2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID cooling

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)

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

103
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
■When starting off, depress the
accelerator pedal smoothly to
accelerate
As a guide, acce lerate up to
approximately 20 km/h (12mph) in
the first 5 seconds.
Electrical and fuel efficiency can be
improved just by using the ECO
Accelerator Guidance displayed on
the multi-informat ion display and
taking care to start off gently.
( →P.182)
When the driving mode is set to Eco
drive mode, depressing the accelerator
pedal generates smooth torque that
makes it easier to operate the accelera -
tor gently.
■Maintain sufficient vehicle-to-
vehicle distance and do not
accelerate or decelerate
unnecessarily
Try to maintain a fixed speed while
driving. Driving at a short vehicle-
to-vehicle distance will result in
repeating wasteful acceleration and
deceleration, which will worsen the
electrical and fuel efficiency.
■Release the accelerator pedal
early before stopping the vehi -
cle, such as at a traffic light
The regenerative brake will operate
to convert the kinetic energy of the
vehicle into electrical energy, which
will charge the hyb rid battery (trac-
tion battery).
The regeneration status can be
checked from the Hybrid System
Indicator. ( →P.177)
When the brake pedal is depressed
lightly during deceleration, the
regeneration amount increases,
enabling more electrical energy to
be recovered.
If the brake pedal is depressed too
strongly, the recovered amount indica -
tor will reach the maximum level and
the upper limit of the recoverable
energy will be exceeded. Therefore, be
sure to operate the brake pedal early.
■Use the air co nditioning sys-
tem appropriately, and also
utilize the heated steering
wheel (if equipped) and seat
heaters
In EV mode, the vehicle is cooled
and heated by electrical energy.
(Except in extremely cold tempera -
tures of approximately -10°C (14°F)
or less.)
Preventing excessive cooling or
heating of the vehicle will reduce
power consumption and improve
electrical efficiency.
The heated steering wheel (if
equipped) and seat heaters are effi -
cient heating device that directly
warm the body using less electric
power.
When used together with the air condi -
tioning system, a low temperature set-
ting can be used to improve electrical
and fuel efficiency.
■Check the tire pressure
If the tire pressure is lower than the
specified value, i t will worsen the
electrical and fuel efficiency.

1302-2. Charging
maximum of approximately 30 min -
utes. However, when the “Departure” time is set ( →P.144) and there is not
sufficient time between the current
time and the time that charging will complete, “Battery Cooler” operation
time may become shorter.
●When there is a small amount of
remaining charge in the hybrid battery
(traction battery), even if the hybrid battery (traction battery) is hot, “Bat -
tery Cooler” may not be implemented.
●When the following operations are
performed while “Battery Cooler” is
operating, the hybrid battery (traction battery) cooling operation stops.
• The hood is opened
• The power switch is turned to any mode other than off
• The Remote Air Conditioning System
is operated ( →P.460) • “Charge Now” is implemented
( →P.145)
●“Battery Cooler” uses the power of the
hybrid battery (tr action battery) and
external power source. • While “Battery Cooler” is operating,
the amount of the remaining charge of
the hybrid battery (traction battery) increases and decreases in a certain
range, and does not increase as in
normal charging. • The operation of “Battery Cooler” is
recognized as charging by a charger.
The charger that calculates the fee according to charging time causes a
charging fee.
To enable the use of EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode, we recom -
mend systematically charging the
vehicle.
■Before leaving home
In order to use EV mode or AUTO
EV/HV mode, charge the hybrid
battery (traction battery) at home
before leaving.
The charging schedule function
( →P.144) can be used to set the sys-
tem to automatically fully charge the
hybrid battery (traction battery) before
your desired departu re time. It is also
possible to set the air conditioning to
make the interior in a comfortable state
before your desire d departure time.
■At your destination
Use a public charging station to
charge the hybrid battery (traction
Charging tips
This section explains methods
for using the charging function
for this vehicle and checking
information related to
charging.
Systematically charging

