ICE kicks in when reversing

[arseradj]

Dear RAV4 riders,

I have encountered an issue with my 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that I recently purchased second-hand from a Toyota dealership in Spain. As someone new to hybrid systems, I find the issue both confusing and concerning.

Here's the situation: when I reach home and my hybrid Battery has more than 70% charge, everything seems fine when I move forward in Drive (D) mode—the car operates in EV mode as expected. However, when I shift to Reverse (R) and lift my foot off the brake pedal, the internal combustion engine (ICE) kicks in. This happens despite having enough Battery charge to move in reverse. If I then shift back to Drive (D) to make adjustments and move forward, the ICE turns off again. But when I shift to Reverse (R) once more, the ICE turns on again. When I put the car in Park (P), the ICE turns off.

I've noticed that if I turn the car off and start it again, everything returns to normal, and the ICE doesn't turn on when in Drive (D) or Reverse (R) if there's sufficient charge in the hybrid batteries.

I hope I've described the situation clearly. Can anyone explain if this behavior is normal, or should I contact the dealership for a check-up?

Many thanks in advance!

[philip42h]

The car has a mind of its own - it's perfectly normal! 🙂

There is no reverse gear on the car - to go backwards it simply runs the electric motors in reverse. If the car thinks that the traction Battery could do with a top-up, it starts the ICE to run the generator (MG1). It does what it thinks is best, when it thinks it's best!

[Nick72]

2 hours ago, ubikradj said:

Dear RAV4 riders,

I have encountered an issue with my 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that I recently purchased second-hand from a Toyota dealership in Spain. As someone new to hybrid systems, I find the issue both confusing and concerning.

Here's the situation: when I reach home and my hybrid battery has more than 70% charge, everything seems fine when I move forward in Drive (D) mode—the car operates in EV mode as expected. However, when I shift to Reverse (R) and lift my foot off the brake pedal, the internal combustion engine (ICE) kicks in. This happens despite having enough battery charge to move in reverse. If I then shift back to Drive (D) to make adjustments and move forward, the ICE turns off again. But when I shift to Reverse (R) once more, the ICE turns on again. When I put the car in Park (P), the ICE turns off.

I've noticed that if I turn the car off and start it again, everything returns to normal, and the ICE doesn't turn on when in Drive (D) or Reverse (R) if there's sufficient charge in the hybrid batteries.

I hope I've described the situation clearly. Can anyone explain if this behavior is normal, or should I contact the dealership for a check-up?

Many thanks in advance!

Is your drive on a slope?

[Cyker]

It is a bit weird, as they usually will run for a little bit on Battery only. Maybe it's firing up to share the load with the Battery...?

My Mk4's Battery is tiny and it will only let me use reverse for a relatively short time before the ICE kicks in to charge the battery, esp. if there is even a gentle incline or I have to go up a kerb.

TBH, it's not worth worrying about it - Just let it do its thing. The hybrid system works in mysterious ways  

[arseradj]

1 hour ago, Nick72 said:

Is your drive on a slope?

No, not at all

totally flat area

[TonyHSD]

Don’t worry about the car. If you have’s got any warning lights on dashboard then your car is all good. New to hybrids, there are many new things you can learn about these cars every day for years to come. 
If you are interested how things work you can search YouTube for videos about Prius, it’s basically the same technology. 👍

[Terry10]

4 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Don’t worry about the car. If you have’s got any warning lights on dashboard then your car is all good. New to hybrids, there are many new things you can learn about these cars every day for years to come. 
If you are interested how things work you can search YouTube for videos about Prius, it’s basically the same technology. 👍

 

On 7/17/2024 at 4:50 PM, ubikradj said:

Dear RAV4 riders,

I have encountered an issue with my 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid that I recently purchased second-hand from a Toyota dealership in Spain. As someone new to hybrid systems, I find the issue both confusing and concerning.

Here's the situation: when I reach home and my hybrid battery has more than 70% charge, everything seems fine when I move forward in Drive (D) mode—the car operates in EV mode as expected. However, when I shift to Reverse (R) and lift my foot off the brake pedal, the internal combustion engine (ICE) kicks in. This happens despite having enough battery charge to move in reverse. If I then shift back to Drive (D) to make adjustments and move forward, the ICE turns off again. But when I shift to Reverse (R) once more, the ICE turns on again. When I put the car in Park (P), the ICE turns off.

I've noticed that if I turn the car off and start it again, everything returns to normal, and the ICE doesn't turn on when in Drive (D) or Reverse (R) if there's sufficient charge in the hybrid batteries.

I hope I've described the situation clearly. Can anyone explain if this behavior is normal, or should I contact the dealership for a check-up?

Many thanks in advance!

I have a 1 in 4 drive ( steep) and obviously if I do nothing the ice will kick in when I reverse. However I always hit the EV button and reverse up totally on electric. Been doing it ever since I got the car.

Terry