2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Owners Manual

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Vehicles with third seat
Vehicles without third seat
BEFORE FOLDING DOWN SECOND
SEATS
1. Stow the center seat belt buckle of the second seat as shown in the il-
lustration.
NOTICE
The seat belt buckle must be stowed
before you fold the second seat.
2. Make sure the outer seat beltspasses through the hangers when
folding the second seat.
This prevents the shoulder belt from being
damaged.
CAUTION
The seat belt must be removed from
the hangers when they are in use.
—Folding down second seats

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
FOLDING DOWN SECOND SEATS
(vehicles without third seat)
Pull the seatback angle adjusting lever
to unlock the seatback and fold the
seatback down until it locks.
The seat position returns to the rear −most
position when the seatback is folded
down.
CAUTION
Be careful that the seat does not hit
a passenger or luggage.
NOTICE
Do not fold the second seat seatback
forward with the luggage cover hooks
attached.
Folding down the second seats will en-
large the luggage compartment. See
“—Stowage precautions” on page 313 in
Section 2 for precautions when loading
luggage.
CAUTION
When returning the seatback to the
upright position, observe the follow-
ing precautions in order to prevent
personal injury in a collision or sud-
den stop:
Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the
seat belt from operating properly.
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.
FOLDING DOWN SECOND SEATS
(vehicles with third seat)
Pull the seatback angle adjusting lever
to unlock the seatback and fold the
seatback down until it locks.
Right side seat: The seat remains in posi-
tion when pushing the seat cushion back-
wards while folding down the seatback.

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
CAUTION
Be careful that the seat does not
hit a passenger or luggage.
After folding down the right side
seat, try pushing the seat forward
and rearward to make sure it is se-
cured in place.
NOTICE
Do not fold the second seat seatback
forward with the luggage cover hooks
attached.
Folding down the second seats will en-
large the luggage compartment.
If there is space between the second seat
and the folded third seat seatback, slide
the folded second seat to the rear −most
position.
CAUTION
After sliding the seat, try pushing the
seat forward and rearward to make
sure it is secured in place.
See “—Stowage precautions” on page 313
in Section 2 for precautions when loading
luggage.
CAUTION
When returning the seatback to the
upright position, observe the follow-
ing precautions in order to prevent
personal injury in a collision or sud-
den stop:
Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the
seat belt from operating properly.
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seatback
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
From front
From rear1. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING
STRAP
Lean forward and pull the strap toward
you. Then lean back to the desired
angle and release the strap.
2. SEATBACK ANGLE ADJUSTING LEVER
Pull down the lever, then adjust the
seatback to the desired angle and re-
lease the lever.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the seat while the
vehicle is moving.
Be careful that the seat does not
hit a passenger or luggage.
Avoid reclining the seatback any
more than needed. The seat belts
provide maximum protection in a
frontal or rear collision when the
passengers are sitting up straight
and well back in the seats. If you
are reclined, the lap belt may slide
past your hips and apply restraint
forces directly to the abdomen or
your neck may contact the shoulder
belt. In the event of a frontal colli-
sion, the more the seat is reclined,
the greater the risk of death or per-
sonal injury.
After adjusting the seatback, push
your body back against the seat to
make sure the seat is locked in
position.
—Adjusting third seat

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
BEFORE FOLDING DOWN THIRD SEAT
Make sure that the seat is clear of
people and luggage.
1. Stow the third seat seat belt buckles as shown in the illustration.
NOTICE
The seat belt buckles must be stowed
before you fold the third seat.
2. To stow the seat belt, insert the tabsinto the slot as shown above. Make
sure the tabs are securely locked in
the slot.
NOTICE
The seat belt must be stowed before
you fold the seatback.
—Folding down third seat

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
From front
From rearFOLDING DOWN THIRD SEAT
Lower the head restraints to the lowest
position. Pull the seatback angle adjust-
ing strap toward you or pull down the
seatback angle adjusting lever to un-
lock the seatback and fold the seatback
down until it locks.
CAUTION
Be careful that the seat does not hit
a passenger or luggage.
Folding down the third seat will enlarge
the luggage compartment. See “—Stowage
precautions” on page 313 in Section 2 for
precautions when loading luggage.RETURNING THIRD SEAT
Pull the seatback adjusting lever to un-
lock the seatback and fold up the seat-
back to its upright lock position.

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
CAUTION
When returning the seatback to the
upright position, observe the follow-
ing precautions in order to prevent
personal injury in a collision or sud-
den stop:
Make sure the seatback is securely
locked by pushing forward and rear-
ward on the top of the seatback.
Failure to do so will prevent the
seat belt from operating properly.
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught under the seat
and are arranged in their proper
position and are ready to use.To flatten the seatbacks, do the follow-
ing:
1. Hold the center of the lever and pull it up, sliding the second seat to the
rearmost position. Then pull the
seat forward slightly until it locks.2. Remove the head restraint. Hold thecenter of the lever and pull it up.
Then slide the front seat further for-
ward than the frontmost lock posi-
tion.
Flattening seatbacks
(manual seat)

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2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
3. Pull the seatback angle adjusting le-
ver up to unlock and push down the
seatback.
When returning the seatback to the up-
right position, be careful not to make
yourself hit by the seatback which will
bound with considerable spring force.
After returning the seat to its original
position, be certain to replace the head
restraint.
CAUTION
Do not allow passengers to ride on
the flattened seat while driving; use
the seat in the normal position.
After returning the seat to its origi-
nal position, try pushing the seat
and seatback forward and rearward
to make sure it is secured in place.
Be certain to replace head restraint.
To flatten the seatbacks, do the follow-
ing:
1. Hold the center of the lever and pull it up, sliding the second seat to the
rearmost position. Then pull the
seat forward slightly until it locks.
Flattening seatbacks
(power seat)