2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PHEV parking brake

3065-1. Before driving
NOTICE
In the event that you drive on a
flooded road and the vehicle is
flooded, be sure t o have any autho- rized Toyota retailer or Toyota autho -
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer
check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of
oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid transaxle (front and rear),
etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings
and suspension joints (where possi -
ble), and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the park ing brake, and
shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do
so may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
if the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed.
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following
information about storage pre -
cautions, cargo capacity and
load.
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried
in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so m ay prevent the ped-
als from being depressed properly, may block the driver’s vision, or may
result in items hitting the driver or
passengers, possibly causing an acci - dent.
●Stow cargo and l uggage in the lug-
gage compartment whenever pos - sible.
●Do not stack anything in the lug - gage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats,
long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage compartment. It is not designed for passengers. They
should ride in their seats with their
seat belts properl y fastened. Other- wise, they are much more likely to
suffer death or serious bodily injury,
in the event of sudden braking, sud - den swerving or an accident.

315
5
5-1. Before driving
Driving
■Sudden acceleration/steering
input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing
may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. D ecelerate well in
advance when approaching turns
and take them slowly and carefully
to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding
turning
The wheels of the tr ailer will travel
closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To
make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would nor -
mally do.
■Important points regarding
stability
Vehicle movement resulting from
uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The
vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Fre -
quently check behind when moving
alongside such vehicles. As soon
as such vehicle movement occurs,
immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the
brakes. Always steer the vehicle
straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length
of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance is sufficient before execut -
ing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking effi -
ciency, when using engine braking,
do not use the transmission in D.
( →P.321)
■If the hybrid system overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long,
steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30°C (85°F) may result
in the hybrid system overheating. If
the high coolant temperature warn -
ing light indicates that the hybrid
system is overheating, turn the air
conditioning off immediately, leave
the road and stop the vehicle in a
safe place. ( →P.611)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under
the wheels of both the vehicle and
trailer. Firmly set the parking brake
and shift the shift lever to P.
■Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that vehicles fitted
with new power train components
should not be used for towing trailers for the first 800 km (500 miles).
■Maintenance
●Maintenance must be performed more frequently when using the vehicle for
towing due to the greater weight bur -
den placed on the vehicle compared to normal driving.
●Retighten all bolts securing the hitch - ing ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factor s (crosswinds, pass- ing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing instability.

317
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
5-2.Driving procedures
1 Check that the AC charging
cable is disconnected. ( →P.135)
2 Pull the parking brake switch to
check that the parking brake is
set. ( →P.326)
The parking brake indicator will come
on.
3 Check that the shift lever is set
in P.
4 Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed , the hybrid system
cannot be started.
5 Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the power switch, one
short, firm press is enough. It is not necessary to press an d hold the switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on, the
hybrid system will operate normally.
Continue depressing the brake pedal
until the “READY” i ndicator is illumi-
nated.
The hybrid system c an be started from
any power switch mode.
6 Check that the “READY” indica-
tor is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
■Power switch illumination
According to the sit uation, the power
switch illumination operates as follows.
●When driver’s door or front passen -
ger’s door is opened, the power
switch illumination illuminates.
●When depressing the brake pedal with
carrying the electr onic key on your person, the power switch illumination
blinks.
●When the power switch is in ACC or
ON, the power switch illumination illu -
minates.
●When the power switch mode is
changed from ACC or ON to OFF, the power switch illumination illuminates
for a certain amo unt of time. After-
wards, the power switch illumination turns off.
■If the hybrid syste m does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have
been deactivated. ( →P.76) Contact any authorized Toyota retailer
or Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer.
●If a message relate d to start-up is
shown on the multi-information dis - play, read the message and follow the
instructions.
Power (ignition) switch
Performing the following oper-
ations when carrying the elec -
tronic key on your person
starts the hybrid system or
changes power switch modes.
Starting the hybrid system

319
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
power switch to OF F, the hybrid sys-
tem may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch to OFF,
please wait a few seconds before
restarting the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart entry & start system has
been deactivated in a customized set -
ting, refer to P.605.
1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
( →P.326)
Check the parking brake indicator is
illuminated.
3 Shift the shift lever to P.
4 Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
The hybrid system w ill stop, and the meter display will be extinguished.
Release the shift lever when pressing
the power switch.
5 Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown on
the multi-inform ation display.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hyb rid system while
sitting in the drive r’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybri d system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If hybrid system fai lure occurs while
the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop.
Activation of the steering lock in this
circumstance may lead to an acci - dent, resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult
to start, have your vehicle checked by
any authorized Toyo ta retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunc -
tion with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be oper - ating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly,
there may be a malfunction. Contact any authorized Toyo ta retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid system
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system in an
emergency
●If you want to sto p the hybrid sys- tem in an emergency while driving
the vehicle, press and hold the
power switch for more than 2 sec- onds, or press it b riefly 3 times or
more in succession. ( →P.560)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an
emergency. Turning the hybrid sys -
tem off while driving will not cause a loss of steering or braking control.
However, power assist for the
steering wheel may be lost making it difficult to st eer smoothly before
stopping the vehi cle depending on
the remaining charge in the 12-volt battery or usage co nditions. In this
situation, you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

