2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID engine

4TABLE OF CONTENTS
6-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning sys -
tem.................................... 452
Remote Air Conditioning System
.......................................... 460
Heated steering wheel/Front
seat heaters/Front seat heaters
and ventilators/Rear seat heat -
ers..................................... 462
6-2. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list .................. 465
6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ....... 468
Luggage compartment features
.......................................... 472
6-4. Using the other interior fea -
tures
Other interior features ......... 476
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle exterior ................. 488
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle interior .................. 491
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements . 494
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precau -
tions .................................. 496
Hood ................................... 498
Positioning a floor jack ........ 499
Engine compartment........... 501
12-volt battery ..................... 506
Tires .................................... 509
Tire inflation pressure ......... 529
Wheels ................................ 530
Air conditioning filter ........... 532
Cleaning the DC/DC Converter
air intake vent and filter .... 536
Wiper insert replacement .... 539
Electronic key battery ......... 543
Checking and replacing fuses
.......................................... 545
Light bulbs .......................... 548
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 emergency
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
6Interior features
7Maintenance and care
8When trouble arises

7
at any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any
reliable repairer.
High voltage parts and cables on
the hybrid vehicles emit approxi -
mately the same amount of electro -
magnetic waves as the
conventional gasoline powered
vehicles or home electronic appli -
ances despite of their electromag -
netic shielding.
Unwanted noise may occur in the
reception of the radio frequency
transmitter (RF-transmitter).
The vehicle is equipped with
sophisticated computers that will
record certain data, such as:
• Engine speed/Electric motor
speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation statu s of the driving
assist systems
• Hybrid battery (traction battery)
status
The recorded data varies according
to the vehicle grade level, options
and destinations w ith which it is
equipped.
These computers do not record
conversations or sounds, and only
record images outs ide of the vehi-
cle in certain situations.
 Data usage
Toyota may use the data recorded in
this computer to diagnose malfunc -
tions, conduct research and develop -
ment, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded
data to a thir d party except:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner
or with the consent of the lessee if
the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by
the police, a court o f law or a govern-
ment agency
• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
• For research purposes where the
data is not tied to a specific vehicle or
vehicle owner
The SRS airbag and seat belt pre-
tensioner devices in your Toyota
contain explosive chemicals. If the
vehicle is scrapped with the airbags
and seat belt pretensioners left as
they are, this may cause an acci -
dent such as fire. Be sure to have
the systems of the SRS airbag and
seat belt pretensioner removed and
disposed of by a qualified service
shop or any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer,
before you scrap your vehicle.
Vehicle data recordingScrapping of your Toyota

13Pictorial index
Precautions against winter season ................................................. P.445
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)*1............................. P.457
Precautions against car wash ................................... ...................... P.489
Replacing the wiper insert..................................... .......................... P.539
Fuel filler door ............................................... ................................ P.342
Refueling method ............................................... ............................. P.342
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity ................................... ......................... P.620
Charging port .................................................. .............................. P.105
Charging method ................................................ ............................ P.127
Tires .......................................................... ..................................... P.509
Tire size/inflation pressure .............................................................. P.624
Winter tires/tire chain ........................................ .............................. P.445
Checking/rotation/tire pressu re warning system ............................. P.509
Coping with flat tires......................................... ....................... P.582, 593
Hood ........................................................... .................................... P.498
Opening ........................................................ .................................. P.498
Engine oil ..................................................... ................................... P.621
Coping with overheat ........................................... ........................... P.611
Warning messages ............................................... .......................... P.578
Headlights/front position lights/daytime running lights ........ ... P.332
Turn signal lights ............................................. ............................. P.325
Front fog lights............................................... ............................... P.337
Tail lights .................................................... ................................... P.332
Tail lights .................................................... ................................... P.332
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R .................................. ............................ P.321
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P.548, Watts: P.626)
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M

