Towing TOYOTA RAV4 2023 Owner's Manual

2804-5. Using the driving support systems
a vehicle remains in the detection
area
• When driving up and down con-
secutive steep inclines, such as
hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp
bends, consecutive curves, or
uneven surfaces
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or
when driving on the edge of a
lane, and the vehicle in an adja-
cent lane is far away from your
vehicle
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle carrier) is installed to the
rear of the vehicle
• When there is a significant differ- ence in height between your vehi-
cle and the vehicle that enters the
detection area
• Immediately after the Blind Spot
Monitor is turned on
• When towing with the vehicle
●Instances of unnecessary detec-
tion may increase in situations
such as the follo wing (while driv-
ing):
• When the sensor is misaligned
due to a strong impact to the sen-
sor or its surrounding area
• When the distanc e between your
vehicle and a guar drail, wall, etc.
that enters the detection area is
short
• When driving up and down con-
secutive steep inclines, such as
hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or
when driving on the edge of a
lane, and a vehicle traveling in a
lane other than the adjacent lanes
enters the detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or
uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distanc e between your
vehicle and a following vehicle is
short
• When an accessory (such as a
bicycle carrier) is installed to the
rear of the vehicle
• When towing with the vehicle
*: If equipped
■Location and types of sen-
sors
Front corner sensors
Front center sensors
Rear corner sensors
Rear center sensors
■Display (Multi-information
display)
When the sensors detect an
object, such as a wall, a graphic
is shown on the multi-informa-
Intuitive parking
assist*
The distance from your
vehicle to objects, such as a
wall, when parallel parking
or maneuvering into a
garage is measured by the
sensors and communicated
via the multi-information
display or Multimedia Dis-
play and a buzzer. Always
check the surrounding area
when using this system.
System components
A
B
C
D

2844-5. Using the driving support systems
●Low objects
●Tall objects with upper sections
projecting outwards in the direc-
tion of your vehicle
People may not be detected if they
are wearing certain types of cloth-
ing.
■Situations in which the system
may not operate properly
Certain vehicle conditions and the
surrounding environment may affect
the ability of a sensor to correctly
detect objects. Particular instances
where this may occur are listed
below.
●There is dirt, snow or ice on a sen-
sor. (Cleaning the sensors will
resolve this problem.)
●A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the
area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a
sensor is frozen the sensor dis-
play may be displayed abnor-
mally, or objects, such as a wall,
may not be detected.
●When a sensor or the area around
a sensor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on
an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
●When vehicle horns, vehicle
detectors, motorcycle engines, air
brakes of large vehicles, the clear-
ance sonar of other vehicles or
other devices which produce ultra-
sonic waves are near the vehicle.
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of
spray or heavy rain.
●If objects draw too close to the
sensor.
●When a pedestrian is wearing clothing that does not reflect ultra-
sonic waves (ex. skirts with gath-
ers or frills).
●When objects that are not perpen-
dicular to the ground, not perpen-
dicular to the vehicle traveling
direction, uneven, or waving are in
the detection range.
●Strong wind is blowing.
●When driving in inclement weather
such as fog, snow or a sandstorm.
●When an object that cannot be
detected is between the vehicle
and a detected object.
●If an object such as a vehicle,
motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian
cuts in front of the
vehicle or runs
out from the side of the vehicle.
●If the orientation of a sensor has
been changed due to a collision or
other impact.
●When equipment that may
obstruct a sensor is installed, such
as a towing eyelet, bumper pro-
tector (an additional trim strip,
etc.), bicycle c arrier, or snow
plow.
●If the front of the v ehicle is raised
or lowered due to the carried load.
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in a
stable manner, such as when the
vehicle has been in an accident or
is malfunctioning.
●When tire chains, a compact
spare tire or an emergency tire
puncture repai r kit are used.
■Situations in which the system
may operate even if there is no
possibility of a collision
In some situations, such as the fol-
lowing, the system may operate
even though there is no possibility of
a collision.
●When driving on a narrow road.

