Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english

224

4-2. Driving procedures

Turns EV drive mode on/off

When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch when
in EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using the
gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery dis-

charge

Do not stop the hybrid system

when the shift lever is in a position

other than P. If the hybrid system

is stopped in another shift lever

position, the power switch will not

be turned to OFF but instead be

turned to ACC. If the vehicle is left

in ACC, 12-volt battery discharge

may occur.

EV drive mode

In EV drive mode, electric
power is supplied by the
hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), and only the electric
motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to
drive in residential areas
early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor
parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the Acous-
tic Vehicle Alerting System
is active, the vehicle may
produce sound.

Operating instructions

225

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

■

Situations in which EV drive

mode cannot be turned on

It may not be possible to turn EV

drive mode on in the following situa-

tions. If it cannot be turned on, a

buzzer will sound and a message

will be shown on the multi-informa-

tion display.

●

The temperature of the hybrid sys-

tem is high.

The vehicle has been left in the

sun, driven on a hill, driven at high

speeds, etc.

●

The temperature of the hybrid sys-

tem is low.

The vehicle has been left in tem-

peratures lower than about 68°F

(20°C) for a long period of time

etc.

●

The gasoline engine is warming

up.

●

The hybrid battery (traction bat-

tery) is low.

The remaining battery level indi-

cated in the Energy monitor dis-

play is low. (



P.127)

●

Vehicle speed is high.

●

The accelerator pedal is

depressed firmly or the vehicle is

on a hill etc.

●

The windshield defogger is in use.

Use the EV drive mode when it
becomes available.

■

Switching to EV drive mode

when the gasoline engine is

cold

If the hybrid system is started while

the gasoline engine is cold, the gas-

oline engine will start automatically

after a short period of time in order

to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable

to switch to EV drive mode. After the

hybrid system has started and the

“READY” indicator has illuminated,

press the EV drive mode switch

before the gasoline engine starts to

switch to EV drive mode.

■

Automatic cancelation of EV

drive mode

When driving in EV drive mode, the

gasoline engine may automatically

restart in the following situations.

When EV drive mode is canceled, a

buzzer will sound, the EV drive

mode indicator will flash and go off

and a message will be shown on the

multi-information display.

●

The hybrid battery (traction bat-

tery) becomes low.

The remaining battery level indi-

cated in the Energy monitor dis-

play is low. (



P.127)

●

Vehicle speed is high.

●

The accelerator pedal is

depressed firmly or the vehicle is

on a hill etc.

Drive the vehicle for a while before

attempting to turn on the EV drive

mode again.

■

Possible driving distance when

driving in EV drive mode

EV drive mode’s possible driving

distance ranges from a few hundred

meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1

km). However, depending on vehi-

cle conditions, there are situations

when EV drive mode cannot be

used.

(The distance that is possible

depends on the hybrid battery [trac-

tion battery] level and driving condi-

tions.)

■

Fuel economy

The hybrid system is designed to

achieve the best possible fuel econ-

omy during normal driving (using

the gasoline engine and electric

motor [traction motor]). Driving in

EV drive mode more than neces-

sary may lower fuel economy.

226

4-2. Driving procedures

:To improve fuel efficiency and

reduce noise, shift the shift lever
to D for normal driving.

:By selecting shift ranges using S

mode, you can control accelerat-
ing force and engine braking
force.

■

When driving with dynamic

radar cruise control with full-

speed range activated

Even when performing the following

actions with the intent of enabling

engine braking, engine braking will

not activate because dynamic radar

cruise control with full-speed range

will not be canceled.

●

While driving in S mode, down-

shifting to 5 or 4. (



P.228)

●

When switching the driving mode

to sport mode while driving in D

position. (



P.323)

WARNING

■

Caution while driving

When driving in EV drive mode,

pay special attention to the area

around the vehicle. Because

there is no engine noise, pedestri-

ans, people riding bicycles or

other people and vehicles in the

area may not be aware of the

vehicle starting off or approaching

them, so take extra care while

driving.

Hybrid transmission

Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.

Shift position purpose
and functions

Shift

position

Objective or function

Parking the vehi-

cle/starting the hybrid

system

Reversing

Neutral

Normal driving

S mode driving

227

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

■

Restraining sudden start (Drive-

Start Control)



P.201

While the power switch

is in ON and the brake pedal
depressed

, shift the shift lever

while pushing the shift release
button on the shift knob.

Shift the shift lever while

pushing the shift release button
on the shift knob.

Shift the shift lever nor-

mally.

When shifting the shift lever
between P and D, make sure that
the vehicle is completely stopped
and the brake pedal is depressed.

