2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID battery

5767-2. Maintenance
The OBD system determines
that a problem exists some-
where in the emission control
system. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test and may need
to be repaired. Contact your
Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
When the 12-volt battery is
disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set
during ordinary driving are
erased.
Also, depending on your driv-
ing habits, the readiness
codes may not be completely
set.
 When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator
lamp comes on indicating a
temporary malfunction and
your vehicle may not pass the
I/M test.
The error code in the OBD sys-
tem will not be cleared unless
the vehicle is driven 40 or more
times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to
prepare the vehicle for re-test-
ing.
Emission inspection
and maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle
emission inspection pro-
grams which include OBD
(On Board Diagnostics)
checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of
the emission control sys-
tem.
If the malfunc tion indica-
tor lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test in the fol-
lowing situations:
When the malfunction
indicator lamp still
remains on after several
driving trips
If your vehicle does not
pass the I/M test

5787-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Hybrid bat-
tery (traction
battery) air
intake vent
( P.611)• Vacuum cleaner,
etc,
• Phillips screw- driver
Light bulbs
( P.624)
• Bulb with same
number and watt-
age rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screw- driver
•Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(  P.585)

Tire inflation
pressure
( P.605)• Tire pressure
gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P.587)
• Water or washer
fluid containing
antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or
washer fluid)
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.
ItemsParts and tools■When working on the engine
compartment
●Make sure that “IGNITION ON”
on the multi-information display
and the “READY” indicator are
both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from the moving fan.
●Be careful not to touch the
engine, power control unit, radi-
ator, 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 compart-
ment.
●Do not smoke, c ause sparks or
expose an open flame to fuel or
the battery. Fuel and battery
fumes are flammable.
■When working near the elec-
tric cooling fan or radiator
grille
Be sure the power switch is OFF.
With the power switch in ON, the
electric cooling fa n may automati-
cally start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant
temperature is high. ( P.585)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety gla sses 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 ai r cleaner filter
removed may cause excessive
engine wear due to dirt in the air.

5827-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Fuse boxes (P.621)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.583)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.582)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.586)
Radiator ( P.585)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.585)
Power control unit coolant reservoir ( P.585)
Washer fluid tank ( P.587)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.584)
■12-volt battery
 P.588
With the engine at operating
temperature and turned off,
Engine compartment
Components
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5887-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
The 12-volt battery is located in
the right-hand side of luggage
compartment.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt bat-
tery produces hydrogen gas which
is flammable and explosive. There-
fore, observe the following precau-
tions before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt bat-
tery installed on the vehicle, be
sure to disconnect the ground
cable.
●Make sure the power switch on
the charger is off when connecting
and disconnecting the charger
cables to the 12-volt battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting
the 12-volt battery (vehicles
with smart key system)
●The hybrid system may not start.
Follow the procedure below to ini-
tialize the system.
1 Shift the shift lever to P.
2 Open and close any of the doors.
3 Restart the hybrid system.
●Unlocking the doors using the
smart key system may not be pos-
sible immediately after reconnect-
ing the 12-volt battery. If this
happens, use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key to
lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the hybrid system with the
power switch in
ACC. The hybrid
system may not start with the
power switch turned off. How-
ever, the hybrid system will oper-
ate normally from the second
attempt.
●The power switch mode is
recorded by the vehicle. If the 12-
volt battery is reconnected, the
vehicle will return the power
switch mode to the status it was in
before the 1 2-volt battery was dis-
connected. Make sure to turn off
the power switch before discon-
nect the 12-volt battery. Take
extra care when connecting the
12-volt battery if the power switch
mode prior to discharge is
unknown.
If the hybrid sys tem will not start
even after multiple attempts at all
methods above, contact your
Toyota dealer.
12-volt battery
Location
WARNING
■Chemicals in the 12-volt bat-
tery
The 12-volt battery contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid
and may produce hydrogen gas
which is flammable and explosive.
To reduce the risk of death or
serious injury, take the following
precautions while working on or
near the 12-volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touch-
ing the 12-volt battery terminals
with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match
near the 12-volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin
and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electro-
lyte.

