That's the traction battery that gives the RAV4 its EV power. I don't recall the exact number but it's a very high voltage 600-800V that you better not mess with. All it needs is enough juice to start the engine which then takes over its charging. It also charges the 12V battery not the other way around.

As for asking the dealer, don't bother. Unless they can show you in writing all they want to do, once they can't sell you something, is make you go away.

 

Thank you, @Dyno

Well, crap. Sounds like I'll have a dead EV battery if the only way to charge it is to drive and brake, which I won't be able to because I won't be home for a very good while.🤦‍♂️

 

No you won't have a dead EV battery if the car sits awhile; there is no draw on the EV battery when the car is off. You may have a dead 12 volt battery, but that can be charged like any other 12 volt battery.

When the hybrid system is started (Ready mode), then the hybrid battery can be charged by the gas engine; no driving/braking needed; just leave the transmission in park. The computer will do all the thinking.

Go on your trip, be at peace knowing that the EV battery will be just fine when you get back. If the car cannot get to Ready mode when you get back, charge the 12 volt battery.

 

To make sure you won't have a dead EV traction battery I recommend driving the RAV4 at least once every three years.

Nah, you'll probably need to drive it more often than that.

 

So, when it's in Ready mode, will the engine be running and charging the hybrid battery? Or will the engine be off and the computer sends a message to the 12v to send juice to the hybrid battery?

As Dr. Dyno said, the gas engine will run if needed to charge the EV battery. Just be sure the transmission is not in neutral. The HV battery cannot be charged from the 12 volt battery.

Sorry if the question is stupid, but this really is all new to me. I

There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers (I'm guilty of that from time to time!

I do have more questions, like about gas, and upgrading

Lots of threads on the forum about additions to the RAV4; look them up with the search function. As far as gas, the owners manual recommends Top Tier Gas, which is most major brands in the US, including Costco. Avoid the smaller mom and pop gas stations.

Also look into rodent protection if that's an issue where you live. You don't want wire harness damage from something living in the engine bay

One of the best ways to keep critters out of the car is to put a drop or two of peppermint oil on some cotton balls, then place the cotton balls throughout the car. Mice can get through some incredibility small gaps, so screening them out is impossible.

 

The hybrid battery showed three green bars last night. It's 5pm and it's showing two green bars now. It shouldn't have drained that quickly. The regular battery is fine.

But I put it in Ready mode so it would charge the hybrid, and within five to eight seconds, the engine starts. I sat and watched for the hybrid to show more green bars, but it didn't even get one extra bar.

I pray I'm not doing something wrong and that the hybrid battery is fine and isn't about to croak because that's up to $8k for a new battery and labor.

If having it in Ready mode to charge the hybrid battery means the engine will run until I shut it off, then unfortunately that's using gas.

Other than that, the RAV drives, runs, and feels great.

 

And yes, I don't like using gas that's sold at a station that I've never heard of, like Krist or Circle-K. The only good place nearest me is a Shell, and a BP.

But my question about gas is how about higher octane levels, like 91 to 94? The highest around here is 91. Sunoco has 94 out west.

But are RAVs required to use ethanol? I have heard so much bad raps about ethanol unless it's a Flex Fuel vehicle. I don't wanna use blasted ethanol and cause knocking sounds in the engine. Surely it's okay to use the super unleaded 91.

 

And yes, I don't like using gas that's sold at a station that I've never heard of, like Krist or Circle-K. The only good place nearest me is a Shell, and a BP.

You can find a list of approved Top Tier fuel brands on the Top Tier web site. Both Shell and BP are on that list.

 

But my question about gas is how about higher octane levels, like 91 to 94? The highest around here is 91. Sunoco has 94 out west.

Higher octane gas is a waste of money in the RAV4. High octane gas is meant for high performance cars with high compression. (Don't let the compression numbers for the RAV4 hybrid fool you; it is an Atkinson Cycle engine and the real compression is much lower than the specs).

But are RAVs required to use ethanol? I have heard so much bad raps about ethanol unless it's a Flex Fuel vehicle

No, they are not required to use ethanol, in fact, ethanol is detrimental in two ways:
-It has less energy so you will get lower gas mileage
-It can damage some rubber components (fuel hoses). You should never go over 10% ethanol in the RAV4; Flex Fuel vehicles have used other materials for the hoses, so they can go higher that 10%, but there is still less energy.

 

Higher octane gas is a waste of money in the RAV4. High octane gas is meant for high performance cars with high compression. (Don't let the compression numbers for the RAV4 hybrid fool you; it is an Atkinson Cycle engine and the real compression is much lower than the specs).



No, they are not required to use ethanol, in fact, ethanol is detrimental in two ways:
-It has less energy so you will get lower gas mileage
-It can damage some rubber components (fuel hoses). You should never go over 10% ethanol in the RAV4; Flex Fuel vehicles have used other materials for the hoses, so they can go higher that 10%, but there is still less energy.

Ethanol over here is 15%. Wouldn't be surprised if they jack it up to what it is in California. I don't see many Flex-Fuel vehicles. Last one I've seen was 5 or 6 years ago.

 

I've been trying to charge the hybrid battery by running the engine while it sits. It doesn't seem to be charging. I watch it for awhile and I see no energy being transferred to the hybrid battery.

Then I check it in the morning before going to work and it shows one green bar, and I think it said it had a 23% charge. I don't even know what I was looking at.😂 Still learning.