stop start TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

15Pictorial index
■Instrument panel (Left-hand drive vehicles)
Power switch ................................................................................. P.317
Starting the hybrid system/ch anging the modes ..................... P.317, 320
Emergency stop of the hybrid system ............................................. P.560
When the hybrid syst em will not start ............................................. P.601
Warning messages ............................................... .......................... P.578
Shift lever.................................................... ................................... P.321
Changing the shift position.. ............................................................ P.322
Precautions against towing ..................................... ........................ P.563
When the shift lever does not m ove................................................ P.323
Meters ......................................................... ................................... P.174
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument cluster light ......P.174, 178
Warning lights/indicator lig hts ......................................................... P.168
When the warning lights come on ................................ ................... P.568
Multi-information display ...................................... ....................... P.179
Display ........................................................ .................................... P.179
A
B
C
D

23Pictorial index
■Instrument panel (Right-hand drive vehicles)
Power switch ................................................................................. P.317
Starting the hybrid system/ch anging the modes ..................... P.317, 320
Emergency stop of the hybrid system ............................................. P.560
When the hybrid syst em will not start ............................................. P.601
Warning messages ............................................... .......................... P.578
Shift lever.................................................... ................................... P.321
Changing the shift position.. ............................................................ P.322
Precautions against towing ..................................... ........................ P.563
When the shift lever does not m ove................................................ P.323
Meters ......................................................... ................................... P.174
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument cluster light ......P.174, 178
Warning lights/indicator lig hts ......................................................... P.168
When the warning lights come on ................................ ................... P.568
Multi-information display ...................................... ....................... P.179
Display ........................................................ .................................... P.179
A
B
C
D

321-1. For safe use
1-1.For safe use
Use only floor mats designed spe-
cifically for vehicles of the same
model and model year as your vehi -
cle. Fix them securely in place onto
the carpet.
1 Insert the retaining hooks (clips)
into the floor mat eyelets.
2 Turn the upper knob of each
retaining hook (clip) to secure
the floor mats in place.
Always align the marks .
The shape of the retaining hooks (clips)
may differ from that shown in the illus-
tration.Before driving
Observe the following before
starting off in the vehicle to
ensure safety of driving.
Installing floor mats
A
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may cause the
driver’s floor mat to slip, possibly
interfering with t he pedals while driv- ing. An unexpectedly high speed may
result or it may become difficult to
stop the vehicle. This could lead to an
accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
■When installing the driver’s floor mat
●Do not use floor ma ts designed for
other models or different model year vehicles, e ven if they are
Toyota Genuine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for
the driver’s seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely
using the retainin g hooks (clips)
provided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats
on top of each other.
●Do not place the f loor mat bottom-
side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
●Check that the floor mat is securely fixed in the correct place with all the
provided retaining hooks (clips). Be
especially careful to perform this check after cleaning the floor.

341-1. For safe use
Make sure that all occupants are
wearing their sea t belts before driv-
ing the vehicle. ( →P.36)
Use a child restraint system appro -
priate for the chil d until the child
becomes large enough to properly
wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
( →P.50)
Make sure that you can see back -
ward clearly by adjusting the inside
rear view mirror (if equipped), Digi -
tal Rear-view Mirror (if equipped)
and outside rear view mirrors prop -
erly. ( →P.279, 280, 289)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Do not adjust the position of the
driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
●Do not place a cushion between the
driver or passenger and the seat - back. A cushion may prevent cor -
rect posture from being achieved,
and reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint.
●Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed und er the front
seats may become jammed in the seat tracks and stop the seat from
locking in place. This may lead to
an accident and the adjustment mechanism may also be damaged.
●Always observe the legal speed limit when driving on public roads.
●When driving over long distances, take regular breaks before you start
to feel tired.
Also, if you feel tired or sleepy while driving, do not force yourself to con -
tinue driving and take a break
immediately.
Correct use of the seat belts
Adjusting the mirrors

781-4. Theft deterrent system
*: If equipped
■Items to check before locking
the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of
the alarm and vehicle theft, make
sure of the following:
 Nobody is in the vehicle.
 The side windows and pan-
oramic moon roof (if equipped)
are closed before the alarm is
set.
 No valuables or other personal
items are left in the vehicle.
■Setting
Close the doors and hood, and lock
all the doors using the entry func -
tion or wireless remote control. The
system will be set automatically
after 30 seconds.
The indicator light changes from being
on to flashing when the system is set.
If all doors are closed with hood open,
alarm system can be set. ( →P.78)
■Canceling or stopping
Do one of the fo llowing to deacti-
vate or stop the alarm:
 Unlock the doors using the entry
function or wirel ess remote con-
trol.
 Start the hybrid system. (The
alarm will be de activated or
stopped after a few seconds.)
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be tr iggered in the fol-
lowing situations: (Stopping the alar m deactivates the
alarm system.)
Alarm*
The alarm uses light and
sound to give an alert when an
intrusion is detected.
The alarm is triggered in the
following situat ions when the
alarm is set:
 A locked door is unlocked or
opened in any way other than
using the entry function or
wireless remote control. (The
doors will lock again automati -
cally.)
 The hood is opened.
 The intrusion sensor detects
something moving inside the
vehicle. (Example: an intruder
breaks a window and gets into
the vehicle.)
 The tilt sensor detects a
change of vehicle inclination.
Setting/canceling/stopping
the alarm system

