2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID lock

234
2-4. Using other driving systems
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 h eavily 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.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippery road
surfaces by controlling steering performance.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the four wheels from spin-
ning when starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
P. 239
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management)
Helps to provide integrated control of the ABS, brake assist, VSC,
TRAC and EPS systems.
Maintains vehicle stability when swerving on slippery road surfaces by
controlling the brakes, hybrid system output, and the movement of the
four wheels.

248 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the
item may get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the
pedals from being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit
the driver or passengers, causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Luggage cover
• Instrument panel
• Dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an acci-
dent.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise, th ey are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle
weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less
than the total load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking con-
trol which may cause death or serious injury.

252 2-5. Driving information
Selecting tire chainsUse the correct tire chain size when mounting the snow chains.
Chain size is regulated for each tire size.
Side chain
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.39 in. (10 mm) in width
1.18 in. (30 mm) in length
Cross chain
0.16 in. (4 mm) in diameter
0.55 in. (14 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Install the chains on the front tires.
● Retighten the chains after drivi ng 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suit-
able to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brak e may freeze up, preventing it
from being released. If necessary , block the wheels to prevent
inadvertent sliding or creeping.

263
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer
coupler. Most couplers are
stamped with the required trailer
ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut by at
least 2 threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole
diameter size.
Trailer
classTypical trailer ball
size
IV 2 5/16 in.
II and III 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.

267
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the
trailer’s wheels when parking. Ap ply the parking brake firmly, and
put the transmission in P. Avoid pa rking on a slope, but if unavoid-
able, do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blo cks under both the vehicle’s
and trailer’s wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the hybrid system.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the hybrid system. Be sure to
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake and also the 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

278
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system
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.
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

279
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■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.
■ Changing the air outlets
Set the air outlet selection di al to an appropriate position.
The positions between the air outlet selections shown below can be also
selected for more detailed adjustment.
Upper body
Upper body and feet

282 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Front side outlets
Direct air flow to the left or
right, up or down.
Turn the knob to open or close
the vent.
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used for
an extended period.
■ Window defogger feature
Vehicles without smart key system
In order to prevent the windows from fogging up, recirculated air mode may
automatically switch to outside air mode if the ambient temperature drops.
This feature can be canceled by pushing and holding the air intake mode
switch for longer than 2 seconds. The feature will be reactivated when the
engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
In order to prevent the windows from fogging up, recirculated air mode may
automatically switch to outside air mode if the ambient temperature drops.
This feature can be canceled by pushing and holding the air intake mode
switch for longer than 2 seconds. The feature will be reactivated when the
“POWER” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or OFF.