2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
473
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Avoiding 12-volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the 12-volt battery:
●Make sure each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that
it is not unintentionally in contact with any other than the intended terminal.
● Do not allow the other end of the jumper cable connected to the “+” termi-
nal to come into contact with any other parts or metal surfaces in the area,
such as brackets or unpainted metal.
● Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come into contact
with each other.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the 12-volt battery.
■ 12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte,
while related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following
precautions when handling the 12-volt battery:
●When working with the 12-volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any 12-volt battery fluids (acid) to come into contact
with skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12-volt battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the 12-volt battery support, termi-
nals, and other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12-volt battery.

474 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fans or belt.

5
When trouble arises
475
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Correction proceduresStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the EV system. Carefully lift the hood after the steam
subsides and then restart the EV system.
If you do not see steam: Leave the EV system operating and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until “High Battery Temp” disappears and then stop the
EV system.
If the fans are not operating: Stop the EV system immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer.
After “High Battery Temp” disap-
pears, check the motor/traction
battery coolant level and inspect
the cooling system for leaks.
There are 2 powertrain coolant
reservoirs. Make sure to check
both of them.
If “High Battery Temp” is shown on the multi-information display, the
vehicle may be overheating.
If the message does not disappear after driving for a little while, fol-
low the correction procedu re as described below.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

476 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If necessary, add motor/traction
battery coolant up to the “F” or
“FULL” line.
Add after confirming the type of
coolant. (P. 357)
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if motor/traction battery
coolant is unavailable.
Have the vehicle checked at nearest Toyota dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
STEP 5
CAUTION
■ To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The motor compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Check that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY” indica-
tor are off.
● When the “READY” indicator is illuminated, the cooling fans may su\
ddenly
start to operate. Do not touch or approach the fans. Doing so may lead to
fingers, clothes or tools getting caught, resulting in an accidental injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the EV system and radiator
are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding motor/traction battery coolant
Wait until the EV system has cooled down before adding motor/traction bat-
tery coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot EV system
too quickly can cause damage to the EV system.

5
When trouble arises
477
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle becomes stuck
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Set the parking brake, change the shift position to P and
stop the EV system.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front
wheels.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the front
wheels to help provide traction.
Restart the EV system.
Make sure to change the shift position to D or R, release
the parking brake, and then carefully apply the accelerator
to free the vehicle.STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
Press the VSC OFF switch to turn off
TRAC.

478 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■ When changing the shift position
Be careful not to change the shift position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damage to the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and depressing the accelerator pedal more
than necessary.
● If the vehicle remains stuck even after these procedures are performed,
the vehicle may require towing to be freed.

5
When trouble arises
479
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the EV system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the brake
pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate
as much as possible before turning off the EV system.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following pro-
cedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift position to N.
If the shift position is changed to N After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the
road.
Stop the EV system.
If the shift position cannot be changed to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as possible.
To stop the EV system, press
and hold the “POWER” switch
for 2 consecutive seconds or
more, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 3
STEP 4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more,
or press briefly 3 times or more
STEP 5

480 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency