towing TOYOTA RAV4 2023 Owners Manual

3TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle......... 179
Cargo and luggage ....... 185
Vehicle load limits ......... 188
Trailer towing ................ 189
Dinghy towing ............... 201
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart key
system)........................ 203
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system)........................ 204
Automatic transmission . 209
Turn signal lever ........... 212
Parking brake ................ 213
Brake Hold .................... 217
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............ 219
AHB (Automatic High Beam) .................................... 222
Fog light switch ............. 226
Windshield wipers and washer......................... 226
Rear window wiper and washer......................... 229
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................... 231
4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 234PCS (Pre-Collision System)
.................................... 239
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................... 250
RSA (Road Sign Assist) 261
Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range ... 264
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................... 275
Intuitive parking assist ... 280
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function .............. 289
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) .......................... 294
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) ...... 299
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehicles)
.................................... 302
Stop & Start system....... 304
Driving mode s elect switch
.................................... 310
Multi-terrain Select (AWD vehicles) ...................... 312
Snow mode switch (AWD vehicles) ...................... 315
Downhill assist control sys- tem .............................. 316
Driving assist systems ... 318
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .......... 325
Utility vehicle precautions .... ...

............................. 328
4Driving

17Pictorial index
■Instrument panel
Engine switch .............................................................P.203, 204
Starting the engine/changing the modes .............P.203, 204, 207
Emergency stop of the engin e .............................................P.440
When the engine will not start ................................. .............P.472
Warning messages
*1............................................................P.4 59
Shift lever.................................................... ........................P.209
Changing the shift position.................................... ...............P.210
Precautions against towing ..................................................P.443
When the shift lever does not move............................. ........P.210
Meters ......................................................... ....................P.83, 88
Reading the meters/adjusting t he instrument panel light P.87, 9 3
Warning lights/indicator lights ................................ ................P.76
When the warning lights come on ................................ ........P.449
Multi-information display . ...........................................P.93, 102
Display ........................................................ ...................P.93, 102
When the warning messages are displayed ........................ P.459
A
B
C
D

581-2. Child safety
buckle. Make sure that the
belt is not twisted.
Check that the shoulder belt is cor-
rectly positioned over the child’s
shoulder and that the lap belt is as
low as possible. (P.29)
■Removing a child restraint
system installed with a seat
belt
Press the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
When releasing the buckle, the
child restraint system may spring
up due to the rebound of the seat
cushion. Release the buckle while
holding down the child restraint
system.
Since the seat belt automatically
reels itself, slowly return it to the
stowing position.
WARNING
■When installing a child
restraint system
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may result in
death or serious injury.
●Do not allow children to play
with the seat belt. If the seat belt
becomes twisted around a
child’s neck, it may lead to
choking or other serious injuries
that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle
cannot be unfastened, scissors
should be used to cut the belt.
●Ensure that the belt and plate
are securely locked and the
seat belt is not twisted.
●Shake the child restraint system
left and right, and forward and
backward to ensure that it has
been securely installed.
●After securing a child restraint
system, never adjust the seat.
●When a booster seat is
installed, always ensure that the
shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of the child’s
shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the child’s neck,
but not so that it could fall off the
child’s shoulder.
●Follow all installation instruc-
tions provided by the child
restraint system manufacturer.

681-3. Emergency assistance
stances, be shared with third
parties to locate your vehicle.
Further information is available
at Toyota.com in the United
States, Toyotapr.com in Puerto
Rico and Toyota.ca in Canada.
■Emergency Assistance But-
ton (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on
the road, push the “SOS” button
to reach the Safety Connect
response center. The answering
agent will determine your vehi-
cle’s location, assess the emer-
gency, 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-
Safety information for
Safety Connect

177
4
4
Driving
Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle....... 179
Cargo and luggage ..... 185
Vehicle load limits ....... 188
Trailer towing .............. 189
Dinghy towing ............. 201
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ............... 203
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system)...................... 204
Automatic transmission 209
Turn signal lever ......... 212
Parking brake .............. 213
Brake Hold .................. 217
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......... 219
AHB (Automatic High Beam)........................ 222
Fog light switch ........... 226
Windshield wipers and washer....................... 226
Rear window wiper and washer....................... 229
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................. 2314-5. Using the dr
iving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 .................................. 234
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .................................. 239
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................. 250
RSA (Road Sign Assist) .................................. 261
Dynamic radar cruise con- trol with full-speed range
.................................. 264
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................. 275
Intuitive parking assist . 280
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function ............ 289
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) ........................ 294
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects)
.................................. 299
Parking Support Brake function (rear-crossing
vehicles) .................... 302
Stop & Start system .... 304
Driving mode select switch .................................. 310
Multi-terrain Select (AWD vehicles) .................... 312
Snow mode switch (AWD vehicles) .................... 315

1864-1. Before driving
Cargo capacity depends on the
total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load
capacity) - (Total weight of occu-
pants)
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined
weight of the driver and passen-
gers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and passen-
gers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb passen-
gers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 -
750 (5 
150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
( P.188)
WARNING
●Secure all items in the occupant
compartment.
●When you fold down the rear
seats, long items should not be
placed directly behind the front
seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in
the luggage compartment. It is
not designed for passengers.
They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly
fastened. Otherwise, they are
much more likely to suffer death
or serious bodily injury, in the
event of sudden braking, sud-
den swerving or an accident.
Capacity and distribution
WARNING
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum
axle weight rating or the total
vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occu-
pant’ weight and the cargo load
is less than the total load capac-
ity, do not apply the load
unevenly. Improper loading may
cause deterioration of steering
or braking control which may
cause death or serious injury.

