Toyota RAV4 (2023 year). Manual in english

193

4-1. Before driving

ing



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)

194

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.196)



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.

Weight limits

195

4-1. Before driving

ing



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

196

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

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)

197

4-1. Before driving

ing

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

2 5/16 in.

II and III

2 in.

1 7/8 in.

Positions for towing hitch
receiver and hitch ball

198

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

199

4-1. Before driving

ing

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.480)



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.

200

4-1. Before driving

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
engine.



When restarting after parking
on a slope:

With the transmission in P,
start the engine. 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.213)

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

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

201

4-1. Before driving

ing

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.

203

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

4-2.Driving procedures

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



P.213)

The parking brake indicator will

come on.

Check that the shift lever is
set in P.

Firmly depress the brake
pedal.

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.70)

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.232

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

204

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

Shift the shift lever to P.

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.

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



P.213)

The parking brake indicator will

come on.

Check that the shift lever is
set in P.

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.

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.440)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the engine switch in

ACC or ON for long periods of

time without the engine running.

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

205

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

engine switch mode.

■

If the engine does not start

●

The engine immobilizer system

may not have been deactivated.

(



P.70)

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 engine can-

not be started using the smart key

system. Refer to P.475 to start the

engine. However, if the electronic

key is carried inside the vehicle

and the doors are locked

(



P.123), the engine can be

started.

■

If the battery is discharged

The engine cannot be started using

the smart key system. Refer to

P.476 to restart the engine.

■

Electronic key battery depletion



P.114

■

Conditions affecting operation



P.141

■

Note for the entry function



P.141

■

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. Have the vehicle

inspected by your Toyota dealer

immediately.

■

When “Check Fuel Cap” is dis-

played on the multi-information

display



P.232

■

Electronic key battery



P.425

■

Operation of the engine switch

●

If the switch is not pressed shortly

and firmly, the engine switch

mode may not change or the

engine may not start.

●

If attempting to restart the engine

immediately after turning the

engine switch to OFF, the engine

may not start in some cases. After

turning the engine switch to OFF,

please wait a few seconds before

restarting the engine.

■

Customization

If the smart key system has been

deactivated in a customized setting,

refer to P.475.

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 race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to

start or stalls frequently, have

your vehicle checked by your

Toyota dealer immediately.

206

4-2. Driving procedures

Stop the vehicle completely.

If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, set the parking
brake. (



P.213)

Check the parking brake indicator

is illuminated.

Shift the shift lever to P.

Press the engine switch
shortly and firmly.

The engine will stop, and the meter

display will be extinguished.

Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown
on the multi-information dis-
play.

■

Automatic engine shut off fea-

ture

●

The vehicle is equipped with a

feature that automatically shuts off

the engine when the shift lever is

in P with the engine running for an

extended period.

●

The engine will automatically shut

off after approximately 1 hour if it

has been left running while the

shift lever is in P.

●

The timer for the automatic engine

shut off feature will reset if the

brake pedal is depressed or if the

shift lever is in a position other

than P.

●

After the vehicle is parked, if the

door is locked with the door lock

switch (



P.123) from the inside

or the mechanical key (



P.475)

from the outside, the automatic

engine shut off feature will be dis-

abled. The timer for the automatic

engine shut off feature will be re-

enabled if the driver’s door is

opened.

NOTICE

■

Symptoms indicating a mal-

function with the engine

switch

If the engine switch seems to be

operating somewhat differently

than usual, such as the switch

sticking slightly, there may be a

malfunction. Contact your Toyota

dealer immediately.

Stopping the engine

WARNING

■

Stopping the engine in an

emergency

●

If you want to stop the engine in

an emergency while driving the

vehicle, press and hold the

engine switch for more than 2

seconds, or press it briefly 3

times or more in succession.

(



P.440)

However, do not touch the

engine switch while driving

except in an emergency. Turn-

ing the engine off while driving

will not cause loss of steering or

braking control, but the power

assist to these systems will be

lost. This will make it more diffi-

cult to steer and brake, so you

should pull over and stop the

vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

●

If the engine switch is operated

while the vehicle is running, a

warning message will be shown

on the multi-information display

and a buzzer sounds.

●

When restarting the engine after

an emergency shutdown, shift

the shift lever to N and press the

engine switch shortly and firmly.

207

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

Modes can be changed by
pressing the engine switch with
brake pedal released. (The
mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)

“ACCESSORY”

“IGNITION ON”

OFF

The emergency flashers can be
used.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.

ACC

Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.

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 when turning off the
engine, the engine 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 engine

is not running) for more than an

hour with the shift lever in P, the

engine switch will automatically turn

WARNING

■

When parking

Exhaust gases include harmful

carbon monoxide (CO), which is

colorless and odorless. Observe

the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause

exhaust gases to enter the vehicle

and may lead to an accident

caused by light-headedness, or

may lead to death or a serious

health hazard.

●

If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-

lated area or a closed area,

such as a garage, stop the

engine.

●

Do not leave the vehicle with

the engine running for a long

time. If such a situation cannot

be avoided, park the vehicle in

an open space and ensure that

exhaust fumes do not enter the

vehicle interior.

●

Do not leave the engine running

in an area with snow build-up,

or where it is snowing. If snow-

banks build up around the vehi-

cle while the engine is running,

exhaust gases may collect and

enter the vehicle.

Changing engine switch
modes

208

4-2. Driving procedures

to OFF. However, this function can-

not entirely prevent battery dis-

charge. Do not leave the vehicle

with the engine switch in ACC or ON

for long periods of time when the

engine is not running.

If the engine is stopped with the
shift lever in a position other
than P, the engine switch will
not be turned to OFF but instead
be turned to ACC. Perform the
following procedure to turn the
switch to OFF:

Check that the parking brake
is set.

Shift the shift lever to P.

Check that “ACCESSORY” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and then
press the engine switch
shortly and firmly.

Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display is
off.

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

●

Do not leave the engine switch

in ACC or ON for long periods of

time without the engine running.

●

If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION

ON” is displayed on the multi-

information display, the engine

switch is not in OFF. Exit the

vehicle after turning the engine

switch to OFF.

When stopping the engine
with the shift lever in a
position other than P

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not stop the engine when the

shift lever is in a position other

than P. If the engine is stopped in

another shift lever position, the

engine switch will not be turned to

OFF but instead be turned to

ACC. If the vehicle is left in ACC,

battery discharge may occur.

Toyota RAV4 (2023 year). Manual in english - page 12