2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID engine overheat

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 487
Hood.................................. 489
Positioning a floor jack ...... 491
Engine compartment ......... 492
12-volt battery ................... 500
Tires .................................. 505
Tire inflation pressure........ 514
Wheels .............................. 517
Air conditioning filter .......... 520
Electronic key battery ........ 522
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 524
Light bulbs ......................... 527 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 542
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency....................... 543
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...................... 544
If you think something is wrong ......... 550
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................. 551
If a warning message is displayed ......................... 560
If you have a flat tire .......... 581
If the hybrid system will not start ..................... 593
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........ 595
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ................... 597
If your vehicle overheats.... 602
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................ 607
8When trouble arises

17Pictorial index
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 227
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 321
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*. . . . . . . . . . . . P. 433
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 476
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 234
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 234
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 612
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 505
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 617
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 321
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system
*. . . . . . . . P. 505
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 581
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 489
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 489
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 613
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 602
Headlights/daytime running lights (halogen headlights) . . P. 216
Headlights (LED headlights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Parking lights (halogen headlights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Parking lights/daytime running light s (LED headlights) . . P. 216
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 226
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 214
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 312
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 208
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 216
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Light bulbs of the exter ior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 527, Watts: P. 618)
*: If equipped
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
2. Instrument cluster
WARNING
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver’s shifting and the new gear
number appearing on the display. This lag could cause the driver to down-
shift again, causing rapid and excessive engine braking and possibly an
accident resulting in personal death or injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (“H”). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 602)

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1734-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: →P. 543
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 208)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not an AWD vehicle designed for off-road driving. Proceed with all
due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
● Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage
the hybrid system or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has h\
igh-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1754-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■If you hear a squealing or scrapi ng noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any position other than P or N, the vehicle may accel-
erate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
● In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is
illuminated, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combusti\
ble
material is nearby.

194
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance, when using engine braki ng, do not put the transmission in
D. ( →P. 208)
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85 °F [30°C]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If t he engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( → P. 602)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to
keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
3154-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Sounds and vibrations cau sed by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Trailer
Sway Control, TRAC and the hill-start assist control systems
Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are oper-
ating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
● A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
● The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
● The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in the following cases, but it does not
indicate that a malfunction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is operated.
● Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’s door is opened.
● Operating sound heard from the engine compartment when 1 or 2 minutes
passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC, VS C and Trailer Sway Control systems
After turning the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems off, the sys-
tems will be automatically re-enabled in the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned off.
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases
If the TRAC, VSC and Trailer Sway Control systems are turned off, auto-
matic re-enabling will not occur when vehicle speed increases.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).
● The vehicle is stopped.
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
● The parking brake is not engaged.