1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle. It
may not only cause damage to
the tires, but also degrade steer-
ing and braking ability, resulting in
an accident.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed
primarily as a passenger-
and-load-carrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer can have an
adverse impact on handling,
performance, braking, dura-
bility, and fuel consump-
tion. For your safety and the
safety of others, you must
not overload your vehicle or
trailer. You must also
ensure that you are using
appropriate towing equip-
ment, that the towing equip-
ment has been installed
correctly and used properly,
and that you employ the
requisite driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and
braking performance are
affected by trailer stability,
brake performance and set-
ting, trailer brakes, the hitch
and hitch systems (if
equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use
extreme care and drive the
vehicle in accordance with
your trailer’s characteris-
tics and operating condi-
tions.

1904-1. Before driving
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions
are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires
are properly inflated. ( P.492)
●Trailer tires are inflated according
to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
●All trailer lights work as required
by law.
●All lights work each time you con-
nect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper
height for the coupler on the
trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is
hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not
level, and check for improper
tongue weight, overloading, worn
suspension, or other possible
causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely
loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to
all applicable federal, state/provin-
cial or local regu lations. If they do
not, install rear view mirrors
appropriate for towing purposes.
■When towing a trailer
Disable the following systems, as
the systems may not operate prop-
erly.
●LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
(  P.250)
●Dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range ( P.264)
●PKSB (Parking Suppor t Brake) (if
equipped) ( P.294)
●BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if
equipped) ( P.275)
●Intuitive parking assist (if
equipped) ( P.280)
●RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
function (if equipped) ( P.275)
Toyota warranties do not
apply to damage or mal-
function caused by towing a
trailer for commercial pur-
poses.
Contact your Toyota dealer for
further information about addi-
tional requirements such as a
towing kit, etc.
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use
extreme care and drive the vehi-
cle in accordance with the trailer’s
characteristics and operating con-
ditions. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in
death or serious injury. Vehicle
stability and brak ing performance
are affected by trailer stability,
brake setting and performance,
and the hitch. Yo ur vehicle will
handle differently when towing a
trailer.
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR,
unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR
or GAWR.
●Vehicles with towing package: If
the gross trailer weight is over
2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway con-
trol device with sufficient capac-
ity is required.
●Adjust the tongue weight within
the appropriate range. Place
heavier loads as close to the
trailer axle as possible.

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■GCWR (Gross Combination
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
WARNING
●Do not exceed 65 mph (104
km/h), the posted towing speed
limit or the speed limit for your
trailer as set fort h in your trailer
owner’s manual, whichever is
lowest. Slow down sufficiently
before making a turn, in cross
winds, on wet or slippery sur-
face, etc. to help avoid an acci-
dent. If you experience a
vehicle-trailer instability from
reducing a certain speed, slow
down and make sure you keep
your vehicle speed under the
speed of which you experience
the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or
sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes sud-
denly as you may skid, resulting
in jackknifing and loss of vehicle
control. This is especially true
on wet or slippery surfaces.
●Do not exceed th e trailer hitch
assembly weight, gross vehicle
weight, gross axle weight and
trailer tongue weight capacities.
●Do not use dynamic radar
cruise control with full-speed
range when towing.
●Slow down and downshift
before descending steep or long
downhill grades. Do not make
sudden downshifts while
descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
●Vehicle-trailer in stability is more
likely on steep long downhills.
Before descending steep or
long downhill grades, slow
down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts when
descending steep or long down-
hill grades. Avoid holding the
brake pedal down too long or
applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
●Do not tow a trailer when the
compact spare tire is installed
on your vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with
brakes that conform to any appli-
cable federal and s tate/provincial
regulations.
●If the gross tr ailer weight
exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer
brakes are required. Toyota rec-
ommends trailers with brakes
that conform to all applicable
federal and state/provincial reg-
ulations.
●Never tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic system, as this will
lower the vehicle’s braking
effectiveness.
●Never tow a traile r without using
a safety chain securely attached
to both the trailer and the vehi-
cle. If damage occurs to the
coupling unit or hitch ball, there
is danger of the trailer wander-
ing into another lane.
Towing related terms

1924-1. Before driving
combination weight is the sum
of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the
trailer).
Vehicles without towing pack-
age
Vehicles with towing package
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the total weight of
the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehi-
cle weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue weight.
Vehicles without towing pack-
age
Vehicles with towing package
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
axle weight. The gross axle
weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).