2012 TOYOTA RAV4 EV battery

262 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the trac-
tion battery and motor or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the motor will cause severe motor damage.
● Water entering the traction battery may cause short-circuit.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differential and transmission case,
reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
When driving through water is unavoidable, drive slowly, taking extreme cau-
tion to avoid deep water.

268
2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Motor coolant
• Heater coolant
• Traction battery coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt
battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● Do not try to forcibly open the charging port cap if it is frozen.
Melt the ice using a hair dryer, immediately and thoroughly
wiping away any moisture.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior li ghts, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.

287
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the
outside/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is
effective in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. Dur-
ing cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the
vehicle interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on
the temperature setting, the inside temperature, the outside temperature
and humidity.
Also, outside air mode may be automatically switched to when the out-
side temperature is low.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24C) and the air condi-
tioning system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condi-
tioning system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This
may also reduce traction battery power consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the “POWER”
switch is turned to ON mode.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by touching .
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time after the air conditioning system is started in AUTO mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 381

289
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■If the amount of charge remaining in the traction battery becomes low
Depending on the battery’s condition, the air conditioning system’s usage
may be restricted or stopped (excluding the windshield defogger). If the air
conditioning is restricted or turned off, one of the following messages will be
shown on the HVAC display.
Warning messageDetails
(Shown for a few seconds) Climate Control Power possibly
limited.
• The traction battery output is low.
Any climate control setting can be
selected.
(Shown continually) Climate Control Power stopped.
• The traction battery level is very low.
• The traction battery output is very low.
Only the windshield defogger and
rear window defogger can be
selected.
(Shown for a few seconds) Climate Control Power possibly
limited.
• The traction battery temperature is high.
Some climate control setting can-
not be selected.

291
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode.
■ Humidity sensor
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature of
the windshield, the surrounding humidity,
etc. is installed. ( P. 286)
Follow these points to avoid damaging
the sensor:
● Do not disassemble the sensor
● Do not spray glass cleaner on the sen-
sor or subject it to strong impacts
● Do not stick anything on the sensor

295
3-2. Using the interior lights
3
Interior features
Interior light
Door position
Off
On
Luggage compartment lightOn
Off
■Illuminated entry system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to “POWER” switch mode, the
presence of the electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and
whether the doors are open/closed.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge (excluding luggage compartment
light)
If the lights remain on when a door is not fully closed and the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in door position, the lights will go off automatically
after 20 minutes.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 500)
Interior light and luggage compartment light

305
3-4. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Vanity mirrors
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the vanity lights on for extended periods while the EV system is
off.
Slide the cover to open.
The light turns on when the
cover is opened.

308 3-4. Other interior features
CAUTION
■To prevent unexpected accidents, su ch as electric shocks, do not per-
form any of the following:
● Using the power outlet for electric heaters while sleeping.
● Contaminating the power outlet with liquid substances or mud.
● Handling electrical appliance plugs at the power outlet with wet hands o\
r
feet.
● Inserting foreign objects into the power outlet.
● Using malfunctioning electric appliances.
● Inserting inappropriate or badly fitting plugs into the power outlet.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the power outlet and the plug
●Close the power outlet lid when not in use.
● Do not allow foreign objects or liquid s to enter the power outlet, as this
may cause a short circuit.
● Do not use plug adaptors to connect too many plugs to the power outlet.
● After removing a plug, gently close the power outlet lid.
■ To prevent blown fuse
Do not use an accessory that uses more than 12 V 10 A.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not use the power outlet longer than necessary when the EV system is
off.