2023 TOYOTA RAV4 PLUG-IN HYBRID steering

307
5
5-1. Before driving
Driving
29 mm (1.1 in.)
34 mm (1.3 in.)
412 mm (16.2 in.)
348 mm (13.7 in.)
386 mm (15.2 in.)
586 mm (23.1 in.)
617 mm (24.3 in.)
1089 mm (42.9 in.)
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. In order to
avoid accident, death or serious
injury, keep the following in mind
when towing:
■Checking connections
between trailer and lights
Stop the vehicle and check the
operation of the connection
between the trailer and lights after
driving for a brief period as well as
before starting off.
■Practicing driving with a cou-
pled trailer
 Get the feel for turning, stopping
and reversing with the trailer
coupled by practicing in an area
with no or light traffic.
 When reversing with a coupled
trailer, hold the section of the
steering wheel nearest to you
and rotate clockwise to turn the
trailer left or counterclockwise to
turn it right. Always rotate a little
at a time to prevent steering
error. Have someone guide you
when reversing to lessen the risk
of an accident.
■Increasing vehicle-to-vehicle
distance
At a speed of 10 km/h (6 mph), the
distance to the vehicle running
ahead of you should be equivalent
to or greater than the combined
length of your vehicle and trailer.
Avoid sudden braking that may
cause skidding. Otherwise, the
vehicle may spin out of control. This
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NOTICE
■When the rear bumper strength-
ening material is aluminum
Ensure the steel bracket part does not come directly in contact with that
area.
When steel and aluminum come into contact, there is a reaction similar to
corrosion, which will weaken the sec- tion concerned and may result in damage. Apply a rust inhibitor to parts
that will come in contact when attach- ing a steel bracket.
Guidance

3085-1. Before driving
is especially true when driving on
wet or slippery road surfaces.
■Sudden acceleration/steering
input/cornering
Executing sharp turns when towing
may result in the trailer colliding
with your vehicle. Decelerate well in
advance when approaching turns
and take them slowly and carefully
to avoid sudden braking.
■Important points regarding
turning
The wheels of the trailer will travel
closer to the inside of the curve
than the wheels of the vehicle. To
make allowance for this, take the
turns wider than you would nor-
mally do.
■Important points regarding
stability
Vehicle movement resulting from
uneven road surfaces and strong
crosswinds will affect handling. The
vehicle may also be rocked by
passing buses or large trucks. Fre-
quently check behind when moving
alongside such vehicles. As soon
as such vehicle movement occurs,
immediately start to decelerate
smoothly by slowly applying the
brakes. Always steer the vehicle
straight ahead while braking.
■Passing other vehicles
Consider the total combined length
of your vehicle and trailer and
ensure that the vehicle-to-vehicle
distance is sufficient before execut-ing lane changes.
■Transmission information
To maintain engine braking effi-
ciency, when using engine braking,
do not use the transmission in D.
(P.315)
■If the hybrid system overheats
Towing a loaded trailer up a long,
steep incline in temperatures
exceeding 30°C (85°F) may result
in the hybrid system overheating. If
the high coolant temperature warn-
ing light indicates that the hybrid
system is overheating, turn the air
conditioning off immediately, leave
the road and stop the vehicle in a
safe place. (P.578)
■When parking the vehicle
Always place wheel chocks under
the wheels of both the vehicle and
trailer. Firmly set the parking brake
and shift the shift lever to P.
■Break-in schedule
Toyota recommends that vehicles fitted
with new power train components
should not be used for towing trailers for
the first 800 km (500 miles).
■Maintenance
●Maintenance must be performed more
frequently when using the vehicle for
towing due to the greater weight bur-
den placed on the vehicle compared
to normal driving.
●Retighten all bolts securing the hitch-
ing ball and bracket after towing for
approximately 1000 km (600 miles).
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, pass-
ing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can

309
5 5-1. Before driving
Driving
adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer
straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by
turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal
immediately but very gradually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply
vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with
the steering or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer should stabilize (if enabled, Trailer
Sway Control can also help to stabilize
the vehicle and trailer.).
●After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants
out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the
trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appro-
priate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded
after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the
speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular
vehicle-trailer combination. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability.
Remember that swaying of the towing
vehicle-trailer increases as speed
increases.

311
5 5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
■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 bat-
tery) is extremely cold (below approxi-
mately -30°C [-22°F]) under the
influence of the outside temperature, it
may not be possible to start the hybrid
system. In this case, try to start the
hybrid system again after the tem-
perature of the hybrid battery
increases due to the outside tempera-
ture increase etc.
■Sounds and vibrations specific to a
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
P.91
■If the 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started
using the smart entry & start system.
Refer to P.573 to restart the hybrid sys-
tem.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P.232
■Conditions affecting operation
P.254
■Note for the entry function
P.255
■Steering lock function (if equipped)
●After turning the power switch to OFF
and opening and closing the doors,
the steering wheel will be locked due
to the steering lock function. Operat-
ing the power switch again automati-
cally cancels the steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be
released, “Push POWER Switch while
Turning The Steering Wheel in Either
Direction” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Press the power switch shortly and firmly while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
●To prevent the steering lock motor
from overheating, the motor may be
suspended if the hybrid system is
turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain
from operating the power switch. After
about 10 seconds, the steering lock
motor will resume functioning.
■If there is a malfunction in the
smart entry & start system
If “Smart Entry & Start System Malfunc-
tion” or “Smart Key System Malfunction”
is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play, the system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer immediately.
■If the “READY” indicator does not
come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator
does not come on even after performing
the proper procedures for starting the
vehicle, contact any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or
any reliable repairer immediately.
■If the hybrid system is malfunction-
ing
P.100
■Electronic key battery
P.511
■Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and
firmly, the power switch mode may not
change or the hybrid system may not
start.
●If attempting to restart the hybrid sys-

