2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID brake light

202 2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push
the lever forward to turn on the
high beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams
off.
Pull the lever toward you to
turn on the high beams.
Release the lever to turn them off.
You can flash the high beams
with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on
automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is started
and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed
for use at night.
U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the switch.
■ Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.

216 2-4. Using other driving systems
When the VSC/TRAC/hill-start assist control systems are operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, rolling backwards when
starting on an incline, or the four
wheels spin, the indicator flashes
to indicate that the VSC/TRAC/
hill-start assist control systems
have been engaged.
●ABS: The slip indicator light
flashes when ABS is operat-
ing.
● VSC: A buzzer (intermittent)
sounds to indicate that VSC is
operating.
● Hill-start assist control: When
the system is operating, the
stop lights and high mounted
stoplight turn on.
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, VSC and brake
assist
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the hybrid
system is started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound
does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.

217
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
●The system will operate in the following situations:
• The shift lever is in a position other than P
• The parking brake is not applied
• The accelerator pedal is not depressed
To engage the system, bring the vehicle to a complete stop and then further
depress the brake pedal. A buzzer beeps once to indicate that hill-start
assist control is ready.
The system operates for a period of approximately 2 seconds after the brake
pedal is released.
● Hill-start assist control will not operate when “Check VSC system” is dis-
played on the multi-information display.
■ If the buzzer does not sound or the indicator does not flash
Slightly reduce the pressure on the brake pedal and then fully depress it
again.
■ Automatic cancellation of hill-start assist control
In the following situations, the buzzer will beep twice and hill-start assist con-
trol will be canceled.
●No attempt is made to drive the vehicle within approximately 2 seconds
of releasing the brake pedal
● The shift lever is moved to P
● The parking brake is applied
● The brake pedal is re-applied.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The
steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from
excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system off.
The system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

242 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR or GAWR can cause an accident
resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which-
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combina-
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About
60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining
40% in the rear.
● Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Do not tow the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.
■ Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● The towing capacity of 3500 lb. (1500 kg) can only be guaranteed when
using a genuine Toyota hitch assembly or equivalent.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent
entry of any substances into the vehicle.

243
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When towing a trailer
●If the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wi th brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle's braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■ Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

413
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Transmission “Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes • Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

419
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner
Driving with the air cleaner removed may cause excessive engine wear due
to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious pro\
blem.

434 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiators and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are ex tremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicl e checked by your Toyota dealer.
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
If the level is low, take your vehi-
cle to a Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. Do not drive your vehi-
cle if the red brake system warn-
ing light is on. Call a Toyota
dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiators or condenser as they may be hot and may cause
burns.
■ When the electric cooling fan is operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
The electric cooling fan may keep rotating for about 3 minutes even after the
“POWER” switch is OFF.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. Be sure the “POWER” switch is OFF when working near the electric
cooling fan.