2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID engine

3245-2. Driving procedures
enabling the level of engine braking
force to be selected.
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from D1 to
D6, will be displayed on the multi-infor -
mation display.
■Shift ranges and their functions
●You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking
force than a higher shift range, and
the engine revolutions will also increase.
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
To help ensure safe ty and driving per- formance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some cir -
cumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the paddle shift
switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound
twice.)
■Automatic deacti vation of shift
range selection i n the D position
Shift range selection in the D position
will be deactivated in the following situa -
tions:
●When the vehicle comes to a stop
●If the accelerator pedal is depressed
for more than a cert ain period of time
●When the shift lever is shifted to a
position other than D
●When the “+” paddle shift switch is
held down for a period of time
When the shift lever is in the S posi -
tion, the shift lev er or paddle shift
switches (if equipped) can be oper -
ated as follows:
1 Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to S6,
will be displayed on the multi-informa -
tion display.
The initial shift range in S mode is
set automatically to S4.*
*: It is set to S3 when the driving mode
is set to sport mode. ( →P.434)
Changing shift ranges in S
mode

325
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
■S mode
●You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide greater accelerating force and engine braking
force than a higher shift range, and
the engine revolutions will also increase.
●To prevent the eng ine from over-rev- ving, upshifting may automatically
occur when the shif t range is 3 or
lower.
●When the shift range is 4 or lower,
holding the shift le ver toward “+” sets the shift range to 6.
■Downshifting restriction warning
buzzer
To help ensure safe ty and driving per- formance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some cir -
cumstances, downshifting may not be possible even when the shift lever or
paddle shift switches (if equipped) is
operated. (A buzze r will sound twice.)
■If the “S” indicator does not come on or the “D” indicator is displayed
even after shifting t he shift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the transmission system. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately. (In
this situation, the transmission will oper -
ate in the same manner as when the shift lever is in D.)
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release it)
The right hand signals will flash 3 times.
3 Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3 times.
4 Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON.
■If the indicator flashes faster than
usual
Check that a light b ulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions

417
5
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
■If “Parking Assist Unavailable” is
displayed on the multi-information display (vehicles with PKSB)
Water may be continuously flowing over
the sensor surface, such as in a heavy rain. When the system determines that it
is normal, the system will return to nor-
mal.
■Sensor detection information
●The sensor’s detec tion areas are lim-
ited to the areas aro und the vehicle’s front and rear bumpers.
●The following situations may occur during use.
• Depending on the shape of the object
and other factors, t he detection dis- tance may shorten, or detection may
be impossible.
• Detection may be impossible if static objects draw too close to the sensor.
• There will be a shor t delay between
static object detec tion and display (warning buzzer sounds). Even at low
speeds, there is a possibility that the
object will come withi n 25 cm (9.8 in.) before the display is shown and the
warning buzzer sounds.
• It might be difficu lt to hear the buzzer due to the volume of the audio system
or air flow noise of the air conditioning
system. • It may be difficult to hear the sound of
this system due t o the buzzers of
other systems.
■Conditions under which the func -
tion may no t function correctly
Certain vehicle c onditions and the sur-
rounding environment may affect the
ability of a sensor to correctly detect objects. Particular instances where this
may occur are listed below.
●There is dirt, snow or ice on a sensor.
(Cleaning the sensors will resolve this problem.)
●A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area will resolve this problem.)
In especially cold weather, if a sensor
is frozen the sensor display may be displayed abnormally, or objects, such
as a wall, may not be detected.
●A sensor is covered in any way.
●When a sensor or the area around a sensor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on grav el, or on grass.
●The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,
air brakes of large vehicles, or other
loud noises pro ducing ultrasonic waves.
●There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the
vicinity.
●A sensor is coated with a sheet of
spray or heavy rain.
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount of
water, such as when driving on a
flooded road.
●If the vehicle is significantly tilted.
●The vehicle is approaching a tall or
curved curb.
●If objects draw too close to the sensor.
■Objects which may not be properly
detected
The shape of the object may prevent the sensor from detecting it. Pay particular
attention to the following objects:
●Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
●Cotton, snow and other materials that
absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●Low objects
●Tall objects with upper sections pro- jecting outwards in the direction of
your vehicle

