Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 3

47

1-1. For safe use

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

■

There is a malfunction in the system

*1

:The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller 

adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may not recognize 
him/her as an adult depending on his/her physique and posture.

*2

:In the event the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.

*3

:In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.

*4

:For some children, child in seat, child in booster seat or child in convert-

ible seat, the system may not recognize him/her as a child. Factors 
which may affect this can be the physique or posture.

*5

:Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger 

seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be installed on 
the front passenger seat when it is unavoidable. (



P.53)

*6

:In case the indicator light is not illuminated, consult this manual on how 

to install the child restraint system properly. (



P.50)

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG OFF”

SRS warning light

On

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat 

belt reminder light

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Deactivated

Front passenger seat cushion airbag

48

1-1. For safe use

Exhaust gas precau-

tions

Harmful substance to the 
human body is included in 
exhaust gases if inhaled.

WARNING

Exhaust gases contain 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.

■

Important points while driving

●

Keep the back door closed.

●

If you smell exhaust gases in 

the vehicle even when the back 

door is closed, open the side 

windows and have the vehicle 

inspected at your Toyota dealer 

as soon as possible.

■

When parking

●

If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-

lated area or a closed area, 

such as a garage, stop the 

hybrid system.

●

Do not leave the vehicle with 

the hybrid system operating 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 hybrid system 

operating in an area with snow 

build-up, or where it is snowing. 

If snowbanks build up around 

the vehicle while the hybrid sys-

tem is operating, exhaust gases 

may collect and enter the vehi-

cle.

■

Exhaust pipe

The exhaust system needs to be 

checked periodically. If there is a 

hole or crack caused by corro-

sion, damage to a joint or abnor-

mal exhaust noise, be sure to 

have the vehicle inspected and 

repaired by your Toyota dealer.

49

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

1-2.Child safety

Riding with children

Observe the following pre-
cautions when children are 
in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system 
appropriate for the child, 
until the child becomes 
large enough to properly 
wear the vehicle’s seat belt.



It is recommended that chil-
dren sit in the rear seats to 
avoid accidental contact 
with the shift lever, wiper 
switch, etc.



Use the rear door child-pro-
tector lock or the window 
lock switch to avoid children 
opening the door while driv-
ing or operating the power 
window accidentally. 
(



P.140, 185)



Do not let small children 
operate equipment which 
may catch or pinch body 
parts, such as the power 
window, hood, back door, 
seats, etc.

WARNING

■

When children are in the vehi-

cle

Never leave children unattended 

in the vehicle, and never allow 

children to have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the 

vehicle or shift the vehicle into 

neutral. There is also a danger 

that children may injure them-

selves by playing with the side 

windows, the moon roof (if 

equipped), the panoramic moon 

roof (if equipped) or other features 

of the vehicle. In addition, heat 

build-up or extremely cold tem-

peratures inside the vehicle can 

be fatal to children.

50

1-2. Child safety

Points to remember: P.50
Child restraint system: P.52
When using a child restraint sys-
tem: P.53
Child restraint system installa-
tion method
• Fixed with a seat belt: P.54
• Fixed with a child restraint 

LATCH anchor: P.59

• Using an anchor bracket (for 

top tether strap): P.61

The laws of all 50 states of the 
U.S.A. as well as Canada now 
require the use of child restraint 
systems.



Prioritize and observe the 
warnings, as well as the laws 
and regulations for child 
restraint systems.



Use a child restraint system 
until the child becomes large 
enough to properly wear the 
vehicle’s seat belt.



Choose a child restraint sys-
tem that suits your vehicle 
and is appropriate to the age 
and size of the child.

Child restraint sys-

tems

Before installing a child 
restraint system in the vehi-
cle, there are precautions 
that need to be observed, 
different types of child 
restraint systems, as well as 
installation methods, etc., 
written in this manual.

Use a child restraint system 
when riding with a small child 
that cannot properly use a 
seat belt. For the child’s 
safety, install the child 
restraint system to a rear seat. 
Be sure to follow the installa-
tion method that is in the oper-
ation manual enclosed with 
the restraint system.

Table of contents

Points to remember

WARNING

■

When a child is riding

Observe the following precau-

tions. 

Failure to do so may result in 

death or serious injury.

●

For effective protection in auto-

mobile accidents and sudden 

stops, a child must be properly 

restrained, using a seat belt or 

child restraint system which is 

correctly installed. For installa-

tion details, refer to the opera-

tion manual enclosed with the 

child restraint system. General 

installation instructions are pro-

vided in this manual.

51

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

WARNING

●

Toyota strongly urges the use of 

a proper child restraint system 

that conforms to the weight and 

size of the child, installed on the 

rear seat. According to accident 

statistics, the child is safer when 

properly restrained in the rear 

seat than in the front seat.

