trailer TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

3TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle......... 189
Cargo and luggage ....... 196
Vehicle load limits ......... 199
Trailer towing ................ 200
Dinghy towing ............... 209
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehi-cles without smart key sys-
tem) ............................. 210
Power (ignition) switch (vehi- cles with smart key system).................................... 212
EV drive mode .............. 217
Hybrid transmission ...... 219
Turn signal lever ........... 223
Parking brake ................ 224
Brake Hold .................... 227
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............ 229
AHB (Automatic High Beam) .................................... 232
Fog light switch ............. 235
Windshield wipers and washer......................... 236
Rear window wiper and washer......................... 239
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................... 241
4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 244PCS (Pre-Collision System)
.................................... 250
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................... 258
RSA (Road Sign Assist) 268
Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range ... 271
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................... 282
Intuitive parking assist ... 291
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) .......................... 298
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) ...... 303
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehicles).................................... 309
Rear view monitor system .................................... 313
Toyota parking assist monitor .................................... 321
Panoramic view monitor 334
Driving mode s elect switch
.................................... 366
Trail Mode ..................... 367
Driving assist systems ... 369
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips.................................... 37
6
Winter
driving tips .......... 378
Utility vehicle precautions .................................... 381
5-1. Basic function Buttons overview ........... 387
Menu screen.................. 389
4Driving
5Audio

187
4
4
Driving
Driving
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle....... 189
Cargo and luggage ..... 196
Vehicle load limits ....... 199
Trailer towing .............. 200
Dinghy towing ............. 209
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart key
system)...................... 210
Power (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system)...................... 212
EV drive mode ............ 217
Hybrid transmission .... 219
Turn signal lever ......... 223
Parking brake .............. 224
Brake Hold .................. 227
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......... 229
AHB (Automatic High Beam)........................ 232
Fog light switch ........... 235
Windshield wipers and washer....................... 236
Rear window wiper and washer....................... 239
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................. 2414-5. Using the dr
iving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 .................................. 244
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .................................. 250
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................. 258
RSA (Road Sign Assist) .................................. 268
Dynamic radar cruise con- trol with full-speed range.................................. 271
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................. 282
Intuitive parking assist . 291
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) ........................ 298
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) .... 303
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehi-
cles) ........................... 309
Rear view monitor system .................................. 313
Toyota parking assist moni- tor .............................. 321
Panoramic view monitor .................................. 334
Driving mode select switch .................................. 366
Trail Mode ................... 367
Driving assist systems. 369

1904-1. Before driving
pery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to
rain, as the road surface could be
especially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when
driving on an expressway in the
rain, because there may be a
layer of water between the tires
and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from
operating properly.
■ECO Accelerator Guidance
(  P.105)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly
manner by driving while referring to
the ECO Accelerator Guidance dis-
play. Also, by using the ECO Accel-
erator Guidance it is easier to
increase the “Eco Score” evaluation.
●When starting off:
While staying within the ECO
Accelerator Guidance range,
gradually depress the accelerator
pedal and accelerate to the
desired speed. If excessive accel-
eration is avoid ed, the “Start”
score will increase.
●When driving:
After accelerating to the desired
speed, release the accelerator
pedal and drive at a stable speed
within the ECO Acce lerator Guid-
ance range. By keeping the vehi-
cle within the E CO Accelerator
Guidance range, the “Cruise”
score will increase.
●When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early
releasing the accelerator pedal
will cause the “Stop” score to
increase.
■Restraining the hybrid system
output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake
pedals are depressed at the same
time, the hybrid system output
may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed
on the multi-information display
while the system is operating. (
 P.648)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-
Start Control)
●When the following unusual oper-
ation is performed, the hybrid sys-
tem output may b e restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from
R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D
*, or
P to R* (D includes S) with the
accelerator pedal depressed, a
warning message appears on the
multi-information display. If a
warning message is shown on the
multi-information d isplay, read the
message and follow the instruc-
tions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the
vehicle is in reverse.
*: Depending on the situation, the
shift lever may not be changed.
●While Drive-Start Control is being
activated, your v ehicle may have
trouble escaping from the mud or
fresh snow. In such case, deacti-
vate TRAC ( P.370) to cancel
Drive-Start Cont rol so that the
vehicle may be able to escape
from the mud o r fresh snow.
●Drive-Start Contro l does not work
when Trail Mode is turned on.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle,
observing the following precautions
is recommended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low
gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed
for extended periods.

