2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER stop start

207
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following sys-
tems operate automatically in res ponse to various driving situations.
Be aware, however, that these systems are supplementary and
should not be relied upon too heavi ly when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning
on slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels (2WD models) or
four wheels (4WD models) from sp inning when starting the vehicle or
accelerating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control
→ P. 212
■Downhill assist control system (4WD models only)
→ P. 213
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

209
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Turning off TRAC and VSC
Push and hold the button while
the vehicle is stopped to turn off
TRAC and Enhanced VSC.
The slip indicator light and VSC
OFF indicator light should come
on.
Push the button again to turn the
system back on.
■Automatic reactivation of TRAC and Enhanced VSC
Turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch OFF after
turning off the TRAC and Enhanced VSC systems will automatically re-
enable them.
■ Automatic TRAC reactivation
If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when
vehicle speed increases.
■ Automatic TRAC and Enha nced VSC reactivation
If the TRAC and Enhanced VSC systems are turned off, the systems will not
turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, TRAC, Enhanced VSC,
brake assist
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
● 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.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

212
2-4. Using other driving systems
Hill-start assist control
■Hill-start assist control operating conditions
The system operates in the following situations:
●The shift lever is in the D or S position.
● The brake pedal is not depressed.
■ Hill-start assist control
●While hill-start assist control is operating, the brakes remain automati-
cally applied after the driver releases the brake pedal. The stop lights and
the high mounted stop light turn on.
CAUTION
■Hill-start assist control
●Hill-start assist control may not operate effectively on extremely steep
inclines or roads covered in ice.
● Do not use hill-start assist control to stop or park the vehicle on an incline.
Hill-start assist control helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting on incline or slippery slope.
If the vehicle is in danger of
slipping, rolling backwards
when starting on an incline, or
the front wheels (2WD mod-
els) or four wheels (4WD mod-
els) spin, the indicator flashes
to indicate that the hill-start
assist control system have
been engaged.

214 2-4. Using other driving systems
■If the “DAC“switch is turned off du ring operation of the downhill assist
control system
The downhill assist control system gradually ceases operation. The downhill
assist control system indicator will flash during the cancelling operation, and
then go off when the system is fully off.
■ Downhill assist control system operation sound
A sound may be heard from the engine compartment during operation of the
downhill assist control system. This sound does not indicate a malfunction.
■ When the downhill assist contro l system operates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In that case, the system will cease opera-
tion and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. Stop the vehicle in a safe
place. (Do not continue normal driving.)
■ System malfunction
●The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
“ENGINE START STOP“ switch of the engine switch is turned to ON.
● The downhill assist control system indicator does not come on when the
“DAC“ switch is pressed. In the above cases have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■Conditions which may affect th e downhill assist control system
The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may lead to an
accident causing death or serious injury.
● Slippery surface such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surfaces
● Unpaved roads

222 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Roof luggage carrier precautions
To use the roof rails as a roof luggage carrier, you must fit the roof rails
with two or more genuine Toyota cross rails or their equivalent.
When you load cargo on the roof luggage carrier, observe the following:
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof
luggage carrier.
●Loading cargo on the r oof luggage carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of
control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop
the vehicle now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 100 lb. (45 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
■Cross rail adjustment
Make sure the cross rails are locked securely by pushing forward and
rearward them.
Failure to do so may cause an unexpected accident or severe injury in
the event of emergency braking or a collision.
●Place the cargo so that its weight is
distributed evenly between the front
and rear axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width.
( P. 526)
Cross rails
Roof rails

232 2-5. Driving information
HitchTrailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established
by the hitch manufacturer. Even th ough the vehicle may be rated for
towing a higher weight, the operat or must never exceed the maxi-
mum weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing turns.

234 2-5. Driving information
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel bloc ks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the P position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into 3, 2, 1, or the R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

262 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■The defogger can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in the ON.
■ Outside rear view mirror defoggers (vehicles with outside rear view
mirror defoggers)
Turning the rear window defogger on will turn the outside rear view mirror
defoggers on.
CAUTION
■ Outside rear view mirror defoggers (vehicles with outside rear view
mirror defoggers)
The surfaces of the outside rear view mirrors become hot. Do not touch
them to prevent from burning yourself.