Toyota RAV4 (XA50) 2019-2024 Owners Manual: Smart key system

The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket. The driver should always carry the electronic key.

• Locks and unlocks the side doors
• Locks and unlocks the back door
• Starts the engine

■Antenna location

1. Antennas outside the cabin (front)
2. Antennas outside the cabin (rear) (if equipped)
3. Antenna outside the luggage compartment
4. Antennas inside the cabin

■Effective range (areas within which the electronic key is detected)

1. When locking or unlocking the doors

The system can be operated when the electronic key is within about 2.3 ft. (0.7 m) of the front door handles, rear door handles (if equipped) and back door opener switch. (Only the doors detecting the key can be operated.)

2. When starting the engine or changing engine switch modes

The system can be operated when the electronic key is inside the vehicle.

■If an alarm sounds or a warning message is displayed

An alarm sounds and warning message displays shown on the multi-information display are used to protect against unexpected accidents or theft of the vehicle resulting from erroneous operation. When a warning message is displayed, take appropriate measures based on the displayed message.

When only an alarm sounds, circumstances and correction procedures are as follows.

• When an exterior alarm sounds once for 5 seconds

• When an interior alarm pings continuously

■Battery-saving function

The battery-saving function will be activated in order to prevent the electronic key battery and the battery from being discharged while the vehicle is not in operation for a long time.

• In the following situations, the smart key system may take some time to unlock the doors.
  • The electronic key has been left in an area of approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of the outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.
  • The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
• If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer, the doors cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver's door. In this case, take hold of the driver's door handle, or use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key, to unlock the doors.

■Turning an electronic key to battery-saving mode

• When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized by stopping the electronic key from receiving radio waves.

Press twice while pressing
and holding .

Confirm that the electronic key indicator flashes 4 times.

While the battery-saving mode is set, the smart key system cannot be used. To cancel the function, press any of the electronic key buttons.

• Electronic keys that will not be used for long periods of time can be set to the battery-saving mode in advance.

■When electronic key function stops

If the position of the electronic key has not changed for a certain amount of time such as when the electronic key is left somewhere, the function of the electronic key stops to reduce depletion of the battery.

In this case, function can automatically be restored by moving the position of the key such as by lifting it up.

■Conditions affecting operation

The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected, preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobilizer system from operating properly.

• When the electronic key battery is depleted
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following metallic objects

• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs

• When other wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
• When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that emit radio waves

• Portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication devices
• Another vehicle's electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems

• If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the rear window
• When the electronic key is placed near a battery charger or electronic devices
• When parking in a coin-operated parking lot (Radio waves used to detect vehicles may affect the smart key system.)

■Note for the entry function

• Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases:

• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle, near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, luggage cover or floor, or in the door pockets or glove box when the engine is started or engine switch modes are changed.

• Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave reception conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin and the door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic key inside the vehicle.
• As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may be locked or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the electronic key can be used to unlock the vehicle.
• Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be possible to start the engine if the electronic key is near the window.
• The doors may unlock if a large amount of water splashes on the door handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic key is within the effective range.

  (The doors will automatically be locked after approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)

• If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the electronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not be unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to unlock the doors.)
• Touching the door lock sensor while wearing gloves may delay or prevent lock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock sensor again.
• When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, recognition signals will be shown up to two consecutive times. After this, no recognition signals will be given.
• If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the following correction procedures to wash the vehicle:

• Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the vehicle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key system.

• If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet during a car wash, a message may be shown on the multi-information display and a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle.

  To turn off the alarm, lock all the doors.

• The lock sensor may not work properly if it comes into contact with ice, snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again, or use the lock sensor on the lower part of the door handle.
• A sudden approach to the effective range or door handle may prevent the doors from being unlocked. In this case, return the door handle to the original position and check that the doors unlock before pulling the door handle again.
• If there is another electronic key in the detection area, it may take slightly longer to unlock the doors after the door handle is gripped.

■When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods

• To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2 m) of the vehicle.
• The smart key system can be deactivated in advance.
• Battery-saving mode can reduce the power consumption of electronic keys.

■To operate the system properly

Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from the outside of the vehicle.

Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly. (The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not operate.)

■If the smart key system does not operate properly

• Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key.
• Starting the engine

■Customization

Settings (e.g. smart key system) can be changed.

If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting, refer to the explanations for the following operations.

• Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the wireless remote control or mechanical key.
• Starting the engine and changing engine switch modes.
• Stopping the engine.

WARNING

■Caution regarding interference with electronic devices

• People with implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapypacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should maintain a reasonable distance between themselves and the smart key system antennas.

  The radio waves may affect the operation of such devices. If necessary, the entry function can be disabled. Ask your Toyota dealer for details, such as the frequency of radio waves and timing of the emitted radio waves. Then, consult your doctor to see if you should disable the entry function.

• Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapypacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators should consult the manufacturer of the device for information about its operation under the influence of radio waves.

  Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such medical devices.

Ask your Toyota dealer for details on disabling the entry function.