2021 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID Owners Manual

6738-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
possible.
■Starting the hybrid system
when the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged
The hybrid system cannot be
started by push-starting.
■To prevent 12-vol t battery dis-
charge
●Turn off the headlights and the
audio system while the hybrid sys-
tem is off.
●Turn off any unnec essary electri-
cal components when the vehicle
is running at a low speed for an
extended period, such as in heavy
traffic.
■When the 12-volt battery is
removed or discharged
●Information stor ed in the ECU is
cleared. When the 12-volt battery
is depleted, have the vehicle
inspected at your Toyota dealer.
●Some systems may require initial-
ization. ( P.718)
■When removing the 12-volt bat-
tery terminals
When the 12-volt battery terminals
are removed, the information stored
in the ECU is cleared. Before
removing the 12-volt battery termi-
nals, contact your Toyota dealer.
■Charging the 1 2-volt battery
The electricity stor ed in the 12-volt
battery will discharge gradually even
when the vehicle is not in use, due
to natural discharge and the drain-
ing effects of certa in electrical appli-
ances. If the vehicle is left for a long
time, the 12-volt battery may dis-
charge, and the hybrid system may
be unable to start. (The 12-volt bat-
tery recharges aut omatically while
the hybrid system is operating.)
■When recharging or replacing
the 12-volt battery (vehicles
without smart key system)
The hybrid system may not start on the first attempt after the 12-volt bat-
tery has recharged but will start nor-
mally after the second attempt. This
is not a malfunction.
■When recharging or replacing
the 12-volt battery (vehicles
with smart key system)
●In some cases, it may not be pos-
sible to unlock the doors using the
smart key system when the 12-
volt battery is discharged. Use the
wireless remote c
ontrol or the
mechanical key to lock or unlock
the doors.
●The hybrid syste m may not start
on the first attempt after the 12-
volt battery has recharged but will
start normally after the second
attempt. This is n ot a malfunction.
●The power switch mode is memo-
rized by the vehicle. When the 12-
volt battery is reconnected, the
system will return to the mode it
was in before the 12-volt battery
was discharged. Before discon-
necting the 12-volt battery, turn
the power switch to OFF.
If you are unsure what mode the
power switch was in before the
12-volt battery discharged, be
especially careful when recon-
necting the 12-volt battery.
●Some systems may require initial-
ization. (P.718)
■When replacing t he 12-volt bat-
tery
●Use a 12-volt battery that con-
forms to European regulations.
●Type A:
Use a battery that the case size is
same as the previous one (LN1), 20
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-
alent (45Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent
(285A) or greater.
Type B:
Use a battery that the case size is
same as the previous one (LN1), 20
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-

6748-2. Steps to take in an emergency
alent (45Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent
(286A) or greater.
Type C:
Use a battery that the case size is
same as the previous one (LN2), 20
hours rate capacity (20HR) is equiv-
alent (55Ah) or greater, and perfor-
mance rating (CCA) is equivalent
(345A) or greater.
• If the sizes differ, the 12-volt bat-
tery cannot be pr operly secured.
• If the 20 hour rate capacity is low,
even if the time period where the
vehicle is not used is a short time,
the 12-volt battery may discharge
and hybrid system may not be
able to start.
●Use a ventilation t ype calcium bat-
tery
●Use a 12-volt battery with a han-
dle. If a 12-volt b attery without a
handle is used, removal is more
difficult.
●When removing the 12-volt bat-
tery:  P.589
●After replacing, firmly attach the
following items to the exhaust hole
of the 12-volt battery.
• Use the exhaust hose that was attached to the 12-volt battery
before replacing an d confirm that
it is firmly connected to the hole
section of t he vehicle.
• Use the exhaust hole plug
included with the new 12-volt bat-
tery or the one installed on the
battery prior to t he replacement.
(Depending on the new 12-volt
battery installed, the exhaust hole
may be plugged.)
For details, consult your Toyota
dealer. Exhaust hole
Exhaust hose
Hole section of the vehicle
WARNING
■When removing the battery
terminals
Always remove the negative (-)
terminal first. If the positive (+) ter-
minal contacts any metal in the
surrounding area when the posi-
tive (+) terminal is removed, a
spark may occur, leading to a fire
in addition to ele ctrical shocks
and death or serious injury.
■Avoiding 12-volt battery fires
or explosions
Observe the following precautions
to prevent accidentally igniting the
flammable gas that may be emit-
ted from the 12-volt battery:
●Make sure each jumper cable is
connected to the correct termi-
nal and that it is not unintention-
ally in contact with any other
than the intended terminal.
●Do not allow the other end of
the jumper cable connected to
the “+” terminal to come into
contact with any other parts or
metal surfaces in the area, such
as brackets or unpainted metal.
●Do not allow the + and - clamps
of the jumper cables to come
into contact with each other.
A
B
C

6758-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
WARNING
●Do not smoke, use matches,
cigarette lighters or allow open
flame near the 12-volt battery.
■12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poi-
sonous and corrosi ve acidic elec-
trolyte, while related parts contain
lead and lead compounds.
Observe the following precautions
when handling the 12-volt battery:
●When working with the 12-volt
battery, always wear safety
glasses and take care not to
allow any battery fluids (acid) to
come into contact with skin,
clothing or the vehicle body.
●Do not lean over the 12-volt bat-
tery.
●In the event that battery fluid
comes into contact with the skin
or eyes, immediately wash the
affected area with water and
seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth
over the affected area until
medical attention can be
received.
●Always wash your hands after
handling the 12-volt battery sup-
port, terminals, and other bat-
tery-related parts.
●Do not allow child ren near the
12-volt battery.
■After recharging the 12-volt
battery
Have the 12-volt battery
inspected at your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
If the 12-volt battery is deteriorat-
ing, continued use may cause the
12-volt battery to emit a malodor-
ous gas, which may be detrimen-
tal to the health of passengers.
■When replacing the 12-volt
battery
●For information regarding 12-
volt battery rep lacement, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
●After replacing, s ecurely attach
the exhaust hose and exhaust
hole plug to the exhaust hole of
the replaced 12-volt battery. If
not properly installed, gases
(hydrogen) may leak into the
vehicle interior, and there is the
possible danger of the gas ignit-
ing and exploding.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper
cables, ensure that they do not
become entangled in the cooling
fan, etc.
■To prevent damaging the
vehicle
The exclusive jump starting termi-
nal is to be used when charging
the 12-volt battery from another
vehicle in an emergency. It cannot
be used to jump start another
vehicle.

