2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID service

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

12
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain
explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt
pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be
sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner
removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota dealer
before you scrap your vehicle.
Special handling may apply,
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These compo-
nents may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote con-
trol batteries.
Scrapping of your Toyota
Perchlorate Material
WARNING
■
General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influ-
ence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehi-
cle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and
reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other
drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that
distracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or
reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you,
your occupants or others.
■ General precaution regard ing children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to
have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neut\
ral.
There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with
the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition,
heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal
to children.

791-2. Hybrid system
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Hybrid system precautions
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the
actual item.
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high volt-
age system (about 650V at maximum) as well as contains parts
that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is operating.
Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
Warning label
High voltage cables (orange)
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Rear electric motor (traction
motor) Service plug
Front electric motor (traction
motor)
Power control unit
Air conditioning compressor1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

811-2. Hybrid system
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1
For safety and security
■If a warning light comes on, a warn ing message is displayed, or the 12-
volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In this case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be started,
refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel le\
vel
warning light ( →P. 552) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel, the
hybrid system may not be able to start. (The standard amount of fuel is about
2.7 gal. [10.1 L, 2.2 Imp.gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This
value may vary when the vehicle is on a slope. Add extra fuel when the vehi-
cle is inclined.)
■ Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on hybrid vehicles incorporate electromag-
netic shielding, and therefore emit approximately the same amount of elec-
tromagnetic waves as conventional gasoline powered vehicles or home
electronic appliances.
● Your vehicle may cause sound interference in some third party-produced
radio parts.
■ Hybrid battery (traction battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery) has a limited service life. The lifespan of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) can change in accordance with driving
style and driving conditions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt sys-
tem. DC and AC high voltage is very dangerous and can cause severe
burns and electric shock that may result in death or serious injury.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables or their connectors.
● The hybrid system will become hot after starting as the system uses high
voltage. Be careful of both the high voltage and the high temperature, and
always obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service plug
access hole located under the rear seat.
The service plug is used only when the
vehicle is serviced and is subject to high
voltage.

831-2. Hybrid system
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
1
For safety and security
WARNING
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
● Never resell, hand over or modify the hybrid battery. To prevent accidents,
hybrid batteries that have been removed from a disposed vehicle are col-
lected through Toyota dealer. Do not dispose of the battery yourself.
Unless the battery is properly collected, the following may occur, resulting
in death or serious injury:
• The hybrid battery may be illegally disposed of or dumped, and it is haz-
ardous to the environment or someone may touch a high voltage part,
resulting in an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your hybrid
vehicle. If the hybrid battery is used outside of your vehicle or modified
in any way, accidents such as electric shock, heat generation, smoke
generation, an explosion and electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over your vehicle, the possibility of an accident
is extremely high because the person receiving the vehicle may not be
aware of these dangers.
● If your vehicle is disposed of without the hybrid battery having been
removed, there is a danger of serious electric shock if high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors are touched. In the event that your vehicle
must be disposed of, the hybrid battery must be disposed of by your
Toyota dealer or a qualified service shop. If the hybrid battery is not dis-
posed of properly, it may cause electric shock that can result in death or
serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vents
● Do not place objects that will block the air intake vents. The hybrid battery
(traction battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air intake vents regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction
battery) from overheating.
● Do not get water or foreign materials in the air intake vents as this may
cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid battery (traction battery).
● Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery
may be damaged. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

190
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
4-1. Before driving
●The gross trailer weight must never exceed 1750 lb. (795 kg).
● The gross combination weight must never exceed 6710 lb.
(3045 kg).
● The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated on the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated on the Certifi-
cation Label.
● If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■GCWR*
6710 lb. (3045 kg)
■TWR*
1750 lb. (795 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1000 lb. (450 kg)
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
*: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE Interna- tional per SAE J2807.

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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
Winter driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. • Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following accordin g to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Al ways drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle

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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
4-6. Driving tips
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following pre-
cautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the clo-
sure of areas to off-road vehicles:
● Drive your vehicle only in areas where 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 clos ed. Honor gates, barriers and signs
that restrict travel.
● Stay on established roads. When c onditions are wet, driving tech-
niques should be changed or trav el delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
■ Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertain ing to driving your vehicle off-road,
consult the following organizations:
● State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
● State Motor Vehicle Bureau
● Recreational Vehicle Clubs
● U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
Off-road driving