2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER transmission

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

When driving2
155
2-1. Driving procedures ........ 156Driving 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
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

159
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N while the
vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to
an accident.
● Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if
the engine is not running.
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 171)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.

171
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Automatic Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
or the engine switch is
in ON, depress the
brake pedal and move
the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the “D” position for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of thepossible gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents
unnecessary upshifting.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving ( P. 172)*2

174 2-1. Driving procedures
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 512
■ If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in D.)

217
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious per-
sonal injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

233
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● In order to maintain engine braking efficiency when driving on a
long steep downgrade, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift
range position must be in 4, in the S mode.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immedi ately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 520)

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.
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