New 2023 RAV4 Prime XSE — tips & tricks from a tech guy

Hey all, I'm back with a 2nd (unabashedly unprofessional as ever) video covering a few more items that I found to be of interest/value with respect to my new car. It's now been a week since I picked it up, and I've already encountered a few of the typical irritations that others have mentioned many times before. Fortunately, however, I've found solutions to all of them. That's what this video is about.

In the process, you'll also find a nearly-complete tour of the options on the 12.3-inch multi-information display, a feature that many owners (for good reason) find rather opaque in its functionality. Hopefully someone finds some value in this!

Like/subscribe/lol, kidding. Though seriously, if people enjoy my content, perhaps I'll try to broaden it out to other products, scrutinized with the same approach!

Thanks for watching.

[notsoeasyryder]

Wow! What a stroke of luck finding your video. Just got my Prime XSE last Saturday after waiting a whole 2 weeks (yeah, I know, I got lucky). The manual is formidable, but you just saved me a whole lot of reading and guess work. Thanks much! And like you, I LOVE this car!

[JEGamel]

This was a very helpful video. Steve explained many useful techniques. Kudos to him for actually using the word "plethora" correctly!

[santarosa]

Great tips! Got my XSE 2 months ago and love it!

[annettemartinson]

Thank you for taking the time to go over all the features on the computer screen. I was happy to see there is a directional screen. What I appreciate is I can view your post anytime I have a question. I saw the Super Sonic Red on the Toyota lot and knew if I had to order it, it could take months. It wasn't an impulse buy, I had been watching the Rav 4 for almost a year. I leased it that day. Its been a learning curve to recharge. I liked the first Prius hybrid because it recharged itself. On my first tank of gas plus charging I got 48 mpg. I know I can do better once I have the charging station setup.

[intensepar]

Very helpful. I finally got my dash screen configured as I like it, and crazy I didn't realize I could have multiple screens set up. Have one for minimalist, lane keep assist info, and finally an AWD + Tire Pressures and a quick shortcut to the settings; "Diagnostic Screen".

One tip that I picked up from others is to set a staggered charging schedule. I often would get home late, plug in, and I'd get home later than my charging schedule, only to be disappointed when I wake up in the morning to a car that didn't charge. The workaround I found was to set a charging schedule starting with the off peak time beginning, and create a charge action every hour for the next few hours. So that even if I got home late past the charging schedule, the car would pick up charging at the next interval.

[annedallas]

Thank you! We just got ours 2days ago and we love it!

[howardparker]

Collecting my RAV4 this week. Cannot wait. Looking forward to using the tech and using less fuel!

[Freynightwalker]

Awesome video, we get our Rav4 prime next week, and the info you provided is very helpful. I will be loking up more of your videos

[MrMoinmoin]

Thanks for the video. It explained a lot to me. Interesting thing, I received a charging cable when I bought the car together with a USB stick and the Toyota Daruma head.

[kakbb]

Thanks man. Got mine in July and love it.

[Reb]

All you have to do is say "hey Toyota" (instead of pushing the talk button) for voice commands to the Toyota System, or, for iPhone, Hey Siri. Both work for each system voice commands.

[supermodestmouse]

really appreciate the vid. i just got my 2024 R4P saturday and the manual is like a textbook. i figure the most practical tips and tricks will come from other users!

(i say this coming from a 20 year old 04 4Runner with 300K miles on her. still running like a champ BUT would be lucky to get 17/18 mpg).

[raminderchahal]

Great video! Does the Rav4 Prime start with Remote connect?

Which mode is the best for snow ?

[dakotaburns]

Another good video for those of us considering the Prime - thanks! Interested in 2024 XSE Red; (2 of them 200 miles away in VA.) Haven't test driven one - could do that local since they'd be my service location, and have them handle getting the model I want.

[KerriFox-rs]

Thanks Steve! Unfortunately my dealer did not provide the manual for my car in English! (I'm a bit annoyed right now). Do you know how to adjust the dash so that one of the 3 screens shows Distance to Empty (EV and Gas) and the MPG? I have seen the screen in other videos in the Eco mode but haven't found a way to get it on my RAV (I have the XSE tech package). Thanks!

[slicksalmon]

Very impressive, but the XSE is made of unobtainium. The basic SE is one heck of a car, however.

[jonhansen]

Great video, Steve. I have to disagree with you on the MID being, very intuitive, but hey this is coming from someone who has to have his wife or grandkids help me with streaming stuff on our TV. Quick question if I may. We don't have a Prime, but are driving a '23 RAV4 Limited hybrid. How do I get to a cumulative or tank average fuel gauge. It was on cumulative when we bought it, but I've played with the MID several times and actually lost the original fuel guage & it's now on trip average which I detest. I can't for the life of me get to a setting where I can choose tank or cumulative. Thanks in advance!

[Ivanbam_bam]

Hey man, amazing videos and glad you share this… one question, have you faced any issue with the gps map? I am using CarPlay and seems when using wirelessly the gps is not accurate vs wire connection, I have read is something with iOS and Toyota system, wondering if it happen in android car too… thanks!

[djaztec]

I thought Toyota programs its Prime to get charged up to 80% to protect the battery life despite it saying "100% charge"?

[cmmcwilliams]

How do you adjust the parking assist that beeps when u get too close to a pole or other object?