: For the vehicle to be able to be

shifted from P, the brake pedal
must be depressed before the
shift release button is pushed. If

WARNING

■

When driving on slippery

road surfaces

Be careful of downshifting and

sudden acceleration, as this could

result in the vehicle skidding to

the side or spinning.

NOTICE

■

Hybrid battery (traction bat-

tery) charge

If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid

battery (traction battery) will not

be charging, even when the

engine is running. Therefore, if

the vehicle is left with the shift

lever in N for a certain amount of

time, the hybrid battery (traction

battery) will discharge, and this

may result in the vehicle not being

able to start.

Shifting the shift lever

228

4-2. Driving procedures

the shift release button is pushed
first, the shift lock will not be
released.

■

Shift lock system

The shift lock system is a system to

prevent accidental operation of the

shift lever in starting.

The shift lever can be shifted from P

only when the power switch is in

ON, the brake pedal is depressed

and the shift release button is

pushed.

■

If the shift lever cannot be

shifted from P

First, check whether the brake pedal

is being depressed.

If the shift lever cannot be shifted

even though the brake pedal is

depressed and the shift release but-

ton is pushed, there may be a prob-

lem with the shift lock system. Have

the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer immediately.

The following steps may be used as

an emergency measure to ensure

that the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:

Pull the parking brake switch to

check that the parking brake is

set. (



P.231)

Turn the power switch to OFF.

Depress the brake pedal.

Pry the cover up with a flathead

screwdriver or equivalent tool.

To prevent damage to the cover,

cover the tip of the screwdriver

with a rag.

Press and hold the shift lock

override button and then push

the button on the shift knob.

The shift lever can be shifted

while both buttons are pressed.



P.323

When the shift lever is in the S
position, the shift lever can be
operated as follows:

WARNING

■

To prevent an accident when

releasing the shift lock

Before pressing the shift lock

override button, make sure to set

the parking brake and depress the

brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is acci-

dentally depressed instead of the

brake pedal when the shift lock

override button is pressed and the

shift lever is shifted out of P, the

vehicle may suddenly start, possi-

bly leading to an accident result-

ing in death or serious injury.

Selecting the driving
mode

Changing shift ranges in
S mode

229

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

Upshifting

Downshifting

The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.

The initial shift range in S mode
is set automatically to S3, S4 or
S5 according to vehicle speed.

■

S mode

●

You can choose from 6 levels of

accelerating force and engine

braking force.

●

A lower shift range will provide

greater accelerating force and

engine braking force than a higher

shift range, and the engine revolu-

tions will also increase.

●

To prevent the engine from over-

revving, upshifting may automati-

cally occur when the shift range is

4 or lower.

●

When the shift range is 4 or lower,

holding the shift lever toward “+”

sets the shift range to 6.

■

Downshifting restriction warn-

ing buzzer

To help ensure safety and driving

performance, downshifting opera-

tion may sometimes be restricted. In

some circumstances, downshifting

may not be possible even when the

shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will

sound twice.)

■

If the “S” indicator does not

come on or the “D” indicator is

displayed even after shifting the

shift lever to S

This may indicate a malfunction in

the transmission system. Have the

vehicle inspected by your Toyota

dealer immediately. (In this situa-

tion, the transmission will operate in

the same manner as when the shift

lever is in D.)

230

4-2. Driving procedures

Right turn

Lane change to the right
(move the lever partway and
release it)

The right hand signals will flash 3
times.

Lane change to the left
(move the lever partway and
release it)

The left hand signals will flash 3
times.

Left turn

■

Turn signals can be operated

when

The power switch is in ON.

■

If the indicator flashes faster

than usual

Check that a light bulb in the front or

rear turn signal lights has not

burned out.

■

If the turn signals stop flashing

before a lane change has been

performed

Operate the lever again.

■

To discontinue flashing of the

turn signals during a lane

change

Operate the lever in the opposite

direction.

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

231

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

■

Using the manual mode

The parking brake can be set
and released manually.

Parking brake indicator light
(U.S.A.)

Parking brake indicator light
(Canada)

Parking brake switch indica-
tor

Pull the switch to set the
parking brake.

The parking brake indicator light
and the parking brake switch indi-
cator will turn on.
Pull and hold the parking brake
switch if an emergency occurs and
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.

Press the switch to release
the parking brake.

• Operate the parking brake switch

while depressing the brake pedal.

• Using the parking brake auto-

matic release function, the park-
ing brake can be released by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When using this function, slowly
depress the accelerator pedal.
(



P.232)

Make sure that the parking brake
indicator light and the parking brake
switch indicator turn off.

