2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER steering

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For US ownersReporting safety defects for US owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key information .................. 30Keys ..................................... 30
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors ............. 32
Smart key system................. 32
Wireless remote control ....... 53
Side doors ............................ 64
Back door ............................. 68
Glass hatch .......................... 73
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) ................. 75
Front seats ........................... 75
Rear seats ............................ 78
Head restraints ..................... 87
Seat belts ............................. 90
Steering wheel ..................... 96
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 97
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 99
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and
moon roof ....................... 101
Power windows .................. 101
Moon roof ........................... 103
1-5. Refueling ........................... 106 Opening the fuel tank cap ................................... 106 1-6. Theft deterrent
system ............................. 110
Engine immobilizer system .............................. 110
Alarm .................................. 116
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................. 119
1-7. Safety information ............ 120 Correct driving posture ....... 120
SRS airbags ....................... 122
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 134
Child restraint systems ....... 140
Installing child restraints ..... 144
2-1. Driving procedures........... 156 Driving the vehicle .............. 156
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system) ............................. 164
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 168
Automatic Transmission ..... 171
Turn signal lever ................. 175
Parking brake ..................... 176
2-2. Instrument cluster ............ 177 Gauges and meters ............ 177
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 179
Multi-information display ..... 183
1Before driving
2When driving

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers .............................. 192
Headlight switch .................. 192
Fog light switch ................... 196
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 197
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 199
2-4. Using other driving systems ........................... 200
Cruise control ...................... 200
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with
multi-information
display) ............................. 203
Downhill Assist Control system
(4WD models only) ........... 207
Driving assist systems ........ 209
2-5. Driving information ........... 214 Off-road precautions ........... 214
Cargo and luggage ............. 219
Vehicle load limits ............... 223
Winter driving tips ............... 224
Trailer towing ...................... 228
Dinghy towing ..................... 238 3-1. Using the air
conditioning system
and defogger .................. 242
Front manual air conditioning system.......... 242
Front automatic air conditioning system.......... 247
Rear manual air conditioning system.......... 255
Rear automatic air conditioning system.......... 258
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 261
Windshield wiper de-icer .............................. 263
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 264
3-2. Using the audio system ............................. 265
Audio system (without navigation system) ........... 265
Using the radio ................... 268
Using the CD player ........... 274
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ....................... 281
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 288
Using the AUX adapter....... 291
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 293
3Interior features

16
Rear view monitor system 
Multi-information display

Clock

P. 203
P. 183
P. 373
Gauges and
meters
P. 177
Tilt and telescopic steering lock release
lever
P. 96
Glove box P. 359
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Power back door
main switch

P. 68
VSC/TRAC off switch P. 210
Tire pressure warning reset switch P. 433
Parking brake pedal P. 176
Hood lock release lever P. 414
Auxiliary box P. 367
“ENGINE START STOP” switch
(vehicles with smart key system)
P. 164
Fog light switch 
Headlight switch
Turn signal lever P. 196
P. 192
P. 175
Windshield wipers and
washer switch
Rear window wiper and
washer switch
P. 197
P. 199

Before driving1
29
1-1. Key information................ 30Keys ................................... 30
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors ........... 32
Smart key system .............. 32
Wireless remote control ..... 53
Side doors .......................... 64
Back door ........................... 68
Glass hatch ........................ 73
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)............... 75
Front seats ......................... 75
Rear seats.......................... 78
Head restraints................... 87
Seat belts ........................... 90
Steering wheel ................... 96
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ............................... 97
Outside rear view mirrors ... 99 1-4. Opening and closing the
windows and
moon roof ..................... 101
Power windows ................ 101
Moon roof ......................... 103
1-5. Refueling......................... 106 Opening the fuel tank cap ................................. 106
1-6. Theft deterrent system .......................... 110
Engine immobilizer system ........................... 110
Alarm................................ 116
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) .......................... 119
1-7. Safety information ......... 120 Correct driving posture..... 120
SRS airbags ..................... 122
Front passenger occupant classification system ...... 134
Child restraint systems..... 140
Installing child restraints ........................ 144

75
1
Before driving
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Front seats
Manual seat
Seat position adjustment lever
Seatback angle adjustment lever
Vertical height adjustment lever (driver’s side only)
Seat cushion (front) angle adjustment knob (driver’s side only)
Pull up the lever until the lock is completely released.

76 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Active head restraints
When the occupant’s back
presses against the seatback
during a rear-end collision, the
head restraint moves slightly for-
ward to help reduce the risk of
whiplash on the seat occupant.
Power seat
Seat position adjustment switch
Seatback angle adjustment switch
Seat cushion (front) angle adjustment switch (driver’s side only)
Vertical height adjustment switch (driver’s side only)
Driver’s seat leg support adjustment switch (if equipped)
Seat lumber support adjustment switch (driver’s side only)

77
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
■Active head restraints
Even small forces applied to the seatback may cause the head restraint to
move. Pushing up a locked head restraint forcibly may appear the head
restraint inner structure. These do not indicate problems.
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
●Be careful that the seat does not hit passengers or luggage.
● Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion
to reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt.
If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt may slide past the hips and apply
restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your neck may contact the
shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of
an accident.
● Manual seat only: After adjusting the seat, make sure that the seat is
locked in position.
Inner
structure During
rear-end
collision