2023 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID tow

2744-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
SymptomLikely causeSolution
The image is dif-
ficult to see.
The mirror surface is dirty.Clean the mirror surface gently,
using a soft dry cloth.
Sunlight or headlights are shin-
ing directly into the Digital Rear-
view Mirror.
Change to optical mirror mode.
(If the light is coming through
the panoramic moon roof [if
equipped], close the electronic
sunshade.)
• The vehicle is in a dark area.
• The vehicle is near a TV
tower, broadcasting station,
electric power plant, or other
location where strong radio
waves or electrical noise may
be present.
• The temperature around the
camera is extremely high/low.
• The ambient temperature is
extremely low.
• It is raining or humid.
• Sunlight or headlights are
shining directly into the cam-
era lens.
• The vehicle is under fluores-
cent lights, sodium lights,
mercury lights, etc.
• Exhaust gas is obstructing the
camera.
Change to optical mirror mode.
(Change back to digital mirror
mode when the conditions have
improved.)
Foreign matters such as water
droplets or dust is on the cam-
era lens.Wipe the camera lens with a
damp soft cloth.

5
287
5
Driving
Driving
5-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............ 288
Cargo and luggage ........... 294
Trailer towing .................... 296
5-2. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch ...... 310
Hybrid transmission .......... 315
Turn signal lever ............... 319
Parking brake ................... 320
Brake Hold ........................ 323
5-3. Operating the lights and wip-
ers
Headlight switch ............... 326
AHB (Automatic High Beam)
....................................... 328
Fog light switch ................. 331
Windshield wipers and washer
....................................... 332
Rear window wiper and
washer ............................ 334
5-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap. 336
5-5. Using the driving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense ........ 338
PCS (Pre-Collision System)
....................................... 343
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) 353
RSA (Road Sign Assist) ... 364
Dynamic radar cruise control
with full-speed range ...... 368
Cruise control ................... 381
Speed limiter ..................... 384
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) . 386
Toyota parking assist-sensor
........................................ 395
PKSB (Parking Support Brake)
........................................ 403
Parking Support Brake func-
tion (static objects).......... 407
Parking Support Brake func-
tion (rear-crossing vehicles)
........................................ 410
Driving mode select switch
........................................ 411
Trail Mode ......................... 413
GPF (Gasoline Particulate Fil-
ter) system ...................... 414
Driving assist systems ...... 415
5-6. Driving tips
Winter driving tips ............. 422
Utility vehicle precautions . 425

289
5
5-1. Before driving
Driving
ilar to conventional vehicles, and it is
necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden acceleration. Refer to “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle driving tips”
( P.100).
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining,
because visibility will be reduced, the windows may become fogged-up, and the road could be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, as the road surface could be espe-
cially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driv-
ing on an expressway in the rain, because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ECO Accelerator Guidance ( P.202)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving while referring to the ECO Accelerator Guidance display.
Also, by using the ECO Accelerator Guidance it is easier to increase the “Eco Score” evaluation.
●When starting off: While staying within the ECO Accelerator Guidance range,
gradually depress the accelerator pedal and accelerate to the desired speed. If excessive acceleration is
avoided, the “Start” score will increase.
●When driving: After accelerating to the desired speed, release the accelera-tor pedal and drive at a stable speed
within the ECO Accelerator Guidance range. By keeping the vehicle within the ECO Accelerator Guidance range,
the “Cruise” score will increase.
●When stopping: When stopping the
vehicle, early releasing the accelera- tor pedal will cause the “Stop” score to increase.
■Restraining the hybrid system out-
put (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake ped-
als are depressed at the same time,
the hybrid system output may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display while the system is operating.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observ- ing the following precautions is recom-mended:
●For the first 300 km (200 miles):Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 800 km (500 miles):Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 1000 km (600 miles):• Do not drive at extremely high
speeds. • Avoid sudden acceleration.• Do not drive continuously in low
gears. • Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign
country
Comply with the relevant vehicle regis- tration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( P.586)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY” indicator is illuminated. This
prevents the vehicle from creeping.

2945-1. Before driving
When the following unusual opera-
tion is performed with the accelera-
tor pedal depressed, the hybrid
system output may be restrained.
 When the shift lever is shifted to
R*.
 When the shift lever is shifted
from P or R to forward drive shift
position such as D*.
When the system operates, a message
appears on the multi-information dis-
play. Read the message and follow the
instruction.
*: Depending on the situation, the shift
position may not be changed.
■Drive-Start Control (DSC)
●When the TRC is turned off ( P.417), sudden start restraint control also does not operate. If your vehicle have
trouble escaping from the mud or fresh snow due to sudden start restraint control operation, deactivate
TRC ( P.417) so that the vehicle may become able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
Also, sudden start restraint control will
not operate in the following condition:
• When Trail Mode is turned on
Sudden start restraint con-
trol (Drive-Start Control
[DSC])
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following
information about storage pre-
cautions, cargo capacity and
load.
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compartment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may prevent the ped-
als from being depressed properly, may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or
passengers, possibly causing an acci- dent.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the lug-
gage compartment whenever pos- sible.
●Do not stack anything in the lug-gage compartment higher than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage compartment. It is not designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their
seat belts properly fastened. Other- wise, they are much more likely to suffer death or serious bodily injury,
in the event of sudden braking, sud- den swerving or an accident.