●

Holding a child in your or some-

one else’s arms is not a substi-

tute for a child restraint system. 

In an accident, the child can be 

crushed against the windshield 

or between the holder and the 

interior of the vehicle.

■

Handling the child restraint 

system

If the child restraint system is not 

properly fixed in place, the child or 

other passengers may be seri-

ously injured or even killed in the 

event of sudden braking, sudden 

swerving, or an accident.

●

If the vehicle were to receive a 

strong impact from an accident, 

etc., it is possible that the child 

restraint system has damage 

that is not readily visible. In 

such cases, do not reuse the 

restraint system.

●

Make sure you have complied 

with all installation instructions 

provided with the child restraint 

system manufacturer and that 

the system is properly secured.

●

Keep the child restraint system 

properly secured on the seat 

even if it is not in use. Do not 

store the child restraint system 

unsecured in the passenger 

compartment.

●

If it is necessary to detach the 

child restraint system, remove it 

from the vehicle or store it 

securely in the luggage com-

partment.

52

1-2. Child safety

■

Types of child restraint system installation methods

Confirm with the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint 
system about the installation of the child restraint system.

Child restraint system

Installation method

Page

Seat belt attachment

P.54

Child restraint LATCH 

anchors attachment

P.59

Anchor brackets (for 

top tether strap) attach-

ment

P.61

53

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

■

When installing a child 
restraint system to a front 
passenger seat

For the safety of a child, install a 
child restraint system to a rear 
seat. When installing the child 
restraint system to a front pas-
senger seat is unavoidable, 
adjust the seat as follows and 
install the child restraint system.



Adjust the seatback angle to 
the most upright position.



Move the front seat fully rear-
ward. If the passenger seat 
height can be adjusted, move 
it to the upper most position.



If the head restraint interferes 
with the child restraint system 
installation and the head 
restraint can be removed, 
remove the head restraint. 
Otherwise, put the head 
restraint in the upper most 
position.

When using a child 
restraint system

WARNING

■

When using a child restraint 

system

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in 

death or serious injury.

●

Never install a rear-facing child 

restraint system on the front 

passenger seat even if the “AIR 

BAG OFF” indicator light is illu-

minated. In the event of an acci-

dent, the force of the rapid 

inflation of the front passenger 

airbag can cause death or seri-

ous injury to the child if the rear-

facing child restraint system is 

installed on the front passenger 

seat.

●

A forward-facing child restraint 

system may be installed on the 

front passenger seat only when 

it is unavoidable. A child 

restraint system that requires a 

top tether strap should not be 

used in the front passenger seat 

since there is no top tether strap 

anchor for the front passenger 

seat.

54

1-2. Child safety

A child restraint system for a 
small child or baby must itself be 
properly restrained on the seat 
with the lap portion of the 
lap/shoulder belt.

■

Installing child restraint 
system using a seat belt 
(child restraint lock func-
tion belt)

Install the child restraint system 
in accordance to the operation 

WARNING

●

A forward-facing child restraint 

system may be installed on the 

front passenger seat only when 

it is unavoidable. When install-

ing a forward-facing child 

restraint system on the front 

passenger seat, adjust the seat-

back angle to the most upright 

position, move the seat to the 

rearmost position, even if the 

“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is 

illuminated. 

If the head restraint interferes 

with the child restraint system 

installation and the head 

restraint can be removed, 

remove the head restraint.

●

Do not allow the child to lean 

his/her head or any part of 

his/her body against the door or 

the area of the seat, front or rear 

pillars, or roof side rails from 

which the SRS side airbags or 

SRS curtain shield airbags 

deploy even if the child is 

seated in the child restraint sys-

tem. It is dangerous if the SRS 

side and curtain shield airbags 

inflate, and the impact could 

cause death or serious injury to 

the child.

●

When a booster seat is 

installed, always ensure that the 

shoulder belt is positioned 

across the center of the child’s 

shoulder. The belt should be 

kept away from the child’s neck, 

but not so that it could fall off the 

child’s shoulder.

●

Use a child restraint system 

suitable to the age and size of 

the child and install it to the rear 

seat.

●

If the driver’s seat interferes 

with the child restraint system 

and prevents it from being 

attached correctly, attach the 

child restraint system to the 

right-hand rear seat.

●

Adjust the front passenger seat 

so that it does not interfere with 

the child restraint system.

Child restraint system 
fixed with a seat belt

55

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

manual enclosed with the child 
restraint system.

■

Rear-facing 



 Infant 

seat/convertible seat

1

Adjust the rear seat.

If there is a gap between the child 

restraint system and the seatback, 

adjust the seatback angle until 

good contact is achieved.