If the parking brake indicator
light and the parking brake
switch indicator flash, operate
the switch again. (



P.461)

■

Turning the automatic
mode on

While the vehicle is stopped,
pull and hold the parking brake
switch until a buzzer sounds and
a message is shown on the
multi-information display.

Parking brake

The parking brake can be
set or released automati-
cally or manually.
In automatic mode, the
parking brake can be set or
released automatically
according to shift lever
operation. Also, even in
automatic mode, the park-
ing brake can be set or
released manually.

Operating instructions

232

4-2. Driving procedures

When the automatic mode is
turned on, the parking brake
operates as follows.



When the shift lever is shifted
from P, the parking brake will
be released, and the parking
brake indicator light and the
parking brake switch indica-
tor will turn off.



When the shift lever is shifted
to P, the parking brake will be
set, and the parking brake
indicator light and the parking
brake switch indicator will turn
on.

Operate the shift lever with the
vehicle stopped and the brake
pedal depressed.
The auto function may not oper-
ate if the shift lever is moved
extremely quickly or the brake
pedal is not firmly depressed. In
this situation, apply the parking
brake manually. (



P.231)



When the hybrid system is off,
the parking brake will be set,
and the parking brake indica-
tor light and the parking brake
switch indicator turn on.

■

Turning the automatic
mode off

While the vehicle is stopped and
depressing the brake pedal,
press and hold the parking
brake switch until a buzzer
sounds and a message is
shown on the multi-information
display.

■

Parking brake operation

●

When the power switch is not in

ON, the parking brake cannot be

released using the parking brake

switch.

●

When the power switch is not in

ON, automatic mode (automatic

brake setting and releasing) is not

available.

■

Parking brake automatic

release function

When all of the following conditions

are met, the parking brake can be

released by depressing the acceler-

ator pedal.

●

The driver’s door is closed

●

The driver is wearing the seat belt

●

The shift lever is in a forward driv-

ing position or reverse driving

position

●

The malfunction indicator lamp or

brake system warning light is not

illuminated

When depressing the accelerator
pedal, depress it slowly.

233

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

If the parking brake is not released
when the accelerator pedal is
depressed, release the parking
brake manually.
When the shift lever is shifted from
P, the parking brake will be released
automatically.

■

Parking brake automatic lock

function

The parking brake will be set auto-

matically under the following condi-

tions:

●

The brake pedal is not depressed

●

The driver’s door is open

●

The driver’s seat belt is not fas-

tened

●

The shift lever is in a position

other than P or N

●

The malfunction indicator lamp

and brake system warning light

are not illuminated

■

If “Parking Brake Temporarily

Unavailable” is displayed on

the multi-information display

If the parking brake is operated

repeatedly over a short period of

time, the system may restrict opera-

tion to prevent overheating. If this

happens, refrain from operating the

parking brake. Normal operation will

return after about 1 minute.

■

If “Parking Brake Unavailable”

is displayed on the multi-infor-

mation display

Operate the parking brake switch. If

the message does not disappear

after operating the switch several

times, the system may be malfunc-

tioning. Have the vehicle inspected

by your Toyota dealer.

■

Parking brake operation sound

When the parking brake operates, a

motor sound (whirring sound) may

be heard. This does not indicate a

malfunction.

■

Parking brake indicator light

and Parking brake switch indi-

cator

●

Depending on the power switch

position/mode, the parking brake

indicator light and the parking

brake switch indicator will turn on

and stay on as described below:

ON: Comes on until the parking

brake is released.

Not in ON: Stays on for approxi-

mately 15 seconds.

●

When the power switch is turned

off with the parking brake set, the

parking brake indicator light and

the parking brake switch indicator

will stay on for about 15 seconds.

This does not indicate a malfunc-

tion.

■

When the parking brake switch

malfunctions

Automatic mode (automatic brake

setting and releasing) will be turned

on automatically.

■

Parking the vehicle



P.195

■

Parking brake engaged warning

buzzer

A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is

driven with the parking brake

engaged. “Parking Brake ON” is dis-

played on the multi-information dis-

play (with the vehicle reaching a

speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

■

If the brake system warning

light comes on



P.456

■

Usage in winter time



P.335

234

4-2. Driving procedures

WARNING

■

When parking the vehicle

Do not leave a child in the vehicle

alone. The parking brake may be

released unintentionally by a child

and there is the danger of the

vehicle moving that may lead to

an accident resulting in death or

serious injury.

■

Parking brake switch

Do not set any objects near the

parking brake switch. Objects

may interfere with the switch and

may lead the parking brake to

unexpectedly operate.

