Page 1 of 520
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before driving
Information on the EV system, adjusting and operating
features such as door locks, mirrors, and steering col-
umn.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning, as well as other interior features for a
comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............... 190
Power switch ....................... 200
Transmission....................... 206
Turn signal lever ................. 215
Parking brake ...................... 216
Horn .................................... 217
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 218
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 223
Multi-information display ..... 227
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 234
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 238
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 241
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ...................... 243
Rear view monitor system .............................. 247
Driving assist systems ........ 251
Hill-start assist control ......... 256 2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle precautions....................... 258
Cargo and luggage ............. 263
Vehicle load limits............... 267
Winter driving tips ............... 268
Trailer towing ...................... 273
Dinghy towing ..................... 274
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system.......... 276
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 292
3-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 293
• Personal/interior light main switch ...................... 294
• Personal/interior lights...... 294
• Interior light ...................... 295
• Luggage compartment light................................... 295
3-3. Using the storage features List of storage features ....... 296
• Glove box ......................... 297
• Console box ..................... 298
• Cup holders ...................... 299
• Bottle holders ................... 300
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 302
2When driving
3Interior features
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TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
3-4. Other interior featuresSun visors .......................... 304
Vanity mirrors ..................... 305
Power outlets ..................... 306
Seat heaters ....................... 310
Armrest............................... 313
Coat hooks ......................... 314
Assist grips ......................... 315
Floor mat ............................ 316
Luggage compartment features ............................ 317
Garage door opener ........... 320
Safety Connect................... 326
4-1. Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 334
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 337
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................... 340
General maintenance ......... 342 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 346
Hood ................................... 349
Positioning a floor jack........ 351
Motor compartment ............ 355
Tires.................................... 366
Tire inflation pressure ......... 374
Wheels................................ 378
Air conditioning filter ........... 381
Electronic key battery ......... 383
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 385
Headlight aim...................... 398
Light bulbs .......................... 400
5-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ............ 412
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 413
If you think something is wrong ............................ 416
4Maintenance and care
5When trouble arises
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15
C
Power switch P. 200
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch
P. 292
Security indicator P. 149
*: Refer to “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Air conditioning system P. 276
Seat heater controls P. 310
Page 26 of 520
26
1-1. EV system
Characteristics of the EV (Electric Vehicle) system
The RAV4 EV is considerably different from a conventional vehicle.
Instead of using gasoline, the vehicle is driven using electricity in
the rechargeable traction battery to power the electric motor. This
technology is clean and has a low impact on the environment by not
emitting exhaust such as CO
2 or NOx during operation.
The illustration is an example fo r explanation purposes only and
may vary from the actual vehicle.
Electric motor (traction motor)
Traction battery
Provides electricity to the electric motor and air conditioning system.
12-volt battery
Provides electricity to various vehicle functions such as the audio sys-
tem, wipers, headlights and so forth.
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29
1-1. EV system
1
Before driving
For details on ions that are displayed during route guidance, refer to “Map
Screen” or “Starting Route Guidance” in the “Navigation System Owner’s
Manual”.
“One Way”
Touch to display the driving range for a one-
way trip. (Displayed when route guidance is
not being used.)
“Climate Setting” Displays the driving range with the current
air conditioning settings and with the air
conditioning turned off.
Reachable Desti-
nation Guidance When a destination is set, or when Home is
registered, displays an estimation of
whether the destination can be reached on
the amount of charge remaining in the trac-
tion battery.
For details refer to the “Navigation System
Owner's Manual”.
No.NameFunction
■
Regenerative braking
During deceleration, kinetic energy from the vehicle is stored in the traction
battery for later use. This occurs while driving in D or B position when:
● The acceleration pedal is released
● The brake pedal is applied
■ 12-volt battery recharging
The traction battery automatically recharges the 12-volt battery when the EV
system is ON or while the traction battery is being charged from an electrical
receptacle.
If the vehicle is not used for one month or more, there is a possibility the 12-
volt battery may discharge. If this occurs, follow the correction procedures.
(P. 470)
■ When not using the vehicle for an extended period of time
P. 8 1
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30 1-1. EV system
■Charging
Be sure you maintain the traction battery charge level for your driving needs.
If the traction battery fully discharges, the vehicle cannot be driven a\
t all.
Even when driving, keep early charging in mind. ( P. 53) If the amount of
charge remaining in the traction battery becomes low, search for a charging
station using the navigation system*.
* For details, refer to the “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
■ Driving Range
Based on the amount of charge remaining in the traction battery, the air-con-
ditioning system mode and so forth, the calculated driving range is displayed
on the meter.
Depending on driving speed, road surface conditions, method of air-condi-
tioning use, and so forth, the actual driving distance may increase or
decrease. Keep early charging in mind.
■ Noise and vibrations specific to an electric vehicle
Because an electric vehicle does not have the engine noise or vibrations
that a conventional vehicle has, the driver may not notice that the ready indi-
cator is illuminated and the vehicle is in a drivable condition. For safety rea-
sons, always shift the shift position to P and apply the parking brake when
parking the vehicle.
After starting the EV system, the following noises and vibrations may occur.
These noises and/or vibrations are not signs of a malfunction. For example:
● Motor sounds coming from the motor compartment.
● Electrical relay sounds may be heard from the traction battery when the
EV system starts or stops.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission and its surrounding area
when the EV system starts or stops.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when you depress the
brake pedal or release the accelerator pedal.
● Motor sounds may be heard when accelerating suddenly.
● Operational and motor sounds may be heard when the brake pedal is
depressed.
● The electric cooling fans in the front of the vehicle may be heard.
● Air conditioning operation sounds may be heard.
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32
1-1. EV system
EV (Electric Vehicle) system precautions
The illustration is an example for explanation purposes only and may
vary from the actual vehicle.
Cabin coolant heater
High voltage cables (orange)
Air conditioning compressor
DC/DC converter
Service plug Charging port
Traction battery
Charger
Electric motor (traction
motor)
Please do not attempt to disassemble or service the EV system, as it
contains high voltage (nearly 400 V), as well as parts that become
extremely hot when the EV system is operating. Obey the caution
labels attached to the vehicle.