2

Place the child restraint sys-
tem on the rear seat facing 
the rear of the vehicle.

3

Run the seat belt through the 
child restraint system and 
insert the plate into the 
buckle. Make sure that the 
belt is not twisted.

4

Fully extend the shoulder belt 
and allow it to retract to put it 

in lock mode. In lock mode, 
the belt cannot be extended.

5

While pushing the child 
restraint system down into 
the rear seat, allow the shoul-
der belt to retract until the 
child restraint system is 
securely in place.

After the shoulder belt has 

retracted to a point where there is 

no slack in the belt, pull the belt to 

check that it cannot be extended.

6

After installing the child 
restraint system, rock it back 
and forth to ensure that it is 
installed securely. (



P.58)

■

Forward-facing 



 Convert-

ible seat

1

Adjust the seat.

When using the front passenger 

seat: If installing the child restraint 

system to the front passenger seat 

is unavoidable, refer to P.53 for 

front passenger seat adjustment.

56

1-2. Child safety

When using the rear seat: If there is 

a gap between the child restraint 

system and the seatback, adjust 

the seatback angle until good con-

tact is achieved.

2

If the head restraint interferes 
with the child restraint system 
installation and the head 
restraint can be removed, 
remove the head restraint. 
(



P.167)

3

Place the child restraint sys-
tem on the seat facing the 
front of the vehicle.

4

Run the seat belt through the 
child restraint system and 
insert the plate into the 

buckle. Make sure that the 
belt is not twisted.

5

Fully extend the shoulder belt 
and allow it to retract to put it 
in lock mode. In lock mode, 
the belt cannot be extended.

6

While pushing the child 
restraint system into the rear 
seat, allow the shoulder belt 
to retract until the child 
restraint system is securely in 
place.

After the shoulder belt has 

retracted to a point where there is 

no slack in the belt, pull the belt to 

57

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

check that it cannot be extended.

7

If the child restraint has a top 
tether strap, follow the child 
restraint manufacturer’s 
operation manual regarding 
the installation, using the top 
tether strap to latch onto the 
top tether strap anchor. 
(



P.61)

8

After installing the child 
restraint system, rock it back 
and forth to ensure that it is 
installed securely. (



P.58)

■

Booster seat

1

If installing the child restraint 
system to the front passen-
ger seat is unavoidable, refer 
to P.53 for front passenger 
seat adjustment.

2

High back type: If the head 
restraint interferes with your 
child restraint system, and 
the head restraint can be 

removed, remove the head 
restraint. (



P.167)

3

Place the child restraint sys-
tem on the seat facing the 
front of the vehicle.



Booster type



High back type

4

Sit the child in the child 
restraint system. Fit the seat 
belt to the child restraint sys-
tem according to the manu-
facturer’s instructions and 
insert the plate into the 

58

1-2. Child safety

buckle. Make sure that the 
belt is not twisted.

Check that the shoulder belt is cor-

rectly positioned over the child’s 

shoulder and that the lap belt is as 

low as possible. (



P.29)

■

Removing a child restraint 
system installed with a seat 
belt

Press the buckle release button 
and fully retract the seat belt.

When releasing the buckle, the 
child restraint system may spring 
up due to the rebound of the seat 
cushion. Release the buckle while 
holding down the child restraint 
system.
Since the seat belt automatically 
reels itself, slowly return it to the 
stowing position.

WARNING

■

When installing a child 

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions. 

Failure to do so may result in 

death or serious injury.

●

Do not allow children to play 

with the seat belt. If the seat belt 

becomes twisted around a 

child’s neck, it may lead to 

choking or other serious injuries 

that could result in death.

If this occurs and the buckle 

cannot be unfastened, scissors 

should be used to cut the belt.

●

Ensure that the belt and plate 

are securely locked and the 

seat belt is not twisted.

●

Shake the child restraint system 

left and right, and forward and 

backward to ensure that it has 

been securely installed.

●

After securing a child restraint 

system, never adjust the seat.

●

When a booster seat is 

installed, always ensure that the 

shoulder belt is positioned 

across the center of the child’s 

shoulder. The belt should be 

kept away from the child’s neck, 

but not so that it could fall off the 

child’s shoulder.

●

Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child 

restraint system manufacturer.

59

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

■

Child restraint LATCH 
anchors

LATCH anchors are provided for 
the outboard rear seats.

■

When installing in the rear 
outboard seats

Install the child restraint system 
in accordance to the operation 
manual enclosed with the child 
restraint system.

1

Adjust the seat.

If there is a gap between the child 

restraint system and the seatback, 

adjust the seatback angle until 

good contact is achieved.

