2021 TOYOTA RAV4 PRIME Owners Manual

812-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
using only the electric motor)* is
possible. However, depending
on the situation, EV driving may
be canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are
used ( P.82). Also, if a little
electricity is remaining in the
hybrid battery (traction battery),
HV mode is automatically
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) charge will deplete
quickly. Also, EV driving may
be canceled by rapid acceler-
ation 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-informa-
tion display. ( P.172)
■When in AUTO EV/HV mode
Only the electric motor is used
for EV driving
* during normal
driving, but when the accelera-
tor pedal is strongly depressed,
the gasoline engine starts.
( P.82)
Also, when the hybrid battery
(traction battery) level is low, the
mode switches to HV mode automatically the same as in EV
mode.
AUTO EV/HV mode is suitable
for driving conditions when more
power is required, such as for
driving 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 th e multi-informa-
tion display. ( P.172)
■When in HV mode
The vehicle can be used in the
same way as a standard hybrid
vehicle.
In HV mode, controls are pri-
marily carried out as follows in
accordance with the driving con-
ditions.
 The gasoline engine stops
*
when the vehicle is stopped.
 During start off, the electric
motor (traction motor) drives
the vehicle.
 During normal driving, the
gasoline engine and electric
motor (traction motor) are
controlled effectively, and the
vehicle is driven with optimum
fuel efficiency. Also, when
necessary, the electric motor
(traction motor) operates as
an electrical generator to
charge the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

822-1. Plug-in hybrid system
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, drive force
from both the gasoline engine
and the electric motor (trac-
tion motor) is used to acceler-
ate.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) requires charging or the
engine is warming up, etc., the
gasoline engine will not automati-
cally stop. ( P.83)
■When braking (regenera-
tive braking)
The electric motor (traction
motor) charges the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery).
The EV driving range can be
extended by actively using this
regenerative braking to store
electricity in the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
Moreover, as fuel consumption
is also reduced when in HV
mode, the regenerative braking
system can be used effectively.
■Regenerative braking
In the following si tuations, 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.172)
●The EV driving range changes in
accordance with the charge status
of the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), the speed of the vehicle, etc.
●Even if there is enough charge
remaining in the hybrid battery
(traction battery), EV driving may
be canceled and both gasoline
engine and electric motor are
used depending on the situation.
( P.82)
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when
the vehicle is driven using only the
electric motor (traction motor) or the
gasoline engine is stopped.
The on/off operation of the EV indi-
cator can be changed. ( P.177)
■After EV mode has switched to
HV mode due to low hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) charge
I f t h e h y b r i d b a t t e r y (traction battery)
is regenerated by driving continu-
ously down a long slope, the EV
driving range etc. will be displayed
on the multi-information display and
EV mode will be a utomatically
switched to.
If EV mode is not switched to even
though EV driving range is being
displayed, 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 sufficient amount
of electricity remaining in the hybrid
battery (traction battery) and EV

832-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
driving range (P.172) is being dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play, EV driving (driving using only
the electric motor) may be canceled
and both gasoline engine and elec-
tric 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 auto-
matically in the following circum-
stances
*1:
●When vehicle speed is more than
approximately 84 mph (135 km/h).
●When power is needed temporar-
ily, for example when the acceler-
ator pedal is depressed firmly or
when accelerating suddenly.
*2
●When the temperature 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 temperature of the
hybrid system is low.
●When the heater is switched on
when the outside temperature is
below about 14°F (-10°C).
●When the windshield defogger
switch is pressed. ( P.398)
●When the system determines that
the gasoline engine needs to be
started.
*1: The gasoline engine may also
operate in circumstances other
than those listed above, depend-
ing on conditions.
*2: When driving in AUTO EV/HV mode. Even in EV mode, the gas-
oline engine may start, depend-
ing on the condition of the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
■If “Engine Started to Protect
System EV driving unavailable”
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
EV driving may be canceled in order to protect the hybrid system, etc.
In this case, perform driving with the
gasoline engine until EV driving will
be returned to automatically.
■Conditions in which the gaso-
line engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and
stops automatically. However, it
may not stop automatically in the
following conditions
*:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charging
●When the temperature of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is
high or low
●When the windshield defogger
switch is pressed. ( P.398)
*: Depending on the circumstances,
the gasoline engine may also not
stop automatically in situations
other than those above.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no e ngine sound or
vibration even thoug h the vehicle is
able to move with the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated. For safety,
apply the parking brake and make
sure to shift the shift lever to P when
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations
may occur when the hybrid system
is operating and are not a malfunc-
tion.
●Motor sounds may be heard from
the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
when the hybrid sy stem starts or
stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a
snap or soft clank will be emitted
from the hybrid ba ttery (traction
battery), behind the rear seats,
when the hybrid system is started
or stopped.