1342-2. Charging
each part of the AC charging cable
is in good condition. ( →P.117)
■During charging
●The charging starting time may differ
depending on the state of the vehicle,
but this does not indicate a malfunc - tion.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard from near the rear seat. ( →P.98)
●During charging, sounds may be heard from near the hybrid battery
(traction battery) in accordance with
the operation of the air conditioning system or “Battery Cooler” ( →P.129).
●During and after charging, the rear seat and its surrounding area in which
the onboard traction battery charger is
installed may get warm.
●The surface of the CCID (Charging
Circuit Interrupting Device) may become hot, but this does not indicate
a malfunction. ( When using Mode 2
AC charging cable.)
●Depending on radio wave conditions,
interference may be heard on the radio.
●The current chargi ng condition and the estimated time until charging will
complete can be checked on the
multi-information display.
■Capacity reduction of the hybrid
battery (tracti on battery)
The capacity of the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) will dec line gradually when
the hybrid battery (tr action battery) is in use. The rate at which it declines will dif -
fer in accordance with environmental
conditions and the way in which the vehicle is used. Observing the following
can help suppress battery capacity
decline.
●Avoid parking the vehicle in areas with
a high temperature under direct sun - light when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is fully charged.
●Avoid accelerating and decelerating
frequently and suddenly when EV
driving.
●Avoid frequent driving near the top
speed for EV driving. ( →P.90)
●Leave a low level of charge in the
hybrid battery (trac tion battery) when leaving the vehicle undriven for a long
period of time.
After confirming that EV mode or AUTO EV/HV mode has switched to
HV mode, turn the power switch off.
●Use the charging schedule function as
much as possible in order to fully
charge the hybrid battery (traction bat - tery) immediately bef ore starting off.
( →P.144)
Also, if the hybrid battery (traction bat- tery) capacity reduces, the distance that
can be driven in EV mode or AUTO
EV/HV mode decreases. However, vehi - cle performance does not significantly
become worse.
■When the remaining charge of the
hybrid battery (trac tion battery) is low after charging
In the following situations, the remaining
charge of the hybrid battery (traction battery) after charging completes may
be less than normal in order to protect
the system (the EV dr iving range after the battery is fully charged may be
shorter).*
●Charging is carried out when the out -
side temperature is low or high.
●Charging is carried out immediately
after high-load driv ing or in extreme
heat.
When none of the above situations
apply and there is a drastic drop in the
remaining charge of the hybrid battery
(traction battery) after charging com - pletes, have the veh icle inspected by
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.*: When this occurs, even if the remain -
ing charge display of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) shows that it is

1402-2. Charging
WARNING
●Do not let the wheels on the AC
charging cable, plug, charging con -
nector and CCID (C harging Circuit Interrupting Device).
●Firmly insert the plug into the socket.
●Do not use an ex tension cord and
converting adaptor.
●Close the hood bef ore using the
charging system. The cooling fan may start operating
suddenly. Touching or getting close
to rotating parts such as the fan may cause your hands or clothes
(especially a neckt ie or scarf) to
become caught and result in a seri - ous injury.
●After connecting the charging cable, confirm that it is not wound
around anything.
●If the power indica tor on the CCID
(Charging Circuit Interrupting
Device) does not illuminate after plugging the AC charging cable into
the socket-outlet, unplug it immedi -
ately.
■If the error warnin g indicator on the CCID (Charging Circuit Inter -
rupting Device) illuminates or
flashes during charging
There may be an electrical leakage in
the power source path, or there may
be a malfunction in the AC charging cable or CCID (Cha rging Circuit Inter-
rupting Device). Refer to P.112 and
follow the correcti on procedure. If the error warning indicator does not turn
off even after performing the correc -
tion procedure, immediately stop charging, remove the AC charging
cable and contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer. Con -
tinuing to charge the vehicle in that
condition may le ad to unforeseen accidents or serious injury.
■Onboard traction battery charger
The onboard traction battery charger
is located under the rear seats. Make
sure to observe the following precau- tions regarding the onboard traction
battery charger. Failure to observe
these precautions may result in death or serious injury such as burns and
electric shocks.
●The onboard traction battery char - ger is hot during charging. Do not
touch the onboard traction battery
charger, as doing so may result in burns.
●Do not disassemble, repair or mod - ify the onboard traction battery
charger. When the onboard traction
battery charger needs to be repaired, consult any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.

