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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
WARNING
■Caution regarding the use of windshie ld wipers in “AUTO” mode (vehi-
cles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or
the windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your
fingers or anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
■ Caution regarding the use of washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the washer fluid until the windshield becomes
warm. The fluid may freeze on the windshield and cause low visibility. This
may lead to an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the wipers on longer than necessary when the hybrid system
is off. 
     
        
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
Rear window wiper and washer
Turning the end of the lever turns on the rear window wiper, and push-
ing the lever away from you turns on the rear window wiper and
washer.
For the U.S.A.Intermittent operation
Normal operation
Washer/wiper dual operation
1
2
3 
     
        
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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
For CanadaIntermittent operation
Normal operation
Washer/wiper dual operation
1
2
3 
     
        
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
2294-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
■The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ If no washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzle is not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wiper, as it may damage the rear window.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat. 
     
        
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
2374-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
WARNING
■To avoid malfunction of the camera sensor
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the camera sensor may not operate properly, possibly leading to
an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Keep the windshield clean at all times. 
• If  the  windshield  is  dirty  or  covered  with  an  oily  film,  water  droplets,
snow, etc., clear the windshield.
• If a glass coating agent is applied to the windshield, it will still be neces- sary to use the windshield wipers to remove water droplets, etc. from
the area of the windshield in front of the camera sensor.
• If the inner side of the windshield where the camera sensor is installed is dirty, contact your Toyota dealer.
● If the part of the windshield in front of the camera sensor is fogged up or
covered with condensation or ice, use the windshield defogger to remove
the fog, condensation or ice. ( →P. 428)
● If water droplets cannot be properly removed from the area of the wind-
shield in front of the camera sensor by the windshield wipers, replace the
wiper insert or wiper blade. 
If the wiper inserts or wiper blades need to be replaced, contact your Toy-
ota dealer.
● Do not attach window tinting to the windshield.
● Replace the windshield if it is damaged or cracked. 
If the windshield needs to be replaced, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Do not get the camera sensor wet.
● Do not allow bright lights to shine into the camera sensor.
● Do not dirty or damage the camera sensor. 
When cleaning the inside of the windshield, do not allow glass cleaner to
contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens. 
If the lens is dirty or damaged, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Do not subject the camera sensor to a strong impact.
●Do not install an antenna or attach stick-
ers (including transparent stickers) or
other items to the area of the windshield
in front of the camera sensor (shaded
area in the illustration). 
     
        
        Page 471 of 676

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4717-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
■Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical clean-
ers.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ When cleaning the windshield (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield
wipers)
● When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is
located is touched by hand
● When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
● If something bumps against the windshield
● If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into
the raindrop sensor
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipes 
Exhaust gases cause the exhaust pipes to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipes until they have
cooled sufficiently, as touching hot exhaust pipes can cause burns.
■ Precautions regarding the Blind  Spot Monitor (if equipped)
If the paint of the rear bumper is chipped or scratched, the system may mal-
function. If this occurs, consult your Toyota dealer.
Set the wiper switch to off. 
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate unexpectedly in the fol-
lowing situations, and may result in
hands being caught or other serious inju-
ries and cause damage to the wiper
blades.
OFF 
     
        
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7-1. Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and  corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If  dead  insects,  insect  droppings  or  bird  droppings  are  present  on  the
paint surface
• After  driving  in an  area  contaminated  with  soot, oily  smoke, mine  dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush. 
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash  (vehicles with rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to off position. If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wip-
ers may operate and the wiper blades may be damaged.
■ When using a high-pressure car wash
● When washing the vehicle, do not let water from the high-pressure washer
directly hit the camera (if equipped) or the area around the camera. Due to
the shock from high-pressure water, it is possible that the device may not
operate normally.
● Do not bring the nozzle tip close to  boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if
they come into contact with high-pressure water. 
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts 
     
        
        Page 481 of 676
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4817-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The  wiper  blades  should  not  show  any  signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/ rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■ If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.