2014 TOYOTA RAV4 EV Owners Manual

257
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Hill-start assist control buzzer
●When hill-start assist control is activated, the buzzer will sound once.
● In the following situations, hill-start assist control will be canceled and the
buzzer will sound twice.
• No attempt is made to drive the vehicle within approximately 2 seconds
of releasing the brake pedal.
• The P position switch is pushed.
• The parking brake is applied.
• The brake pedal is depressed again.
• The brake pedal has been depressed for more than approximately 3 minutes.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Hill-start assist control
●Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.

258
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle precautions
Utility vehicle feature● Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity
than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes
this type of vehicle to be more likel y to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehi-
cles.
● This vehicle is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
ordinary passenger cars. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive
speeds may cause rollover.
● This vehicle is an electric vehi cle. It has a heavy traction battery
mounted under the floor, giving the vehicle a lower ground clear-
ance than that of conventional off-road vehicles. Avoid off-road
driving as it may damage the traction batteries.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher
ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its
center of gravity as compared to ordinary passenger cars.

259
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
● Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible. Failure to operate
this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover caus-
ing death or serious injury.
● Avoid loading any items on the roof that will raise the vehicle’s center of
gravity.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and taller
vehicle height, this vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● This vehicle is an electric vehicle. Avoid driving through deep water that
may cause the battery pack, motor or motor controller to be submerged or
flooded. Furthermore, this vehicle is not suitable for off-road driving, unlike
conventional sport utility vehicles. When it is unavoidable to drive off-road
or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp
turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to
your vehicle’s suspension, chassis and traction batteries.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar vehicle) can tip over
sideways much more easily than forward or backward.

260 2-5. Driving information
Off-road drivingYour vehicle is not designed to be driven off-road. However, in the
event that off-road driving cannot be avoided, please observe the fol-
lowing precautions to help avoid the areas prohibited to vehicles.
● Drive your vehicle only in areas wh ere off-road vehicles are permit-
ted to travel.
● Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering
private property.
● Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs
that restrict travel.
● Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or trav el delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
● Avoid driving on very steep, sl ippery roads and other surfaces,
such as sand, where the tires are liable to lose traction.

261
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off-road driving is unavoidable. Do not take unneces-
sary risks by driving in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when off-road driving is unavoid-
able. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both
hands and especially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● When it is unavoidable to drive through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, etc.,
take care not to damage the traction batteries equipped under the floor.
After driving through such terrain, check that there is no grass, bush,
paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody. Clear
off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could
occur.
● When driving off-road is unavoidable, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control
or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking
expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension, chassis, drive unit or the
traction batteries.

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.

263
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capa city) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1)Locate the statement “The co mbined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's
placard.
(2)Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3)Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4)The resulting figure equals the av ailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5  150) =
650 lbs.)
(5)Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
● Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever
possible.
● Be sure all items are secured in place.
● To maintain vehicle balance while driving, position luggage
evenly within the luggage compartment.
● For better power economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.

264 2-5. Driving information
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Cons ult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
(  P. 267)
Toyota does not recommend towing a traile r with your vehicle. Your vehi-
cle is not designed for trailer towing.
Calculation formula for your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) (P. 482)
When 2 people with the combined weight of A lb. (kg) are riding in
your vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight)
of B lb. (kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity
will be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B*
2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)
*1: A = Weight of people
*2: B = Total load capacity
*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of D lb.
(kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced E lb\
. (kg)
as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb. (kg)
*4: D =Additional weight of people
*5: E =Available cargo and luggage load