842-1. Plug-in hybrid system
●Sounds from the hybrid system
may be heard when the back door
is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the
transmission when the gasoline
engine starts or stops, when driv-
ing at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard
when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to
regenerative braking when the
brake pedal is dep ressed or as
the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the
gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard
from the air intake vent under the
rear seat. ( P.91)
●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.116).
■Maintenance, repair, recycling,
and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regard-
ing maintenance, repair, recycling
and disposal. Do not dispose of the
vehicle yourself.
In order to make EV mode or
AUTO EV/HV mode available,
charge the hybrid battery (trac-
tion 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.
However, if there is not enough
charge remaining, it is possible that
the vehicle canno t be driven in EV
mode or AUTO EV/HV mode or the
EV driving range will become shorter.
■Refilling fuel
Plug-in hybrid vehicles can be
driven using electricity charged from
an external power source. However,
as the gasoline engine is used
depending on the situation ( P.82)
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 a mount and refill
immediately when the fuel level
becomes low. ( P.306)
■If the vehicle is not used for a
long time
●The 12-volt battery may dis-
charge. In this e vent, charge the
12-volt battery. ( P.539)
In order to prevent the hybrid bat-
tery (traction batt ery) from becom-
ing extremely low in charge,
charge the hybrid battery (traction
battery) from external power
source or start th e 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 start up even
after approximately 10 seconds
have passed since the “READY”
indicator came on, the power
Charging ( P.99)

852-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
switch can be turned to off without
any further action.)
When the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged, refer to P.539, “If the 12-
volt battery is discharged” and
perform the corr ection procedure.
●When the vehicle is left with the
AC charging cable connected, the
electricity consumption amount of
the 12-volt battery increases due
to controls, such as the system
checking, operating. 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 accordance with the
driving speed, will be played in
order to warn people nearby of
the vehicle’s approach. The
sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately
22 mph (35 km/h).
■Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys-
tem
In the following cases, the Acoustic
Vehicle Alerting Sy stem may be dif-
ficult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the Acoustic Vehicle Alert-
ing System is installed on the front
of the vehicle, it may be more diffi-
cult to hear from the rear of the vehi-
cle compared to the front.
■When “Acoustic Vehicle Alert-
ing System Malfunction Visit
your Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Sys- tem may be malf
unctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
*: This function can only be used in
the mainland U.S.A. It cannot be
used in other states and territo-
ries, including Alaska and Hawaii.
This system operates based on
the driving situation and traffic
information to enhance fuel
economy.
For details about Predictive effi-
cient drive, refer to “NAVIGA-
TION AND MULTIMEDIA
SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.
 When the vehicle approaches
to predictive deceleration sup-
port points registered in the
navigation system, the “Refer-
ence operation range” ( ) of
the ECO Accelerator Guid-
ance ( P.173) on the multi-
information display will be
turned off to encourage the
driver to reduce excessive
acceleration.Acoustic Vehicle Alerting
System
Predictive efficient drive
(predictive deceleration
support) (vehicles with
navigation system)
*
A

862-1. Plug-in hybrid system
The engine braking force will
be increased according to the
driving conditions to more effi-
ciently charge the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) after the
accelerator pedal is released.

872-1. Plug-in hybrid system
2
Plug-in hybrid system
The illustration is an example for explanation and may differ from the actual
item.
Caution label
High voltage cables (orange)
Power control unit
DC/DC converter
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
AC charging inlet
Service plug
Onboard traction battery charger
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Plug-in hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it contains a
high voltage system (about 650V at maximum) as well as
parts that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is
operating. Obey the caution labels attached to the vehicle.
System components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

882-1. Plug-in hybrid system
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Air conditioning compressor
Junction box
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel
and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel th e vehicle with at
least enough gasoline to make the
low fuel level warning light ( P.518)
go off. If there is only a small
amount of fuel, th e hybrid system
may not be able to start. (The stan-
dard amount of fuel is about 2.3 gal.
[8.8 L, 1.9 Imp.gal.], when the vehi-
cle is on a level surface. This value
may vary when the vehicle is on a
slope. Add extra fuel when the vehi-
cle is inclined.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on
the hybrid vehicles incorporate
electromagnetic shielding, and
therefore emit approximately the
same amount of electromagnetic
waves as conventional gasoline
powered vehicles or home elec-
tronic appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound
interference in so me third party-
produced radio parts.
■Effect of magnetic forces
If objects that generate strong mag-
netic forces, such as large speak-
ers, are placed inside the luggage
compartment or installed nearby,
the generated magnetic forces may
negatively affect t he hybrid system.
■Hybrid battery (traction battery)
(lithium-ion battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery)
has a limited service life.
The hybrid battery (traction battery)
capacity (the ability to hold a
charge) reduces with time and use
in the same way as other recharge-
able batteries. The extent at which capacity reduces changes drasti-
cally depending on the environment
(ambient temperature, etc.) and
usage conditions, such as how the
vehicle is driven and how the hybrid
battery (traction battery) is charged.
This is a natural characteristic of
lithium-ion batteries, and is not a
malfunction. Also, even though the
EV driving range becomes shorter
when the hybrid battery (traction
battery) capacity reduces, vehicle
performance does not significantly
become worse.
In order to reduce t
he possibility of
the capacity reducing, follow the
directions listed on P.121, “Capacity
reduction of the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery)”.
■Starting the hybrid system in an
extremely cold environment
When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is extremely cold (below
approximately -22°F [-30°C]) under
the influence of the outside tem-
perature, it may n ot be possible to
start the hybrid system. In this case,
try to start the hybrid system again
after the temperature of the hybrid
battery increases due to the outside
temperature increase etc.
J
K
L
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
The vehicle has high voltage DC
and AC systems as well as a 12-
volt system. DC and AC high volt-
age is very dangerous and can
cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in death or
serious injury.