TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2021, Model line: RAV4 HYBRID, Model: TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2021Pages: 752, PDF Size: 31.25 MB
Page 611 of 752

6117-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Remove the dust from the air 
intake vent with a vacuum 
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to only use a vacuum to 
suck out dust and clogs. Attempting 
to blow out dust and clogs using an 
airgun, etc. may push it into the air 
intake vent. (P.614)
If dust and clogs cannot be com-
pletely removed with the air 
intake vent cover installed, 
remove the cover and clean the 
filter.
1 Turn the power switch to 
OFF.
2 Using a Phillips screwdriver, 
remove the clip.
3 Remove the air intake vent 
cover.
Pull the cover as shown in the illus-
tration to disengage the 8 claws, 
starting from the  claw in the upper 
right corner and pull the cover 
toward the front of  the vehicle to 
remove it.
4 Remove the air intake vent 
filter.
Disengage the 4 center claws from 
Cleaning the hybrid 
battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vent 
and filter
To prevent the fuel econ-
omy from being affected, 
visually inspect the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) air 
intake vent periodically for 
dust and clogs. If it is dusty 
or clogged or if “Mainte-
nance Required for Trac-
tion Battery Cooling Parts 
See Owner’s Manual” is 
shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, clean the air 
intake vent using the follow-
ing procedures:
Cleaning the air intake 
vent
If dust and clogs cannot 
be completely removed 
Page 612 of 752

6127-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
the filter.
Disengage the claws in the order of 
 and   to remove the filter from 
the cover.
5 Remove the dust and clogs 
from the filter using a vacuum 
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to also remove the dust 
and clogs from the inside of the air 
intake vent cover.
6Reinstall the filter to the 
cover.
Engage the claws in the order of   and  .
Engage the 4 center claws to install 
the filter.
Make sure that the filter is not 
crooked or deformed when install-
ing it.
7 Install the air intake vent 
cover.
Insert the tab of the cover as shown 
in the illustration  and push the 
cover to enga ge the 8 claws.
AB
BA 
Page 613 of 752

6137-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
8Using a Phillips screwdriver, 
install the clip.
■Scheduled maintenance of the 
air intake vent is necessary 
when
In some situations such as when the 
vehicle is used frequently or in 
heavy traffic or dusty areas, the air 
intake vent may need to be cleaned 
more regularly. For  details, refer to 
“Owner’s Warranty Information 
Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement”.
■Cleaning the ai r intake vent
●Dust in the air intake vent may 
interfere with the cooling of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery). If 
charging/discharging of the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) becomes 
limited, the distance that the vehi-
cle can be driven using the electric 
motor (traction motor) may be 
reduced and the fuel economy 
may be reduced. Inspect and 
clean the air intake vent periodi-
cally.
●Improper handling of the air intake 
vent cover and filt er may result in 
damage to them.  If you have any 
concerns about cleaning the filter, 
contact your Toyota dealer.
■If “Maintenance Required for 
Traction Battery Cooling Parts 
See Owner’s Manual” is shown 
on the multi-information display
●If this warning m essage is shown 
on the multi-information display, 
remove the air in take vent cover  and clean the filter. (
P.611)
●After cleaning the air intake vent, 
start the hybrid system and check 
that the warning message is no 
longer shown.
It may take approximately 20 min-
utes after the hybrid system is 
started until the warning message 
disappears. If the warning mes-
sage does not disappear, have 
the vehicle inspected by your 
Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When cleaning the air intake 
vent
●Do not use water or other liq-
uids to clean the air intake vent. 
If water is applied to the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) or 
other components, a malfunc-
tion or fire may occur.
●Before cleaning  the air intake 
vent, make sure to turn the 
power switch to OFF to stop the 
hybrid system.
■When removing the air intake 
vent cover
Do not touch the service plug 
located near the air intake vent. 
(  P.77) 
Page 614 of 752

