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
Page 431 of 666

429
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
• When strong winds are blowing 
• If a sensor is cove red with ice, snow,  
dirt, etc. (when cleared, the system 
will return t o normal) • If heavy rain or wa ter strikes a sensor 
• When driving in inclement weather 
such as fog, snow or a sandstorm • A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area  
will resolve this problem.)
●Vehicle surroundings
• When an object that cannot be 
detected is between the vehicle and a  detected object 
• If an object such as  a vehicle, motor- 
cycle, bicycle or pedestrian cuts in  front of the vehicl e or runs out from  
the side of the vehicle
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or  curved curb. 
• On an extremely  bumpy road, on an  
incline, on gravel, or on grass. • The objects draw too close to the sen - 
sor.
●Other sonic waves sources
• When vehicle horns , vehicle detec- 
tors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of  large vehicles, the  clearance sonar of  
other vehicles or other devices which 
produce ultrasonic waves are near the 
vehicle • If a sticker or an electronic compo - 
nent, such as a backl it license plate  
(especially fluorescent type), fog  
lights, fender pole or wireless antenna  
is installed near a sensor
●Changes in the vehicle
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted • If the front of the v ehicle is raised or  
lowered due to the carried load
• 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 protector (an addi - 
tional trim str ip, etc.), bicycle carrier,  or snow plow 
• If the suspension has been modified 
or tires of a size o ther than specified  are installed 
• If paint or a sticker is applied to the 
sensor 
Page 432 of 666

4305-5. Using the driving support systems
*: If equipped
This function will operate in situa- 
tions such as the following if a vehi - 
cle is detected in the traveling 
direction of the vehicle.
■When reversing, a vehicle is 
approaching and the brake 
pedal is not depressed, or is 
depressed late 
→ P.408
■The Parking Support Brake func- 
tion (rear-crossing vehicles) will  operate when 
The function will operate when the  
PKSB OFF indicator is  not illuminated  ( →P.170, 171) and all of the following  
conditions are met:
●Hybrid system outpu t restriction con- 
trol
• The Parking Support Brake is  enabled. 
• The vehicle speed is approximately 15 
km/h (9 mph) or less.
Parking Support Brake  
function (rear-crossing  
vehicles)*
If a rear radar sensor detects a  
vehicle approaching from the 
right or left at  the rear of the  
vehicle and the system deter - 
mines that the possibility of a 
collision is high, this function 
will perform brake control to 
reduce the likelihood of an 
impact with the approaching 
vehicle.
Examples of function opera - 
tion
Types of sensors
WARNING
■To ensure the Parking Support  
Brake (rear-crossing vehicles) 
can operate properly 
Observe the following precautions  
regarding the rear radar sensors 
( →P.408). Failure to do so may cause  
a sensor to not ope rate properly, and  may cause an accident.
●Do not modify, disassemble or paint the sensors.
●Do not replace a rear radar sensor with a part other  than a genuine  
part.
●Do not damage the rear radar sen - 
sors, and always  keep the radar  
sensors and their surrounding area  on the bumper clean.
●If the area around a rear radar sen - sor is subjected to an impact, the  
system may not operate properly 
due to a sensor malfunction. Have  the vehicle inspected by any autho - 
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota 
authorized repairer, or any reliable  repairer.
●Observe the rear radar sensor han - dling precautions. ( →P.408) 
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431
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
• Vehicles are ap proaching from the  
right or left at the rear of the vehicle at  a traveling speed of more than  
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph)
• The shift lever is in R. • The Parking Support Brake deter - 
mines that a stronger than normal 
brake operation is necessary to avoid  a collision with an approaching vehi - 
cle.
●Brake control
• Hybrid system output restriction con - 
trol is operating • The Parking Support Brake deter - 
mines that an emergency brake oper - 
ation is necessary to avoid a collision  with an approaching vehicle.
