TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: TOYOTA, Model Year: 2021, Model line: RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID, Model: TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID 2021Pages: 666, PDF Size: 161.28 MB
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409
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
on the outside rear view mirrors. 
Vehicles that are traveling in  
areas that are not visible using  
the outside rear view mirrors 
(the blind spots) 
Vehicles that are approaching  
rapidly from behind in areas that  
are not visible using the outside 
rear view mirrors (the blind 
spots)
■The BSM function detection 
areas 
The areas that vehicles can be  
detected in are outlined below.
The range of each detection area is:
Approximately 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) to  
3.5 m (11.5 ft.) from either side  
of the vehicle
The area between t he side of the vehi- 
cle and 0.5 m (1.6 f t.) from the side of  
the vehicle cann ot be detected.
Approximately 1 m (3.3 ft.) for- 
ward of the rear bumper 
Approximately 3 m (9.8 ft.) from  
the rear bumper 
Approximately 3 m (9.8 ft.) to 60  
m (197 ft.) from the rear bumper
The greater the difference in speed  
between your vehicle and the detected 
vehicle is, the fart her away the vehicle  
will be detected, causing the outside 
rear view mirror indi cator to illuminate  
or flash.
A
B
A
B
C
D 
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4105-5. Using the driving support systems
■The BSM function is operational  when 
The BSM function is operational when  
all of the following  conditions are met:
●The BSM function is on.
●The shift lever is in a position other  
than R.
●The vehicle speed is greater than 
approximately 16  km/h (10 mph).
■The BSM function will detect a  
vehicle when 
The BSM function will  detect a vehicle  
present in the detection area in the fol - 
lowing situations:
●A vehicle in an adjacent lane over - 
takes your vehicle.
●You overtake a vehicle in an adjacent 
lane slowly.
●Another vehicle enters the detection 
area when it changes lanes.
■Conditions under which the BSM  function will not detect a vehicle 
The BSM function is  not designed to  
detect the following  types of vehicles  and/or objects:
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestri - 
ans, etc.*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite  
direction
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi - 
cles and similar stationary objects*
●Following vehicles  that are in the  
same lane*
●Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from 
your vehicle*
●Vehicles which are being overtaken  
rapidly by your vehicle*: Depending on the conditions, detec - 
tion of a vehicle  and/or object may  
occur.
■Conditions under which the BSM  
function may not function correctly
●The BSM function  may not detect  
vehicles correctly in the following situ - ations: 
• When the sensor is misaligned due to 
a strong impact to the sensor or its  surrounding area 
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is 
covering the sensor or surrounding  area on the rear bumper 
• When driving on a road surface that is 
wet with standing water during bad  weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or  
fog
• When multiple veh icles are approach- ing with only a small gap between  
each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehi - cle and a following vehicle is short 
• When there is a significant difference 
in speed between your vehicle and  the vehicle that enters the detection  
area
• When the difference in speed  between your vehicle and another  
vehicle is changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection  area traveling at  about the same  
speed as your vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a  vehicle remains in  the detection area 
• When driving up  and down consecu- 
tive steep inclines, such as hills, dips  in the road, etc. 
• When driving on  roads with sharp  
bends, consecutive curves, or uneven  surfaces 
• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when 
driving on the edge  of a lane, and the  vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away  
from your vehicle
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle 
carrier) is installed to the rear of the  vehicle 
• When there is a significant difference 
in height between your vehicle and  the vehicle that enters the detection  
area
• Immediately afte r the BSM func- tion/RCTA function are turned on 
• When towing a trailer 
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5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
●Instances of the BSM function unnec - 
essarily detecting  a vehicle and/or  object may increase in the following  
situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to  a strong impact to the sensor or its  
surrounding area
• When the distance between your vehi - cle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that  
enters the detect ion area is short 
• When driving up and down consecu - tive steep inclines, such as hills, dips  
in the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or  when driving on the  edge of a lane,  
and a vehicle travel ing in a lane other  
than the adjacent  lanes enters the  detection area 
• When driving on roads with sharp 
bends, consecutive curves, or uneven  surfaces 
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehi - cle and a following vehicle is short 
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle 
carrier) is installed to the rear of the  vehicle 
• When the vehicle th rows up water or  
snow behind.
