Toyota RAV4 (XA50) 2019-2025 Owners Manual: Hill-start assist control

When the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system when the vehicle is on an incline, when the brake pedal is released, brake force is temporarily maintained to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards before the engine is restarted and drive force is generated.

When drive force is generated, the maintained brake force is automatically canceled.

• This function operates on flat surfaces as well as steep inclines.
• Sound may be generated from the brake system, but this does not indicate a malfunction.
• Brake pedal response may change and vibration may occur, but this does not indicate a malfunction.

■Points for use

• If the engine switch is pressed when the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system, the engine will not be able to be restarted by the automatic engine start function.

  In this case, restart the engine using the normal engine starting procedure.

• When the engine is being restarted by the Stop & Start system, the power outlets may be temporarily unusable, but this does not indicate a malfunction.
• Installation and removal of electrical components and wireless devices may affect the Stop & Start system. Contact your Toyota dealer for details.
• When stopping the vehicle for a longer period of time, turn the engine switch off to stop the engine completely.
• When the engine is restarted by the Stop & Start system, the steering wheel may temporarily feel heavy.

■Operating conditions

• The Stop & Start system is operational when all of the following conditions are met:
  • The vehicle has been driven a certain amount of time.
  • The brake pedal is being depressed firmly. (except when the vehicle is stopped by the dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range when in vehicle-to- vehicle distance control mode)
  • The D shift position is selected.
  • The driver's seat belt is fastened.
  • The driver's door is closed.
  • The selected driving mode is not snow mode (AWD models).
  • Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt mode is not selected for Multi-terrain Select (AWD models).
  • The windshield defogger is off.

    (vehicles without a manual air conditioning system)

  • The accelerator pedal is not being depressed.
  • The engine is adequately warmed up.
  • The hood is closed.
• In the following situations, the engine may not be stopped by the Stop & Start system. This is not a malfunction of the Stop & Start system.
  • When the air conditioning system is being used.
  • When the battery is undergoing a periodic recharge.
  • When the battery is not sufficiently charged, such as if the vehicle has been parked for a long time and the battery charge has decreased, the electric load is large, the battery fluid temperature is excessively low or the battery has deteriorated.
  • When the brake booster vacuum is low.
  • When the elapsed time since the engine was restarted is short.
  • When the vehicle is stopped frequently, such as when in a traffic jam.
  • When the engine coolant temperature or transmission fluid temperature is extremely low or high.
  • When the vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.
  • When the vehicle is being driven in a high altitude area.
  • When the battery fluid temperature is extremely low or high.
  • For a while after the battery have been replaced.
• When the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system, the engine will be restarted automatically if any of the following conditions are met: (To enable the engine to be stopped by the Stop & Start system again, drive the vehicle.)
  • The air conditioning system is being used. (vehicles without a manual air conditioning system)
  • The windshield defogger is turned on. (vehicles without a manual air conditioning system)
  • The shift lever is shifted from D or P.
  • The shift lever is shifted from P.

    (When the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system when the shift lever is in P.)

  • The driver's seat belt is unfastened.
  • The driver's door is opened.
  • The driving mode is changed to snow mode (AWD models).
  • Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt mode is selected for Multi-terrain Select (AWD models).
  • The Stop & Start cancel switch is pressed.
  • The accelerator pedal is depressed.
  • The vehicle starts to roll on an incline.
• When the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system, the engine may restart automatically in the following situations: (To enable the engine to be stopped by the Stop & Start system again, drive the vehicle.)
  • When the brake pedal is pumped or strongly depressed.
  • When the air conditioning system is being used.
  • When a switch of the air conditioning system is operated (windshield defogger switch, etc.).
  • If the battery charge becomes low.

■When the hood is opened

• If the hood is opened while the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system, the engine will stall and will not be able to be restarted by the automatic engine start function. In this case, restart the engine using the normal engine starting procedure.
• If the hood is closed after the engine is started with the hood open, the Stop & Start system will not operate. Close the hood, turn the engine switch off, wait 30 seconds or more, and then start the engine.

■Air conditioning system operation while the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system

Vehicles with an automatic air conditioning system: When the air conditioning is in automatic mode and the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system, the fan may operate at a low speed in order to prevent the temperature in the cabin from increasing or decreasing or may be stopped.

To prioritize air conditioning system performance when the vehicle is stopped, disable the Stop & Start system by pressing the Stop & Start cancel switch.

• If the windshield is fogged up Turn the windshield defogger on.

  If the windshield fogs up frequently, press the Stop & Start cancel switch to disable the Stop & Start system.

• If an odor is emitted from the air conditioning system
• Vehicles with a manual air conditioning system:
  If the idling stop time setting is set to "Extended", change it to "Standard".