6147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■When cleaning the air intake 
vent
When cleaning the air intake vent, 
make sure to only use a vacuum 
to suck out dust and clogs. If a 
compressed air blow gun, etc. is 
used to blow out  dust and clogs, 
the dust or clogs may be pushed 
into the air intake vent, which may 
affect the performance of the 
hybrid battery (tr action battery) 
and cause a malfunction.
■To prevent damage to the 
vehicle
●Do not allow water or foreign 
matter to enter t he air intake 
vent when the cover is 
removed.
●Carefully handle the removed 
filter so that i t will not be dam-
aged. If the filter is damaged, 
have it replaced with a new filter 
by your Toyota dealer.
●Make sure to reinstall the filter 
and cover to their original posi-
tions after cleaning.
●Do not install anything to the air 
intake vent other  than the exclu-
sive filter for this  vehicle or use 
the vehicle without the filter 
installed.
■If “Maintenance  Required for 
Traction Battery Cooling 
Parts See Owner’s Manual” is 
shown on the multi-informa-
tion display
If the vehicle is continuously 
driven with the warning message 
(indicating that charging/discharg-
ing of the hybrid battery (traction 
battery) may become limited) dis-
played, the hybrid battery (traction 
battery) may malfunction. If the 
warning message  is displayed, 
clean the air intake vent immedi-
ately. 
Page 615 of 752

6157-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Windshield wiper blade 
removal and installation
1 While holding the hook por-
tion   of the wiper arm, first 
lift up the driver side, and 
then lift up the passenger 
side.
When returning the wiper arms to 
their original positions, first lower 
the passenger side, and then lower 
the driver side.
2Lift the stopper using a flat-
head screwdriver as shown 
in the illustration.
To prevent damag e to the wiper 
arm, protect the t ip of the screw- driver with a rag.
3
Slide the wiper blade to 
remove it from the wiper arm.
When installing, reverse the steps 
listed.
■Wiper insert replacement
1 Pull the wiper insert to 
remove the claw of the wiper 
blade from the stopper, and 
pull out the wiper insert.
Wiper insert replace-
ment
When replacing the wiper 
insert, perform the following 
procedure to operate each 
wiper.
Windshield wipers
A 
Page 616 of 752

6167-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Stopper
Claw
2 Remove the 2 metal plates 
from the wiper insert pulled 
out, and install the plates to a 
new wiper insert.
Make sure that the cutout location 
and warp direction of the metal 
blades are same as the original.
3Install the wiper insert to the 
wiper blade from the side 
without the stopper.
4 Secure the stopper of the 
wiper insert with the claw of 
the wiper blade.
1 Lift up the rear window wiper 
arm head cap.
2 Move the wiper blade until a 
click sound can be heard and  the claw detaches, and then 
remove the wiper blade from 
the wiper arm.
3 Pull the wiper insert out past 
the stopper on the wiper 
blade, and then continue to 
pull until it is completely 
removed.
Lightly grasp between the claws of 
the wiper blade to  allow the wiper 
insert to lift up, making it easier to 
remove.
4 Remove the 2 metal plates 
from the old wiper insert and 
Rear window wiper
A
B 
Page 617 of 752

6177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
install them to the replace-
ment wiper insert.
5 Insert the wiper insert starting 
from the claw at the center of 
the wiper blade. Pass the 
wiper insert through the 3 
claws so that it sticks out 
from the stopper, and then 
pass the wiper insert through 
the final remaining claw.
Applying a small amount of washer 
fluid to the wiper insert can make it 
easier to insert the claws into the 
grooves.
6Check that the wiper blade 
claws are fitted in the 
grooves of the wiper insert.
If the wiper blade  claws are not fit-
ted in the grooves of the wiper 
insert, grasp the wiper insert and 
slide it back and fo rth multiple times 
to insert the claws into the grooves.
Lightly lift up the center of the wiper 
insert to make the  rubber easier to  slide.
7
When installing a wiper 
blade, reverse the procedure 
in step 1.
After installing the wiper blade, 
check that the connection is locked.
■Wiper blade and wiper insert 
handling
Improper handling may result in 
damage to the wiper blades or wiper 
insert. If you have any concerns 
about replacing the wiper blades or 
wiper insert yourself, contact your 
Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■When lifting the windshield 
wipers
●When raising the wiper arms off 
the windshield, lift up the driver 
side first, and then lift up pas-
senger side. When returning the 
wipers to their original position, 
return the passenger side first.
●Do not lift a windshield wiper by 
the wiper blade. Otherwise, the 
wiper blade may be deformed.
●Do not operate the wiper lever 
when the windshield wipers are 
lifted. Otherwise, the wind-
shield wipers may contact the 
hood, possibly resulting in dam-
age to the windshield wipers 
and/or hood. 
Page 618 of 752

