Page 252 of 676

252
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
• If a vehicle ahead is irregularly shaped, such as a tractor or side car
• If the sun or other light is shining directly on a vehicle ahead
• If a vehicle cuts in front of your vehicle or emerges from beside a vehicle
• If a vehicle ahead makes an abrupt maneuver (such as sudden swerving,
acceleration or deceleration)
• When suddenly cutting behind a preceding vehicle
• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud- denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at night or in a tunnel
• After the hybrid system has started the vehicle has not been driven for a
certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/ right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned • If a vehicle ahead has extremely high ground clearance
• When a vehicle ahead is not directly in front of your vehicle
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or lowered
Page 274 of 676
274
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
In the case of the following and depending on the conditions, operate the
brake pedal when deceleration of the system is insufficient or operate the
accelerator pedal when acceleration is required.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning ( →P. 271) may not be activated.
● Vehicles that cut in suddenly
● Vehicles traveling at low speeds
● Vehicles that are not moving in the same lane
● Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board, etc.)
● Motorcycles traveling in the same lane
● When water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the
detecting of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing upwards
(caused by a heavy load in the luggage
compartment, etc.)
● Preceding vehicle has an extremely high
ground clearance
Page 321 of 676

321
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Utility vehicle precautions
●Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehi cle design feature causes this
type of vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary pas-
senger cars any more than low- slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause the vehicle to rollover.
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 to make it capable of performing in
a wide variety of off-road applications.
Utility vehicle feature
WARNING
■ Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous 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 always fasten their seat belts.
● 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 causing death or serious injury.
● Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier (if equipped) will make the cen-
ter of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp
turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher
center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-
nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle)
can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward.
Page 545 of 676
5458-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B03U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ To prevent damage to the vehic le during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
■ Recreational towing (beh ind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the hybrid
transmission and AWD system.
(→P. 197)