■Operation of the RCTA func - 
tion 
The RCTA function uses radar sen - 
sors to detect vehicles approaching 
from the right or left at the rear of 
the vehicle and aler ts the driver of  
the presence of s uch vehicles by  
flashing the outside rear view mirror 
indicators and sounding a buzzer. 
Approaching vehicles 
Detection areas
■RCTA icon display 
When a vehicle approaching from  
the right or left at the rear of the 
vehicle is detected, the following 
will be displayed  on the navigation  
system (if equipped) or multimedia 
system (if equipped) screen. 
 When the Toyota parking assist  
monitor (if equipped) is displayed 
 When the panoramic view moni- 
tor (if equipped) is displayed
The Rear Crossing Traffic  
Alert function (if equipped)
A
B 
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4125-5. Using the driving support systems
■The RCTA function detection  
areas 
The areas that vehicles can be  
detected in are outlined below.
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster  
vehicles approaching from farther 
away.
Example:
■The RCTA function is operational  
when 
The RCTA function operates when all of  the following conditions are met:
●The RCTA function is on.
●The shift lever is in R.
●The vehicle speed is less than  
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph).
●The approaching vehicle speed is 
between approximately 8 km/h (5 
mph) and 28 km/h (18 mph).
■Setting the buzzer volume 
The buzzer volume c an be adjusted on  
the multi-information display. ( →P.186)
■Conditions under which the RCTA  
function will not  detect a vehicle 
The RCTA function is not designed to  
detect the following types of vehicles 
and/or objects.
●Vehicles approaching from directly 
behind
●Vehicles backing up in a parking 
space next to your vehicle
●Vehicles that the  sensors cannot  
detect due to obstructions
●Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehi - 
cles and similar stationary objects*
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestri - 
ans, etc.*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehi - cle
●Vehicles approachin g from the park- 
ing spaces next to your vehicle* 
*: Depending on conditions, detection of  
a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■Conditions under  which the RCTA  
function may not function correctly
●The RCTA function  may not detect  
vehicles correctly in the following situ - ations: 
• When the sensor is misaligned due to 
Approach - 
ing vehicleSpeed Approxi - 
mate alert  
distance
Fast28 km/h (18 
mph)20 m (65 ft.)
Slow8 km/h (5 
mph)5.5 m (18 ft.)
A 
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5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
a strong impact to the sensor or its  
surrounding area • When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is  
covering the sensor or surrounding 
area on the  rear bumper • When driving on a road surface that is  
wet with standing  water during bad  
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or  fog 
• When multiple vehicles are approach - 
ing with only a sm all gap between  each vehicle 
• When a vehicle is approaching at high 
speed • When parking on a steep incline, such  
as hills, a dip in the road, etc.
• When an accessory (such as a bicycle  carrier) is installed to the rear of the  
vehicle
• When backing up on a slope with a  sharp change in grade 
• When backing out of a shallow angle  
parking spot 
• Immediately after the RCTA function  
is turned on
• Immediately after the hybrid system is  
started with the RCTA function on 
• When towing a trailer • When the sensors  cannot detect a  
vehicle due to obstructions
●Instances of the RCTA function 
unnecessary detecting a vehicle 
and/or object may i ncrease in the fol- lowing situations: 
• When a vehicle passe s by the side of  
your vehicle • When the parking space faces a  
street and vehicles are being driven 
on the street 
• When the distance between your vehi - 
cle and metal objects, such as a  guardrail, wall, sign, or parked vehicle,  
which may reflect electrical waves 
toward the rear of th e vehicle, is short • When an accessory (such as a bicycle  
carrier) is installed to the rear of the 
vehicle 
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4145-5. Using the driving support systems
*: If equipped
■Location and types of sensors 
Front corner sensors (if  
equipped) 
Front center sensors (if  
equipped) 
Rear corner sensors 
Rear center sensors
■Display (Multi-information dis - 
play) 
When the sensors detect an object,  
such as a wall, a graphic is shown  
on the multi-information display 
depending on the position and dis - 
tance to the object. 
