2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID brake

5877-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture
from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid
can cause a dangerous loss of brak-
ing efficiency. Use only newly
opened brake fluid.
If any washer does not work or
the warning message appears
on the multi-information display,
the washer tank may be empty.
Add washer fluid.
Fluid
type
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or
SAE J1703 brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or
SAE J1704 brake fluid
ItemClean funnel
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Ta ke c ar e a s br ak e f luid ca n ha rm
your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in
your eyes, flush th e affected area
with clean water immediately.
If you still experien ce discomfort,
see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level
to go down slightly as the brake
pads wear out or when the fluid
level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, there ma y be a serious
problem.
Adding the washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the
hybrid system is hot or operating
as washer fluid contains alcohol
and may catch fire if spilled on the
hybrid system, etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other
than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine
antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on
the vehicle’s painted surfaces, as
well as damaging the pump lead-
ing to problems of the washer
fluid not spraying.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as
necessary.
Refer to the freezing tempera-
tures listed on the label of the
washer fluid bottle.

6358-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
1Steadily step on the brake
pedal with both feet and
firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal
repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
2Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
3 After slowing down, stop the
vehicle in a safe place by the
road.
4 Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted to N
3 Keep depressing the brake
pedal with both feet to reduce
vehicle speed as much as
possible.
4 Perform the following proce-
dure to stop the hybrid sys-
tem:
Vehicles without smart key
system
Turn the power s witch to ACC.
Vehicles with smart key sys-
tem
Press and hold the power switch for
2 consecutive seconds or more, or
press it briefly 3 times or more in
succession.
5Stop the vehicle in a safe
place by the road.
If your vehicle has to
be stopped in an emer-
gency
Only in an emergency, such
as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the
normal way, stop the vehi-
cle using the following pro-
cedure:
Stopping the vehicle
WARNING
■If the hybrid system has to be
turned off while driving
●Power assist for the steering
wheel will be lost, making the
steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible
before turning off the hybrid sys-
tem.
●Vehicles without smart key sys-
tem: Never atte mpt to remove
the key, as doing so will lock the
steering wheel.

6398-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
When using a flat-bed truck to
transport the vehicle, use tire
strapping belts. Refer to the
owner’s manual of the flat-bed
truck for the tire strapping method.
In order to suppress vehicle
movement during transporta-
tion, set the parking brake and
turn the power switch to OFF.
If a tow truck is not available in
an emergency, your vehicle may
be temporarily towed using
cables or chains secured to the
emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short
distances at under 18 mph (30
km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes.
The vehicle’s wheels, drive
train, axles, steering and brakes
must be in good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by
another vehicle, the towing eye-
let must be installed to your
vehicle. Install the towing eyelet
using the following procedure.
1
Take out the wheel nut
wrench and towing eyelet.
( P.659)
2 Using a flathead screw-
driver, remove eyelet cover
NOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type
truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing (vehi-
cles with towing eyelet)
Emergency towing proce-
dure (vehicles with towing
eyelet)

6408-2. Steps to take in an emergency
( ), and then remove eyelet
cover ( ).
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body as shown in the
illustration.
3Insert the towing eyelet into
the hole and tighten partially
by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eye-
let securely using a wheel nut
wrench or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or
chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehi-
cle body.
6Enter the vehicle being towed
and start the hybrid system.
Turn off the Parking Support Brake
function (if equipped): P.299
If the hybrid system does not start,
turn the power switch to ON.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and
release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.225)
When the shift lever cannot be
shifted: P.221
■While towing
If the hybrid system is not running,
the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not function, making
steering and braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the
tool bag. ( P.659)
A
B

6418-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air
conditioning after use is nor-
mal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven
tire wear
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge needle continually
points higher than normal.
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when
cornering
 Strange noises related to the
suspension system
 Pinging or other noises
related to the hybrid system
 Engine missing, stumbling or
running roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one
side when driving on a level
road
 Loss of brake effectiveness,
spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor
If you think something
is wrong
If you notice any of the fol-
lowing symptoms, your
vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

6428-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■Brake system warning light
■Charging system warning light*
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning
lights comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but
then goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunc-
tion in the system. However, if this continues to occur, have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) (Red)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be
dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The parking brake system;
 The regenerative braking system; or
 The electronically controlled brake system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging
system
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and contact your Toyota dealer.

6448-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■SRS warning light
■ABS warning light
■Electric power steering system warning light* (warning
buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The SRS airbag system;
 The front passenger o ccupant classification
system; or
 The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Red/yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric
Power Steeri ng) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.

6468-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
■PKSB OFF indicator* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
■RCTA OFF indicator* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunctio n in the PKSB (Parking
Support Brake) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the system is temporarily unavail-
able, possibly due to a sensor being dirty or cov-
ered with ice, etc.
 Follow the instructions displayed on the
multi-information display. ( P.302, 654)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
When a buzzer sounds:
Indicates a malfunctio n in the RCTA (Rear
Cross Traffic Alert) function
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Indicates that the rear bumper around the radar
sensor is covered with dirt, etc. ( P.285)
 Follow the instructions displayed on the
multi-information display. ( P.284, 654)