■

Parking brake automatic lock

function

Never use the automatic parking

brake engagement function in

place of normal parking brake

operation. This function is

designed to reduce the risk of a

collision due to the driver forget-

ting to engage the parking brake.

Over-reliance on this function to

park the vehicle safely may lead

to an accident resulting in death

or serious injury. (



P.233)

NOTICE

■

When parking the vehicle

Before you leave the vehicle, shift

the shift lever to P, set the parking

brake and make sure that the

vehicle does not move.

■

When the system malfunc-

tions

Stop the vehicle in a safe place

and check the warning messages.

■

When the vehicle 12-volt bat-

tery is discharged

The parking brake system cannot

be activated. (



P.485)

■

When the parking brake can-

not be released due to a mal-

function

Driving the vehicle with the park-

ing brake set will lead to brake

components overheating, which

may affect braking performance

and increase brake wear. Have

the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer immediately if this

occurs.

235

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

Turn the brake hold system on

The brake hold standby indicator
(green)

comes on. While the

system is holding the brake, the
brake hold operated indicator (yel-
low)

comes on.

■

Brake hold system operating

conditions

The brake hold system cannot be

turned on in the following condi-

tions:

●

The driver’s door is not closed.

●

The driver is not wearing the seat

belt.

●

The parking brake is engaged.

If any of the conditions above are

detected when the brake hold sys-

tem is enabled, the system will turn

off and the brake hold standby indi-

cator light will go off. In addition, if

any of the conditions are detected

while the system is holding the

brake, a warning buzzer will sound

and a message will be shown on the

multi-information display. The park-

ing brake will then be set automati-

cally.

■

Brake hold function

●

If the brake pedal is left released

for a period of about 3 minutes

after the system has started hold-

ing the brake, the parking brake

will be set automatically. In this

case, a warning buzzer sounds

and a message is shown on the

multi-information display.

●

To turn the system off while the

system is holding the brake, firmly

depress the brake pedal and

press the button again.

●

The brake hold function may not

hold the vehicle when the vehicle

is on a steep incline. In this situa-

tion, it may be necessary for the

driver to apply the brakes. A warn-

ing buzzer will sound and the

multi-information display will

inform the driver of this situation. If

a warning message is shown on

the multi-information display, read

the message and follow the

instructions.

■

When the parking brake is set

automatically while the system

is holding the brakes

Perform any of the following opera-

tions to release the parking brake.

●

Depress the accelerator pedal.

(The parking brake will not be

released automatically if the seat

belt is not fastened.)

●

Operate the parking brake switch

with the brake pedal depressed.

Make sure that the parking brake

Brake Hold

The brake hold system
keeps the brake applied
when the shift lever is in D,
S or N with the system on
and the brake pedal has
been depressed to stop the
vehicle. The system
releases the brake when the
accelerator pedal is
depressed with the shift
lever in D or S to allow
smooth start off.

Enabling the system

236

4-2. Driving procedures

indicator light goes off. (



P.231)

■

When an inspection at your

Toyota dealer is necessary

When the brake hold standby indi-

cator (green) does not illuminate

even when the brake hold switch is

pressed with the brake hold system

operating conditions met, the sys-

tem may be malfunctioning. Have

the vehicle inspected at your Toyota

dealer.

■

If “Brake Hold Malfunction

Press Brake to Deactivate Visit

Your Dealer” or “Brake Hold

Malfunction Visit Your Dealer”

is displayed on the multi-infor-

mation display

The system may be malfunctioning.

Have the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer.

■

Warning messages and buzzers

Warning messages and buzzers are

used to indicate a system malfunc-

tion or to inform the driver of the

need for caution. If a warning mes-

sage is shown on the multi-informa-

tion display, read the message and

follow the instructions.

■

If the brake hold operated indi-

cator flashes



P.461

WARNING

■

When the vehicle is on a

steep incline

Take care when using the brake

hold system on a steep incline,

exercise caution. The brake hold

function may not hold brakes in

such situations.
Also, the system may not activate

depending on the angle of the

slope.

■

When stopped on a slippery

road

The system cannot stop the vehi-

cle when the gripping ability of the

tires has been exceeded. Do not

use the system when stopped on

a slippery road.

NOTICE

■

When parking the vehicle

The brake hold system is not

designed for use when parking

the vehicle for a long period of

time. Turning the power switch off

while the system is holding the

brake may release the brake,

which would cause the vehicle to

move. When operating the power

switch, depress the brake pedal,

shift the shift lever to P and set

the parking brake.

