2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Owners Manual

241
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●The vehicle's tires are properly inflated. ( P. 539)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched.
Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
■ Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential and wheel bearing), Toyota
recommends that you do not tow a trailer until it has been driven for over 500
miles (800 km).
However, avoid full throttle acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approxi-
mately 600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

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.

244
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

245
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving

246
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger ................ 248
Front manual air conditioning system ....... 248
Front automatic air conditioning system ....... 253
Rear manual air conditioning system ....... 261
Rear automatic air conditioning system ....... 264
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ....................... 267
Windshield wiper de-icer ............................ 269
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ......................... 270
3-2. Using the audio system .......................... 271
Audio system (without navigation system) ......... 271
Using the radio ................. 274
Using the CD player ......... 280
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 287 Optimal use of the audio
system ........................... 294
Using the AUX adapter .... 297
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............... 299
3-3. Using the rear audio system .......................... 301
Rear seat entertainment system features ............. 301
Using the DVD player (DVD video) ................... 308
Using the DVD player (video CD)...................... 316
Using the DVD player (audio CD/CD text) ........ 318
Using the DVD player (MP3 discs) .................... 319
Using the video mode ...... 321
Changing the initial setting ............................ 323

Interior features3
247
3-4. Using the hands-free phone system (for
cellular phone) ............. 330
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features .......................... 330
Using the hands-free phone system (for
cellular phone) ............... 334
Making a phone call ......... 342
Setting a cellular phone ............................. 346
Security and system setup .............................. 351
Using the phone book ...... 354
3-5. Using the interior lights ............................. 361
Interior lights list ............... 361
• Personal/interior light main switch .................... 362
• Personal/interior lights .............................. 362
• Interior light .................... 363 3-6. Using the storage
features ......................... 364
List of storage features .......................... 364
• Glove box....................... 365
• Console box ................... 365
• Overhead console .......... 366
• Cup holders ................... 368
• Bottle holders ................. 372
• Auxiliary boxes ............... 373
• Side table ....................... 376
3-7. Other interior features ......................... 378
Sun visors ........................ 378
Vanity mirror..................... 379
Conversation mirror ......... 380
Power outlet ..................... 381
Seat heaters..................... 384
Armrests........................... 386
Floor mat .......................... 387
Luggage compartment features .......................... 388
Garage door opener......... 394
Compass .......................... 399

248
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system (if equipped)
Adjusting the settings
■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise (warm) or counter-
clockwise (cool).
If is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or
heated air.
For quick cooling, turn the temperature selector knob to the “MAX A/C”
position. The air conditioning will automatically turn on in (recir-
culated air) mode.
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Turn the fan speed control dial clockwise (increase) or counter-
clockwise (decrease).
Turn the dial to “OFF” to turn the fan off.
Fan speed control dial
Air outlet selection dial
Air conditioning on/off switch
Temperature control dial
Outside air or recirculated air mode
Rear air conditioning
on/off switch*
*: If equipped