any other 
than the intended terminal.
●Do not allow the other end of 
the jumper cable connected to 
the “+” terminal to come into 
contact with any other parts or 
metal surfaces in the area, such 
as brackets or unpainted metal.
●Do not allow the + and - clamps 
of the jumper cables to come 
into contact with each other.
●Do not smoke, u se matches, 
cigarette lighters or allow open 
flame near the battery.
■Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous 
and corrosive acidic electrolyte, 
while related parts contain lead 
and lead compounds. Observe 
the following precautions when 
handling the battery:
●When working with the battery, 
always wear safety glasses and 
take care not to allow any bat-
tery fluids (acid) to come into 
contact with skin, clothing or the 
vehicle body.
●Do not lean over the battery.
●In the event that battery fluid 
comes into contact with the skin 
or eyes, immediately wash the 
affected area  with water and 
seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth 
over the affected area until 
medical attention can be 
received. 
Page 670 of 748

6708-2. Steps to take in an emergency
1Stop the vehicle in a safe 
place and turn off the air con-
ditioning system, and then 
stop the engine.
2 If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after 
the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
WARNING
●Always wash your hands after 
handling the battery support, 
terminals, and other battery-
related parts.
●Do not allow child ren near the 
battery.
■When replacing the battery
For information regarding battery 
replacement, contact your Toyota 
dealer.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper 
cables, ensure that they do not 
become entangled in the cooling 
fan or engine drive belt.
If your vehicle over-
heats
The following may indicate 
that your vehicle is over-
heating.
 The needle of the engine 
coolant temperature gauge 
( P.82, 85) enters the red 
zone or a loss of engine 
power is experienced. (For 
example, the vehicle speed 
does not increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High 
Stop in a Safe Place See 
Owner’s Manual” is shown 
on the multi-information dis-
play.
 Steam comes out from 
under the hood.
Correction procedures