237

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

ing

4-3.Operating the lights and wipers

Operating the

switch

turns on the lights as follows:



U.S.A. (Type A)

The side marker, park-

ing, tail, license plate, instru-
ment panel lights, daytime
running lights and LED
accessory lights (if equipped)
(



P.238) turn on.

The headlights and all

lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.

The headlights, daytime

running lights, LED acces-
sory lights (if equipped)
(



P.238) and all the lights

listed above turn on and off
automatically.

Off



U.S.A. (Type B)

The side marker, park-

ing, tail, license plate, instru-
ment panel lights and
daytime running lights
(



P.238) turn on.

The headlights and all

lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.

The daytime running

lights turn on. (



P.238)

Off

Headlight switch

The headlights can be oper-
ated manually or automati-
cally.

Turning on the headlights

238

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers



Canada

The side marker, park-

ing, tail, license plate, instru-
ment panel lights, daytime
running lights and LED
accessory lights (if equipped)
(



P.238) turn on.

The headlights and all

lights listed above (except
daytime running lights) turn
on.

The headlights, daytime

running lights, LED acces-
sory lights (if equipped)
(



P.238) and all the lights

listed above turn on and off
automatically.

■

AUTO mode can be used when

The power switch is in ON.

■

Daytime running light system

●

Vehicles with multi-LED head-

lights and LED projector head-

lights with bulb type front turn

signal lights: The daytime running

lights illuminate using the same

lights as the low beam headlights

and illuminate dimmer than the

low beam headlights.

●

Vehicles with LED projector head-

lights with LED type front turn sig-

nal lights: The daytime running

lights illuminate using the same

lights as the parking lights and illu-

minate brighter than the parking

lights.

●

To make your vehicle more visible

to other drivers during daytime

driving, the daytime running lights

turn on automatically when all of

the following conditions are met.

(The daytime running lights are

not designed for use at night.)

• The hybrid system is operating

• The parking brake is released

• For the U. S. A.: The headlight

switch is in the

position

• For Canada: The headlight switch

is in the

position

: When the surroundings are bright

The daytime running lights remain
on after they illuminate, even if the
parking brake is set again.

●

For the U.S.A.: Daytime running

lights can be turned off by operat-

ing the switch.

●

Compared to turning on the head-

lights, the daytime running light

system offers greater durability

and consumes less electricity, so

it can help improve fuel economy.

■

LED accessory lights (if

equipped)

To make your vehicle more visible

to other drivers during daytime driv-

ing, the LED accessory lights turn

on automatically when the parking

brake is released while the hybrid

system is operating.

When the parking lights are turned

on, the LED accessory lights dim.

■

Headlight control sensor (if

equipped)

The sensor may not function prop-

239

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

ing

erly if an object is placed on the sen-

sor, or anything that blocks the

sensor is affixed to the windshield.

Doing so interferes with the sensor

detecting the level of ambient light

and may cause the automatic head-

light system to malfunction.

■

Automatic light off system

●

When the headlights are on: The
lights turn off 30 seconds after the
power switch is turned to ACC or
OFF and a door is opened and
closed. (The lights turn off imme-
diately if

on the key is

pressed after all the doors are
closed.)

●

When only the tail lights are on:

The tail lights turn off automati-

cally if the power switch is turned

to ACC or OFF and the driver’s

door is opened.

To turn the lights on again, turn the
power switch to ON, or turn the light
switch to the

posi-

tion once and then back to

position.

■

Light reminder buzzer

A buzzer sounds when the power

switch is turned to OFF and the

driver’s door is opened while the

lights are turned on.

■

Windshield wiper linked head-

light illumination (if equipped)

When driving during daytime with
the headlight switch turned to

, if

the windshield wipers are used, the
headlights will turn on automatically
after several seconds to help
enhance the visibility of your vehi-
cle.

■

12-volt battery-saving function

In order to prevent the 12-volt bat-

tery of the vehicle from discharging,

if the headlights and/or tail lights are

on when the power switch is turned

to OFF, the battery saving function

will operate and automatically turn

off all the lights after approximately

20 minutes.
When any of the following are per-

formed, the battery-saving function

is canceled once and then reacti-

vated. All the lights will turn off auto-

matically 20 minutes after the

battery-saving function has been

reactivated:

●

When the headlight switch is oper-

ated

●

When a door is opened or closed

■

If “Headlight System Malfunc-

tion Visit Your Dealer” is dis-

played on the multi-information

display

The system may be malfunctioning.

Have the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer.

■

Customization

Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitiv-

ity) can be changed.

(Customizable features:



P.527)

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery dis-

charge

Do not leave the lights on longer

than necessary when the hybrid

system is not running.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 14