2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PHEV stop start

3145-1. Before driving
34 mm (1.3 in.)
412 mm (16.2 in.)
332 mm (13.1 in.)
370 mm (14.6 in.)
570 mm (22.4 in.)
601 mm (23.7 in.)
1073 mm (42.2 in.)
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, d eath or serious
injury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
■Checking connections
between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the
operation of the connection
between the trailer and lights after
driving for a brief period as well as
before starting off.
■Practicing driving with a cou -
pled trailer
 Get the feel for turning, stopping
and reversing with the trailer
coupled by practicing in an area
with no or light traffic.
 When reversing with a coupled
trailer, hold the section of the
steering wheel nearest to you
and rotate clockwise to turn the
trailer left or co unterclockwise to
turn it right. Always rotate a little
at a time to prevent steering
error. Have someone guide you
when reversing to lessen the risk
of an accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle
distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the
distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent
to or greater th an the combined
length of you r vehicle and trailer.
Avoid sudden braking that may
cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This
is especially true when driving on
wet or slippery road surfaces.
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
NOTICE
■When the rear bumper strength -
ening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not
come directly in contact with that
area.
When steel and aluminum come into
contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the sec - tion concerned and may result in
damage. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts
that will come in contact when attach - ing a steel bracket.
Guidance

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.

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

3225-2. Driving procedures
shifting to 5 or 4. ( →P.323, 324)
●When switching the driving mode to
sport mode while driving in D position.
( →P.434)
■Restraining sudden start (Drive- Start Control)
→ P.301
While the power switch is
in ON and the brake pedal
depressed*, shift the shift lever
while pushing the shift release but -
ton on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while
pushing the shift release button on
the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever nor -
mally.
When shifting the shift lever between P
and D, make sure that the vehicle is
completely stopped and the brake
pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle to be able to be
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road
surfaces
Be careful of down shifting and sud-
den acceleration, as this could result
in the vehicle skidding to the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery ( traction battery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid bat -
tery (traction battery) will not be charging, even when the engine is
running. Therefore, if the vehicle is
left with the shift le ver in N for a long
period of tim e, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will discharge, and
this may result in the vehicle not
being able to start.
Shifting the shift lever

329
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
Press the brake hold switch to turn
the brake hold system on
The brake hold standby indicator
(green) comes on. While the sys -
tem is holding the brake, the brake hold
operated indicator (yellow) comes
on.
■Brake hold system operating con -
ditions
The brake hold system cannot be turned
on in the following conditions:
●The driver’s door is not closed.
●The driver is not wearing the seat belt.
If any of the conditions above are
detected when the brake hold system is
NOTICE
■When the system malfunctions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
check the warning messages.
■When the parking brake cannot
be released due to a malfunction
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake set will lead to brake compo -
nents overheating, w hich may affect
braking performance and increase brake wear. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately if
this occurs.
Brake Hold
The brake hold system keeps
the brake applied when the
shift lever is in D, S or N with
the system on and the brake
pedal has been depressed to
stop the vehicle. The system
releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is depressed
with the shift lever in D or S to
allow smooth start off.
Enabling the system
A
B

3305-2. Driving procedures
enabled, the system will turn off and the
brake hold standby indicator light will go off. In addition, if any of the conditions
are detected while th e system is holding
the brake, a warning buzzer will sound and a message wi ll be shown on the
multi-information display. The parking
brake will then be set automatically.
■Brake hold function
●If the brake pedal is left released for a
period of about 3 minutes after the system has started ho lding the brake,
the parking brake will be set automati -
cally. In this case, a warning buzzer sounds and a message is shown on
the multi-information display.
●To turn the system o ff while the sys-
tem is holding the brake, firmly
depress the brak e pedal and press the button again.
●The brake hold func tion may not hold the vehicle when the vehicle is on a
steep incline. In this situation, it may
be necessary for the driver to apply the brakes. A warning buzzer will
sound and the multi -information dis-
play will inform the dr iver of this situa- tion. If a warning message is shown
on the multi-informa tion display, read
the message and follow the instruc - tions.
■When the parking brake is set auto -
matically while the system is hold -
ing the brakes
Perform any of the following operations
to release the parking brake:
●Depress the accelerator pedal. (The
parking brake will not be released
automatically if the seat belt is not fas - tened.)
●Operate the parking brake switch with
the brake pedal depressed.
Make sure that the parking brake indica -
tor light goes off. ( →P.326)
■When an inspection at any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer is necessary
When the brake hold standby indicator (green) does not illuminate even when
the brake hold switch is pressed with the
brake hold system ope rating conditions met, the system may b e malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle i nspected at any
authorized Toyota r etailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
■If “Brake Hold Malfunction Press
Brake to Deactivate Visit Your Dealer” or “Brake Hold Malfunction
Visit Your Dealer” is displayed on
the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Toyota r etailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
■Warning messages and buzzers
Warning messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to inform the driver of the need for cau -
tion. If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read the
message and follow the instructions.
■If the brake hold operated indicator
flashes
→ P.574
WARNING
■When the vehicle is on a steep
incline
When using the brake hold system on a steep incline, exercise caution. The
brake hold function may not hold the
vehicle in such a situation.
■When stopped on a slippery road
The system cannot stop the vehicle when the gripping ab ility of the tires
has been exceeded. Do not use the
system when stopped on a slippery road.

3805-5. Using the driving support systems
When a vehicle is de tected running ahead of you, the system automatically deceler-
ates your vehicle. When a great er reduction in vehicle speed is necessary, the sys-
tem applies the brakes (the stop lights will come on at this time). The system will
respond to changes in the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance set by the driver. Approach warning war ns you when the sys-
tem cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in on the
vehicle ahead.
When the vehicle ahead of you stops, your vehicle will also sto p (vehicle is stopped
by system control). After the veh icle ahead starts off, pressing the “+RES” switch or
depressing the accelerator pedal (start-off operation) will res ume follow-up cruising.
If the start-off operation is not performed, system control continues to keep your
vehicle stopped.
When the turn signal lever is operated and your vehicle moves t o an overtaking lane
while driving at 50 mph (80 km/h) or more, the vehicle will acc elerate to help to over-
take a passing vehicle.
The system’s identificat ion of what is an overtaking lane may be determined solely
based on the location of the ste ering wheel in the vehicle (left side driver position
versus right side driv er position.) If the vehicle is driven to a region where the over-
taking lane is on a different sid e from where the vehicle is normally driven, the vehi-
cle may accelerate when the turn signal lever is operated in th e opposite direction to
the overtaking lane (e.g., if th e driver normally operates the vehicle in a region
where the overtaking lane is to t he right but then drives to a region where the over-
taking lane is to the left, the vehicle may accelerate when the right turn signal is acti-
vated).
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any preceding vehicles driving slower than the
set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to
constant speed cruising.
1 Press the cruise control main
switch to activate the cruise con -
trol.
Dynamic radar cruise control indicator
will come on and a message will be dis - played on the multi-information display.
Press the switch again to deactivate the
cruise control.
If the cruise control main switch is
pressed and held for 1.5 seconds or
more, the system tur ns on in constant
C
Setting the vehicle speed
(vehicle-to-vehicle distance
control mode)