6768-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge enters the
red zone or “Engine Cool-
ant Temp High Stop in a
Safe Place See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the
multi-information display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and turn off the air con-
ditioning system, and then
stop the hybrid system. 2
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after
the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
3 After the hybrid system has
cooled down sufficiently,
inspect the hoses and radia-
tor core (radiator) for any
leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
4The coolant level is satisfac-
tory if it is between the
“FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
If your vehicle over-
heats
The following may indicate
that your vehicle is over-
heating.
The needle of the engine
coolant temperature gauge
( P.94, 98) enters the red
zone, or a loss of hybrid
system power is experi-
enced. (For example, the
vehicle speed does not
increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High
Stop in a Safe Place See
Owner’s Manual” or “Hybrid
System Overheated Output
Power Reduced” is shown
on the multi-information dis-
play.
 Steam comes out from
under the hood.
Correction procedures
A
B
A
B

6778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
“LOW” line
5 Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be us ed in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is unavail-
able.
If water was added in an emer-
gency, have the vehicle inspected
at your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
6 Start the hybrid system and
turn the air conditioning sys-
tem on to check that the radi-
ator cooling fan operates and
to check for coolant leaks
from the radiator or hoses.
The fan operates when the air con-
ditioning system is turned on imme-
diately after a cold start. Confirm
that the fan is op erating by check-
ing the fan sound and air flow. If it is
difficult to check th ese, turn the air
conditioning system on and off
repeatedly. (The f an may not oper-
ate in freezing temperatures.)
7 If the fan is not operating:
Stop the hybrid system
immediately and contact your
Toyota dealer.
If the fan is operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at
the nearest Toyota dealer.
8 Check if “Engine Coolant
Temp High Stop in a Safe
Place See Owner’s Manual” is shown on the multi-infor-
mation display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact
your Toyota dealer.
If the message is not displayed:
Have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest Toyota dealer.
■If “Hybrid System Over-
heated Output Power
Reduced” is shown on the
multi-information display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe
place.
2 Stop the hybrid system and
carefully lift the hood.
3 After the hybrid system has
cooled down, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
4The coolant level is satisfac-
tory if it is between the
C
A
B

6788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
“FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
5 Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be us ed in an emer-
gency if power control unit coolant
is unavailable.
If water was added in an emer-
gency, have the vehicle inspected
at your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
6 After stopping the hybrid sys-
tem and waiting for 5 minutes
or more, start the hybrid sys-
tem again and check for the
multi-information display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact
your Toyota dealer.
If the message is not displayed:
The hybrid system temperature has dropped and the vehicle may be
driven normally.
However, if the message appears
again frequently, contact your
Toyota dealer.
A
B
C
WARNING
■When inspecting under the
hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may result in seri-
ous injury such as burns.
●If steam is seen coming from
under the hood, do not open the
hood until the steam has sub-
sided. The engine compart-
ment may be very hot.
●After the hybrid system has
been turned off , check that the
“READY” indicator is off.
When the hybrid system is oper-
ating, the gasoline engine may
automatically start, or the cool-
ing fan may suddenly operate
even if the gasoline engine
stops. Do not touch or approach
rotating parts such as the fan,
which may lead to fingers or
clothing (especially a tie, a scarf
or a muffler) getting caught,
resulting in serious injury.
●Do not loosen the coolant reser-
voir cap while the hybrid system
and radiator are hot.
High temperature steam or
coolant could spray out.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power
control unit coolant
Add coolant slowly after the
hybrid system has cooled down
sufficiently. Adding cool coolant to
a hot hybrid system too quickly
can cause damage to the hybrid
system.

6798-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
1Stop the hybrid system. Set
the parking brake and shift
the shift lever to P.
2 Remove the mud, snow or
sand from around the stuck
tire.
3 Place wood, stones or some
other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
4 Restart the hybrid system
5 Shift the shift lever to D or R
and release the parking
brake. Then, while exercising
caution, depress the acceler-
ator pedal.
■When it is difficult to free the
vehicle
Press to turn off TRAC.
(  P.370)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
cooling system
Observe the following precau-
tions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant
with foreign matter (such as
sand or dust, etc.).
●Do not use any coolant additive.
If the vehicle becomes
stuck
Carry out the following pro-
cedures if the tires spin or
the vehicle becomes stuck
in mud, dirt or snow:
Recovering procedure

6808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
WARNING
■When attempting to free a
stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle
back and forth to free it, make
sure the surrounding area is clear
to avoid striking other vehicles,
objects or people. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge
back suddenly as it becomes free.
Use extreme caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the ac celerator pedal
depressed.
This may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle
that may cause an accident
resulting in dea th or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the trans-
mission and other compo-
nents
●Avoid spinning the wheels and
depressing the accelerator
pedal more than necessary.
●If the vehicle remains stuck
even after these procedures are
performed, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.