6187-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■If the key battery is depleted
The following symptoms may occur:
●The smart key system (if 
equipped) and wireless remote 
control will no t function properly.
●The operationa l range will be 
reduced.
Prepare the following before 
replacing the battery:
 Flathead screwdriver
 Small flathead screwdriver
 Lithium battery CR2032
■Use a CR2032 lithium battery
●Batteries can be purchased at 
your Toyota dealer, local electrical 
appliance shops or camera stores.
●Replace only with the same or 
equivalent type recommended by 
the manufacturer.
●Dispose of used batteries accord-
ing to the local laws.
Vehicles without smart key 
system
1 Remove the cover.
Use a screwdriver of an appropriate 
size. Forcedly prying may cause 
the cover damaged.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage
●Be careful not to damage the 
claws when replacing the wiper 
insert.
●After the wiper blade is removed 
from the wiper arm, place a 
cloth, etc., between the rear 
window and wiper arm to pre-
vent damage to the rear win-
dow.
●Be sure not to pull excessively 
on the wiper insert or deform its 
metal plates.
Wireless remote con-
trol/electron ic key bat-
tery
Replace the battery with a 
new one if it is depleted.
Items to prepare
Replacing the battery 
Page 619 of 752

6197-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
To prevent damage to the key, 
cover the tip of the screwdriver with 
a rag.
2 Remove the battery cover.
If the battery cover is difficult to 
remove, lift the ed ge to remove it.
3Remove the depleted bat-
tery.
When removing the battery, use a 
screwdriver of an appropriate size.
Insert a new battery with the “+” ter-
minal facing up.
4Install the battery cover with 
the tab facing up.
Push the entire edge of the battery  cover into the key.
5
Install the key cover.
Align the key co ver with the key 
and then press it  straight into the 
key.
Make sure that the key cover is 
securely installed without any gaps 
between it and the key.
Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem
1 Release the lock and remove 
the mechanical key.
2 Remove the key cover.
Use a screwdriver of an appropriate 
size. Forcedly prying may cause  
Page 620 of 752

6207-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
the cover damaged.
To prevent damag e to the key, 
cover the tip of the flathead screw-
driver with a rag.
3 Remove the depleted battery 
using a small flathead screw-
driver.
When removing the cover, the elec-
tronic key module may stick to the 
cover and the battery may not be 
visible. In this case, remove the 
electronic key module in order to 
remove the battery.
When removing the battery, use a 
screwdriver of an appropriate size.
Insert a new battery with the “+” ter-
minal facing up.
4When installing, reverse the 
steps listed.
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to  do so may result 
in death or se rious injury.
●Do not swallow the battery. 
Doing so may cause chemical 
burns.
●A coin battery or button battery 
is used in the electronic key. If a 
battery is swa llowed, it may 
cause severe chemical burns in 
as little as 2 hours and may 
result in death or serious injury.
●Keep away new and removed 
batteries from children.
●If the cover cannot be firmly 
closed, stop using the electronic 
key and stow the key in the 
place where children cannot 
reach, and then contact your 
Toyota dealer.
●If you accidentally swallow a 
battery or put a battery into a 
part of your b ody, get emer-
gency medical attention imme-
diately.
■To prevent battery explosion 
or leakage of flammable liq-
uid or gas
●Replace the batt ery with a new 
battery of the same type. If a 
wrong type of ba ttery is used, it 
may explode.
●Do not expose batteries to 
extremely low pr essure due to 
high altitude or extremely high 
temperatures.
●Do not burn, bre ak or cut a bat-
tery.