2021 Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, which is part of Toyota’s well-known compact SUV line, makes a strong statement with its rugged form, flexible functionality, and high-tech features. The 2021 RAV4 is a popular choice for both city explorers and nature lovers. It has a striking exterior that combines modern style with a hint of ruggedness, and its well-made interior offers both comfort and ease. The RAV4 has a wide range of engine choices, including hybrid models, so it is not only fun to drive but also gets great gas mileage. Toyota’s Safety Sense suite shows off new safety features that give drivers and guests peace of mind on the road. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 shows that Toyota is committed to combining innovation, reliability, and flexibility in a single, attractive package. This is true whether you’re driving on city streets or going off the beaten path.

Front passenger occupant classification system

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system. This system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and activates or deactivates the front passenger airbag and seat cushion airbag in the front passen-ger side.

System components

• SRS warning light
• Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
• “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
• “AIR BAG ON” indicator light

WARNING

• Front passenger occupant classification system precau-tions
  • Observe the following precautions regarding the front passenger occupant classification system. Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
• Wear the seat belt properly.
• Make sure the front passenger’s seat belt plate has not been left inserted into the buckle before someone sits in the front pas-senger seat.
• Make sure the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is not illuminated when using the seat belt extender for the front passenger seat. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indi-cator light is illuminated, discon-nect the extender tongue from the seat belt buckle, and recon-nect the seat belt. Reconnect the seat belt extender after making sure the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illuminated. If you use the seat belt extender while the “AIR BAG OFF” indi-cator light is illuminated, the SRS airbags for the front pas-senger will not activate, which could cause death or serious injury in the event of a collision.
• Do not apply a heavy load to the front passenger seat or equip-ment (e.g. seatback pocket).
• Do not put weight on the front passenger seat by putting your hands or feet on the front pas-senger seat seatback from the rear passenger seat.
• Do not let a rear passenger lift the front passenger seat with their feet or press on the seat-back with their legs.
• Do not put objects under the front passenger seat.
• Do not recline the front passen-ger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indi-cator light to be illuminated, which indicates that the SRS airbags for the front passenger will not activate in the event of a severe accident. If the seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seat-back as upright as possible when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback exces-sively may lessen the effective-ness of the seat belt system.
• If an adult sits in the front pas-senger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illuminated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn correctly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the passenger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front pas-senger seat fully rearward.
• When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat in the proper order.
  ( P.53)
• Do not modify or remove the front seats.
• Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise, the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the front passenger occupant clas-sification system. In this case, contact your Toyota dealer immediately.
• Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not con-tact the front seatbacks.
• Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion and seat cover, that covers the seat cushion surface.
• Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.
• Adjust the front passenger seat so that the head restraint does not touch the ceiling. If the head restraint is left in contact with the ceiling, the system may not detect the front passenger prop-erly, leading to improper opera-tion of the airbags.

Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification system

• Adult*1
• Child*4
• Child restraint system with infant*5
• Unoccupied
• 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)

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 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.
• 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.

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.114, 160)
• 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.

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: 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

Points to remember
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.

FAQ