2924-5. Using the driving support systems
objects*
●Small motorcycles, bicycles,
pedestrians, etc.*
●Vehicles moving away from your
vehicle
●Vehicles approaching from the
parking spaces next to your vehi-
cle
*
●The distance between the sensor
and approaching vehicle gets too
close
*: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or
object may occur.
■Situations in which the system
may not operate properly
The RCTA function may not detect
vehicles correctly in the following
situations:
●When the sensor is misaligned
due to a strong impact to the sen-
sor or its surrounding area
●When mud, snow, ice, a sticker,
etc., is covering the sensor or sur-
rounding area on the rear bumper
●When driving on a road surface
that is wet with standing water
during bad weather, such as
heavy rain, snow, or fog
●When multiple vehicles are
approaching with only a small gap
between each vehicle
●When a vehicle is approaching at
high speed
●When equipment that may
obstruct a sensor is installed, such
as a towing eyelet, bumper pro-
tector (an additi onal trim strip,
etc.), bicycle carrier, or snow plow
●When backing up on a slope with
a sharp change in grade
●When backing out of a sharp
angle parking spot
●Immediately after the RCTA func-
tion is turned on
●Immediately after the engine is
started with the RCTA function on
●When the sensors cannot detect a
vehicle due to obstructions
●When towing a trailer
●When there is a significant differ-
ence in height between your vehi-
cle and the vehicle that enters the
detection area
●When a sensor or the area around
a sensor is extremely hot or cold
●If the suspension has been modi-
fied or tires of a size other than
specified are installed
●If the front of the v ehicle is raised
or lowered due to the carried load
●When turning while backing up

2934-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
●When a vehicle turns into the
detection area
■Situations in which the system
may operate even if there is no
possibility of a collision
Instances of the RCTA function
unnecessarily detec ting a vehicle
and/or object may increase in the
following situations:
●When the parking space faces a
street and vehicles are being
driven on the street
●When the distanc e between your
vehicle and metal objects, such as
a guardrail, wall, sign, or parked
vehicle, which may reflect electri-
cal waves toward the rear of the
vehicle, is short
●When equipment that may
obstruct a sensor is installed, such
as a towing eyelet, bumper pro-
tector (an additional trim strip,
etc.), bicycle car rier, or snow plow
●When a vehicle passes by the
side of your vehicle
●When a detected vehicle turns
while approaching the vehicle
●When there are spinning objects
near your vehicle such as the fan
of an air conditioning unit
●When water is splashed or
sprayed toward the rear bumper,
such as from a sprinkler
●Moving objects (f lags, exhaust
fumes, large rain droplets or
snowflakes, rain water on the road
surface, etc.)
●When the distance between your
vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc.,
that enters the detection area is
short
●Gratings and gutters

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of
the system
Do not overly rely on the system,
as doing so may lead to an acci-
dent.
Always drive while checking the
safety of the surroundings of the
vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle and
road conditions, weather, etc., the
system may not operate.
The detection capa bilities of sen-
sors and radars are limited.
Always drive while checking the
safety of the surroundings of the
vehicle.
●The driver is solely responsible
for safe driving. Always drive
carefully, taking care to observe
your surroundings. The Parking
Support Brake system is
designed to provide support to
lessen the severity of collisions.
However, it may not operate in
some situations.
●The Parking Support Brake sys-
tem is not designed to stop the
vehicle completely. Addition-
ally, even if the system has
stopped the vehicle, it is neces-
sary to depress the brake pedal
immediately as brake control
will be canceled after approxi-
mately 2 seconds.
●It is extremely dangerous to
check the system operations by
intentionally driving the vehicle
into the direction of a wall, etc.
Never attempt such actions.
■When to disable the Parking
Support Brake
In the following situations, disable
the Parking Support Brake as the
system may operate even though
there is no poss ibility of a colli-
sion.
●When inspecting the vehicle
using a chassis roller, chassis
dynamo or free roller.
●When loading the vehicle onto a
boat, truck or other transport
vessel.
●If the suspension has been
modified or tires of a size other
than specified are installed.
●If the front of the vehicle is
raised or lowered due to the
carried load.
●When equipment that may
obstruct a sensor is installed,
such as a towing eyelet, bumper
protector (an additional trim
strip, etc.), bicycle carrier, or
snow plow.
●When using automatic car
washing devices.
●If the vehicle cannot be driven in
a stable manner, such as when
the vehicle has been in an acci-
dent or is malfunctioning.
●When the vehicle is driven in a
sporty manner or off-road.
●When the tires are not properly
inflated.
●When the tires are very worn.
●When tire chains, a compact
spare tire or an emergency tire
puncture repair kit are used.
●When your vehicle is towing a
trailer or during emergency tow-
ing.