3125-2. Driving procedures
tem immediately after turning the
power switch to OFF, the hybrid sys- tem may not start in some cases. After turning the power switch to OFF,
please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid system.
■Customization
If the smart entry & start system has
been deactivated in a customized set- ting, refer to P.572.
1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 If the parking brake is in manual
mode, set the parking brake.
( P.320)
Check the parking brake indicator is illuminated.
3 Shift the shift lever to P.
Do not press the shift lever button after shifting the shift lever to P.
4 Press the power switch shortly
and firmly.
The hybrid system will stop, and the meter display will be extinguished.
Release the shift lever when pressing the power switch.
5 Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown on
the multi-information display.
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
starting the hybrid system under any circumstances. Doing so may cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving (vehicles
with steering lock function)
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the steering lock in this
circumstance may lead to an acci- dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a malfunc-tion with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be oper-
ating somewhat differently than usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid system

313
5
5-2. Driving procedures
Driving
Modes can be changed by pressing
the power switch with the brake
pedal released. (The mode
changes each time the switch is
pressed.)
“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-information display.
3 ON
All electrical components can be used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other
than P or the shift lever button is
pressed when turning off the hybrid
system, the power switch will remain
ON, will not turn to OFF.
■Auto power off function
●If the vehicle is left in ACC or ON (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than 20 minutes with the shift
lever is in P or the shift lever button is not pressed, the power switch will automatically turn to OFF.
●If the 12-volt battery is low with the
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid sys-tem in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and hold the
power switch for more than 2 sec- onds, or press it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P.526)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emergency. Turning the hybrid sys-
tem off while driving will not cause a loss of steering or braking control. However, power assist for the
steering wheel may be lost making it difficult to steer smoothly before stopping the vehicle depending on
the remaining charge in the 12-volt battery or usage conditions. In this situation, you should pull over and
stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
●If the power switch is operated while the vehicle is running, a warn-ing message will be shown on the
multi-information display and a buzzer sounds.
●When restarting the hybrid system after an emergency shutdown, shift the shift lever to N and press the
power switch shortly and firmly.
Changing power switch
modes
A
B

343
5 5-5. Using the driving support systems
Driving
*: If equipped
The system can detect the follow-
ing (The detectable objects differs
depending on the function.):
Vehicles
Bicyclists
Pedestrians
■Pre-collision warning
When the system determines that
the possibility of a frontal collision is
high, a buzzer will sound and a
warning message will be displayed
on the multi-information display to
urge the driver to take evasive
action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines that
the possibility of a frontal collision is
high, the system applies greater
braking force in relation to how
strongly the brake pedal is
depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is
extremely high, the brakes are
automatically applied to help avoid
the collision or reduce the impact of
the collision.
■Emergency steering assist
If the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision is
high and that there is sufficient
space for the vehicle to be steered
PCS (Pre-Collision Sys-
tem)
*
The pre-collision system uses
a radar sensor and front cam-
era to detect objects (P.343)
in front of the vehicle. When
the system determines that the
possibility of a frontal collision
with an object is high, a warn-
ing operates to urge the driver
to take evasive action and the
potential brake pressure is
increased to help the driver
avoid the collision. If the sys-
tem determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision with
an object is extremely high,
the brakes are automatically
applied to help avoid the colli-
sion or help reduce the impact
of the collision.
The pre-collision system can be
disabled/enabled and the warn-
ing timing can be changed.
(P.346)
Detectable objects
System functions

3445-5. Using the driving support systems
into within its lane, and the driver
has begun evasive maneuver or
steering, emergency steering assist
will assist the steering movements
to help enhance the vehicle stability
and for lane departure prevention.
During operation, the indicator will
illuminate in green.
■Intersection right/left turn
assistance
If the system determines that there
is a high possibility of a collision in
the following situations, it will assist
with Pre-collision warning and, if
necessary Pre-collision braking.
Depending on the configuration of
the intersection, it may not be pos-
sible to support.
 When you turn right/left at an
intersection and cross the path of
an oncoming vehicle
 When you turn right/left, pedes-
trian is detected in the forward
direction and estimated to enter
your vehicle’s path (bicyclists are
not detected.)
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
●The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking care to observe your sur-
roundings. Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking opera-
tions under any circumstances. This system will not prevent colli-sions or lessen collision damage or
injury in every situation. Do not overly rely on this system. Failure to do so may lead to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.