5897-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
1Open the deck board
( P.541)
2 Disengage the 12 claws and
pull the luggage side cover to
remove it.
When installing the luggage side
cover, make sure that the claws are
installed securely.
Make sure that the 12-volt bat-
tery terminals are not corroded
and that there are no loose con-
nections, cracks, or loose
WARNING
●Wear protective safety glasses
when working near the 12-volt
battery.
●Keep children away from the
12-volt battery.
■Where to safely charge the
12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery
in an open area. Do not charge
the 12-volt battery in a garage or
closed room where there is insuf-
ficient ventilation.
■Emergency measures regard-
ing electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water
for at least 15 minutes and get
immediate medical attention. If
possible, continue to apply water
with a sponge or cloth while trav-
eling to the nearest medical facil-
ity.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thor-
oughly. If you feel pain or burning,
get medical attention immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your
clothes
It can soak through clothing on to
your skin. Immediately take off the
clothing and follow the procedure
above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow elec-
trolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or
milk. Get emergency medical
attention immediately.
■When there is insufficient 12-
volt battery fluid
Do not use if ther e is insufficient
fluid in the 12-volt battery. There
is a possible danger that the 12-
volt battery may explode.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt
battery
Never recharge t he 12-volt bat-
tery while the hybrid system is
operating. Also, be sure all acces-
sories are turned off.
Removing the 12-volt bat-
tery cover
Exterior

6117-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Remove the dust from the air
intake vent with a vacuum
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to only use a vacuum to
suck out dust and clogs. Attempting
to blow out dust and clogs using an
airgun, etc. may push it into the air
intake vent. (P.614)
If dust and clogs cannot be com-
pletely removed with the air
intake vent cover installed,
remove the cover and clean the
filter.
1 Turn the power switch to
OFF.
2 Using a Phillips screwdriver,
remove the clip.
3 Remove the air intake vent
cover.
Pull the cover as shown in the illus-
tration to disengage the 8 claws,
starting from the claw in the upper
right corner and pull the cover
toward the front of the vehicle to
remove it.
4 Remove the air intake vent
filter.
Disengage the 4 center claws from
Cleaning the hybrid
battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vent
and filter
To prevent the fuel econ-
omy from being affected,
visually inspect the hybrid
battery (traction battery) air
intake vent periodically for
dust and clogs. If it is dusty
or clogged or if “Mainte-
nance Required for Trac-
tion Battery Cooling Parts
See Owner’s Manual” is
shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, clean the air
intake vent using the follow-
ing procedures:
Cleaning the air intake
vent
If dust and clogs cannot
be completely removed

6137-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
8Using a Phillips screwdriver,
install the clip.
■Scheduled maintenance of the
air intake vent is necessary
when
In some situations such as when the
vehicle is used frequently or in
heavy traffic or dusty areas, the air
intake vent may need to be cleaned
more regularly. For details, refer to
“Owner’s Warranty Information
Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement”.
■Cleaning the ai r intake vent
●Dust in the air intake vent may
interfere with the cooling of the
hybrid battery (traction battery). If
charging/discharging of the hybrid
battery (traction battery) becomes
limited, the distance that the vehi-
cle can be driven using the electric
motor (traction motor) may be
reduced and the fuel economy
may be reduced. Inspect and
clean the air intake vent periodi-
cally.
●Improper handling of the air intake
vent cover and filt er may result in
damage to them. If you have any
concerns about cleaning the filter,
contact your Toyota dealer.
■If “Maintenance Required for
Traction Battery Cooling Parts
See Owner’s Manual” is shown
on the multi-information display
●If this warning m essage is shown
on the multi-information display,
remove the air in take vent cover and clean the filter. (
P.611)
●After cleaning the air intake vent,
start the hybrid system and check
that the warning message is no
longer shown.
It may take approximately 20 min-
utes after the hybrid system is
started until the warning message
disappears. If the warning mes-
sage does not disappear, have
the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When cleaning the air intake
vent
●Do not use water or other liq-
uids to clean the air intake vent.
If water is applied to the hybrid
battery (traction battery) or
other components, a malfunc-
tion or fire may occur.
●Before cleaning the air intake
vent, make sure to turn the
power switch to OFF to stop the
hybrid system.
■When removing the air intake
vent cover
Do not touch the service plug
located near the air intake vent.
(  P.77)

6147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■When cleaning the air intake
vent
When cleaning the air intake vent,
make sure to only use a vacuum
to suck out dust and clogs. If a
compressed air blow gun, etc. is
used to blow out dust and clogs,
the dust or clogs may be pushed
into the air intake vent, which may
affect the performance of the
hybrid battery (tr action battery)
and cause a malfunction.
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle
●Do not allow water or foreign
matter to enter t he air intake
vent when the cover is
removed.
●Carefully handle the removed
filter so that i t will not be dam-
aged. If the filter is damaged,
have it replaced with a new filter
by your Toyota dealer.
●Make sure to reinstall the filter
and cover to their original posi-
tions after cleaning.
●Do not install anything to the air
intake vent other than the exclu-
sive filter for this vehicle or use
the vehicle without the filter
installed.
■If “Maintenance Required for
Traction Battery Cooling
Parts See Owner’s Manual” is
shown on the multi-informa-
tion display
If the vehicle is continuously
driven with the warning message
(indicating that charging/discharg-
ing of the hybrid battery (traction
battery) may become limited) dis-
played, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) may malfunction. If the
warning message is displayed,
clean the air intake vent immedi-
ately.