2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID engine

89
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
charge will deplete quickly. Also,
EV driving may be canceled by
rapid acceleration or vehicle
speed.
 Restrain your speed as much as
possible. The distance that can
be driven in EV mode will reduce
considerably at high speeds.
*: The EV driving range can be checked
using the multi-information display.
( →P.181)
■When in AUTO EV/HV mode
Only the electric motor is used for
EV driving* during normal driving,
but when the accelerator pedal is
strongly depressed, the gasoline
engine starts. ( →P.90)
Also, when the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) level is low, the mode
switches to HV mode automatically
the same as in EV mode.
AUTO EV/HV mode i s suitable for
driving conditions when more
power is required, such as for driv -
ing uphill or accelerating suddenly.
However, because the gasoline
engine will start more easily, it is
recommended to drive in EV mode
usually.
*: The EV driving range can be checked
using the multi-information display.
( →P.181)
■When in HV mode
The vehicle can be used in the
same way as a standard hybrid
vehicle.
In HV mode, controls are primarily
carried out as follows in accor -
dance with the driving conditions.
 The gasoline engine stops* when
the vehicle is stopped.
 During start off, the electric
motor (traction motor) drives the
vehicle.
 During normal driving, the gaso-
line engine and electric motor
(traction motor) are controlled
effectively, and the vehicle is
driven with optimum fuel effi -
ciency. Also, when necessary,
the electric motor (traction
motor) operates as an electrical
generator to charge the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
 When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine
and the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to accelerate.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) requires char ging or the engine
is warming up, etc., the gasoline
engine will not autom atically stop.
( →P.91)
■When braking (regenerative
braking)
The electric motor (traction motor)
charges the hybrid battery (traction
battery).
The EV driving range can be
extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store elec -
tricity in the hybrid battery (traction
battery).

902-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Moreover, as fuel consumption is
also reduced when in HV mode, the
regenerative braking system can be
used effectively.
■Regenerative braking
In the following situations, kinetic energy is converted to electric energy and
deceleration force can be obtained in
conjunction with the recharging of the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released while driving with the shift lever in D or
S.
●The brake pedal is depressed while
driving with the shift lever in D or S.
■EV driving range
●The EV driving range is displayed on
the multi-information display.
( →P.181)
●The EV driving range changes in
accordance with the charge status of the hybrid battery ( traction battery),
the speed of the vehicle, etc.
●Even if there is enough charge
remaining in t he hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery), EV driving may be can- celed and both gasoline engine and
electric motor are used depending on
the situation. ( →P.90)
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when the vehicle is driven usin g only the electric
motor (traction moto r) or the gasoline
engine is stopped.The on/off operation of the EV indicator can be changed.
( →P.186)
■After EV mode has switched to HV
mode due to low hybrid battery (traction battery) charge
If the hybrid battery ( traction battery) is
regenerated by driving continuously down a long slope, the EV driving range
etc. will be displaye d on the multi-infor-
mation display and EV mode will be automatically switched to.
If EV mode is not switched to even
though EV driving range is being dis - played, EV mode can be switched to by
pressing the EV/HV mode selection
switch.
■Gasoline engine operation in EV mode or AUTO EV/HV mode
Even if there is a su fficient amount of
electricity remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery) and EV driving range
( →P.181) is being displayed on the
multi-information display, EV driving (driving using only the electric motor)
may be canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are used depending on the situation (EV driving
will be returned to automatically after EV
driving becomes possible again).
EV driving may be canceled automati -
cally in the follo wing circumstances*1:
●When vehicle speed is more than
approximately 135 km/h (84 mph).
●When power is needed temporarily,
for example when the accelerator
pedal is depressed firmly or when
accelerating suddenly.*2
●When the temperatu re of the hybrid
system is high. The vehicle has been left in the sun,
driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
●When the temperatu re of the hybrid
system is low.
●When the heater is switched on when
the outside temperature is below
about -10°C (14°F).
●When the windshield defogger switch
is pressed. ( →P.453)
●When the system determines that the