4285-5. Using the driving support systems
• When driving on a gravel road or in an
area with tall grass
• When driving toward a banner, flag,
low-hanging branch or boom barrier (such as those used at railroad cross-
ings, toll gates and parking lots)
• When there is a structure on the road - side (such as when driving in a narrow
tunnel, on a narrow bridge or on a nar -
row road) • When parallel parking
• When there is a rut o r hole in the sur-
face of the road • When driving on a metal cover (grat -
ing), such as those used for drainage
ditches • When driving up or down a steep
slope
• If a sensor is hit by a large amount of water, such as when driving on a
flooded road
• When loaded on ships or trucks • Moving type automatic car wash
• Lift type parking area or multi-story
parking lot • Underground parking area
• Structures on the ground (speed
bumps, cat’s eyes, etc.)
• Differences in height • When moving straight ahead or turn -
ing right
• Snow-melting pipes • Devices for detecting vehicles, such
as traffic lights, dev ices for detecting
traffic congestion, or devices for
detecting empty spaces in parking areas
• Railroad tracks
• H-shaped steel • When there are vehicles on both
sides, or there is a vehicle that resem -
bles this vehicle
●Weather
• If a sensor is covered with ice, snow, dirt, etc. (when c leared, the system
will return to normal)
• If heavy rain or water strikes a sensor • When driving in inclement weather
such as fog, snow or a sandstorm
• Strong wind is blowing
●Other sonic wave sources
• When vehicle horns, vehicle detec - tors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of
large vehicles, the clearance sonar of
other vehicles or other devices which produce ultrasonic waves are near the
vehicle
• If a sticker or an electronic compo - nent, such as a backlit license plate
(especially fluorescent type), fog
lights, fender pole or wireless antenna is installed near a sensor
●Changes in the vehicle posture• If the vehicle is significantly tilted
• If the front of the v ehicle is raised or
lowered due to the carried load • If the orientation of a sensor has been
changed due to a collision or other
impact
■Situations in which the Parking Support Brake function (static
objects) may not operate properly
In some situations, s uch as the follow- ing, this function m ay not operate prop-
erly.
●Weather • When a sensor or the area around a
sensor is extremely hot or cold

429
5
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
• When strong winds are blowing
• If a sensor is cove red with ice, snow,
dirt, etc. (when cleared, the system
will return t o normal) • If heavy rain or wa ter strikes a sensor
• When driving in inclement weather
such as fog, snow or a sandstorm • A sensor is frozen. (Thawing the area
will resolve this problem.)
●Vehicle surroundings
• When an object that cannot be
detected is between the vehicle and a detected object
• If an object such as a vehicle, motor-
cycle, bicycle or pedestrian cuts in front of the vehicl e or runs out from
the side of the vehicle
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an
incline, on gravel, or on grass. • The objects draw too close to the sen -
sor.
●Other sonic waves sources
• When vehicle horns , vehicle detec-
tors, motorcycle engines, air brakes of large vehicles, the clearance sonar of
other vehicles or other devices which
produce ultrasonic waves are near the
vehicle • If a sticker or an electronic compo -
nent, such as a backl it license plate
(especially fluorescent type), fog
lights, fender pole or wireless antenna
is installed near a sensor
●Changes in the vehicle
• If the vehicle is significantly tilted • If the front of the v ehicle is raised or
lowered due to the carried load
• If the orientation of a sensor has been changed due to a collision or other
impact
• When equipment that may obstruct a sensor is installed , such as a towing
eyelet, bumper protector (an addi -
tional trim str ip, etc.), bicycle carrier, or snow plow
• If the suspension has been modified
or tires of a size o ther than specified are installed
• If paint or a sticker is applied to the
sensor

