Toyota RAV4 (2022 year). Manual in english - page 11

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WARNING

■

Overloading the vehicle

Do not overload the vehicle. It 

may not only cause damage to 

the tires, but also degrade steer-

ing and braking ability, resulting in 

an accident.

Trailer towing

Your vehicle is designed 
primarily as a passenger-
and-load-carrying vehicle. 
Towing a trailer can have an 
adverse impact on handling, 
performance, braking, dura-
bility, and fuel consump-
tion. For your safety and the 
safety of others, you must 
not overload your vehicle or 
trailer. You must also 
ensure that you are using 
appropriate towing equip-
ment, that the towing equip-
ment has been installed 
correctly and used properly, 
and that you employ the 
requisite driving habits.

Vehicle-trailer stability and 
braking performance are 
affected by trailer stability, 
brake performance and set-
ting, trailer brakes, the hitch 
and hitch systems (if 
equipped).

To tow a trailer safely, use 
extreme care and drive the 
vehicle in accordance with 
your trailer’s characteris-
tics and operating condi-
tions.

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4-1. Before driving

■

Before towing

Check that the following conditions 

are met:

●

Ensure that your vehicle’s tires 

are properly inflated. (



P.667)

●

Trailer tires are inflated according 

to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-

ommendation.

●

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.

Toyota warranties do not 
apply to damage or mal-
function caused by towing a 
trailer for commercial pur-
poses.

Contact your Toyota dealer for 
further information about addi-
tional requirements such as a 
towing kit, etc.

WARNING

■

Trailer towing precautions

To tow a trailer safely, use 

extreme care and drive the vehi-

cle in accordance with the trailer’s 

characteristics and operating con-

ditions. Failure to do so could 

cause an accident resulting in 

death or serious injury. Vehicle 

stability and braking performance 

are affected by trailer stability, 

brake setting and performance, 

and the hitch. Your vehicle will 

handle differently when towing a 

trailer.

■

To avoid accident or injury

●

Do not exceed the TWR, 

unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR 

or GAWR.

●

Vehicles with towing package: If 

the gross trailer weight is over 

2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway con-

trol device with sufficient capac-

ity is required.

●

Adjust the tongue weight within 

the appropriate range. Place 

heavier loads as close to the 

trailer axle as possible.

●

Do not exceed 65 mph (104 

km/h), the posted towing speed 

limit or the speed limit for your 

trailer as set forth in your trailer 

owner’s manual, whichever is 

lowest. Slow down sufficiently 

before making a turn, in cross 

winds, on wet or slippery sur-

face, etc. to help avoid an acci-

dent. If you experience a 

vehicle-trailer instability from 

reducing a certain speed, slow 

down and make sure you keep 

your vehicle speed under the 

speed of which you experience 

the instability.

●

Do not make jerky, abrupt or 

sharp turns.

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■

GCWR (Gross Combination 
Weight Rating)

The maximum allowable gross 
combination weight. The gross 
combination weight is the sum 
of the total vehicle weight 
(including the occupants, cargo 
and any optional equipment 
installed on the vehicle) and the 
weight of the trailer being towed 
(including the cargo in the 
trailer).

WARNING

●

Do not apply the brakes sud-

denly as you may skid, resulting 

in jackknifing and loss of vehicle 

control. This is especially true 

on wet or slippery surfaces.

●

Do not exceed the trailer hitch 

assembly weight, gross vehicle 

weight, gross axle weight and 

trailer tongue weight capacities.

●

Do not use dynamic radar 

cruise control with full-speed 

range when towing.

●

Slow down and downshift 

before descending steep or long 

downhill grades. Do not make 

sudden downshifts while 

descending steep or long down-

hill grades.

●

Vehicle-trailer instability is more 

likely on steep long downhills. 

Before descending steep or 

long downhill grades, slow 

down and downshift. Do not 

make sudden downshifts when 

descending steep or long down-

hill grades. Avoid holding the 

brake pedal down too long or 

applying the brakes too fre-

quently. This could cause the 

brakes to overheat and result in 

reduced braking efficiency.

●

Do not tow a trailer when the 

compact spare tire is installed 

on your vehicle.

■

When towing a trailer

Toyota recommends trailers with 

brakes that conform to any appli-

cable federal and state/provincial 

regulations.

●

If the gross trailer weight 

exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer 

brakes are required. Toyota rec-

ommends trailers with brakes 

that conform to all applicable 

federal and state/provincial reg-

ulations.

