TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2017 XA40 / 4.G Owners Manual

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
2014-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor o verheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period
of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-
information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toy-
ota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 556
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 518
■ Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
→P. 590 A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

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4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If a hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press
it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( →P. 539)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods of time without the hybrid system on.
● If “POWER ON” is displayed on the multi-information display, the power
switch is not off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
EV drive mode
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV dri ve mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situati\
ons. If it
cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display.
● 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.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 68 °F (20 °C) for
a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor display is low.
(→P. 101)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas late at night,
or in indoor parking lots etc. without concern for noises and
exhaust gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is
active, the vehicle may produce sound.

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the energy monitor display is low.
(→P. 101)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
When it is possible to inform the driver of automatic cancelation in advance, a
prior notice screen will appear on the multi-information display.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that
is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving
conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehi-
cle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.
Therefore, take extra care while driving even if the vehicle proximity notifica-
tion system is active.

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4-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Hybrid transmission
While the power switch is in ON mode, move the shift lever
with the brake pedal depressed.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noises, set the shift lever in the Dposition for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control acceleratingforces and engine braking forces.
Shifting the shift lever
Shift position purpose
Shift positionPurpose/function
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
(Condition in which the power is not transmitted)
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( →P. 207)

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4-2. Driving procedures
The following modes can be selected to suit driving conditions.
■Eco drive mode
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during
trips that involve frequent accelerating.
Press the “ECO MODE” button
to select Eco drive mode.
The “ECO MODE” indicator light
will come on.
Press the button again to cancel
Eco drive mode.
■
Sport mode
Use sport mode for sporty driving or driving in mountainous
regions.
Press the “SPORT” button to
select sport mode.
The “SPORT” indicator light will
come on.
Press the button again to cancel
sport mode.
Selecting the driving mode

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
2074-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever allowing you to drive in the shift range of
your choosing.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1
to S6, will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
The initial shift range in S mode is
automatically set to between S2
and S5 according to vehicle speed.
■
Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of accelerating force and engine
braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher shift range, and the engine
revolutions will also increase.
● If you accelerate while in ranges 1 to 5, the shift range may auto-
matically shift up in accor dance with the engine speed.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

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4-2. Driving procedures
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( →P. 431). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Deactivation of the driving mode
●Eco drive mode will not be canceled until the “ECO MODE” button is
pressed, even if the hybrid system is turned off after driving in Eco drive
mode.
● Sport mode will be canceled if the hybrid system is turned off after driving in
sport mode.
■ When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control acti-
vated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or dynamic
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
● While driving in D position or S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( →P. 207)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→P. 206)
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■If the shift lever canno t be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by y\
our
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
1
2
3
4
5

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4-2. Driving procedures
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and sudden acceleration, as this could result in
the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge precaution
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.