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2021 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Before driving



Before driving

Driving the vehicle

    Before starting the hybrid system

Check that the AC charging cable is disconnected. (P.123)

    Starting the hybrid system

P.279

    Driving
    With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (P.285)
    Release the parking brake. (P.290)

If the parking brake is in automatic mode, the parking brake is released automatically when shift- ing the shift lever to any position other than P. (P.290)

    Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to acceler- ate the vehicle.
    Stopping
    With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
    If necessary, set the parking brake. (P.290)

If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift lever to P. (P.285)

    Parking the vehicle
    With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
    Set the parking brake (P.290), and shift the shift lever to P (P.285).
    Turn the power switch to OFF to stop the hybrid sys- tem.
    Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.

If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.

    Starting off on a steep uphill
    With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (P.285)
    Pull the parking brake switch and parking brake is set manually. (P.290)
    Release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera- tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.

Parking brake automatic release function (P.291)

    When starting off on a uphill

The hill-start assist control will acti- vate. (P.381)

    For electricity-saving and fuel- efficient driving

Understand the system characteris- tics of the vehicle to use the func- tions of the hybrid system. Also, keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it is necessary to refrain from

activities such as sudden accelera- tion. Refer to “Plug-in hybrid vehicle driving tips” (P.92).

    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 slip- pery.
    Drive carefully when it starts to rain, as the road surface could be especially slippery.
    Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
    ECO Accelerator Guidance (P.173)

It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly manner by driving while referring to the ECO Accelerator Guidance dis- play. Also, by using the ECO Accel- erator 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 accel- eration is avoided, the “Start” score will increase.

    When driving:

After accelerating to the desired speed, release the accelerator pedal and drive at a stable speed within the ECO Accelerator Guid- ance range. By keeping the vehi- cle within the ECO Accelerator Guidance range, the “Cruise” score will increase.

    When stopping:

When stopping the vehicle, early releasing the accelerator pedal will cause the “Stop” score to increase.

    Restraining the hybrid system output (Brake Override System)
    When the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, the hybrid system output may be restrained.
    A warning message is displayed on the multi-information display and head-up display (if equipped) while the system is operating. (P.517)
    Restraining sudden start (Drive- Start Control)
    When the following unusual oper- ation is performed, the hybrid sys- tem output may be restrained.
    When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D*, or P to R* (D includes S) with the accelerator pedal depressed, a warning message appears on the multi-information display and head-up display (if equipped). If a warning message is shown on the multi-information display, read the message and follow the instruc- tions.
    When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the vehicle is in reverse.

*: Depending on the situation, the shift lever may not be changed.

    While Drive-Start Control is being activated, your vehicle may have trouble escaping from the mud or fresh snow. In such case, deacti- vate TRAC (P.382) to cancel Drive-Start Control so that the vehicle may be able to escape from the mud or fresh snow.
    Drive-Start Control does not work when Trail Mode is turned on.
    Breaking in your new Toyota

To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recommended:

    For the first 200 miles (300 km): Avoid sudden stops.
    For the first 500 miles (800 km): Do not tow a trailer.
    For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
    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 for- eign country

Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the correct fuel. (P.551)

WARNING

Observe the following precau- tions.

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 illumi- nated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.

WARNING

    Things that must not be car- ried in the luggage compart- ment

The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage com- partment:

    Receptacles containing gaso- line
    Aerosol cans
    Storage precautions

Observe the following precau- tions.

Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly, may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hit- ting the driver or passengers, pos- sibly causing an accident.

    Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment when- ever possible.
    Do not stack anything in the lug- gage compartment higher than the seatbacks.
    Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
    At the feet of the driver
    On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
    On the luggage cover (if equipped)
    On the instrument panel
    On the dashboard

    Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
    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. Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer death or serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking, sud- den swerving or an accident.

(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) - (Total weight of occu- pants)

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -

    Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
    Determine the combined weight of the driver and passen- gers that will be riding in your vehicle.
    Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passen- gers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
    The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.

For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb passen- gers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)

    Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calcu- lated in Step 4.
    If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehi- cle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. (P.268)

Calculation formula for your vehicle

Cargo capacity

Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight) (P.550)

When 2 people with the com- bined weight of A lb. (kg) are rid- ing in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight) of B lb. (kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be C lb. (kg) as follows:

B*2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb. (kg)

*1: A = Weight of people

*2: B = Total load capacity

*3: C = Available cargo and luggage load

In this condition, if 3 more passen- gers with the combined weight of D lb. (kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced E lb. (kg) as follows:

*4: D = Additional weight of people

*5: E = Available cargo and luggage

load

you must reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.

WARNING

    When loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier (if equipped)

Observe the following precau- tions:

    Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear axles.
    If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the vehicle overall length or width. (P.550)
    Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof luggage carrier.
    Loading cargo on the roof lug- gage carrier will make the cen- ter of gravity of the vehicle higher. Avoid high speeds, sud- den starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly and result in death or serious injury.