41
1
1-1. For safe use
For safety and security
“PASSENGER AIR BAG” indicator
The main SRS airbag system comp onents are shown above. The SRS air-
bag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. As the airbags
deploy, a chemical reaction in t he inflators quickly fills the airbags with non-
toxic gas to help restrain t he motion of the occupants.
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Slight abrasions, burns, bruising etc.,
may be sustained from SRS airbags, due to the extrem ely high speed
deployment (inflation) by hot gases.
●A loud noise and white powder will be
emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering
wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator)
as well as the fron t seats, parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side
rails, may be hot for several minutes.
The airbag itself m ay also be hot.
●The windshield may crack.
●The hybrid system will be stopped and
fuel supply to t he engine will be
stopped. ( →P.98)
●All of the doors will be unlocked.
( →P.206)
●Vehicles with Secondary Collision
Brake: The brakes and stop lights will be controlled au tomatically. (→P.439)
●The interior lights will turn on automat- ically. ( →P.466)
●The emergency flashers will turn on automatically. ( →P.560)
■SRS airbag deployment conditions
(SRS front airbags)
●The SRS front airb ags will deploy in
the event of an impact that exceeds
the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approxi -
mately 20-30 km/h [12-18 mph] frontal
collision with a fixed wall that does not move or deform).
However, this threshold velocity will be
considerably higher in the following situ -
ations:
• If the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole,
which can move or deform on impact
• If the vehicle is involved in an under -
ride collision, such as a collision in which the front of the vehicle under -
rides, or goes under , the bed of a
truck
●Depending on the type of collision, it is
possible that only the seat belt preten - sioners will activate.
■SRS airbag deployment conditions
(SRS side and cu rtain shield air-
bags)
●The SRS side and curtain shield air -
bags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the set threshold
level (the level of force corresponding
to the impact forc e produced by an approximately 1500 kg [3300 lb.] vehi -
cle colliding with the vehicle cabin
from a direction perpendicular to the vehicle orientation at an approximate
speed of 20 -30 km/h [12 -18 mph]).
●Both SRS curtain shield airbags may
also deploy in the event of a severe
frontal collision.
■Conditions under which the SRS airbags may deploy (inflate), other
than a collision
The SRS front airbags and SRS curtain shield airbags may a lso deploy if a seri-
ous impact occurs to the underside of
your vehicle. Some e xamples are shown in the illustration.
●Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard surface
●Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
●Landing hard or falling
O

842-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2-1.Plug-in hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual item.
Gasoline engine
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
Plug-in hybrid system features
The plug-in hybrid system is a system excellent in both economi cal
efficiency of electric vehicles and practicality of hybrid vehicles.
 EV driving can be performed using electricity charged from an external
power source.*
 If the amount of electricity remaining in the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) becomes low, the vehicle is automatically controlled in such a
way that it can be driven as a hybrid vehicle through the joint use of the
gasoline engine.
*: The EV driving range will vary i n accordance with conditions such as vehicle
speed, the amount of c harge remaining in the hybrid battery (traction battery)
and the usage of the air conditioning system. The gasoline engi ne may also be
used simultaneously in accordan ce with driving conditions.
System components
A
B
C

85
2
2-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Plug-in hybrid system
The plug-in hybrid system oper -
ates in the following modes.
The multi-information display can be
used to check which mode the plug-in
hybrid system is curr ently being driven
in. ( →P.168)
■EV mode
When a sufficient amount of elec -
tricity is remaini ng after charging*1,
EV driving is performed using elec -
tricity stored in the hybrid battery
(traction battery).*2
When in EV mode, the EV drive mode
indicator illuminates.
*1: The amount of remaining charge can
be checked on the SOC (State of
Charge) gauge. ( →P.174)
*2: Depending on the situation, EV driv-
ing may be cancel ed and both gaso-
line engine and electric motor are
used. ( →P.90)
■AUTO EV/HV mode
Normally, the elec tricity stored in
the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is used for EV driving. However,
when more power is required, such
as for driving uphill or accelerating
suddenly, the gasoline engine
starts and provides powerful accel-
eration by strongly depressing the
accelerator pedal.
When the vehicle is in a condition
where EV driving is possible, EV
mode and AUTO EV/HV mode can
be switched by operating the
switch. ( →P.86)
When in AUTO EV/HV mode, the
AUTO EV/HV mode indicator illumi -
nates.
■HV mode
When in HV mode, the vehicle is
driven using both the gasoline
Plug-in hybrid system oper -
ation mode