141
2
2-2. Charging
Plug-in hybrid system
To prevent electrical shock, be sure
to remove by following the proce -
dures below.
1 Unlock the doors to unlock the
charging connector. ( →P.122)
The charging connector will be
unlocked and the AC charging inlet light will illuminate when the doors are
unlocked.
NOTICE
■When charging
Do not insert the plug into the AC
charging inlet.
The AC charging inlet may be dam -
aged.
■Using private power generator
Do not use private power generators
as a power source for charging.
Doing so may mak e charging unsta- ble, the voltage may be insufficient,
and the error warning indicator on the
CCID (Charging Circuit Interrupting Device) of the AC charging cable may
flash.
■Charging station
Due to the environment in which the
power equipment is located, charging may be unstable due to noise, the
voltage may be insu fficient, and the
error warning indi cator on the CCID (Charging Circuit Interrupting Device)
of the AC charging cable may flash.
■Onboard traction battery char- ger cooling air intake vent
Cooling air inta ke vent for the
onboard traction battery charger is installed under the rear seats.
Make sure to observe the following
precautions regarding the cooling air intake vent. Failure to observe these
precautions may result in a charging
system mal function.
●Do not block the air intake vent with
seat covers or luggage
●If the air intake v ent is clogged with
dust, clean it with a vacuum cleaner
●Do not allow water or foreign matter to enter the air intake vent
●Do not spill large amounts of water
near the air intake vent If water is spilled, have the vehicle
inspected by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer
and do not charge the hybrid bat -
tery (traction batt ery) before the inspection.
After charging

1462-2. Charging
connected.
●After connecting the AC charging
cable, check that the charging indica -
tor of the charging port flashes ( →P.106)
●Do not use an socket that has a power cut off function (including a timer func -
tion)
Use an socket that constantly supplies electricity. For sockets where the
power is cut off due to a timer func -
tion, etc., charging may not be carried out according to plan if the power is
cut off during the set time.
■When the AC charging cable
remains connected to the vehicle
Even if multiple consecutive charging
schedules are registered, the next
charge will not be ca rried out according to the charging schedule until the AC
charging cable is removed and recon-
nected after charging completes. Also, when the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is fully charged, charging according to
the charging schedule will not be carried out.
■“Climate Prep”
●When the air condit ioning-linked set- ting is turned on, the air conditioning
operates until the se t departure time.
Therefore, the air conditioning will consume electricity and charging may
not complete by the set departure
time.
●If the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is fully charged, cha rging will not be carried out, even if the charging
schedule is set. However, if “Climate
Prep” is turned on, the air conditioning will operate only once when it nears
the time set in “De parture”. If this
occurs, the air conditioning will con -
sume electricity and the remaining charge of the hybrid battery (traction
battery) when departing may be
decreased.
●When the doors are unlocked, the air
conditioning system does not operate.
■When charging schedules are
ignored
When the following operations are per -
formed while the charging schedule is
on standby, charging schedule is tempo - rarily canceled and charging is started.
●When the Remote Air Conditioning System ( →P.460) is operated
●When turning “My Room Mode” on ( →P.153)
●When turning “Charge Now” on ( →P.150)
●When an operation that temporarily cancel charging using the charging
schedule ( →P.138)
■Effects of outside temperature
When the charging mode is set to “Departure”, chargin g schedule may be
ignored due to the outside temperature
and charging may start.
■“Battery Heater” ( →P.128) /“Battery Cooler” ( →P.129)
When charging is carried out using the
charging schedule, the hybrid battery (traction battery) heating or cooling func -
tion may operate according to the tem -
perature of the hybrid battery (traction battery).
●When the charging mode is set to “Start”, the function starts at the set
charging start time.
●“Battery Heater”: When the charging
mode is set to “Dep arture”, the func-
tion starts automatic ally to complete heating by the desired departure time.
●“Battery Cooler”: When the charging mode is set to “Dep arture”, cooling
starts approximately 30 minutes
before the charging start time. How -
ever, if there is no time to finish charging by the charging schedule,
the hybrid battery (traction battery)
cooling time may be shortened and “Battery Cooler” may not operate.