emergency towing TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID 2023 Owners Manual

17Pictorial index
■Instrument panel
Power switch ................................................... ...........P.217, 219
Starting the hybrid system/chan ging the modes ..P.217, 219, 222
Emergency stop of the hybrid system ............................ ......P.449
When the hybrid system will not start .......................... ........P.480
Warning messages
*1............................................................P.4 66
Shift lever.................................................... ........................P.226
Changing the shift position.................................... ...............P.227
Precautions against towing ..................................................P.451
When the shift lever does not move............................. ........P.228
Meters ......................................................... ....................P.93, 99
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light ............................................................... ........................P.97, 104
Warning lights/indicator lights ................................ ................P.86
When the warning lights come on ................................ ........P.456
Multi-information display . .........................................P.105, 115
Display ........................................................ .................P.105, 115
A
B
C
D

681-3. Emergency assistance
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-
entific literature. Over 120 scien-
tists, engineers, and physicians
Safety information for
Safety Connect

2694-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
●A spare tire, tire chains, etc. are
equipped.
●When the tires have been
excessively worn, or when the
tire inflation pressure is low.
●When your vehicle is towing a
trailer or during emergency tow-
ing
■Preventing LTA system mal-
functions and operations per-
formed by mistake
●Do not modify the headlights or
place stickers, etc. on the sur-
face of the lights.
●Do not modify the suspension
etc. If the suspension etc. needs
to be replaced, contact your
Toyota dealer.
●Do not install or place anything
on the hood or grille. Also, do
not install a grille guard (bull
bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
●If your windshield needs
repairs, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■Conditions in which functions
may not operate properly
In the following situations, the
functions may not operate prop-
erly and the vehicle may depart
from its lane. Drive safely by
always paying careful attention to
your surroundings and operate
the steering wheel to correct the
path of the vehicle without relying
solely on the functions.
●When the follow-up cruising dis-
play is displayed ( P.273) and
the preceding vehicle changes
lanes. (Your veh icle may follow
the preceding vehicle and also
change lanes.)
●When the follow-up cruising dis-
play is displayed ( P.273) and
the preceding vehicle is sway-
ing. (Your vehicle may sway
accordingly and depart from the
lane.)
●When the follow-up cruising dis-
play is displayed ( P.273) and
the preceding vehicle departs
from its lane. (Your vehicle may
follow the preceding vehicle and
depart from the lane.)
●When the follow-up cruising dis-
play is displayed ( P.273) and
the preceding vehicle is being
driven extremely close to the
left/right lane line. (Your vehicle
may follow the preceding vehi-
cle and depart from the lane.)
●Vehicle is being driven around a
sharp curve.

2844-5. Using the driving support systems
WARNING
●Assisting the driver to operate
the vehicle
The dynamic radar cruise control
with full-speed range does not
include function s which will pre-
vent or avoid collisions with vehi-
cles ahead of your vehicle.
Therefore, if there is ever any
possibility of da nger, the driver
must take immediate and direct
control of the vehicle and act
appropriately in order to ensure
the safety of all involved.
■Situations unsuitable for
dynamic radar cruise control
with full-speed range
Do not use dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range in
any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropri-
ate speed control and could
cause an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
●Roads where there are pedes-
trians, cyclists, etc.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as
those covered with rain, ice or
snow
●On steep downhills, or where
there are sudden changes
between sharp up and down
gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the
set speed when driving down a
steep hill.
●At entrances to freeways and
highways
●When weather conditions are
bad enough that they may pre-
vent the sensors from detecting
correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm,
heavy rain, etc.)
●When there is rain, snow, etc.
on the front surface of the radar
or front camera
●In traffic conditi ons that require
frequent repeated acceleration
and deceleration
●When your vehicle is towing a
trailer or during emergency tow-
ing
●When an approach warning
buzzer is heard often

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
Pay particular attention to the fol-
lowing objects:
●Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
●Cotton, snow and other materials
that absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●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

3134-5. 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.

4517-2. 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 hybrid system warning
message is shown on the
multi-information display and
the vehicle does not move.
 The vehicle makes an abnor-
mal sound.
From the front
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
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to do so may result
in death or serious injury.

4527-2. 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 power switch off.
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 short
WARNING
■When towing the vehicle
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, or elec-
tricity generated by the operation
of the motor may cause a fire to
occur depending on the nature of
the damage or malfunction.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Do not tow the vehicle from
the rear when th e power 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
Emergency towing (vehi-
cles with towing eyelet)

4537-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
distances 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.472)
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.
3Insert the towing eyelet into
the hole and tighten partially
by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eye-
let securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or
chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehi-
cle body.
6Enter the vehicle being towed
and start the hybrid system.
Turn off the Parking Support Brake
function (if equipped): P.314
If the hybrid system does not start,
turn the power switch to ON.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and
release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.232)
When the shift lever cannot be
shifted: P.228
Emergency towing proce-
dure (vehicles with towing
eyelet)
A
B

4547-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power
assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering
and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench (if equipped)
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the
tool bag in luggage compartment.
(  P.472)
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions. Failure to do so may result
in death or serious injury.
■While towing (vehicles with
towing eyelet)
●When towing using cables or
chains, avoid sudden starts, etc.
which place excessive stress on
the towing eyelets, cables or
chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become
damaged, broken debris may hit
people, and cause serious dam-
age.
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Do not turn the power
switch to the “LOCK” position.
There is a possibility that the
steering wheel is locked and
cannot be operated.
■Installing towi ng eyelets to
the vehicle (vehicles with
towing eyelets)
Make sure that towing eyelets are
installed securely. If not securely
installed, towing eyelets may
come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle during emergency
towing (vehicles with towing
eyelet)
Do not secure cables or chains to
the suspension components.