882-1. Plug-in hybrid system
be changed even if the AUTO EV/HV
mode switch or EV/HV mode selection switch is pressed. ( In this case, the
warning message is displayed on the
multi-information display when the switch is pressed.)
●When electricity needed for EV driving is not remaining (when in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode)
●When the traction battery is almost
completely charged (hybrid battery
[traction battery] charge mode)
■When switching from EV mode to another mode using the switch
●After switching from EV mode to HV
mode or hybrid battery (traction bat - tery) charge mode and the power
switch is turned off, the system
returns to EV mode the next time the
vehicle is started.*
●After switching from EV mode to
AUTO EV/HV mode and the power switch is turned o ff, the system does
not return to EV mode the next time
the vehicle is started.*
*: If there is not enough charge remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) to allow EV dr iving, the system
switches to HV mode.
■Hybrid battery (tr action battery) charge mode
●The following may occur to protect the system, etc.
• Cannot switch to hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) char ge mode or cannot cancel it
• Gasoline engine does not start or
stops even after s witching to hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
●If a load to the syst em is large, such
as when the power consumption of the air conditioning system is large or
when the temperatur e of the engine
coolant is high, it may take longer time than usual to charge using the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode, or charging to the hybrid bat - tery (traction battery) may not be per -
formed.
■When in EV mode
In EV mode, EV driving (driving
using only the electric motor)* is
possible. Howeve r, depending on
the situation, EV driving may be
canceled and both gasoline engine
and electric motor are used
( →P.90). Also, if a little electricity is
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) , HV mode is auto-
matically selected. To drive in EV
mode long, observe the followings.
 Avoid sudden acceleration and
sudden deceleration, and be
sure to drive smoothly.
If you repeatedly accelerate, the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
WARNING
■When using the hybrid battery (traction battery ) charge mode
Observe the following precautions
when using the hybrid battery (trac - tion battery) char ge mode while park-
ing.
Failure to do so may lead to death or
serious health hazard, as the gasoline engine operates when in the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode.
●Do not stop the vehicle near flam -
mable materials.
●Do not use the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) charge mode in a
closed area where ventilation is insufficient, such a s in a garage or
area with snow buildup.
Control when driving in
each mode

89
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
charge will deplete quickly. Also,
EV driving may be canceled by
rapid acceleration or vehicle
speed.
 Restrain your speed as much as
possible. The distance that can
be driven in EV mode will reduce
considerably at high speeds.
*: The EV driving range can be checked
using the multi-information display.
( →P.181)
■When in AUTO EV/HV mode
Only the electric motor is used for
EV driving* during normal driving,
but when the accelerator pedal is
strongly depressed, the gasoline
engine starts. ( →P.90)
Also, when the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) level is low, the mode
switches to HV mode automatically
the same as in EV mode.
AUTO EV/HV mode i s suitable for
driving conditions when more
power is required, such as for driv -
ing uphill or accelerating suddenly.
However, because the gasoline
engine will start more easily, it is
recommended to drive in EV mode
usually.
*: The EV driving range can be checked
using the multi-information display.
( →P.181)
■When in HV mode
The vehicle can be used in the
same way as a standard hybrid
vehicle.
In HV mode, controls are primarily
carried out as follows in accor -
dance with the driving conditions.
 The gasoline engine stops* when
the vehicle is stopped.
 During start off, the electric
motor (traction motor) drives the
vehicle.
 During normal driving, the gaso-
line engine and electric motor
(traction motor) are controlled
effectively, and the vehicle is
driven with optimum fuel effi -
ciency. Also, when necessary,
the electric motor (traction
motor) operates as an electrical
generator to charge the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
 When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine
and the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to accelerate.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) requires char ging or the engine
is warming up, etc., the gasoline
engine will not autom atically stop.
( →P.91)
■When braking (regenerative
braking)
The electric motor (traction motor)
charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
The EV driving range can be
extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store elec -
tricity in the hybrid battery (traction
battery).