●

Never tap into your vehicle’s 

hydraulic system, as this will 

lower the vehicle’s braking 

effectiveness.

●

Never tow a trailer without using 

a safety chain securely attached 

to both the trailer and the vehi-

cle. If damage occurs to the 

coupling unit or hitch ball, there 

is danger of the trailer wander-

ing into another lane.

Towing related terms

180

4-1. Before driving



Vehicles without towing pack-
age



Vehicles with towing package

■

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.



Vehicles without towing pack-
age



Vehicles with towing package

■

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).

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

Vehicles without towing pack-
age

Front GAWR

Rear GAWR



Vehicles with towing package

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, towing 
package (if available), 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.
Vehicles with towing package: If the 
gross trailer weight exceeds 3000 
lb. (1360 kg), it is recommended to 
use a trailer with 2 or more axles.



Vehicles without towing pack-
age

(With brakes)



Vehicles with towing package

(With brakes)

A

B

A

B

A

A

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4-1. Before driving

■

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.184)



Vehicles without towing pack-
age



Vehicles with towing package



The gross trailer weight must 
never exceed the TWR 
described below.



Without towing package

1500 lb. (680 kg)



With towing package

3500 lb. (1590 kg)



The gross combination weight 
must never exceed the 
GCWR described below.



Without towing package

Vehicles without Dynamic Torque 
Vectoring AWD system: 6110 lb. 
(2770 kg)
Vehicles with Dynamic Torque Vec-
toring AWD system: 6205 lb. (2815 
kg)



With towing package

8205 lb. (3725 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.

A

Weight limits

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

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



Vehicles with towing package: 
If the gross trailer weight is 
over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway 
control device with sufficient 
capacity is 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

*



Without towing package

Vehicles without Dynamic 
Torque Vectoring AWD system: 
6110 lb. (2770 kg)
Vehicles with Dynamic Torque 
Vectoring AWD system: 6205 lb. 
(2815 kg)



With towing package

8205 lb. (3725 kg)

*

: These models meet the tow-vehi-

cle trailering requirement of SAE 
International per SAE J2807.

■

TWR

*



Without towing package

1500 lb. (680 kg)



With towing package

3500 lb. (1590 kg)

*

: These models meet the tow-vehi-

cle trailering requirement of SAE 
International per SAE J2807.

■

Unbraked TWR

*

1000 lb. (450 kg)

*

: These models meet the tow-vehi-

cle 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%)



Vehicles without towing pack-
age

Gross trailer weight

GCWR, TWR and 
Unbraked TWR

Trailer Tongue Weight

A

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4-1. Before driving

Tongue weight



Vehicles with towing package

Gross trailer weight

Tongue weight

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.

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.

Use the correct trailer ball for 
your application.

Hitch

B

A

B

WARNING

■

Hitch

Trailer hitch assemblies have dif-

ferent weight capacities estab-

lished by the hitch manufacturer. 

Even though the vehicle may be 

physically capable of towing a 

higher weight, the operator must 

determine the maximum weight 

rating of the particular hitch 

assembly and never exceed the 

maximum weight rating specified 

for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the 

maximum weight rating set by the 

trailer-hitch manufacturer can 

cause an accident resulting in 

death or serious personal injuries.

NOTICE

■

When installing a trailer hitch

Use only the position recom-

mended by your Toyota dealer. 

Do not install the trailer hitch on 

the bumper; this may cause body 

damage.

Selecting trailer ball (vehi-
cles with towing package)

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Trailer ball load rating

Matches or exceeds the gross 
trailer weight rating of the trailer.

Shank length

Protrudes beyond the bottom of the 
lock washer and nut by at least 2 
threads.

Shank diameter

Matches the ball mount hole diame-
ter size.

Ball diameter

Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped 
with the required trailer ball size.

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

Trailer class

Typical trailer 

ball size

IV

2 5/16 in.

II and III

2 in.

I

1 7/8 in.

A

B

C

D

Positions for towing hitch 
receiver and hitch ball

A

B

A

B

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4-1. Before driving

Please consult your dealer 
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.

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 

Connecting trailer lights

NOTICE

■

Do not directly splice trailer 

lights

Do not directly splice trailer lights. 

Directly splicing trailer lights may 

damage your vehicle’s electrical 

system and cause a malfunction.

Trailer towing tips

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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 and charging sys-
tem performance when using 
engine braking, do not put the 
transmission in D. If in the S 
mode, the transmission shift 
range position must be in 6 or 
lower.