■The Parking Support Brake func - 
tion (rear-crossing vehicles) will 
stop operating when 
The function will stop operating if any of  
the following conditions are met:
●Hybrid system output restriction con - 
trol
• The Parking Support Brake is dis - abled. 
• The collision becomes avoidable with 
normal brake operation. • A vehicle is no longer approaching  
from the right or lef t at the rear of the  
vehicle.
●Brake control
• The Parking Support Brake is dis - abled. 
• Approximately 2 seconds have 
elapsed since the vehicle was  stopped by brake control. 
• The brake pedal is depressed after 
the vehicle is stopped by brake con - trol. 
• A vehicle is no longer approaching 
from the right or lef t at the rear of the  
vehicle.
■Detection area of the Parking Sup - port Brake function (rear-crossing  
vehicles) 
The detection area of the Parking Sup - port Brake function (rear-crossing vehi - 
cles) differs from t he detection area of  
the RCTA function ( →P.412). Therefore,  
even if the RCTA function detects a  
vehicle and provides an alert, the Park - ing Support Brake function (rear-cross - 
ing vehicles) may not start operating.
■Conditions under which the Park - 
ing Support Brake function (rear- crossing vehicles) will not detect a  
vehicle 
The Parking Support Brake function  (rear-crossing vehicles) 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
●Vehicles which suddenly accelerate or 
decelerate near your vehicle
●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*
●Objects which are ex tremely close to  
a radar sensor*
●Vehicles which are approaching from  
the right or left at the rear of the vehi - 
cle at a traveling sp eed of less than  
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph)
●Vehicles which are approaching from 
the right or left at the rear of the vehi - cle at a traveling sp eed of more than  
Page 434 of 666

4325-5. Using the driving support systems 
approximately 24  km/h (15 mph)*: Depending on the conditions, detec- 
tion of a vehicle  and/or object may  
occur.
■Situations in which the system may  
operate even though there is no  possibility of a collision 
In some situations such as the following,  
the Parking Support Brake function  (rear-crossing vehicles) may operate  
even though there is n o possibility of a  
collision.
●When the parking space faces a 
street and vehicles  are being driven  on the street
●When a detected vehicle turns while approaching the vehicle
●When a vehicle passe s by the side of  your vehicle
●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 the vehicle, is short 
●When there are spinning objects near 
your vehicle such as the fan of an air  conditioning unit
●When water is spla shed or sprayed  toward the rear bumper, such as from  
a sprinkler
■Situations in which the Parking 
Support Brake function (rear-cross - ing vehicles) may not operate prop - 
erly 
In some situations, s uch as the follow- ing, the radar sensors may not detect an  
object and this function may not operate 
properly
●Stationary objects
●When a sensor or  the area around a  
sensor is extremely hot or cold
●If the rear bumper is covered with ice, 
snow, dirt, etc.
●When it is raining heavily or water 
strikes the vehicle
●When the detection  area of a radar  
sensor is obstruct ed by an adjacent  
vehicle
●If the vehicle is significantly tilted
●When equipment that may obstruct a 
sensor is installed , such as a towing  
eyelet, bumper protector (an addi - tional trim str ip, etc.), bicycle carrier,  
or snow plow
●If the suspension has been modified  or tires of a size o ther than specified  
are installed
●If the front of the v ehicle is raised or  
lowered due to the carried load
●If a sticker or an electronic compo - 
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433
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
nent, such as a backl it license plate  
(especially fluorescent type), fog  lights, fender pole or wireless antenna  
is installed near a radar sensor
●If the orientation of a radar sensor has 
been changed
●When multiple vehicles are approach - 
ing with only a sm all gap between  
each vehicle
●If a vehicle is appro aching the rear of  
your vehicle rapidly 
●Situations in which the radar sensor 
may not detect a vehicle • When a vehicle appr oaches from the  
right or left at the  rear of the vehicle  
while you are turning while backing up • When turning while backing up 
• When backing out of a shallow angle  parking spot 
• When backing up on a slope with a  sharp change in grade 
• When a vehicle turns into the detec - tion area 
Page 436 of 666

4345-5. Using the driving support systems
1Eco drive mode
Suitable for driving to improve fuel  
economy by more smoothly generating 
torque in response to accelerator pedal 
operations compared to normal mode 
and restraining air  conditioning system  
operations (heating/cooling). 