4365-5. Using the driving support systems
■Trail Mode
●Trail Mode is intended for use when
driving on bumpy rough roads. Do not turn the switch on in other situations.
●Trail Mode controls the vehicle so that it can use the maximum amount of
drive force when driving on bumpy
roads.
●If Trail Mode is continuously used for
a long period of t ime, the load on related parts increases and the sys -
tem may be unable t o operate effec-
tively.
■When Trail Mode is canceled
In the following situations, Trail Mode is
automatically canc eled even if it is
turned on.
●When the drivi ng mode is changed
( →P.434)
●When the power switch is turned off
■During Trail Mode operation
The following types of situations may occur, but they are not malfunctions.
●Vibrations may be felt throughout the vehicle or steering wheel
●Operating noise may be heard from
the engine compartment
■When an inspection at any autho - rized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer is necessary
In the following situ ations, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or
any reliable repairer immediately.
●When the slip indicator light illumi -
nates while Trail Mode is on
●When the Trail Mode indicator does
not illuminate even though the Trail
Mode switch is pressed

437
5
5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
■If “Exhaust Filter Full See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the multi-
information display
●The message may be displayed while
high load driving with particulate mat - ter accumulating.
●Hybrid system output (engine speed) is restricted when a certain amount of
particulate matter accumulates, how-
ever, it is possible to drive the vehicle unless the malfuncti on indicator lamp
comes on.
●Particulate matter can accumulate
more quickly if t he vehicle is fre-
quently driven short trips or at low speeds, or if the h ybrid system is reg-
ularly started in an extremely cold
environment. Excessive accumula -
tion of particulate matter can be pre - vented by periodically driving long
distances continu ously with intermit-
tent releasing of the accelerator pedal, such as when dri ving on highways
and freeways.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on or “Hybrid System Mal - function Output Power Reduced
Visit Your Dealer” is shown on the
multi-information display
The amount of accumulated particulate
matter has exceeded a certain level.
Have the vehicle i nspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
GPF (Gasoline Particu-
late Filter) system
The GPF system collects par -
ticulate matter in the exhaust
gas by using an exhaust gas
filter. The system will operate
to regenerate the filter auto -
matically, depending on the
vehicle conditions.
NOTICE
■To prevent the GPF system from
not operating properly
●Do not use fuel other than the spec - ified type
●Do not modify the exhaust pipes

4405-5. Using the driving support systems
System), PCS will also be disabled
(only Pre-Collision warning is avail -
able). The PCS warning light will
come on and a message will be dis -
played on the multi-information dis -
play. ( →P.361)
■When the message is displayed on
the multi-information display show -
ing that TRC has been disabled
even if has not been pressed
TRC is temporary deactivated. If the information continues to show, contact
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■Operating conditions of hill-start
assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start as sist control will oper-
ate:
●The shift lever is in a position other
than P or N (when starting off for-
ward/backward on an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not
depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of
hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is shifted to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brak e is engaged.
●No more than 2 seconds have elapsed after the brake pedal is
released.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by
the ABS, brake assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, TRC and hill-start
assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the
engine compartment when the brake
pedal is depressed repeatedly, when
the hybrid system i s started or just
after the vehicle beg ins to move. This sound does not indicate that a mal -
function has occurred in any of these
systems.
●Any of the followin g conditions may
occur when the a bove systems are operating. None of these indicates
that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also
after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ECB operating sound
ECB operating sound may be heard in
the following cases, but it does not indi-
cate that a malfun ction has occurred.
●Operating sound heard from the
engine compartment when the brake pedal is operated.
●Motor sound of the brake system heard from the front part of the vehicle
when the driver’ door is opened.
●Operating sound heard from the
engine compartment when one or two
minutes passed after the stop of the hybrid system.
■Active Cornering Assist operation
sounds and vibrations
When the Active Cornering Assist is operated, operation sounds and vibra -
tions may be generat ed from the brake
system, but thi s is not a malfunction.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a
motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunc - tion.
■Automatic reacti vation of TRC,
Trailer Sway Control and VSC sys -
tems
After turning the TRC, Trailer Sway Control and VSC systems off, the sys -
tems will be automati cally re-enabled in
the following situations:
●When the power switch is turned off.
●If only the TRC syst em is turned off,