862-1. Plug-in hybrid system
engine and electric motor. (→P.89)
• If electricity needed for EV driv -
ing in EV mode or AUTO EV/HV
mode is not remaining, the oper -
ation mode will be automatically
switched to HV mode.
• The operation mode can be
switched to HV mode at any tim -
ing by operating the switch to
keep electricity for EV driving
etc.* ( →P.86). Switching to HV
mode when driving on a highway
or when driving uphill is recom -
mended in order to conserve bat -
tery power.
When in HV mode, t he HV drive mode
indicator illuminates.
*: The EV driving range may reduce
even after switching to HV mode.
■Hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) charge mode ( →P.87)
Electricity generated in the gasoline
engine can be charged in the hybrid
battery (traction battery) by switch -
ing to the hybrid battery (traction
battery) charge mode when elec -
tricity needed for EV driving is not
remaining.*
• The system may not be able to
switch to the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) charge mode due to
the state of the plug-in hybrid
system. ( →P.88)
• Charging time differs depending
on the driving state of the vehicle
when driving in hybrid battery
(traction battery) charge mode.
When in the hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) charge mode, the hybrid battery
charge mode indicator illuminates.
*: When in the hybrid b attery (traction
battery) charge mode, the hybrid bat -
tery can be charged while driving.
However, the gasoline engine runs to
charge the battery and fuel consump-
tion becomes higher compared with
driving in HV mode.
The plug-in hybrid system opera -
tion modes can be switched using
the switches.
■Switching the plug-in hybrid
system operation modes
Press the AUTO EV/HV mode
switch or EV/HV mode selection
switch to change modes as the fol -
lowing table shows.
When in EV mode, the EV drive mode
indicator illuminates.
When in AUTO EV/HV mode, the
AUTO EV/HV mode indicator illumi -
nates.
When in HV mode, the HV drive mode
indicator illuminates.
Switching the plug-in hybrid
system operation modes

882-1. Plug-in hybrid system
be changed even if the AUTO EV/HV
mode switch or EV/HV mode selection switch is pressed. ( In this case, the
warning message is displayed on the
multi-information display when the switch is pressed.)
●When electricity needed for EV driving is not remaining (when in EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode)
●When the traction battery is almost
completely charged (hybrid battery
[traction battery] charge mode)
■When switching from EV mode to another mode using the switch
●After switching from EV mode to HV
mode or hybrid battery (traction bat - tery) charge mode and the power
switch is turned off, the system
returns to EV mode the next time the
vehicle is started.*
●After switching from EV mode to
AUTO EV/HV mode and the power switch is turned o ff, the system does
not return to EV mode the next time
the vehicle is started.*
*: If there is not enough charge remain-
ing in the hybrid battery (traction bat -
tery) to allow EV dr iving, the system
switches to HV mode.
■Hybrid battery (tr action battery) charge mode
●The following may occur to protect the system, etc.
• Cannot switch to hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) char ge mode or cannot cancel it
• Gasoline engine does not start or
stops even after s witching to hybrid battery (traction battery) charge mode
●If a load to the syst em is large, such
as when the power consumption of the air conditioning system is large or
when the temperatur e of the engine
coolant is high, it may take longer time than usual to charge using the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode, or charging to the hybrid bat - tery (traction battery) may not be per -
formed.
■When in EV mode
In EV mode, EV driving (driving
using only the electric motor)* is
possible. Howeve r, depending on
the situation, EV driving may be
canceled and both gasoline engine
and electric motor are used
( →P.90). Also, if a little electricity is
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery) , HV mode is auto-
matically selected. To drive in EV
mode long, observe the followings.
 Avoid sudden acceleration and
sudden deceleration, and be
sure to drive smoothly.
If you repeatedly accelerate, the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
WARNING
■When using the hybrid battery (traction battery ) charge mode
Observe the following precautions
when using the hybrid battery (trac - tion battery) char ge mode while park-
ing.
Failure to do so may lead to death or
serious health hazard, as the gasoline engine operates when in the hybrid
battery (traction battery) charge
mode.
●Do not stop the vehicle near flam -
mable materials.
●Do not use the hybrid battery (trac -
tion battery) charge mode in a
closed area where ventilation is insufficient, such a s in a garage or
area with snow buildup.
Control when driving in
each mode