91
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
gasoline engine needs to be started.*1: The gasoline engine may also oper -
ate in circumstances other than those
listed above, depending on condi -
tions.
*2: When driving in AUTO EV/HV mode.
Even in EV mode, the gasoline
engine may start, depending on the
condition of the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery).
■If “Engine Started to Protect Sys -
tem EV driving unavailable” is dis - played on the mu lti-information
display
EV driving may be canceled in order to protect the hybr id system, etc.
In this case, perform driving with the
gasoline engine until EV driving will be returned to automatically.
■Conditions in which the gasoline
engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. Howev er, it may not stop
automatically in the following condi -
tions*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction battery)
charging
●When the temperature of the hybrid
battery (traction batt ery) is high or low
●When the windshield defogger switch
is pressed. ( →P.453)*: Depending on the circumstances, the
gasoline engine may also not stop
automatically in sit uations other than
those above.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or vibra - tion even though the vehicle is able to
move with the “READY” indicator is illu-
minated. For safety, apply the parking brake and make sure to shift the shift
lever to P when parked.
The following sounds o r vibrations may
occur when the hyb rid system is operat- ing and are not a malfunction.
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a
snap or soft clank will be emitted from
the hybrid battery ( traction battery), behind the rear seats, when the hybrid
system is started or stopped.
●Sounds from the hy brid system may
be heard when the back door is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the trans -
mission when the gasoline engine
starts or stops, when driving at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to regener - ative braking when t he brake pedal is
depressed or as the accelerator pedal
is released.
●Vibration may be f elt when the gaso-
line engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard
from the air intake vent under the rear seat. ( →P.98)
●Sounds may be heard from near the hybrid battery (traction battery) in
accordance with th e operation of the
air conditioning syst em or “Battery Cooler” ( →P.129).
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, and
disposal
Contact any authoriz ed Toyota retailer
or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer regarding mainte -
nance, repair, recycling and disposal.
Do not dispose of the vehicle yourself.
I n o r d e r t o m a k e E V m o d e o r A U T O
EV/HV mode available, charge the
Charging ( →P.105)

922-1. Plug-in hybrid system
hybrid battery (traction battery)
from an external power source
before using the vehicle.
Even if charging t he hybrid battery
(traction battery) has not been com-
pleted, the vehicle can be driven. How -
ever, if there is not enough charge
remaining, it is possible that the vehicle
cannot be driven in EV mode or AUTO
EV/HV mode, or the EV driving range
will become shorter.
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicl es can be driven
using electricity charged from an exter -
nal power source. However, as the gas - oline engine is used depending on the
situation ( →P.90) even if in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode, and the gasoline engine is provided on board as a power
source for driving in HV mode, it is
needed to refueling the vehicle.
Check the fuel amount and refill immedi -
ately when the fuel level becomes low.
( →P.342)
■If the vehicle is not used for a long
time
●The 12-volt battery may discharge. In
this event, charge t he 12-volt battery. ( →P.606)
In order to prevent t he hybrid battery
(traction battery) from becoming
extremely low in c harge, charge the hybrid battery (trac tion battery) from
external power source or start the
hybrid system at least once every 2 or 3 months, and turn the power switch
off after the gasoline engine has
stopped automatically. (If the gasoline engine does not sta rt up even after
approximately 10 seconds have
passed since the “READY” indicator came on, the power switch can be
turned to off without any further
action.) When the 12-volt battery is dis -
charged, refer to “If the 12-volt battery
is discharged” ( →P.606) and perform the correction procedure.
●When the vehicle is left with the AC charging cable co nnected, the elec-
tricity consumption amount of the 12-
volt battery increas es due to controls, such as the system checking, operat-
ing. When the AC charging cable is
not needed, immediately remove it from the vehicle.
When driving with the gasoline
engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accord ance with the
driving speed, wil l be played in
order to warn people nearby of the
vehicle’s approach. The sound will
stop when the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 25 km/h (15
mph).
■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System
In the following cases, the Acoustic
Vehicle Alerting System may be difficult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting
System

982-1. Plug-in hybrid system
There is an air intake vent under
the rear seat for cooling the DC/DC
converter.
Blocking the air intake vent may
prevent the plug-in hybrid system
from operating properly.
When a certain level of impact is
detected by the im pact sensor, the
emergency shut off system blocks
off the high voltage current and
NOTICE
■Notice about fuel
●For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel
may remain in the tank for a long time and undergo changes in qual -
ity depending on the how the vehi -
cle is used. Refuel at least 20 L (5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal. ) of fuel every 12
months (refuel a tot al of at least 20
L [5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12-
month period), as this may affect components of the fuel system or
the gasoline engine.
●If the vehicle has not been refueled
for a certain amount of time and it is
possible that the quality of the fuel remaining in the tank has changed,
“No New Fuel has been Added
Recently Please refuel” is displayed on the multi-information display
when the power switch is turned to
ON. If the message is displayed, refuel the vehicle immediately.
DC/DC converter air intake
vent
NOTICE
■DC/DC converter air intake vent
●Make sure not to block the air
intake vent with anything, such as a seat cover, plastic cover, or lug -
gage. Blocking the air intake vent
may prevent the plug-in hybrid sys - tem from operating properly.
●When dust etc. has accumulated in
the air intake ven t, clean it with a vacuum cleaner to prevent the vent
from clogging.
●Do not wet or a llow foreign sub-
stances to enter the air vent as this
may cause a shor t circuit and dam- age the DC/DC converter.
●Do not carry large amounts of water such as water cooler bottles in the
vehicle. If water spills onto the
DC/DC converter, the converter may be damaged. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
●A filter is installed to the air intake vent. When the filter remains
noticeably dirty even after cleaning
the air intake vent, filter cleaning or replacement is recommended.
When cleaning the filter, refer to
P.536.
●If “Maintenance required for DCDC
converter cooling parts See Owner’s Manual” is shown on the
multi-information display, the air
intake vent and filter may be clogged. Refer to P.536 for informa -
tion on how to clean the air intake
vent.
Emergency shut off system