  If an odor is emitted when the idling stop time setting is set to "Standard", press the Stop & Start cancel switch to deactivate the Stop & Start system.

• Vehicles with an automatic air conditioning system:
  Press the Stop & Start cancel switch to deactivate the Stop & Start system.

■Changing the idling stop time with the air conditioning system on

The length of time the Stop & Start system will operate when the air conditioning system is on can be changed in of the
multi-information display. (The length of time the Stop & Start system will operate when the air conditioning system is off cannot be changed.)

■Displaying the Stop & Start system status

After Start:

Displays the cumulative time that the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system from when the engine is started until the engine is stopped.

This item is reset each time the engine stops.

■Multi-information display messages

If the following situations,
and a message may be displayed on the multi-information display.

• When the engine cannot be stopped by the Stop & Start system "Press Brake More to Activate"

• The brake pedal is not sufficiently depressed.

If the brake pedal is depressed
further, the system will operate.

"Non-Dedicated Battery"

• A battery not designed for use with a Stop & Start system may have been installed.

Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer.

"Battery Charging"

• The battery charge may be low.

Stopping of the engine is
temporarily prohibited to prioritize charging of the battery. After the engine runs for a certain amount of time, the system will be enabled.

• A refresh charge may be being performed, such as during a periodic recharge, after the battery terminals have been disconnected and reconnected, after the battery has been replaced, etc.

After a refresh charge for up
to an hour completes, the system can be operated.

• If displayed continuously for a long time (more than an hour)

The battery may be
deteriorated.

Contact your Toyota dealer for details.

"Stop & Start System
Unavailable"

• The Stop & Start system is temporarily disabled.

Allow the engine to run for
some time.

• The engine may have been started with the hood open.

Close the hood, turn the engine
switch off, wait for 30 seconds or more, and then start the engine.

"In Preparation"

• The vehicle is being driven in a high altitude area.
• The brake booster vacuum is low.

When the brake booster vacuum
reaches a predetermined level, the system will be enabled.

"For Climate Control"

• The air conditioning system is being used when the ambient temperature is high or low.

If the difference between the
set temperature and cabin temperature becomes small, the system will be enabled.

• The windshield defogger is on.

• When the engine automatically restarts while stopped by the Stop & Start system

"In Preparation"

• The brake pedal has been depressed further or pumped.

The system will be enabled
after the engine runs and the brake booster vacuum reaches a predetermined level.

"For Climate Control"

• The air conditioning system is being used.
• The windshield defogger has been turned on.

"Battery Charging"

• The battery charge may be low.

The system will be enabled
after the engine runs to sufficiently charge the battery.

■When the buzzer sounds

If the driver's door is opened when the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system and the shift lever is in D, a buzzer will sound and the Stop & Start system indicator will flash.

To stop the buzzer, close the driver's door.

■The Stop & Start system protection function

• When the volume of the audio system is excessively high, sound output from the audio system may suddenly be cut off in order to reduce battery consumption. To prevent the audio system from being cut off, keep the volume of audio system at a moderate level.

  If the audio system has been cut off, turn the engine switch off, wait for 3 seconds or more and then turn it to ACC or ON to re-enable the audio system.

• The audio system may not be activated if the battery terminals are disconnected and then reconnected.

  If this occurs, turn the engine switch off and then repeat the following operation twice to activate the audio system normally.

  • Turn the engine switch to ON and then to off.

■If the Stop & Start cancel indicator flashes continuously

The system may be malfunctioning.

Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

■If "Stop & Start System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer" is displayed on the multi-information display

The system may be malfunctioning.

Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

WARNING

■When the Stop & Start system is operating

Make sure to disable the Stop & Start system while the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area.

If not disabled, the engine may be automatically restarted unexpectedly, causing exhaust gases to collect and enter the vehicle, possibly resulting in death or a serious health hazard.

• Do not leave the vehicle while the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system (while the Stop & Start indicator is on). An accident may occur due to the automatic engine start function.
• Depress the brake pedal and apply the parking brake when necessary while the engine is stopped by the Stop & Start system (while the Stop & Start indicator is on).

NOTICE

■To ensure the system operates correctly

If any of the following situations occur, the Stop & Start system may not operate correctly. Have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

• While the driver's seat belt is fastened, the driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder light flashes.
• Even though the driver's seat belt is not fastened, the driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder light does not illuminate.
• Even though the driver's door is closed, the open door warning light is illuminated or the interior light is illuminated when the interior light switch is in the door position.
• Even though the driver's door is open, the open door warning light does not illuminate or the interior light does not illuminate when the interior light switch is in the door position.