2018 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID cooling

781-2. Hybrid system
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)■
After the 12-volt battery has dischar ged or when the terminal has been
removed and installed during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is being driven by the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibration even though the vehicle is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. For safety, apply the parking
brake and make sure to shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
● Relay operating sounds such as a snap or soft clank will be emitted from the
hybrid battery (traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid sys-
tem is started or stopped.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is open.
● Sounds may be heard from the transmission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal is released.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vents on the lower
sides of the rear seat.
■ Vehicle proximity notification system
In the following cases, the vehicle proximity notification system may be diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
● In the wind or the rain
Also, as the vehicle proximity notification system is installed on the front of
the vehicle, it may be more difficult to hear from the rear of the vehicle com-
pared to the front.
■ Maintenance, repair, recycling, and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regarding maintenance, repair, recycling and dis-
posal. Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. on/off operation of the EV indicator) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 636)

801-2. Hybrid system
RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
The cooling air intake and dis-
charge vents for the hybrid battery
(traction battery) are located
under the rear seats and between
the rear seats and deck board,
respectively. If the air intake vents
are blocked, it could lead to a
reduction in hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) output.
The hybrid battery (traction battery)
output will not be reduced, even if
the space between the upper part
of the air discharge vents on the
back of the rear seat and deck
board is blocked with luggage, etc.
When a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sensor, the
emergency shut off system blocks the high voltage current and stops
the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel leakage. If
the emergency shut off sy stem activates, your vehicle will not restart.
To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
A message is automatically displa yed when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an improper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown on
the multi-information display, read
the message and follow the
instructions. ( →P. 560)
Hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake and discharge vents
Air intake vents
Air discharge vents
Emergency shut off system
Hybrid warning message

RAV4-HV_OM_OM42B81U_(U)
2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency ( →P. 435). To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Deactivation of the driving mode
●Eco drive mode will not be canceled until the “ECO MODE” button is
pressed, even if the hybrid system is turned off after driving in Eco drive
mode.
● Sport mode will be canceled if the hybrid system is turned off after driving in
sport mode.
■ When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control acti-
vated (if equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate because cruise control or dynamic
radar cruise control will not be canceled.
● While driving in D position or S mode, downshifting to 5 or 4. ( →P. 210)
● When switching the driving mode to sport mode while driving in D position.
(→P. 209)
■ Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

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4-6. Driving tips
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (h eating/cooling) will be minimized, improving
the fuel economy. ( →P. 209)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the Hybrid System
Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 95)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in
heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift le ver to P when parking. When using
the N, there is no positive effect on fuel consumption. In the N, the
gasoline engine operates but elec tricity cannot be generated. Also,
when using the air conditioning s ystem, etc., the hybrid battery
(traction battery) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
● Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accelerati on and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
For economical and ecological driv ing, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points:

436
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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effec-
tive in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75 °F (24 °C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the power switch
is in ON mode.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■ Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windshield from fogging up when the outside air is
cold, the following may occur:
• Outside air mode does not switch to recirculated air mode.
• The dehumidification function operates.
• The operation cancels after approximately 1 minute.
● In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
● In extremely humid weather, the windows may fog up.
● The pollens are filtered out even if the micro dust and pollen filter is turned
off.
■ When the outside temperature is low
The dehumidification function may not operate even when the is
pressed.
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air m\
ode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the “POWER ON” on the multi-information display and the
“READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off. With the power switch in ON mode, the
electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is
on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 497)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
■12-volt battery
→P. 500
Fuse box ( →P. 524)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 496)
Engine oil filler cap ( →P. 494)
Power control unit coolant
reservoir ( →P. 496)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 498) Radiator (
→P. 497)
Condenser ( →P. 497)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 493)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 499)1
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496
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold.
■Engine coolant reservoir
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to
the “FULL” line. ( →P. 602)
■
Power control unit coolant reservoir Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to
the “FULL” line. ( →P. 602)
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 °F [-35 °C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 °F [-42 °C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reservoir
cap, drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Coolant
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