TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

912-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
There is an air intake vent under
the rear seat for cooling the
DC/DC converter.
Blocking the air intake vent may
prevent the plug-in hybrid sys-
tem from operating properly.When a certain level of impact is
NOTICE
■Notice about fuel
●For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel
may remain in the tank for a
long time and undergo changes
in quality depending on the how
the vehicle is used. Refuel at
least 5.3 gal. (20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.)
of fuel every 12 months (refuel a
total of at least 5 .3 gal. [20 L,
4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12-month
period), as this may affect com-
ponents of the fuel system or
the gasoline engine.
●If the vehicle has not been refu-
eled for a certain amount of time
and it is possible that the quality
of the fuel remaining in the tank
has changed, “No New Fuel has
been Added Recently Please
refuel” is displayed on the multi-
information display when the
power switch is turned to ON. If
the message is displayed, refuel
the vehicle immediately.
DC/DC converter air
intake vent
NOTICE
■DC/DC converte r air intake
vent
●Make sure not to block the air
intake vent with anything, such
as a seat cover, plastic cover, or
luggage. Blocking the air intake
vent may prevent the plug-in
hybrid system from operating
properly.
●When dust etc. has accumu-
lated in the air intake vent, clean
it with a vacuum cleaner to pre-
vent the vent from clogging.
●Do not wet or allow foreign sub-
stances to enter the air vent as
this may cause a short circuit
and damage the DC/DC con-
verter.
●Do not carry large amounts of
water such as water cooler bot-
tles in the vehicle. If water spills
onto the DC/DC converter, the
converter may be damaged.
Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.
●A filter is installed to the air
intake vent. When the filter
remains noticeably dirty even
after cleaning the air intake
vent, filter cleaning or replace-
ment is recommended. When
cleaning the filter, refer to
P.486.
●If “Maintenance required for
DCDC converter cooling parts
See Owner’s Manual” is shown
on the multi-information dis-
play, the air intake vent and fil-
ter may be clogged. Refer to
P.486 for information on how to
clean the air intake vent.
Emergency shut off sys-
tem

922-1. Plug-in hybrid system
detected by the impact sensor,
the emergency shut off system
blocks off the high voltage cur-
rent and stops the fuel pump to
minimize the risk of electrocu-
tion and fuel leakage.
If the emergency shut off system
activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid sys-
tem, contact your Toyota dealer.
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-information display,
read the message and follow the
instructions.
■If a warning light comes on, a
warning message is displayed
or the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected
The hybrid system may not start. In
that case, try to start the system
again. If the “READY” indicator does
not come on, contact your Toyota
dealer.
Primarily using EV mode and
AUTO EV/HV mode when driv-
ing in cities and using HV mode
when driving on highways (or
freeways) can help conserve
fuel and electricity. ( P.78)
When using Eco drive mode, the
torque corresponding to the
accelerator pedal depression
amount can be generated more
smoothly than it is in normal
conditions. In addition, the oper-
ation of the air conditioning sys-
tem (heating/cooling) will be
minimized, improving fuel and
electricity economy. ( P.377)
Eco-friendly driving is possible
by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area.
( P.167)Hybrid warning message
Plug-in hybrid vehicle
driving tips
For economical and ecolog-
ical 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
Indicator

932-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
Shift the shift lever to D when
stopped at a traffic light, or driv-
ing in heavy traffic etc. Shift the
shift lever to P when parking.
When using the N, there is no
positive effect on fuel consump-
tion. In the N, the gasoline
engine operates but electricity
cannot be generated. Also,
when using the air conditioning
system, etc., the hybrid battery
(traction battery) power is con-
sumed.
Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accel-
eration and deceleration will
make more effective use of
the electric motor (traction
motor) without having to use
gasoline engine power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration con-
sumes hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) power, resulting
in poor fuel consumption. Bat-
tery power can be restored by
driving with the accelerator
pedal slightly released.
Make sure to operate the brakes
gently and a timely manner. A greater amount of electrical
energy can be regenerated
when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and
deceleration, as well as long
waits at traffic lights, will lead to
high fuel and electricity con-
sumption. Check traffic reports
before leaving and avoid delays
as much as possible. When driv-
ing in a traffic jam, gently
release the brake pedal to allow
the vehicle to move forward
slightly while avoiding overuse
of the accelerator pedal. Doing
so can help control excessive
electricity and fuel consumption.