2965-1. Before driving
■Tire information
●Increase the tire inflation pressure to
20.0 kPa (0.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi)
greater than the recommended value
when towing. (P.590)
●Increase the air pressure of the trailer tires in accordance with the total
trailer weight and according to the val-
ues recommended by the manufac-
turer of your trailer.
■Safety checks before towing
●Check that the maximum load limit for
the towing hitch/bracket and hitch ball
is not exceeded. Bear in mind that the
coupling weight of the trailer will add
to the load exerted on the vehicle.
Also make sure that the total load
exerted on the vehicle is within the
range of the weight limits. (P.298)
●Ensure that the trailer load is secure.
●Supplementary outside rear view mir-
rors should be added to the vehicle if
the traffic behind cannot be clearly
seen with standard mirrors. Adjust the
extending arms of these mirrors on
both sides of the vehicle so that they
always provide maximum visibility of
the road behind.
■When towing a trailer
Disable the following systems, as the
systems may not operate properly.
●LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) (if
equipped) (P.353)
●Dynamic radar cruise control with full-
speed range (if equipped) (P.368)
●Cruise control (if equipped) (P.381)
●PKSB (Parking Support Brake) (if
equipped) (P.403)
●BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if
equipped) (P.386)
●Toyota parking assist-sensor
(P.395)
●RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) func-
tion (if equipped) (P.386)
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed pri-
marily as a passenger carry-
ing vehicle. Towing a trailer
will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, brak-
ing, durability, and fuel con-
sumption. Your safety and
satisfaction depend on the
proper use of correct equip-
ment and cautious driving hab-
its. For your safety and the
safety of others, do not over-
load the vehicle or trailer.
To tow a trailer safely, use
extreme care and drive the
vehicle in accordance with the
trailer’s characteristics and
operating conditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply
to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for
commercial purposes.
Ask your local authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reli-
able repairer for further details
before towing, as there are
additional legal requirements
in some countries.

297
5
5-1. Before driving
Driving
Check the allowable towing capac-
ity, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass),
MPAC (Maximum Permissible Axle
Capacity), and permissible drawbar
load before towing. ( P.584)
Toyota recommends the use of the
Toyota hitch/bracket for your vehi-
cle. Other products of a suitable
nature and comparable quality may
also be used.
For vehicles where the towing
device blocks any of the lights or
license plate, the following shall be
observed:
 Do not use towing devices that
cannot be easily removed or
repositioned.
 Towing devices must be
removed or repositioned when
not in use.
Please consult any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer
when installing trailer lights, as
incorrect installation may cause
damage to the vehicle’s lights.
Please take care to comply with
your state’s laws when installing
trailer lights.
WARNING
Follow all the instructions described in this section.
Failure to do so could cause an acci- dent resulting in death or serious injury.
■Trailer towing precautions
When towing, make sure that none of the weight limits are exceeded.
( P.298)
■To avoid accident or injury
●Vehicles with compact spare tire: Do not tow a trailer when the com-pact spare tire is installed on your
vehicle.
●Vehicles with emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit: Do not tow a trailer when the tire installed is repaired with the emer-
gency tire puncture repair kit.
●Do not use dynamic radar cruise
control with full-speed range (if equipped) or cruise control (if equipped) when trailer towing.
■Vehicle speed in towing
Observe the legal maximum speeds
for trailer towing.
■Before descending hills or long
declines
Reduce speed and downshift. How- ever, never downshift suddenly while
descending steep or long downhill grades.
■Operation of the brake pedal
Do not hold the brake pedal depressed often or for long periods of
time. Doing so may result in the brake over-heating or reduce braking effects.
Weight limits
Towing hitch/bracket
Connecting trailer lights

2985-1. Before driving
■Total trailer weight and per-
missible drawbar load
Total trailer weight
Weight of the trailer itself plus the trailer
load should be within the maximum
towing capacity. Exceeding this weight
is dangerous. ( P.584)
When towing a trailer, use a friction
coupler or friction stabilizer (sway con-
trol device).
Permissible drawbar load
Allocate the trailer load so that the
drawbar load is greater than 25 kg
(55.1 lb.) or 4% of the towing capacity.
Do not let the drawbar load exceed the
indicated weight. ( P.584)
■Information tag (manufac-
turer’s label)
Gross vehicle mass
The combined weight of the driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, towing hitch, total
curb mass and drawbar load should not
exceed the gross vehicle mass by more
than 100 kg (220.5 lb.). Exceeding this
weight is dangerous.
Maximum permissible rear axle
capacity
The weight borne by the rear axle
should not exceed the maximum per-
missible rear axle capacity by 15% or
more. Exceeding this weight is danger-
ous.
The values for towing capacity were
derived from testing conducted at sea
level. Take note that hybrid system out-
put and towing capacity will be reduced
at high altitudes.
NOTICE
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical sys-tem and cause a malfunction.
Important points regarding
trailer loads
A
B
A
B

299
5
5-1. Before driving
Driving
WARNING
■When the gross vehicle mass or maximum permissible axle
capacity is exceeded
Failing to observe this precaution may lead to an accident causing death or
serious injury.
●Add an additional 20.0 kPa (0.2
kgf/cm2 or bar, 3 psi) to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure value. ( P.590)
●Do not exceed the established speed limit for towing a trailer in
built-up areas or 100 km/h (62 mph), whichever is lower.