When the switch is turned to the left  
while not in Eco drive mode, the system 
switches to Eco dr ive mode and the  
Eco drive mode indic ator illuminates on  
the multi-information display.
2 Normal mode
Suitable for normal driving. 
The driving mode returns to normal  
mode if the switch is pressed while in 
Eco drive mode or sport mode.
3 Sport mode
Controls the steering feeling and hybrid  
system to create an acceleration 
response that is suita ble for sporty driv- 
ing. Suitable for when crisp handling is 
desired, such as when driving on 
mountainous roads. 
When the switch is tu rned to the right  
while not in sport m ode, the system  
switches to sport mode and the sport 
mode indicator illuminates on the multi-
information display.
■When changing to a driving mode  
other than normal mode
●The background color of the multi-
information display changes accord - ing to the selected driving mode.
●When the speedometer is set to ana - log display, the speedometer display  
color also changes.
●The color of the  switch changes  
according to the s elected driving  
mode. (On some models)
■Air conditioning system operation 
in Eco drive mode 
In Eco drive mode, heating/cooling oper - 
ations and the fan speed is controlled to 
improve fuel efficiency. Perform the fol - lowing procedures to increase the air  
conditioning performance.
●Adjust the fan speed ( →P.453)
●Cancel Eco drive mode
■Canceling a driving mode
●Sport mode is automatically canceled  
and the driving mode returns to nor - mal mode when the power switch is  
turned off.
●Normal mode and Eco drive mode are 
not canceled until another driving 
mode is selected. ( Even if the power 
Driving mode select  
switch
The driving modes can be  
selected to suit the driving and 
usage conditions.
Selecting a driving mode 
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435
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
switch is turned off,  normal mode and  
Eco drive mode w ill not be automati- cally canceled.)
Press the Trail Mode switch
When the switch is pressed, Trail Mode  
turns on and the Trail Mode indicator 
illuminates on the multi-information dis - 
play. 
When the switch is pr essed again, the  
Trail Mode indicator turns off.
Trail Mode
Trail Mode is a system that per - 
forms integrated control for 
the AWD, brake and drive force 
control systems to assist the 
drive power on bumpy roads, 
etc.
WARNING
■Before using Trail Mode 
Make sure to observe the following  
precautions. Failure to observe these  precautions may result in an unex - 
pected accident.
●Check that the Tra il Mode indicator  is illuminated before driving. Trail  
Mode will not operate when the 
indicator is off.
●Trail Mode is not intended to 
expand the limits  of the vehicle.  Thoroughly check the road condi - 
tions and driv e with caution.
●Thoroughly check the road condi- 
tions before driving. As Trail Mode 
is suitable for driving on bumpy  roads, such as those where the tire  
o n  o n e  s i d e  s p i n s ,  t here is a chance  
that Trail Mode may not be the  most appropriate  for other road  
conditions.
Turning Trail Mode on 
Page 438 of 666

4365-5. Using the driving support systems
■Trail Mode
●Trail Mode is intended for use when  
driving on bumpy rough roads. Do not  turn the switch on in  other situations.
●Trail Mode controls the vehicle so that  it can use the maximum amount of  
drive force when  driving on bumpy  
roads.
●If Trail Mode is continuously used for 
a long period of t ime, the load on  related parts increases and the sys - 
tem may be unable t o operate effec- 
tively.
■When Trail Mode is canceled 
In the following situations, Trail Mode is  
automatically canc eled even if it is  
turned on.
●When the drivi ng mode is changed  
( →P.434)
●When the power switch is turned off
■During Trail Mode operation 
The following types of situations may  occur, but they are not malfunctions.
