2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID tow

5367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Remove the dust from the air intake
vent with a vacuum cleaner, etc.
Make sure to only use a vacuum to
suck out dust and clo gs. Attempting to
blow out dust and clogs using an air -
gun, etc. may push it i nto the air intake
vent. ( →P.538)
If dust and clogs cannot be com-
pletely removed with the air intake
vent cover installed, remove the
cover and clean the filter.
1 Turn the power switch off.
2 Using a Phillips screwdriver,
remove the clip.
3 Remove the air intake vent
cover.
Pull the cover as shown in the illustra - tion to disengage the 8 claws, starting
from the claw in the upper right corner
and pull the cover toward the front of the vehicle to remove it.
4 Remove the air intake vent filter.
Disengage the 4 center claws from the
Cleaning the DC/DC Con-
verter air intake vent
and filter
To prevent the 12-volt battery
from discharge, visually
inspect the DC/ DC Converter
air intake vent periodically for
dust and clogs. If it is dusty or
clogged or if “Maintenance
required for DCDC converter
cooling parts See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the multi-
information display, clean the
air intake vent using the fol -
lowing procedures:
Cleaning the air intake vent
If dust and clogs cannot be
completely removed

5447-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
nal facing up.
4 When installing, reverse the
steps listed.
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
●Do not swallow the battery. Doing
so may cause chemical burns.
●A coin battery or button battery is
used in the electronic key. If a bat -
tery is swallowed, it may cause severe chemical burns in as little as
2 hours and may result in death or
serious injury.
●Keep away new and removed bat -
teries from children.
●If the cover cannot be firmly closed,
stop using the electronic key and stow the key in t he place where
children cannot reach, and then
contact any auth orized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer as
soon as possible.
●If you accidentally swallow a battery
or put a battery into a part of your body, get emergency medical atten -
tion immediately.
■To prevent battery explosion or leakage of flammable liquid or
gas
●Replace the batt ery with a new bat- tery of the same type. If a wrong
type of battery i s used, it may
explode.
●Do not expose batteries to
extremely low pressure due to high altitude or extremely high tempera -
tures.
●Do not burn, break or cut a battery.
■Certification for the electronic key battery
CAUTION
RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT
TYPE.
DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUC -
TIONS
NOTICE
■When replacing the battery
Use a flathead screwdriver of appro - priate size. Applying excessive force
may deform or damage the cover.
■For normal operation after
replacing the battery
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents:
●Always work with dry hands.
Moisture may cause the battery to rust.
●Do not touch or move any other component inside the remote con -
trol.
●Do not bend either of the battery
terminals.

553
7
7-3. Do-it-yours elf maintenance
Maintenance and care
turning the bulb base.
3Remove the light bulb.
4 Install a new light bulb.
5 Install the bulb base to the light
unit by inserting it and turning
the bulb base clockwise.
Secure the cord with the clip back again
after installing the bulb base.
6Reinstall the cover.
■Outer foot lights (if equipped)
1 Press the upper part of the out-
side rear view mirror to tilt the
mirror face upward, and discon -
nect the four tabs behind the
mirror.
Pry the mirror out toward you, and dis -
connect two tabs at a time.
Work carefully, ensuring that you do not

8
559
8
When trouble arises
When trouble arises
8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 560
If your vehicle has to be
stopped in an emergency 560
If the vehicle is trapped in rising
water ............................... 561
8-2. Steps to take in an emer -
gency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed .............................. 563
If you think something is wrong
....................................... 566
If a warning light turns on or a
warning buzzer sounds... 568
If a warning message is dis -
played ............................. 578
If you have a flat tire (vehicles
without spare tire) ........... 582
If you have a flat tire (vehicles
with spare tire) ................ 593
If the hybrid system will not
start ................................ 601
If you lose your keys ......... 603
If the fuel filler door cannot be
opened ........................... 603
If the electronic key does not
operate properly ............. 604
If the 12-volt battery is dis -
charged .......................... 606
If your vehicle overheats... 611
If the vehicle becomes stuck
....................................... 615

563
8
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
8-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to
be towed
If towing is necessary, we rec -
ommend having your vehicle
towed by any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reli -
able repairer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-
lift type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for
all towing, and abide by all
state/provincia l and local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a
wheel-lift type truck, use a tow -
ing dolly. ( →P.563, 564)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
Be sure to transport the vehicle with
all four wheels raise d off the ground.
If the vehicle is t owed with the tires contacting the groun d, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck, or elec- tricity generated by the operation of
the motor may caus e a fire to occur
depending on the nature of the dam- age or malfunction.
■While towing
●When towing using cables or
chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive stress on the
towing eyelets, cables or chains.
The towing eyelets, cables or chains may become damaged, bro -
ken debris may hit people, and
cause serious damage.
●Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steer - ing wheel is locked and cannot be
operated.
■Installing towing eyelets to the
vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely . If not securely
installed, towing ey elets may come
loose during towing.

5648-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a prob-
lem with your transmission. Contact
any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer or commercial tow -
ing service before towing.
 The hybrid system warning mes-
sage is shown on the multi-infor -
mation display and the vehicle
does not move.
 The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift
type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the power switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front
wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for tow -
ing at the opposite end of the raised
vehicle. Without adequate clear - ance, the vehicle could be dam -
aged while being towed.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type
truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck,
either from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle
during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Situations when it is neces -
sary to contact dealers
before towing
Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
NOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a s ling-type truck to prevent body damage.

565
8
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
When using a flat-bed truck to
transport the vehicle, use tire strap -
ping belts. Refer to the owner’s
manual of the flat-bed truck for the
tire strapping method.
In order to supp ress vehicle move-
ment during transportation, set the
parking brake and turn the power
switch off.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or
chains secured to the emergency
towing eyelets. This should only be
attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at under 30
km/h (18 mph).
A driver must be i n the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles,
steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by
another vehicle, the towing eyelet
must be installed to your vehicle.
Install the towing eyelet using the
following procedure.
1 Take out the wheel nut wrench
and towing eyelet. ( →P.583,
594)
2 Using a flathead screwdriver,
remove eyelet cover ( ), and
then remove eyelet cover ( ).
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi - cle body as shown in the illustration.
3 Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench (if equipped) or hard
metal bar.
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing
Emergency towing proce -
dure
A
B

5668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
5Securely attach cables or chains
to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle
body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed
and start the hybrid system.
Turn off the Parking Support Brake
function. (if equipped): →P.420
If the hybrid system d oes not start, turn
the power switch to ON.
7 Shift the shift lever to N and
release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( →P.327)
When the shift lever cannot be shifted:
→ P.323
■While towing
If the hybrid system is not running, the
power assist for the brakes and steering will not function, making steering and
braking more difficult.
■Wheel nut wrench (if equipped)
Wheel nut wrench is installed in the deck under tray. ( →P.583, 594)
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air con -
ditioning after use is normal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
 High coolant temperature warn-
ing light flashes or come on
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when cor-
nering
 Strange noises related to the
suspension system
 Pinging or other noises related to
the hybrid system
 Engine missing, stumbling or
running roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
If you think something is
wrong
If you notice any of the follow -
ing symptoms, your vehicle
probably needs adjustment or
repair. Contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reli -
able repairer as soon as possi -
ble.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms