RAV4 Prime pluggable hybrid

Ok, summer 2024, my KIA Niro EV is running fine, no complaints, other than the paint coming off the back hatch spoiler and the rails for the roof rack... and that is crappy!

Thinking that rebates are going away, and perhaps I could get a vehicle that could go longer trips I started looking around. The ideal would be a car that stayed on battery for 90% of my use, but would be able to run on gas forever if needed for a trip longer than 126 miles (my Kia gets 252 miles per charge, and the charging network is still not convenient, reliable or fast)

So, I googled for the pluggable hybrid that had the longest all electric range. The Prius was #1, and the RAV4 was #2 at 42-45 miles.

So, looking at the options, there weren't any cars available with the options I wanted (the only option I did not care about was the heated steering wheel, and the panoramic roof, so we had to search for upcoming builds at the factory in Japan. We found one and got the VIN

OK, now I have a VIN, so I joined the Toyota Owners site https://toyota.com/owners/login, and if I "look up" my vehicle, it says it is in process.

Later, I found that they change the vin when the car is actually in the build process.

 

 

Internal QI charger

Overall, this is a fancy charger, but it's performance does not match it's complexity. Basically it is very finicky and it took some experimentation to even get it to work on my $2,700 phone (Z fold 6).

There are some undocumented button presses that supposedly put it into a higher current mode.

On my phone, it took experimentation to find what "corner" of the charging "depression" would consistently let the charger stay connected. If I switch to high power mode, it turns itself off. All that fancy motorized positioning is worthless.

trick for qi charger

https://www.rav4world.com/threads/try-this-if-you-are-having-issues-with-the-qi-wireless-charger.317767/

 

covers for rear seats when down??

Actually, I believe there are two styles. You want the Cargo tray, part number PT908-42210-02. It also includes covers for the back of the rear seats so when you lay the seats flat to carry bigger cargo, they are also protected.

USB sockets in the car

There is one USB type A in the console by the QI charger, and 2 type C in the center console under the armrest. I tested all 3, and they put out 5 volts and will turn off at almost exactly 3 amps draw. Not bad, but more modern phones really can use a higher voltage and current charge. Get a small unit to go into the cigar lighter socket, I have one with a type C and type A.

 

rav4 seat extending

https://www.rav4world.com/threads/extending-the-front-seat-on-the-rav4-for-tall-people.316796/?post_id=3101686&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-3101686

 

Last items before picking up

  • no extras added at last minute
  • contract price meets sticker price
  • no addition of the Karr alarm (or any other alarm)
  • inspect car for "lashing plugs" missing

Picking up the car and getting started

I had set up the Toyota app with my info since I did have the VIN.

Bottom line, activation of the car in the app did not work until they deleted my profile...

things to check:

  • "plugs" - apparently there are oval "lashing holes" in the wheel wells, and often the plugs for these holes are not replaced. oval plug part number (90950-01259), round plug (where yellow arrow is) 90950-01518 (has a "15" in the center)
  • memory seat initialization.
  • hideaway net install

stuff I wish were in a quick guide

  • door unlocking in general
  • 2nd button on tailgate to lock all doors, unlocking tailgate with door button unlocks all doors besides opening the tailgate
  • hold driver door handle longer, will unlock all doors
  • QI charger... can act weird, wait 15 seconds after getting into car to place in cradle... apparently there is a motor that tries to position the charging coil... with the system on, press the power 5 times in a row, that should reset the "search" procedure, you can hear the motor.. pressing the button 3 times should force to fast charging, and the light should alternate between green and orange.
  •  put the fob into "sleep mode" every time you get out of the RAV--then you don't have to worry about it and also it prolongs the battery life. Press and hold down lock button and press unlock twice. LED on fob will flash. Test fob is asleep by trying to open door.To awake fob press any button.
  • To dim map display: With the lights on, press the tripmeter button on the display toggling between odometer, trip A and B and you should see one that looks like a triangle. When you see that, hold the tripmeter button and it will cycle through the brightness.
  • There are many reasons why the engine will turn on even though you are in EV mode:
    1. if it's below -10C
    2. if you turn on the front defroster (using the defrost button)
    3. If the load from the various HVAC, heaters, acceleration demand reach a critical point.
    4. adaptive cruise control

stuff highly recommended

screen for lower grill intake, so AC does not get damaged from rocks

screen over cabin air intake to block rodents if you have issues, they often chew through the plastic "grid"

headlight "seals" - covers gap between top of headlight and hood

 

maintenance stuff

system firmware updates...

you go to the car and put a FAT32 USB memory stick into the usb A slot in the dash (the only USB port in the car that is NOT charge only)

in the menus, you go to firmware updates, and it will tell you to put a usb stick in and tap the menu item

then you take that memory stick, and put in your computer

bring up the mytoyota site, then go to owners, and then find updates... it will prompt you to download the file from the memory stick.

so far, no updates on my '24, so I will wait to add more when an actual update comes out.

 

 

possible tweaks/upgrades

Windows

autoclover smoked window visors, lets windows be open a bit even in inclement weather, covers the garish chrome window trim

radio knob? must be volume knob

trim pieces for door latch and opening arm

console cubbies

poor seat heaters

apparently common:

 

https://cartrimhome.com 

 

TSB: BE-00637T-TME
Subject: Poor FR seat heater performance of leather seats with 3-level seat heater

Models – Model Codes: RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid - AXAP54

Would affect anything built before 05/10/2021

Description of the phenomenon
Some customers may experience and report poor FR seat heater performance for vehicles with leather seats in combination with 3-level seat heater. This phenomenon is not quality problem, it is caused by specific system logic of heater control.

Repair Procedure - Reprogramming

For improve the above phenomenon, reprogram the "A/C ECU" to the new available calibration ID

 

interior trim blackout

https://cartrimhome.com/

horn

when you get your car, honk the horn, then hang your head in shame

 PIAA 85115 horns, lower tone than the popular hella, also non rusting plastic

 extra or upgrade storage cubbies

little organizers that go in the console above the QI charger. All on amazon

grill to protect AC condenser

the condensor is unprotected and very low on the front. Many stories of rocks damaging it.

https://rav4stuff.weebly.com/

 

covers for door latch and lock

looks much better, cheap

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RKWWKFC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

suspension

skid plate -

 

northwoods performance spring lift package for gen 5 rav 4

https://northwoodsperformance.com/products/rav-4-gen-5-2019-2024/spring-lift-kit-package-gen-5/

 

 

I’ve added the Northwoods stage two spring lift leveling kit to my 2021 RAV4 hybrid
I also put the Cusco strut bar, adjustable, upper control arms, Cusco front and rear anti-sway bars, And LS outdoors, skid plate

strut bars, sway

https://www.topendmotorsports.com/toyota/rav4-xa50/suspension/bracing/cusco/strut-tower-bar-front-type-os-aluminum-43874.php

 

Toyo AT3 Tires 245/60/18

 

I do believe the Bilstein that are to be released later this year will be adjustable and will be coming with a 1 in Strut lift as a standard along with better coils and of course the Bilstein technology front and rear shocks.

 

window rain shields:

toyota ones, only for sale in canada:

https://parts.sptoyota.com/products/side-window-deflectors-2019-2021-rav4

 

autoclover ones, black out chrome, better

https://www.amazon.com/AUTOCLOVER-Smoked-Window-Out-Channel-Deflector/dp/B07YSTD1GV/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2T7X8CS749J9I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3LaPr1BduHryd54CrmDqQDwgpwHV_Mfg5BJRWbwf5Nx83xnHTnUVXl7QolX6YreZM13Zs7b5Gyc_zz1OTwwcBL94BnNXEMs8bGkiWWFQE8cT1YloazrrcXtILcBHArb2SY7Xzh0HbblqO1DkV0qoHRr2rpU-Llv473EZOA9FkF3yAo2TrRcM1bpdK6jv9Q52Mjt9D_8y8XXVkgukH8-41AWcWfYHrhdjWjSA3E3ITF7boePJPdrWShtOo6qb5RdWJ1kGNSgje-A4hFWjdM1j7_MAZHt8E6mhB6YW3Pegqcg.g3KO6okeQAuUxw1AX3D_hTc8cPsfz24jQQ6BsvkMXFE&dib_tag=se&keywords=rain%2Bshields%2Btoyota%2Brav4&qid=1727763563&sprefix=rain%2Bshields%2Btoyota%2Brav%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-5&th=1

 

 crappy qi charging

even though it's a sophisticated device, the factory one is crap!

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086BQ522Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 lights in rear hatch

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ssn=mitaccessories1&store_name=mitaccessories&_oac=1&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211

 

sound system upgrades:

many people agree the JBL system has the dash speakers overwhelm the rest of the system, and have swapped out the factory speakers with speakers of lower sensitivity.

 

https://www.rav4world.com/threads/jbl-premium-audio-sound-fix.276121/page-4?nested_view=1

 

infinity speakers for dash: Infinity REF-3032CFX Reference 3.5 Inch Two-Way car Audio Speaker

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8T66KB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 


Hidden menu: Press and hold the Audio (or Apps) button on the left side of the radio. Turn the vehicle lights switch to the full on position, then off, then on then off, then on, then off. Three full cycles of on/off. You should get to the individual speaker test

 JL Audio TR350CXI 3.5" TR Series Coaxials

Skar Audio SK35 - 3.5"

Sound Ordnance™ P-35B

 

battery cooling system and filters

 

 

led light upgrades

diode dynamics for rear backup lights

drivers side windows controls lit (camry?)

https://cartrimhome.com/Lighted-LED-Switch-RAV4-2019

 

using 2 phones at the same time.

basically you connect one through carplay/android auto, the other is set up for not either of the 2

I have not tried one on carplay and one on AA

 

 

 

phone numbers

1-800-331-4331 x 4334

 setting up music players

https://www.androidauthority.com/best-music-players-android-auto-944720/

Maintenance things to remember

make a list of all the hidden or "pluggable" drains so no water in car or rust

  • sunroof
  • doors
  • cowl near wipers
  • ac drain(s)

hidden menus / customization

this will eventually be split off to a separate page

look for customizable features in manual first

 

techstream?

 

 

 

 

 

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