Front corner sensor detection (if  
equipped) 
Front center sensor detection (if  
equipped)*1
Rear corner sensor detection*2
Rear center sensor detection*2
*1: Displayed when the shift lever is in a  
driving position
*2: Displayed when the shift lever is in R
■Display (Audio system screen) 
When the sensors detect an object,  
such as a wall, a graphic is shown 
on the navigation system (if 
equipped) or multimedia system (if 
equipped) screen depending on the 
position and dista nce to the object. 
 When the Toyota parking assist  
monitor (if equipped) is displayed
A simplified image is displayed on the  
upper corner of the screen when an 
obstacle is  detected.
Toyota parking assist- 
sensor*
The distance from your vehicle  
to objects, such as a wall, 
when parallel parking or 
maneuvering into a garage is 
measured by the sensors and 
communicated via the multi-
information display, navigation 
system or multimedia system 
screen and a buzzer. Always 
check the surrounding area 
when using this system.
System components
A
B
C
D
A
B
C
D 
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5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
 When the panoramic view moni- 
tor (if equipped) is displayed
Panoramic view*
A graphic is shown when the pan - 
oramic view monitor is displayed.
*: A simplified image is displayed on the 
upper corner of the screen when an 
obstacle is detected while magnified 
display is shown.
Except panoramic view
A simplified image is displayed on the 
upper corner of th e screen when an  
obstacle is detected.
The Toyota parking  assist-sensor  
function can be enabled/disabled  
on the   screen of the multi-infor - 
mation display. ( →P.186)
When the Toyota parking assist-sensor  
function is disabled, the Toyota parking 
assist-sensor OFF indicator ( →P.171)  
illuminates on the multi-information dis - 
play. 
To re-enable the system, select   on  
the multi-information display, select  
 and turn it on. 
If the system is disabl ed, it will remain  
off even if the power switch is turned to 
ON after the power switch has been 
turned off. 
Turning Toyota parking  
assist-sensor on/off
WARNING
■Toyota parking assist-sensor  
precautions 
Observe the following precautions.  Failing to do so may result in the vehi - 
cle being unable to be driven safely 
and possibly cause an accident.
●Do not use the sensor at speeds in 
excess of 10 km/h (6 mph).
●The sensors’ detection areas and 
reaction times are limited. When  moving forward or reversing, check  
the areas surrounding the vehicle 
(especially the sides of the vehicle)  for safety, and drive slowly, using  
the brake to control the vehicle’s 
speed.
●Do not install acce ssories near the  
bumpers as those  areas are within  the sensors’ detection areas. 
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4165-5. Using the driving support systems
■The system can be operated when
●The power switch is in ON.
●Toyota parking assist-sensor function  is on.
●The vehicle speed is  less than about  10 km/h (6 mph).
●The shift lever is in other than P.
■If “Clean Parking Assist Sensor” is  
displayed on the multi-information  display 
A sensor may be covered with ice,  
snow, dirt, etc. Rem ove the ice, snow,  dirt, etc., from the sensor to return the  
system to normal. 
Also, due to ice forming on a sensor at  low temperatures, a warning message  
may be displayed or the sensor may not 
be able to detect an object. Once the ice  melts, the system will  return to normal. 
If a warning message is displayed even  
if the sensor is cle an, there may be a  sensor malfunction.  Have the vehicle  
inspected by any a uthorized Toyota  
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or  any reliable repairer.
WARNING
●The area directly under the bum - 
pers is not detected.
Thin posts or objects lower than the  sensor may not be detected when  
approached, even if they have been 
detected once.
■When to disable the function 
In the following situations, disable the  
function as it may operate even  though there is no possibility of a colli - 
sion.
●The vehicle is equipped with a com - mercial fender pole, wireless  
antenna or fog lights.
●The front or rear bumper or a sen - 
sor receives a strong impact.
●A non-genuine Toyota suspension 
(lowered suspension, etc.) is 
installed.
●Towing eyelets are installed.
●A backlit license plate is installed.