1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
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.199) Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) (
P.684)
When 2 people with the com-
bined weight of A lb. (kg) are rid-
ing in your vehicle, which has a
total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) of B lb. (kg),
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity will
be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B
*2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb.
(kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passen-
gers with the combined weight of D
lb. (kg) get on, the available cargo
and luggage load will be reduced E
lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb.
(kg)
*4: D = Additional weight of people
*5: E = Available cargo and luggage
WARNING
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum
axle weight rating or the total
vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the tota l load of occu-
pant’ weight and the cargo load
is less than the total load capac-
ity, do not ap ply the load
unevenly. Improper loading may
cause deteriorat ion of steering
or braking control which may
cause death or serious injury.
Calculation formula for
your vehicle
A
B

1994-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■Total load capacity and seating
capacity
These details are also described on
the tire and loading information
label. ( P.605)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include
total load capacity, seating
capacity, TWR (Trailer
Weight Rating) and cargo
capacity.
 Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight): P.684
Total load capacity means the
combined weight of occu-
pants, cargo and luggage.
 Seating capacity: P.684
Seating capacity means the
maximum number of occu-
pants whose estimated aver-
age weight is 150 lb. (68 kg)
per person.
 TWR (Trailer Weight Rat-
ing): P.204, 684
TWR means the maximum
gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight)
that your vehicle is able to
tow.
 Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase
or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of
occupants.
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.

2004-1. Before driving
■Before towing
Check that the fo llowing conditions
are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires
are properly inflated. ( P.690)
●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 th e 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 mirr ors conform to
all applicable fede ral, state/provin-
cial or local regulations. If they do
not, install rear view mirrors
appropriate for towing purposes.
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.
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.

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a traile r 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 braking performance
are affected by trailer stability,
brake setting and performance,
and the hitch. Your vehicle will
handle differently when towing a
trailer.
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR,
unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR
or GAWR.
●Adjust the tongue weight within
the appropriate range. Place
heavier loads as close to the
trailer axle as possible.
●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 the 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 y our vehicle’s
hydraulic system, as this will
lower the vehicle’s braking
effectiveness.

2024-1. Before driving
■GCWR (Gross Combination
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
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).
■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.
■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).
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming
WARNING
●Never tow a trailer without using
a safety chain securely attached
to both the traile r 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
A
B

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
base vehicle with one driver,
one front passenger, hitch and
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment, pas-
sengers and cargo in the vehicle
will reduce the tra iler weight rating
so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR
and GAWR.
(With brakes)
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked
Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for tow-
ing a trailer without a trailer ser-
vice brake system.
(Without brakes)
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer
hitch ball. ( P.204) 
The gross trailer weight must
never exceed 1750 lb. (795
kg).
 The gross combination weight
must never exceed 6670 lb.
(3025 kg).
 The gross vehicle weight
must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the Certi-
fication Regulation Label.
 The gross axle weight on
each axle must never exceed
the GAWR indicated on the
Certification Regulation Label.
 If the gross trailer weight is
over the unbraked TWR,
trailer service brakes are
required.
A
A
Weight limits

2044-1. Before driving
Confirm that the gross trailer
weight, gross combination
weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and tongue
weight are all within the limits.
■GCWR*
6670 lb. (3025 kg)
*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
■TWR*
1750 lb. (795 kg)
*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (450 kg)
*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
 A recommended tongue
weight varies in accordance
with the types of trailers or
towing as described below.
 To ensure the recommended
values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by
referring to the following
instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9% to 11%.
(Tongue weight /Gross trailer
weight x 100 = 9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
The gross trailer weight, gross
axle weight and tongue weight
can be measured with platform
scales found at a highway
weighing station, building supply
company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
Trailer hitch assemblies have
different weight capacities.
Toyota recommends the use of
Toyota hitch/bracket for your
vehicle. For details, contact your
Toyota dealer.
 If you wish to install a trailer
hitch, contact your Toyota
dealer.
 Use only a hitch that con-
forms to the gross trailer
weight requirement of your
vehicle.
 Follow the directions supplied
GCWR, TWR and
Unbraked TWR
Trailer Tongue Weight
Hitch
A
B