Control and maintain the vehi-
cle at a constant speed.
Before stopping at a toll booth
or similar, allow plenty of time
to release the accelerator and
gently apply the brakes. A
greater amount of electrical
energy can be regenerated
when slowing down.
 Electricity consumption will
increase significantly when
driving at high speeds in EV
mode or AUTO EV/HV mode.
If there will be a long distance
to the next external charging
point after leaving a freeway,
it is recommended to drive in
Shift lever operation
Accelerator pedal/brake
pedal operation
When braking
Delays
Highway driving

942-1. Plug-in hybrid system
HV mode while on the free-
way and change to EV mode
or AUTO EV/HV mode after
leaving the freeway. (P.78)
 Turn the “A/C” switch off
when it is not needed. Doing
so can help reduce excessive
electricity and fuel consump-
tion.
In summer: When the ambient tem-
perature is high, use the recircu-
lated air mode. Doing so will help to
reduce the burden on the air condi-
tioning system and reduce electric-
ity and fuel consumption as well.
In winter: Avoid excessive and
unnecessary use o f the heater.
Usage of the heated steering wheel
(if equipped) ( P.407) and seat
heaters ( P.408) are effective.
 Using the Remote Air Condi-
tioning System ( P.405)
while the AC charging cable is
connected to the vehicle can
reduce electricity consump-
tion immediately after starting
off by operating air condition-
ing mainly using electricity
from an external power
source.
 When setting the charging
schedule, setting the charging
mode to “Departure” and “Cli-
mate Prep” to on can reduce
electricity consumption imme-
diately after starting off by
operating air conditioning before charging is completed.
(
P.130)
Make sure to check the tire infla-
tion pressure frequently. If there
is improper tire inflation pres-
sure in the tires, the EV driving
range will become shorter, and
fuel consumption when in HV
mode will increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause
large amounts of friction, their
use on dry roads can lead to
increased fuel and electricity
consumption.
Carrying heavy luggage will lead
to poor fuel economy. Avoid car-
rying unnecessary luggage.
Installing a large roof rack will
also cause poor fuel economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts
up and cuts out automatically,
warming up is not necessary.
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Luggage
Warming up before driv-
ing

952-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
The value displayed on the SOC
(State of Charge) gauge
(P.165) is estimated from the
following information.
 The amount of hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge cur-
rently remaining
 The electricity consumption
(the estimated distance that
EV driving is possible per unit
of electrical energy) based on
the recorded value
 Past air conditioning system
electricity consumption
amount
The electricity consumption var-
ies depending on how the vehi-
cle is driven. The vehicle automatically records the elec-
tricity consumption when being
charged and uses the electricity
consumption for estimating the
EV driving range. Therefore, the
EV driving range displayed
when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is fully charged may dif-
fer from the previous EV driving
range depending on how the
vehicle was driven.
The EV driving range may
change significantly with each
charging until the electricity con-
sumption based on the recorded
value is stable (for approxi-
mately the first month or two).
However, this does not indicate
a malfunction.
When the air conditioning sys-
tem is turned on, the EV driving
range (with using the air condi-
tioning system) is estimated
based on the past air condition-
ing electricity consumption
amount considering that the
electricity consumption may
become higher.
The distance that EV driving is
possible varies significantly
depending on how the vehicle is
driven, road conditions, the
weather, the outside tempera-
ture, usage conditions of electri-
cal components and the number
EV driving range
The EV driving range dis-
played on the multi-informa-
tion display shows the
reference distance that EV
driving (driving using only
the electric motor) is possi-
ble, and the actual distance
that can be driven may dif-
fer from that displayed.
Even if the EV driving range is
displayed, EV driving may be
canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are
used depending on the situa-
tion. (
P.82)
Displayed value
Tips for extending the EV
driving range

