Page 7 of 430

’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
vii
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non −genuine spare parts and accessories
for Toyota vehicles are currently available in the market.
You should know that Toyota does not warrant these prod-
ucts and is not responsible for their performance, repair, or
replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or
adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non −genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non −genuine Toyota
products could affect its performance, safety or durability,
and may even violate governmental regulations. In addi-
tion, damage or performance problems resulting from the
modification may not be covered under warranty.
Spark ignition system of your To y o t a
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference −Causing Equipment
Standard.
Installation of a mobile two way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two −way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, electronic throttle control system, cruise control
system, anti −lock brake system, traction control system,
vehicle stability control system, SRS airbag system and
seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check with your
Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special in-
structions regarding installation.
Page 14 of 430
’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
4
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
6. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger and windshield wiper
de− icer switch
7. Air conditioning controls
8. Audio system
9. “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
10. Snow mode button 11. Seat heater switches
12. Cigarette lighter
13. “TRAC OFF” switch (two −wheel drive models)
14. Cruise control switch
15. Ignition switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
17. Tire pressure warning system reset switch
Vehicles with manual air conditioning controls (view B)
Page 16 of 430
’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
6
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
6. Air conditioning controls and multi −information display
7. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger and windshield wiper
de− icer switch
8. Audio system
9. “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
10. Snow mode button
11. Seat heater switches
12. Cigarette lighter
13. “TRAC OFF” switch (two −wheel drive models)
14. Cruise control switch
15. Ignition switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
17. Tire pressure warning system reset switch
Vehicles with automatic air conditioning controls (view B without navigation system)
Page 18 of 430
’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
8
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock (See the separate “Navigation System Owner ’s Manual”.)
5. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
6. Navigation system including air conditioning controls (See the separate
“Navigation System Owner ’s Manual”.)
7. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger switch
8. Audio system (See the separate “Navigation System Owner ’s Manual”.)
9. “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
10. Snow mode button 11. Seat heater switches
12. Cigarette lighter
13. “TRAC OFF” switch (two −wheel drive models)
14. Cruise control switch
15. Ignition switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
Vehicles with automatic air conditioning controls (view B with navigation system)
Page 22 of 430
’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
12
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
∗
1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 135 in Section 1 −6.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 165 in
Section 1 −7.Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Overdrive −off indicator light
Slip indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Snow mode indicator light
Traction control system off indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light
or Engine oil replacement reminder light
∗
1
(for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
“AIRBAG ON” indicator light
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light
Page 155 of 430
’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
145
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Ignition switch, Transmission and Parking brake
Ignition switch with steering lock 146
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
Traction control system 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
Vehicle stability control system 160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 161
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1 7
Page 158 of 430

’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
148
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
(b) Overdrive switch
You can select either third gear (with
overdrive off) or fourth gear (with over-
drive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch.
The “O/D OFF” indicator light should come
on. To turn the overdrive on again, push
the switch again. The “O/D OFF” indicator
light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the over-
drive on for better fuel economy and
quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the over-
drive is off and restarted, the overdrive
will be on automatically. When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift the transmission by
pushing and releasing the overdrive
switch, engine braking will not be enabled
because the cruise control is not can-
celled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 165 in this
Section.
(c) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the engine” on page 318 in
Section 3. The transmission must be in
“P” or “N”.
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever to “D”.
When the lever is in the “D” position, the
automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for running condi-
tions such as normal cruising, hill climb-
ing, hard towing, etc.
Always turn the overdrive on for better
fuel economy and quieter driving. If the
engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the over-
drive gear even with the overdrive on.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.
(d) Using engine braking
To use engine braking, you can downshift
the transmission as follows:
Push the overdrive switch. The “O/D
OFF” indicator light will come on and
the transmission will downshift to third
gear.
Shift into the “2” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to second gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
stronger engine braking will be en-
abled. Tw o −wheel drive models
103 km/h (63 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four −wheel drive models
93 km/h (57 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 159 of 430

’05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
149
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. ’04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Shift into the “L” position. The trans-
mission will downshift to first gear
when the vehicle speed drops down to
or lower than the following speed, and
maximum engine braking will be en-
abled.
Tw o −wheel drive models
45 km/h (28 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four −wheel drive models
46 km/h (28 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When the cruise control is being used,
even if you downshift the transmission by
pushing and releasing the overdrive
switch, engine braking is not enabled be-
cause the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed,
see “Cruise control” on page 165 in this
Section.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a
slippery surface. Abrupt shifting
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
(e) Using “2” and “L” positions
The “2” and “L” positions are used for
strong engine braking as described pre-
viously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you
can start the vehicle in motion as with the
lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle
will start in first gear and automatically
shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the trans-
mission is engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over rev the en-
gine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum al-
lowable speed for each position is
given below for your reference:
Two wheel drive models“2” 123 km/h (76 mph) . . . . . . . . .
“L” 69 km/h (43 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
Four wheel drive models “ 2 ” 111 k m / h ( 6 9 m p h ) . . . . . . . . .
“L” 62 km/h (38 mph) . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or
hard towing for a long time in the
“2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission dam-
age from overheating. To prevent
such damage, “D” position should
be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.
(f) Backing up
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector lever to the
“R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the ve-
hicle is moving.
(g) Parking
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal pressed down, fully depress the parking brake pedal
to apply the parking brake securely.
3. With the brake pedal pressed down, shift the selector lever to the “P” posi-
tion.