2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID fuel

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)

633
8
8
When trouble arises
When trouble arises
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers .... 634
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
.................................. 635
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water ................ 636
8-2. Steps to take in an emer- gency
If your vehicle needs to be towed......................... 637
If you think something is wrong ........................ 641
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds
.................................. 642
If a warning message is dis- played........................ 654
If you have a flat tire.... 658
If the hybrid system will not start ........................... 667
If you lose your keys ... 668
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened ................. 669
If the electronic key does not operate properly (vehi-
cles with smart key sys-
tem) ........................... 670
If the 12-volt battery is dis- charged ..................... 672
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 677If the vehicle becomes stuck
.................................. 680

6488-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Parking brake indicator
■Tire pressure warning light*
*: This light illuminates on the mu lti-information display (with 7-inch display
only).
■Low fuel level warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Flashes)
(Canada)
(Flashes)
It is possible that the par king brake is not fully
engaged or released
 Operate the parking brake switch once
again.
This light comes on when the parking brake is
not released. If the light t urns off after the park-
ing brake is fully released, the system is operat-
ing normally.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(If equipped)
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 min-
ute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
 Have the system checked by your Toyota
dealer.
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
 Natural causes
 Flat tire
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place.
Handling method ( P.651)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately
2.2 gal. (8.3 L, 1.8 Imp. gal.) or less
 Refuel the vehicle.

6508-2. Steps to take in an emergency
the warning light to flash and the
warning buzzer to sound even if a
passenger is not sitting in the
seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat,
the sensor may not detect a pas-
senger, and the warning light may
not operate properly.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors
the airbag sensor assembly, front
impact sensors, side impact sensors
(front door), side impact sensors
(front), driver’s seat position sen-
sor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system (ECU and sensors),
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator light, front pas-
senger’s seat belt buckle switch,
driver’s seat belt p retensioner, front
passenger’s seat be lt pretensioner
and force limiter, airbags, intercon-
necting wiring and power sources.
(  P.36)
■If the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel t ank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go o ff after several
driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after
several trips, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.
■Electric power steering system
warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge
becomes insufficien t or the voltage
temporarily drops, the electric power
steering system warning light may
come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■When the tire pressure warning
light comes on ( vehicles with
tire pressure warning system)
Inspect the tires to check if a tire is
punctured.
If a tire is punctured: P.658
If none of the tires are punctured:
Turn the power switch to OFF then
turn it to ON.
Check if the tire pressure warning
light comes on or blinks.
If the tire pressur e warning light
blinks for approximately 1 minute
then stays on
There may be a malfunction in the
tire pressure warning system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
If the tire pressur e warning light
comes on
1 After the temperature of the tires
has lowered sufficiently, check
the inflation pressure of each tire
and adjust them to the specified
level.
2 If the warning light does not turn
off even after several minutes
have elapsed, check that the
inflation pressure of each tire is
at the specified level and perform
initialization. ( P.600)
■The tire pressure warning light
may come on due to natural
causes (vehicles with tire pres-
sure warning system)
The tire pressure warning light may
come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation
pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this ca se, adjusting the
tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning ligh t (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a
compact spare tire (vehicles
with tire pressure warning sys-
tem)
The compact spare tire is not
equipped with a tire pressure warn-

6528-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Maintenance of the tires
(vehicles with tire pressure
warning system)
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufac-
turer on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label (tire and
load information label). (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load infor-
mation label], you should deter-
mine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safe ty feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure m onitoring system
(TPMS-tire pressure warning sys-
tem) that illumina tes a low tire
pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning light) when one or more
of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) illuminates,
you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping abil-
ity.WARNING
Please note that the TPMS (tire
pressure warning system) is not a
substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to m aintain correct
tire pressure, even if under-infla-
tion has not reached the level to
trigger illuminati on of the TPMS
low tire pressure te lltale (tire pres-
sure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS (tire pres-
sure warning system) malfunc-
tion indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.
The TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pres-
sure telltale (tire pressure warning
light). When the system detects a
malfunction, the te lltale will flash
for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illumi-
nated. This sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunc-
tion exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illu minated, the sys-
tem may not be ab le to detect or
signal low tire pressure as
intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning sys-
t em ) m alf un ctio n s m a y o cc ur f or a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS
(tire pressure warning system)
from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) malfunction tell-
tale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) to continue to function
properly.

6668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
One of the following may be the
cause of the problem:
The electronic key may not be
functioning properly.
( P.670)
 There may not be sufficient
fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle. ( P.241)
 There may be a malfunction
in the immobilizer system.
( P.81)
 There may be a malfunction
in the steering lock system.
 The hybrid system may be
malfunctioning due to an elec-
trical problem such as elec-
tronic key battery depletion or
a blown fuse. However,
depending on the type of mal-
function, an interim measure
is available to start the hybrid
system. ( P.668) 
There is a possibility that the
temperature of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) is
extremely low (approximately
below -22°F [-30°C]). ( P.77,
210, 213)
One of the following may be the
cause of the problem:
 The 12-volt battery may be
discharged. ( P.672)
 The 12-volt battery terminal
connections may be loose or
corroded. ( P.589)
One of the following may be the
cause of the problem:
 The 12-volt battery may be
discharged. ( P.672)
 One or both of the 12-volt bat-
tery terminals may be discon-
nected. ( P.589)
Contact your Toyota dealer if
the problem cannot be repaired,
or if repair procedures are
unknown.
If the hybrid system
will not start
Reasons for the hybrid sys-
tem not starting vary
depending on the situation.
Check the following and
perform the appropriate
procedure:
The hybrid system will not
start even though the cor-
rect starting procedure is
being followed ( P.210,
212)
The interior lights and
headlights are dim, or the
horn does not sound or
sounds at a low volume
The interior lights and
headlights do not turn on,
or the horn does not
sound

6688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
1Remove the cover inside the
luggage compartment by
inserting a screwdriver.
When removing the cover, to pre-
vent damage, cover the tip of the
screwdriver with a rag.
2 Pull the lever.
Using the lever to open the fuel
filler door may not allow for an ade-
quate reduction in fuel tank pres-
sure before refueling. To prevent
fuel from spilling out, turn the cap
slowly when removing it.
During refueling, fuel may spill out
from the filler opening due to air
being discharged from inside the
fuel tank. Therefore, fill the fuel tank carefully and slowly.
If the fuel filler door
cannot be opened
If the fuel filler door opener
switch cannot be operated,
contact your Toyota dealer
to service the vehicle. In
case where refueling is
urgently necessary, the fol-
lowing procedure can be
used to open the fuel filler
door.
Opening the fuel filler
door