2

If the head restraint interferes 
with the child restraint system 
installation and the head 
restraint can be removed, 

WARNING

●

When securing some types of 

child restraint systems in rear 

seats, it may not be possible to 

properly use the seat belts in 

positions next to the child 

restraint without interfering with 

it or affecting seat belt effective-

ness. Be sure your seat belt fits 

snugly across your shoulder 

and low on your hips. If it does 

not, or if it interferes with the 

child restraint, move to a differ-

ent position. Failure to do so 

may result in death or serious 

injury.

●

When installing a child restraint 

system in the center rear seat, 

adjust both seatbacks at the 

same angle. Otherwise, the 

child restraint system cannot be 

securely restrained and this 

may cause death or serious 

injuries in the event of sudden 

braking, sudden swerving or an 

accident.

■

When installing a booster 

seat

To prevent the belt from going 

into ALR lock mode, do not fully 

extend the shoulder belt. ALR 

mode causes the belt to tighten 

only. This could cause injury or 

discomfort to the child. (



P.31)

■

Do not use a seat belt 

extender

If a seat belt extender is used 

when installing a child restraint 

system, the seat belt will not 

securely hold the child restraint 

system, which could cause death 

or serious injury to the child or 

other passengers in the event of 

sudden braking, sudden swerv-

ing or an accident.

Child restraint system 
fixed with a child restraint 
LATCH anchor

60

1-2. Child safety

remove the head restraint. 
(



P.167)



With flexible lower attach-
ments

3

Latch the hooks of the lower 
attachments onto the LATCH 
anchors. 
For owners in Canada: 
The symbol on a child 
restraint system indicates 

 

the presence of a lower con-
nector system.



With rigid lower attachments

3

Latch the buckles onto the 
LATCH anchors.
For owners in Canada: 
The symbol on a child 
restraint system indicates 

 

the presence of a lower con-
nector system.

4

If the child restraint has a top 
tether strap, follow the child 
restraint manufacturer’s 
operation manual regarding 
the installation, using the top 
tether strap to latch onto the 
top tether strap anchor. 
(



P.61)

5

After installing the child 
restraint system, rock it back 
and forth to ensure that it is 
installed securely. (



P.58)

A

A

61

1-2. Child safety

1

For
 safety and secu

rity

■

When installing in the rear 
center seat

There are no LATCH anchors 
behind the rear center seat. 
However, the inboard LATCH 
anchors of the outboard seats, 
which are 17.3 in. (440 mm) 
apart, can be used if the child 
restraint system manufacturer’s 
instructions permit use of those 
anchors with the anchor spacing 
stated.
Child restraint systems with rigid 
lower attachments cannot be 
installed in the center seat. This 
type of child restraint system 
can only be installed in the out-
board seat.

■

Laws and regulations pertain-

ing to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to 

FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2. 

Child restraint systems conforming 

to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 speci-

fications can be used. 

This vehicle is designed to conform 

to SAE J1819.

■

Anchor brackets (for top 
tether strap)

Anchor brackets are provided 
for each rear seat.
Use anchor brackets when fix-
ing the top tether strap.

WARNING

■

When installing a child 

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions. 

Failure to do so may result in 

death or serious injury.

●

When using the LATCH 

anchors, be sure that there are 

no foreign objects around the 

anchors and that the seat belt is 

not caught behind the child 

restraint system.

●

Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child 

restraint system manufacturer.

●

Never attach two child restraint 

system attachments to the 

same anchor. In a collision, one 

anchor may not be strong 

enough to hold two child 

restraint system attachments 

and may break.

If the LATCH anchors are 

already in use, use the seat belt 

to install a child restraint system 

in the center seat.

●

When securing some types of 

child restraint systems in rear 

seats, it may not be possible to 

properly use the seat belts in 

positions next to the child 

restraint without interfering with 

it or affecting seat belt effective-

ness. Be sure your seat belt fits 

snugly across your shoulder 

and low on your hips. If it does 

not, or if it interferes with the 

child restraint, move to a differ-

ent position. Failure to do so 

may result in death or serious 

injury.

●

If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm 

the security of the child restraint 

system.

Using an anchor bracket 
(for top tether strap)

62

1-2. Child safety



Outboard rear seats

Anchor brackets

Top tether strap



Center rear seat

Anchor bracket

Top tether strap

■

Fixing the top tether strap 
to the anchor bracket

Install the child restraint system 
in accordance to the operation 
manual enclosed with the child 
restraint system.



Outboard rear seats

1

Remove the head restraint. 
(



P.167)

2

Latch the hook onto the 
anchor bracket and tighten 
the top tether strap.

Make sure the top tether strap is 

securely latched. (



P.58)

Hook

Top tether strap

3

If the head restraint does not 
interfere with the child 

A

B

A

B

A

B