1002-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Shift the shift lever to D when
stopped at a traffic light, or driving
in heavy traffic etc. Shift the shift
lever to P when parking. When
using the N, there is no positive
effect on fuel consumption. In the
N, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity canno t be generated.
Also, when using the air condition -
ing system, etc., the hybrid battery
(traction battery) power is con -
sumed.
 Drive your vehicle smoothly.
Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accelera -
tion and deceler ation will make
more effective use of the electric
motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine
power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration.
Repeated acceleration con -
sumes hybrid battery (traction
battery) power, resulting in poor
fuel consumption. Battery power
can be restored by driving with
the accelerator pedal slightly
released.
Make sure to operate the brakes
gently and a ti mely manner. A
greater amount of electrical energy
can be regenerated when slowing
down.
Repeated acceler ation and decel-
eration, as well as long waits at traf -
fic lights, will lead to high fuel and
electricity consumption. Check traf -
fic reports before leaving and avoid
delays as much as possible. When
driving in a traffic jam, gently
release the brake pedal to allow the
vehicle to move forward slightly
while avoiding overuse of the accel -
erator pedal. Doing so can help
control excessive electricity and
fuel consumption.
 Control and maintain the vehicle
at a constant speed. Before stop -
ping at a toll booth or similar,
allow plenty of time to release
the accelerator and gently apply
the brakes. A greater amount of
electrical energy can be regener -
ated when slowing down.
 Electricity consumption will
increase significantly when driv -
ing at high speeds in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode. If there will
be a long distance to the next
external charging point after
leaving a freewa y, it is recom-
mended to drive in HV mode
while on the freeway and change
Shift lever operation
Accelerator pedal/brake
pedal operation
When braking
Delays
Highway driving

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2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
to EV mode or AUTO EV/HV
mode after leaving the freeway.
( →P.86)
 Turn the “A/C” switch off when it
is not needed. Doing so can help
reduce excessive e lectricity and
fuel consumption.
In summer: When the ambient tem -
perature is high, use the recirculated air
mode. Doing so will help to reduce the
burden on the air co nditioning system
and reduce electricity and fuel con -
sumption as well.
In winter: Avoid excessive and unnec-
essary use of the heater. Usage of the
heated steering w heel (if equipped)
( →P.462) and seat heaters (→P.463)
are effective.
 Using the Remote Air Condition-
ing System ( →P.460) while the
AC charging cable is connected
to the vehicle can reduce elec -
tricity consumption immediately
after starting off by operating air
conditioning mainly using elec -
tricity from an external power
source.
 When setting the charging
schedule, setting the charging
mode to “Departure” and “Cli -
mate Prep” to on can reduce
electricity consumption immedi -
ately after starting off by operat -
ing air conditioning before
charging is completed. ( →P.144)
Make sure to check the tire inflation
pressure frequen tly. If there is
improper tire inflation pressure in
the tires, the EV driving range will
become shorter, and fuel consump-
tion when in HV mode will increase.
Also, as snow tires can cause large
amounts of friction, their use on dry
roads can lead to increased fuel
and electricity consumption.
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to
poor fuel economy. Avoid carrying
unnecessary lugga ge. Installing a
large roof rack will also cause poor
fuel economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts up
and cuts out automatically, warm -
ing up is not necessary.
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation pres -
sure
Luggage
Warming up before driving

1022-1. Plug-in hybrid system
The value displayed on the SOC
(State of Charge) gauge ( →P.174)
is estimated from the following
information.
 The amount of hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge cur -
rently remaining
 The electricity consumption (the
estimated distan ce that EV driv-
ing is possible pe r unit of electri-
cal energy) based on the
recorded value
 Past air conditioning system
electricity consumption amount
The electricity co nsumption varies
depending on how the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle automatically
records the electricity consumption
when being charged and uses the
electricity consumption for estimat -
ing the EV driving range. Therefore,
the EV driving ra nge displayed
when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is fully charged may differ
from the previous EV driving range
depending on how the vehicle was
driven.
The EV driving r ange may change
significantly with each charging
until the electricity consumption
based on the recorded value is sta -
ble (for approximately the first
month or two). However, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the air conditioning system is
turned on, the EV driving range
(with using the air conditioning sys -
tem) is estimated based on the past
air conditioning electricity con -
sumption amount considering that
the electricity consumption may
become higher.
The distance that EV driving is pos -
sible varies signi ficantly depending
on how the vehicle is driven, road
conditions, the weather, the outside
temperature, usage conditions of
electrical components and the num -
ber of occupants.
The distance that EV driving is pos -
sible can be extended if the follow -
ing is performed:
EV driving range
The EV driving range displayed
on the multi-information dis -
play shows the reference dis -
tance that EV driving (driving
using only the electric motor)
is possible, and the actual dis-
tance that can be driven may
differ from that displayed.
Even if the EV dr iving range is
displayed, EV driving may be
canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are
used depending on the situation.
( →P.90)
Displayed value
Tips for extending the EV
driving range