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 engine 
may overheat on hot days (at 
temperatures over 85°F 
[30°C]) when driving up a long 
or steep grade. If the engine 
coolant temperature gauge 
indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air condi-
tioning (if in use), pull your 
vehicle off the road and stop 
in a safe spot. (



P.654)



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:

1

Apply the brakes and keep 
them applied.

2

Have someone place wheel 
blocks under both the vehi-
cle’s and trailer’s wheels.

188

4-1. Before driving

3

When the wheel blocks are in 
place, release the brakes 
slowly until the blocks absorb 
the load.

4

Apply the parking brake 
firmly.

5

Shift into P and turn off the 
engine.



When restarting after parking 
on a slope:

1

With the transmission in P, 
start the engine. Be sure to 
keep the brake pedal 
depressed.

2

Shift into a forward gear. If 
reversing, shift into R.

3

If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, release the park-
ing brake. (



P.201)

4

Release the brake pedal, and 
slowly pull or back away from 
the wheel blocks. Stop and 
apply the brakes.

5

Have someone retrieve the 
blocks.

■

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. 

(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.).

●

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 

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4-1. Before driving

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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.

Dinghy towing

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

NOTICE

■

To avoid serious damage to 

your vehicle

Do not tow your vehicle with 4 

wheels on the ground.

■

To prevent causing serious 

damage to the transmission 

and AWD system (AWD mod-

els)

2WD models: Never tow this vehi-

cle from the rear with the front 

wheels on the ground. This may 

cause serious damage to the 

transmission.

190

4-1. Before driving

NOTICE

AWD models: Never tow this vehi-

cle with any of the wheels on the 

ground. This may cause serious 

damage to the transmission and 

AWD system.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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4-2.Driving procedures

1

Pull the parking brake switch 
to check that the parking 
brake is set. (



P.201)

The parking brake indicator will 

come on.

2

Check that the shift lever is 
set in P.

3

Firmly depress the brake 
pedal.

4

Turn the engine switch to 
START to start the engine.

■

If the engine does not start

The engine immobilizer system may 

not have been deactivated. (



P.71) 

Contact your Toyota dealer.

■

When the steering lock cannot 

be released

When starting the engine, the 

engine switch may seem stuck in 

OFF. To free it, turn the key while 

turning the steering wheel slightly 

left and right.

■

When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis-

played on the multi-information 

display



P.220

OFF (“LOCK” position)

The steering wheel is locked and 
the key can be removed. (The key 
can be removed only when the shift 
lever is in P.)

ACC (“ACC” position)

Engine (ignition) 

switch (vehicles with-

out smart key system)

Starting the engine

WARNING

■

When starting the engine

Always start the engine while sit-

ting in the driver’s seat. Do not 

depress the accelerator pedal 

while starting the engine under 

any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident 

resulting in death or serious 

injury.

NOTICE

■

When starting the engine

●

Do not crank the engine for 

more than 30 seconds at a time. 

This may overheat the starter 

and wiring system.

●

Do not race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to 

start or stalls frequently, have 

your vehicle checked by your 

Toyota dealer immediately.

Changing the engine 
switch positions

A

B

192

4-2. Driving procedures

Some electrical components such 
as the audio system can be used.

ON (“ON” position)

All electrical components can be 
used.

START (“START” position)

For starting the engine.

■

Turning the key from ACC to 

OFF

1

Shift the shift lever to P.

2

Push in the key and turn it to 

OFF.

■

Key reminder function

A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door 

is opened while the engine switch is 

in OFF or ACC to remind you to 

remove the key.

1

Pull the parking brake switch 
to check that the parking 
brake is set. (



P.201)

The parking brake 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 displayed, the engine 

cannot be started.

4

Press the engine switch 
shortly and firmly.

When operating the engine switch, 

one short, firm press is enough. It is 

not necessary to press and hold the 

switch.
The engine will crank until it starts 

or for up to 30 seconds, whichever 

is less.
Continue depressing the brake 

pedal until the engine is completely 

started.
The engine can be started from any 

WARNING

■

Caution when driving

Do not turn the engine switch to 

OFF while driving. If, in an emer-

gency and you must turn the 

engine off while the vehicle is 

moving, turn the engine switch 

only to ACC to stop the engine. 

An accident may result if the 

engine is stopped while driving. 

(



P.612)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the engine switch in 

ACC or ON for long periods of 

time without the engine running.

C

D

Engine (ignition) 

switch (vehicles with 

smart key system)

Performing the following 
operations when carrying 
the electronic key on your 
person starts the engine or 
changes engine switch 
modes.

Starting the engine