●When using an automatic car wash
■When using the Toyota parking 
assist-sensor 
In the following situations, the system  
may not function correctly due to a 
sensor malfunction, etc. Have the  vehicle checked by  any authorized  
Toyota retailer or  Toyota authorized  
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
●The Toyota parki ng assist-sensor  
operation display flashes or shows  continuously, a nd a beep sounds  
when no objects  are detected.
●If the area around a sensor collides  
with something, or is subjected to 
strong impact.
●If the bumper or grille collides with 
something.
●If the display flashes or is displayed  continuously and a buzzer does not  
sound, except when the mute func - 
tion has been turned on.
■Notes when washing the vehicle 
Do not apply intensiv e bursts of water  or steam to the sensor area. 
Doing so may result in the sensor  
malfunctioning.
●When using a high pressure 
washer to wash the  vehicle, do not  spray the sensors directly, as doing  
so may cause a sensor to malfunc - 
tion.
●When using steam to clean the 
vehicle, do not direct steam too  close to the sensors as doing so  
may cause a sensor to malfunction. 
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5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
■If “Parking Assist Unavailable” is  
displayed on the multi-information  display (vehicles with PKSB) 
Water may be continuously flowing over  
the sensor surface,  such as in a heavy  rain. When the system determines that it  
is normal, the system  will return to nor- 
mal.
■Sensor detection information
●The sensor’s detec tion areas are lim- 
ited to the areas aro und the vehicle’s  front and rear bumpers.
●The following situations may occur during use. 
• Depending on the shape of the object 
and other factors, t he detection dis- tance may shorten, or detection may  
be impossible.
• Detection may be impossible if static  objects draw too close to the sensor. 
• There will be a shor t delay between  
static object detec tion and display  (warning buzzer sounds). Even at low  
speeds, there is a possibility that the 
object will come withi n 25 cm (9.8 in.)  before the display  is shown and the  
warning buzzer sounds.
• It might be difficu lt to hear the buzzer  due to the volume of the audio system  
or air flow noise of the air conditioning 
system. • It may be difficult to hear the sound of  
this system due t o the buzzers of  
other systems. 
■Conditions under which the func - 
tion may no t function correctly 
Certain vehicle c onditions and the sur- 
rounding 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 sensor. 
(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 display may be  displayed abnormally, or objects, such  
as a wall, may not be detected.
●A sensor is covered in any way.
●When a sensor or  the area around a  sensor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on grav el, or on grass.
●The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due  to vehicle horns,  motorcycle engines,  
air brakes of large vehicles, or other 
loud noises pro ducing ultrasonic  waves.
●There is another  vehicle equipped  with parking assist  sensors in the  
vicinity.
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of 
spray or heavy rain.
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount of 
water, such as when driving on a 
flooded road.
●If the vehicle is significantly tilted.
●The vehicle is approaching a tall or 
curved curb.
●If objects draw too close to the sensor.
■Objects which may not be properly 
detected 
The shape of the object may prevent the  sensor from detecting it. Pay particular  
attention to the following objects:
●Wires, fences,  ropes, etc.
●Cotton, snow and other materials that  
absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●Low objects
●Tall objects with  upper sections pro- jecting outwards in the direction of  
your vehicle 
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4185-5. Using the driving support systems 
People may not be dete cted if they are  
wearing certain types of clothing.
■Detection range of the sensors 
Approximately 100 cm (3.3 ft.) 
Approximately 150 cm (4.9 ft.)
Approximately 60 cm (2.0 ft.) 
The diagram shows the detection  
range of the sensors. Note that the 
sensors cannot detect objects that 
are extremely clos e to the vehicle. 
The range of the sensors may  
change depending on the shape of 
the object, etc.
■Distance display 
When an object is detected by a sensor, the approximate distanc e to the  
object will be displayed on the m ulti-information display, navigation system  
(if equipped) or multimedia syst em (if equipped) screen. (As the distance to  
the object becomes s hort, the distance segments may blink.)
The images may differ from that shown in the illustrations.
Approximate distance to object
• Front center sensor: 100 cm (3.3 ft.) to 60 cm (2.0 ft.) 
• Rear center sensor: 150 cm  (4.9 ft.) to 60 cm (2.0 ft.)
Sensor detection display,  
object distance
A
B
C
Multi-information displayNavigation or multimedia system screen