2023 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID battery

2174-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
4-2.Driving procedures
1Pull the parking brake switch
to check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.231)
The parking brake indicator will
come on.
2Check that the shift lever is in
P.
3 Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
4 Turn the power switch to
START to start the hybrid
system.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator is
illuminated.
5Check that the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
■If the hybrid system does not
start
The immobilizer system may not
have been deactivated. ( P.80)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■When the steering lock cannot
be released
When starting the hybrid system,
the power switch may seem stuck in
OFF. To free it, turn the key while
turning the steering wheel slightly
left and right.
■When the ambient temperature
is low, such as during winter
driving conditions
●When starting th e hybrid system,
the flashing time of the “READY”
indicator may be long. Leave the
vehicle as it is until the “READY”
indicator is steady on, as steady
means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is extremely cold (below
approximately -22°F [-30°C])
under the influenc e of the outside
temperature, it ma y not be possi-
ble to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the tempera-
ture of the hybrid battery
increases due to the outside tem-
perature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a Hybrid El ectric Vehicle
 P.72
■If the “READY” indicator does
not come on
In the event that the “READY” indi-
cator does not come on even after
performing the proper procedures
Power (ignition)
switch (vehicles with-
out smart key system)
Starting the hybrid sys-
tem

2194-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
1Pull the parking brake switch
to check that the parking
brake is set. ( P.231)
The parking brak e indicator will
come on.
2 Check that the shift lever is
set in P.
3 Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not display ed, the hybrid sys-
tem cannot be started.
4 Press the power switch
shortly and firmly.
When operating the power switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It is
not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
If the “READY” indicator turns on,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the “READY” indicator is
illuminated.
The hybrid system can be started
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not leave the power switch in
ACC or ON for long periods of
time without the hybrid system on.
Power (ignition)
switch (vehicles with
smart key system)
Performing the following
operations when carrying
the electronic key on your
person starts the hybrid
system or changes power
switch modes.
Starting the hybrid sys-
tem

2204-2. Driving procedures
from any power switch mode.
5Check that the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated.
The vehicle will not move when the
“READY” indicator is off.
■If the hybrid system does not
start
●The immobilizer system may not
have been deactivated. ( P.80)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●If a message related to start-up is
shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and fol-
low the instructions.
●If the door is unlocked with the
mechanical key, the hybrid system
cannot be started using the smart
key system. Refer to P.484 to start
the hybrid system. However, if the
electronic key is carried inside the
vehicle and the do ors are locked
(  P.139), the hybrid system can
be started.
■When the ambient temperature
is low, such as during winter
driving conditions
●When starting the hybrid system,
the flashing time of the “READY”
indicator may be long. Leave the
vehicle as it is until the “READY”
indicator is steady on, as steady
means the vehicle is able to move.
●When the hybrid battery (traction
battery) is extremely cold (below
approximately -22°F [-30°C])
under the influence of the outside
temperature, it may not be possi- ble to start the hybrid system. In
this case, try to start the hybrid
system again after the tempera-
ture of the hybrid battery
increases due to the outside tem-
perature increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a Hybrid El
ectric Vehicle
 P.72
■If the 12-volt b attery is dis-
charged
The hybrid system cannot be
started using the smart key system.
Refer to P.485 to restart the hybrid
system.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P.130
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.157
■Note for the entry function
 P.157
■If there is a malfunction in the
smart key system
If “Smart Key System Malfunction”
is displayed on the multi-information
display, the system may be mal-
functioning. Hav e the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does
not come on
In the event that the “READY” indi-
cator does not come on even after
performing the proper procedures
for starting the vehicle, contact your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis-
played on the multi-information
display
 P.251
■If the hybrid sys tem is malfunc-
tioning
 P.79
■Electronic key battery
 P.433

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
“ACCESSORY”
“IGNITION ON”
1 OFF
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
2ACC
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-info rmation display.
3ON
All electrical com ponents can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the multi-inform ation display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off the
hybrid system, the power switch
will be turned to ACC, not to OFF.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACC for more
than 20 minutes or ON (the hybrid
system is not operating) for more
than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the power switch will automatically
turn to OFF. Howev er, this function
cannot entirely prevent the 12-volt
battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the
power switch in
ACC or ON for long periods of time
when the hybrid system is not oper-
ating.
If the hybrid system is stopped
with the shift lever in a position
other than P, the power switch
will not be turned to OFF but
instead be turned to ACC. Per-
form the following procedure to
turn the switch to OFF:
1 Check that the parking brake
is set.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “ACCESSORY” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and press the
power switch shortly and
firmly.
4 Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display is
off.
A
B
127,&(
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
●Do not leave the power switch
in ACC or ON for long periods of
time without the hybrid system
on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the multi-
information display, the power
switch is not in OFF. Exit the
vehicle after turning the power
switch to OFF.
When stopping the hybrid
system with the shift lever
in a position other than P