3565-3. Using the storage features
■Removing the luggage
cover
1 Release the cover from the
left and right anchors and
allow it to retract.
2 Compress the end of the lug-
gage cover and lift the lug-
gage cover up.
■Stowing the luggage cover
1 Open the rear deck board
and remove the side deck
covers.
When the back surface (resin sur-
face) of the deck board is facing up, remove the deck board.
2
Place the both ends of the
luggage cover into the
holder.
WARNING
■Luggage cover
●When installing/stowing the lug-
gage cover, make sure that the
luggage cover is securely
installed/stowed. Failure to do
so may result in serious injury in
the event of sudden braking or a
collision.
●Do not place anything on the
luggage cover. In the event of
sudden braking or turning, the
item may go flying and strike an
occupant. This could lead to an
unexpected accident, resulting
in death or serious injury.
●Do not allow children to climb
on the luggage cover. Climbing
on the luggage cover could
result in damage to the luggage
cover, possibly causing death or
serious injury to the child.

4006-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
tion may increase, and engine oil
may need to be ref illed in between
oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for
example directly after purchasing
the vehicle or after replacing the
engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inap-
propriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine
speeds or with a heavy load,
when towing, or when driving
while accelerating o r decelerating
frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for
a long time, or wh en driving fre-
quently through heavy traffic
The coolant level is satisfactory
if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir
when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL”
line. ( P.480)
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains poten-
tially harmful contaminants
which may cause skin disorders
such as inflammation and skin
cancer, so care should be taken
to avoid prolonged and
repeated contact. To remove
used engine oil from your skin,
wash thoroughly with soap and
water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters
only in a safe an d acceptable
manner. Do not dispose of used
oil and filters in household trash,
in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service
station or auto parts store for
information concerning recy-
cling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil
within the rea ch of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine
damage
Check the oil level on a regular
basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil
on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dip-
stick every time you refill the
vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap
is properly tightened.
■If oil is spilled on the engine
cover
To prevent the engine cover from
being damaged, remove any
engine oil from the engine cover
as soon as possible using a neu-
tral detergent. Do not use an
organic solvent such as brake
cleaner.
Checking the coolant
A
B
C

4437-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a
problem with your transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer or
commercial towing service
before towing.
The engine is running but the
vehicle does not move.
 The vehicle makes an abnor-
mal sound.
From the front (2WD models)
Release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off.
( P.215)
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the
rear wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
If your vehicle needs
to be towed
If towing is necessary, we
recommend having your
vehicle towed by your
Toyota dealer or commer-
cial towing service, using a
wheel-lift type truck or flat-
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system
for all towing, and abide by
all state/provincial and local
laws.
Situations when it is nec-
essary to contact dealers
before towing (vehicles
with towing eyelet)
Towing with a wheel-lift
type truck

4447-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When using a flat-bed truck to
transport the vehicle, use tire
strapping belts. Refer to the
owner’s manual of the flat-bed
truck for the tire strapping
method.
In order to suppress vehicle
movement during transporta-
tion, set the parking brake and
turn the engine switch to off.
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to do so may result
in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle
with the front wh eels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed
with the front wh eels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and
related parts may be damaged.
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle
with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed
with the tires contacting the
ground, the drivetrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehi-
cle may fly off the truck.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle when t owing using a
wheel-lift type truck
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Do not tow the vehicle from
the rear when the engine switch
is in the “LOCK” position or the
key is removed. The steering
lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
●When raising the vehicle,
ensure adequate ground clear-
ance for towing at the opposite
end of the raised vehicle. With-
out adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while
being towed.
■Towing with a sling-type
truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Using a flatbed truck

4457-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
If a tow truck is not available in
an emergency, your vehicle may
be temporarily towed using
cables or chains secured to the
emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for at most
50 miles (80 km) at under 18
mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes.
The vehicle’s wheels, drive
train, axles, steering and brakes
must be in good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by
another vehicle, the towing eye-
let must be installed to your
vehicle. Install the towing eyelet
using the following procedure.
1Take out the wheel nut
wrench and towing eyelet.
( P.464)
2 Using a flathead screw-
driver, remove eyelet cover
( ), and then remove eyelet
cover ( ).
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
Type A
Type B
3 Insert the towing eyelet into
the hole and tighten partially
by hand.
Type A
Emergency towing (vehi-
cles with towing eyelet)
Emergency towing proce-
dure (vehicles with towing
eyelet)
A
B