Vehicle load limits

    Total load capacity and seating capacity

These details are also described on the tire and loading information label. (P.480)

    Before towing

Check that the following conditions are met:

    Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P.555)
    Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-

    All trailer lights work as required by law.
    All lights work each time you con- nect them.
    The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
    The trailer is level when it is hitched.

Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.

    The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
    The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provin- cial or local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

    GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
    GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

The maximum allowable gross vehicle weight. The gross vehi- cle weight is the total weight of the vehicle. When towing a trailer, it is the sum of the vehi- cle weight (including the occu- pants, cargo and any optional

equipment installed on the vehi- cle) and the tongue weight.

    GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)

The maximum allowable gross axle weight. The gross axle weight is the load placed on each axle (front and rear).

Front GAWR Rear GAWR

    TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)

The maximum allowable gross trailer weight. The gross trailer weight is the sum of the trailer weight and the weight of the cargo in the trailer.

TWR is calculated assuming

base vehicle with one driver, one front passenger, hitch and hitch systems (if required).

Additional optional equipment, pas- sengers and cargo in the vehicle will reduce the trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and GAWR.

    Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)

The trailer weight rating for tow- ing a trailer without a trailer ser- vice brake system.

(Without brakes)

    Tongue Weight

The load placed on the trailer hitch ball. (P.273)

    The gross trailer weight must never exceed 2500 lb. (1135 kg).
    The gross combination weight must never exceed 8030 lb. (3645 kg).
    The gross vehicle weight must never exceed the GVWR indicated on the Certi- fication Regulation Label.
    The gross axle weight on each axle must never exceed the GAWR indicated on the Certification Regulation Label.

    If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service brakes are required.

Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the limits.

    GCWR*

8030 lb. (3645 kg)

*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per SAE J2807.

    TWR*

*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per SAE J2807.

    Unbraked TWR*

*: This model meets the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE International per SAE J2807.

    A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types of trailers or towing as described below.
    To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
    Tongue Weight

The gross trailer weight should be

distributed so that the tongue weight is 9% to 11%.

(Tongue weight /Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9% to 11%)

The gross trailer weight, gross

axle weight and tongue weight can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

Hitch

Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities.

Toyota recommends the use of Toyota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details, contact your Toyota dealer.

    If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
    Use only a hitch that con- forms to the gross trailer weight requirement of your vehicle.
    Follow the directions supplied

by the hitch manufacturer.

    Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
    Remove the hitch ball when- ever you are not towing a trailer. Remove the trailer hitch if you do not need it. After removing the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.

Positions for towing hitch receiver and hitch ball

Weight carrying ball position: 43.3 in. (1100 mm)

Hitch receiver pin hole posi- tion: 38.1 in. (969 mm)

    Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height

No matter which class of tow hitch applies, for a more safe trailer hookup, the trailer ball setup must be the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.

Coupler Trailer ball

Your vehicle will handle differ- ently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid an accident, death or serious injury, keep the follow- ing in mind when towing:

    Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or prov- ince. Do not exceed the posted towing speed limit.
    Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph (104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual, whichever is lowest. Instability of the towing vehi- cle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as speed

increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con- trol.

    Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
    Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination.
    Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice. Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to right. (This is generally oppo- site to reversing without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
    As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to vehicle dis- tance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
    Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jackknifing and a loss of

vehicle control. This is espe- cially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

    Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
    Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making turn.
    Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Com- pensate by making a wider than normal turning radius.
    Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surfaces, etc.

Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.

    Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not for- get the length of your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
    To maintain engine braking efficiency, when using engine braking, do not use the trans- mission in D.
    Instability happens more fre- quently when descending steep or long downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or

long downhill grades.

    Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
    Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s hybrid system may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a long or steep grade. If the high coolant temperature warning light indicates over- heating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (P.544)
    Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the transmission in P. Avoid park- ing on a slope, but if unavoid- able, do so only after performing the following:
    Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
    Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehi- cle’s and trailer’s wheels.
    When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
    Apply the parking brake firmly.
    Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
    When restarting after parking on a slope:
    With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
    Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
    If the parking brake is in man- ual mode, release the park- ing brake. (P.290)
    Release the brake pedal, and slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
    Have someone retrieve the blocks.

(See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Sup- plement”.)

    Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
    If trailer sway occurs

One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can 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 sway- ing by turning the steering wheel.

    Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradu- ally 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.).

    Break-in schedule

If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train compo- nents (such as an engine, transmis- sion, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota recommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km).

After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehi- cle at a speed of less than 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle acceleration.

    Maintenance
    If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent mainte- nance due to the additional load.
    After the trailer swaying has stopped:
    Stop in a safe place. Get all occu- pants 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 appropriate, if possible.

    Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not over- loaded 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 combina- tion. Drive at a lower speed to pre- vent instability. Remember that

swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.

Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home.


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