2244-2. Driving procedures
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch when
in EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using the
gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not stop the hybrid system
when the shift lever is in a position
other than P. If the hybrid system
is stopped in another shift lever
position, the powe r switch will not
be turned to OFF but instead be
turned to ACC. If the vehicle is left
in ACC, 12-volt battery discharge
may occur.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric
power is supplied by the
hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), and only the electric
motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to
drive in residential areas
early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor
parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the Acous-
tic Vehicle Alerting System
is active, the vehicle may
produce sound.
Operating instructions

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Situations in which EV drive
mode cannot be turned on
It may not be po ssible to turn EV
drive mode on in t he following situa-
tions. If it cannot be turned on, a
buzzer will sound and a message
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is high.
The vehicle has been left in the
sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is low.
The vehicle has been left in tem-
peratures lower than about 68°F
(20°C) for a long period of time
etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming
up.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the Energy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P.127)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
Use the EV drive mode when it
becomes available.
■Switching to EV drive mode
when the gasoline engine is
cold
If the hybrid system is started while
the gasoline engine is cold, the gas-
oline engine will star t automatically
after a short peri od of time in order
to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable
t o s w i t c h t o E V d r i v e m o d e . A f t e r t h e
hybrid system has started and the
“READY” indicator has illuminated,
press the EV drive mode switch
before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV
drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the
gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the follo wing situations.
When EV drive mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will flash and go off
and a message will be shown on the
multi-informat ion display.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) becomes low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the Ener gy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P.127)
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill etc.
Drive the vehicle for a while before
attempting to turn on the EV drive
mode again.
■Possible driving distance when
driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving
distance ranges from a few hundred
meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1
km). However, depending on vehi-
cle conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be
used.
(The distance tha t is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [trac-
tion battery] level a nd driving condi-
tions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to
achieve the best possible fuel econ-
omy during normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]). Driving in
EV drive mode more than neces-
sary may lower fuel economy.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
■Restraining sudden start (Drive-
Start Control)
 P.201
While the power switch
is in ON and the brake pedal
depressed
*, shift the shift lever
while pushing the shift release
button on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever while
pushing the shift release button
on the shift knob.
Shift the shift lever nor-
mally.
When shifting the shift lever
between P and D, make sure that
the vehicle is completely stopped
and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle to be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal
must be depressed before the
shift release button is pushed. If
WARNING
■When driving on slippery
road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and
sudden acceleration, as this could
result in the vehicle skidding to
the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid
battery (traction battery) will not
be charging, even when the
engine is running. Therefore, if
the vehicle is left with the shift
lever in N for a c ertain amount of
time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this
may result in the vehicle not being
able to start.
Shifting the shift lever

2394-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
erly if an object is placed on the sen-
sor, or anything that blocks the
sensor is affixed to the windshield.
Doing so interfere s with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light
and may cause the automatic head-
light system to malfunction.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The
lights turn off 30 seconds after the
power switch is turned to ACC or
OFF and a door is opened and
closed. (The lights turn off imme-
diately if on the key is
pressed after all the doors are
closed.)
●When only the tail lights are on:
The tail lights turn off automati-
cally if the power switch is turned
to ACC or OFF and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the
power switch to ON, or turn the light
switch to the , or posi-
tion once and then back to or
position.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power
switch is turned to OFF and the
driver’s door is opened while the
lights are turned on.
■Windshield wiper linked head-
light illumination (if equipped)
When driving during daytime with
the headlight switch turned to , if the windshield wipers are used, the
headlights will turn o
n automatically
after several seconds to help
enhance the visibility of your vehi-
cle.
■12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt bat-
tery of the vehicle from discharging,
if the headlights and/or tail lights are
on when the power switch is turned
to OFF, the battery saving function
will operate and au tomatically turn
off all the lights af ter approximately
20 minutes.
When any of the following are per-
formed, the battery-saving function
is canceled once and then reacti-
vated. All the light s will turn off auto-
matically 20 minutes after the
battery-saving function has been
reactivated:
●When the headlight switch is oper-
ated
●When a door is opened or closed
■If “Headlight System Malfunc-
tion Visit Your Dealer” is dis-
played on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitiv-
ity) can be changed.
(Customizable features:  P.527)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not leave the lights on longer
than necessary when the hybrid
system is not running.