321
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
If the hybrid system is stopped with
the shift lever in a position other
than P, the power switch will not be
turned to OFF but instead be turned
to ACC. Perform the following pro -
cedure to turn the switch to OFF:
1 Check that the parking brake is
set.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “IGNITION ON” is
displayed on the multi-informa -
tion display and press the power
switch shortly and firmly.
4 Check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” on the multi-
information display is off.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and
reduce noise, shift the shift lever to
D for normal driving.
*2: Vehicles with paddle shift switches
only: Selecting shift ranges in the D
position allows suitable use of
engine braking. ( →P.323)
*3: By selecting shift ranges using S
mode, you can control accelerating
force and engine braking force.
■When driving with dynamic radar
cruise control with full-speed range or cruise control activated (if
equipped)
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling
engine braking, engine braking will not
activate because dyn amic radar cruise control with full-speed range, or cruise
control will not be canceled.
●While driving in D or S mode, down-
When stopping the hybrid
system with the shift lever in
a position other than P
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis -
charge
Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is i n a position other
than P. If the hy brid system is
stopped in another shift lever position, the power switch will not be turned to
OFF but instead remain ON. If the
vehicle is left in ON , 12-volt battery discharge may occur.
Hybrid transmission
Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.
Shift position purpose and
functions
Shift
positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/start -
ing the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1, 2
SS mode driving*3

323
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
shifted from P, the brake pedal must
be depressed before the shift release
button is pushed. If the shift release
button is pushed first, the shift lock
will not be released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to pre- vent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the power switch is in ON, the
brake pedal is depressed and the shift
release button is pushed.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is
being depressed. If the shift lever cannot be shifted even
though the brake pedal is depressed
and the shift releas e button is pushed, there may be a problem with the shift
lock system. Have the vehicle inspected
by any authorized T oyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reli -
able repairer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that the
shift lever ca n be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Pull the parking brake switch to
check that the park ing brake is set. ( →P.326)
2 Turn the power switch off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover the tip of the screwdriver with
a rag.
5 Press and hold the shift lock override
button and then push the button on the shift knob.
The shift lever can be shifted while
both buttons are pressed.
→ P.434
To drive using temporary shift
range selection, operate the “-”
paddle shift switch. The shift range
can then be selected by operating
the “-” and “+” paddle shift
switches. Changing the shift range
allows restriction of the highest
gear, preventing upshifting and
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override
button, make sure to set the parking brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally
depressed instead of the brake pedal when the shift lock override button is
pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving mode
Selecting shift ranges in the
D position (vehicles with
paddle shift switches)

3265-2. Driving procedures
■If the turn signals stop flashing
before a lane change has been per - formed
Operate the lever again.
■To discontinue flashing of the turn
signals during a lane change
Operate the lever in the opposite direc -
tion.
■Using the manual mode
The parking brake can be set and
released manually.
Parking brake indicator light
Parking brake switch indicator
1 Pull the switch to set the parking
brake.
The parking brake indicator light and
parking brake switch indicator will turn
on.
Pull and hold the parking brake switch if
Parking brake
The parking brake can be set
or released automatically or
manually. In automatic mode,
the parking brake can be set or
released autom atically accord-
ing to shift lever operation.
Also, even in automatic mode,
the parking brake can be set or
released manually.
Operating instructions
A
B

327
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
an emergency occurs and it is neces -
sary to operate the parking brake while
driving.
2 Push the switch to release the
parking brake.
• Operate the parki ng brake switch
while depressing the brake pedal.
• Parking brake automatic release
function ( →P.327)
Make sure that the parking brake indi -
cator light and park ing brake switch
indicator turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light
and parking brake switch indicator
flash, operate the switch again.
( →P.574)
■Turning the automatic mode
on
While the vehicle is stopped, pull
and hold the parking brake switch
until a buzzer so unds and a mes-
sage is shown on the multi-informa -
tion display.
When the automatic mode is turned
on, the parking brake operates as
follows.
 When the shift lever is shifted
from P, the parking brake will be
released, and the parking brake
indicator light and parking brake
switch indicator will turn off.
 When the shift lever is shifted to
P, the parking brake will be set,
and the parking brake indicator
light and parking brake switch
indicator will turn on.
Operate the shift lever with the
vehicle stopped and the brake
pedal depressed.
■Turning the automatic mode
off
While the vehicle is stopped and
depressing the brake pedal, press
and hold the parking brake switch
until a buzzer sounds and a mes -
sage is shown on the multi-informa -
tion display.
■Parking brake operation
●When the power switch is not in ON,
the parking brake cannot be released
using the parking brake switch.
●When the power switch is not in ON,
automatic mode (automatic brake set -
ting and releasing) is not available.
■Parking brake automatic release function
The parking brake will be released auto -
matically when the accelerator pedal is slowly depressed under the following
conditions:
●The driver’s door is closed