962-1. Plug-in hybrid system
of occupants.
The distance that EV driving is
possible can be extended if the
following is performed:
■When starting off, depress
the accelerator pedal
smoothly to accelerate
As a guide, accelerate up to
approximately 12mph (20 km/h)
in the first 5 seconds.
Electrical and fuel efficiency can
be improved just by using the
ECO Accelerator Guidance dis-
played on the multi-information
display and taking care to start
off gently. ( P.173)
When the driving mode is set to
Eco drive mode, depressing the
accelerator pedal generates
smooth torque that makes it easier
to operate the accelerator gently.
At the same time, the air condition-
ing control is switched to eco air
conditioning mode ( P.397) to
reduce the strength of the air condi-
tioning operation.
■Maintain sufficient vehicle-
to-vehicle distance and do
not accelerate or decelerate
unnecessarily
Try to maintain a fixed speed
while driving. Driving at a short
vehicle-to-vehicle distance will
result in repeating wasteful
acceleration and deceleration,
which will worsen the electrical
and fuel efficiency.
■Release the accelerator
pedal early before stopping
the vehicle, such as at a
traffic light
The regenerative brake will
operate to convert the kinetic
energy of the vehicle into electri-
cal energy, which will charge the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
The regeneration status can be
checked from the Hybrid Sys-
tem Indicator. ( P.167)
When the brake pedal is
depressed lightly during decel-
eration, the regeneration
amount increases, enabling
more electrical energy to be
recovered.
If the brake pedal is depressed too
strongly, the recovered amount
indicator will reac h the maximum
level and the upper limit of the
recoverable energy will be
exceeded. Theref ore, be sure to
operate the brak e pedal early.
■Use the air conditioning
system appropriately, and
also utilize the heated steer-
ing wheel (if equipped) and
seat heaters
In EV mode, the vehicle is
cooled and heated by electrical
energy. (Except in extremely
cold temperatures of approxi-
mately 14°F (-10°C) or less.)
Preventing excessive cooling or
heating of the vehicle will reduce
power consumption and
improve electrical efficiency.

972-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
When eco air conditioning mode
is used, the air conditioning con-
trol is switched automatically to
a lower setting. (P.397)
The heated steering wheel (if
equipped) and seat heaters are
efficient heating device that
directly warm the body using
less electric power.
When used togethe r with the air
conditioning system, a low tem-
perature setting can be used to
improve electrical and fuel effi-
ciency.
■Check the tire pressure
If the tire pressure is lower than
the specified value, it will
worsen the electrical and fuel
efficiency.
A pressure level 7 psi (50 kPa, 0.5
kgf/cm
2 or bar) lower than the spec-
ified value will cause a worsening of
several percentage points.
■When driving on highways,
use the EV/HV mode selec-
tion switch to drive in HV
mode
The power consumption will
increase significantly if the vehi-
cle is driven in EV mode on
highways.
■Do not load unnecessary
objects in the vehicle
Driving with objects weighing
220 lb. (100 kg) in the vehicle
will worsen the electrical and
fuel efficiency by approximately
3%. Air resistance also greatly
affects electrical and fuel effi-
ciency. Remove any exterior
accessories such as a roof lug-
gage carrier when they are not
being used.
The running resistance of snow
tires is high and they will worsen
electrical and fuel efficiency.
Replace them with standard
tires as soon as they are no lon-
ger needed.
■Know your vehicle’s electri-
cal and fuel efficiency
If you know your vehicle’s daily
electrical and fuel efficiency, you
will understand the benefits of
Eco drive.
Use the Power Consump-
tion/Fuel Economy, ECO Accel-
erator Guidance/“Eco Score”
and other data displayed on the
multi-information display.
The following indicate that
charging has been carried out
properly.
 The charging indicator of the
charging port turns off
 “Charging Complete” is dis-
played on the multi-informa-
tion display when a door is
opened with the power switch
off ( P.119)
Regardless of the type of power
Display when c harging is
completed

982-1. Plug-in hybrid system
source or whether the charging
schedule function is used,
charging is completed if the
above can be confirmed.
Charging-related messages:
P.152

992-2. Charging
2
Plug-in hybrid system
2-2.Charging
AC charging inlet
AC charging inlet light
Charging indicator (P.100)
AC charging inlet cap
Charging port lid ( P.100)
AC charging cable ( P.102)
Charging port
Charging equipment
This vehicle features equipment for connecting to an external
power source.
Charging equipment and names
A
B
C
D
E
F
G

1002-2. Charging
■Opening the charging port
lid
Press the central rear edge of
the charging port lid (the loca-
tion shown in the illustration)
with the doors unlocked.
Push and take your hand away to
slightly open the c harging port lid.
Then open the lid fully by hand.
■Closing the charging port
lid
Close the charging port lid and
press the central rear edge of
the charging port lid (the loca-
tion shown in the illustration).
When the doors are locked, the
charging port lid is also locked.
(  P.107)
The illumination/flashing pattern changes to inform the user of the
charging status in the following ways.
Opening and closing the
charging port lid
Charging indicator