●Vibrations may be felt throughout the vehicle or steering wheel
●Operating noise may  be heard from  
the engine compartment
■When an inspection at any autho - rized Toyota retailer or Toyota  
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer is necessary 
In the following situ ations, the system  
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle 
inspected by any authorized Toyota  retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or  
any reliable repairer immediately.
●When the slip indicator light illumi - 
nates while Trail Mode is on
●When the Trail Mode indicator does 
not illuminate even  though the Trail  
Mode switch is pressed 
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437
5 
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
■If “Exhaust Filter Full See Owner’s  
Manual” is shown on the multi-
information display
●The message may be displayed while 
high load driving with particulate mat - ter accumulating. 
●Hybrid system output (engine speed) is restricted when a  certain amount of  
particulate matter  accumulates, how- 
ever, it is possible to drive the vehicle  unless the malfuncti on indicator lamp  
comes on.
●Particulate matter can accumulate 
more quickly if t he vehicle is fre- 
quently driven short trips or at low  speeds, or if the h ybrid system is reg- 
ularly started in an extremely cold 
environment. Excessive accumula - 
tion of particulate matter can be pre - vented by periodically driving long  
distances continu ously with intermit- 
tent releasing of the  accelerator pedal,  such as when dri ving on highways  
and freeways.
■If the malfunction  indicator lamp  
comes on or “Hybrid System Mal - function Output Power Reduced  
Visit Your Dealer” is shown on the 
multi-information display 
The amount of accumulated particulate  
matter has exceeded  a certain level.  
Have the vehicle i nspected by any  authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota  
authorized repairer, or any reliable 
repairer immediately.
GPF (Gasoline Particu- 
late Filter) system
The GPF system collects par - 
ticulate matter  in the exhaust  
gas by using an exhaust gas 
filter. The system will operate 
to regenerate the filter auto - 
matically, depending on the 
vehicle conditions.
NOTICE
■To prevent the GPF system from  
not operating properly
●Do not use fuel other than the spec - ified type
●Do not modify the exhaust pipes 
Page 440 of 666

4385-5. Using the driving support systems
■ECB (Electronically Con- 
trolled Brake System) 
The electronically controlled sys - 
tem generates braking force corre - 
sponding to the brake operation
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 
Helps to prevent wheel lock when  
the brakes are applied suddenly, or 
if the brakes are applied while driv - 
ing on a slippery road surface
■Brake assist 
Generates an increased level of  
braking force after the brake pedal 
is depressed when the system 
detects a panic stop situation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) 
Helps the driver to control skidding  
when swerving suddenly or turning 
on slippery road surfaces.
■VSC+ (Vehicle Stability Con - 
trol+) 
Provides cooperative control of the  
ABS, TRC, VSC and EPS. 
Helps to maintain directional stabil - 
ity when swerving  on slippery road  
surfaces by controlling steering per - 
formance.
■Trailer Sway Control 
Helps the driver t o control trailer  
sway by selectively applying brake 
pressure for individual wheels and 
reducing driving torque when trailer 
sway is detected.
■TRC (Traction Control) 
Helps to maintain drive power and  
prevent the drive wheels from spin - 
ning when starting the vehicle or 
accelerating on slippery roads
■Active Cornering Assist (ACA) 
Helps to prevent t he vehicle from  
drifting to the outer side by perform - 
ing inner wheel brake control when 
attempting to acc elerate while turn- 
ing
■Hill-start assist control 
Helps to reduce  the backward  
movement of the vehicle when 
starting on an uphill
■EPS (Electric Po wer Steering) 
Employs an electric motor to  
reduce the amount of effort needed 
to turn the steering wheel
Driving assist systems
To keep driving safety and per - 
formance, the following sys - 
tems operate aut omatically in  
response to various driving sit - 
uations. Be aware, however, 
that these sys tems are supple- 
mentary and should not be 
relied upon too heavily when 
operating the vehicle.
Summary of the driving  
assist systems