91
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
gasoline engine needs to be started.*1: The gasoline engine may also oper -
ate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on condi -
tions.
*2: When driving in AUTO EV/HV mode.
Even in EV mode, the gasoline
engine may start, depending on the
condition of the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery).
■If “Engine Started to Protect Sys -
tem EV driving unavailable” is dis - played on the mu lti-information
display
EV driving may be canceled in order to protect the hybr id system, etc.
In this case, perform driving with the
gasoline engine until EV driving will be returned to automatically.
■Conditions in which the gasoline
engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. Howev er, it may not stop
automatically in the following condi -
tions*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery)
charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid
battery (traction batt ery) is high or low
●When the windshield defogger switch
is pressed. ( →P.453)*: Depending on the circumstances, the
gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in sit uations other than
those above.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibra - tion even though the vehicle is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illu-
minated. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
lever to P when parked.
The following sounds o r vibrations may
occur when the hyb rid system is operat- ing and are not a malfunction.
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a
snap or soft clank will be emitted from
the hybrid battery ( traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid
system is started or stopped.
●Sounds from the hy brid system may
be heard when the back door is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the trans -
mission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regener - ative braking when t he brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal
is released.
●Vibration may be f elt when the gaso-
line engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard
from the air intake vent under the rear seat. ( →P.98)
●Sounds may be heard from near the hybrid battery (traction battery) in
accordance with th e operation of the
air conditioning syst em or “Battery Cooler” ( →P.129).
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and
disposal
Contact any authoriz ed Toyota retailer
or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer regarding mainte -
nance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
I n o r d e r t o m a k e E V m o d e o r A U T O
EV/HV mode available, charge the
Charging ( →P.105)

922-1. Plug-in hybrid system
hybrid battery (traction battery)
from an external power source
before using the vehicle.
Even if charging t he hybrid battery
(traction battery) has not been com-
pleted, the vehicle can be driven. How -
ever, if there is not enough charge
remaining, it is possible that the vehicle
cannot be driven in EV mode or AUTO
EV/HV mode, or the EV driving range
will become shorter.
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicl es can be driven
using electricity charged from an exter -
nal power source. However, as the gas - oline engine is used depending on the
situation ( →P.90) even if in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode, and the gasoline engine is provided on board as a power
source for driving in HV mode, it is
needed to refueling the vehicle.
Check the fuel amount and refill immedi -
ately when the fuel level becomes low.
( →P.342)
■If the vehicle is not used for a long
time
●The 12-volt battery may discharge. In
this event, charge t he 12-volt battery. ( →P.606)
In order to prevent t he hybrid battery
(traction battery) from becoming
extremely low in c harge, charge the hybrid battery (trac tion battery) from
external power source or start the
hybrid system at least once every 2 or 3 months, and turn the power switch
off after the gasoline engine has
stopped automatically. (If the gasoline engine does not sta rt up even after
approximately 10 seconds have
passed since the “READY” indicator came on, the power switch can be
turned to off without any further
action.) When the 12-volt battery is dis -
charged, refer to “If the 12-volt battery
is discharged” ( →P.606) and perform the correction procedure.
●When the vehicle is left with the AC charging cable co nnected, the elec-
tricity consumption amount of the 12-
volt battery increas es due to controls, such as the system checking, operat-
ing. When the AC charging cable is
not needed, immediately remove it from the vehicle.
When driving with the gasoline
engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accord ance with the
driving speed, wil l be played in
order to warn people nearby of the
vehicle’s approach. The sound will
stop when the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 25 km/h (15
mph).
■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
In the following cases, the Acoustic
Vehicle Alerting System may be difficult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting
System

99
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
stops the fuel pump to minimize the
risk of electrocuti on and fuel leak-
age.
If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid sys -
tem, contact any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
A message is automatically dis -
played when a malfunction occurs
in the hybrid system or an improper
operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-informat ion display, read
the message and follow the instruc -
tions.
■If a warning light comes on, a warn - ing message is displayed or the 12-
volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that
case, try to start the system again. If the “READY” indicator does not come on,
contact any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reli - able repairer.
Primarily using EV mode and
AUTO EV/HV mode when driving in
cities and using HV mode when
driving on highways (or freeways)
can help conserve fuel and electric -
ity. ( →P.86)
When using Eco drive mode, the
torque corresponding to the accel -
erator pedal depression amount
can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In
addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/cool -
ing) will be minim ized, improving
fuel and electricity economy.
( →P.434)
Eco-friendly driving is possible by
keeping the Hybrid System Indica -
tor within Eco area. ( →P.177)
Hybrid warning message
Plug-in hybrid vehicle
driving tips
For economical and ecological
driving, pay attention to the
following points:
Using EV mode, AUTO
EV/HV mode and HV mode
effectively
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System Indi -
cator