2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID transmission

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Hybrid systemHybrid system ...................... 32
1-2. Key information Keys ..................................... 44
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system................. 46
Wireless remote control ....... 59
Side doors ............................ 65
Back door ............................. 70
Glass hatch .......................... 79
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 83
Rear seats ............................ 86
Head restraints ..................... 94
Seat belts ............................. 97
Steering wheel ................... 104
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ................................ 105
Outside rear view mirrors .............................. 108
1-5. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .................. 110
Moon roof ........................... 113 1-6. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .................................... 118
1-7. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system ............. 123
Alarm .................................. 126
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................. 130
1-8. Safety information Correct driving posture ....... 131
SRS airbags ....................... 133
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 145
Child restraint systems ....... 151
Installing child restraints ..... 155
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 168
Power (ignition) switch........ 179
Engine (ignition) switch....... 184
EV-Drive Mode ................... 188
Transmission ...................... 190
Turn signal lever ................. 193
Parking brake ..................... 194
Horn .................................... 195
1Before driving
2When driving

27
●Event data recorder
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of your
vehicle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal vehicle
performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is an event data
recorder (EDR) that records data in a crash or near crash event.
The SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or near crash
event, this device may record the following information:
• Engine speed
• Whether the brake pedal was depressed or not
• Vehicle speed
• To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
• The transmission shift position
• Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
• Driver’s seat position
• SRS airbag deployment data
• SRS airbag system diagnostic data
• Front passenger’s occupant classification
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of improving
vehicle safety performance. Unlike general data recorders, the EDR does
not record sound data such as conversation between passengers.
● Disclosure of the EDR data
Toyota will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except
when:
• An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the leasing company for a leased vehicle) is obtained
• Officially requested to by the police or other authorities
• Necessary, for use as a defense for Toyota in a lawsuit
• Ordered to by a court of law
However, if necessary, Toyota will:
• Use the data for research on Toyota vehicle safety performance
• Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing details of the vehicle owner, and that only when deemed necessary
• Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identification information to a non-Toyota organization for research purposes

34 1-1. Hybrid system
●If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
lever in D to avoid discharging the battery.
● To help prevent the 12-volt battery from becoming discharged, drive the
vehicle at least once a month, and operate the accessories only when
the “READY” indicator is on. When parking the vehicle, make sure the
doors is closed and all lights are turned off.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 560
■ After the 12-volt battery has di scharged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) under the
rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the engine is
started or stopped, or while the engine is idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed or accelerator is loosened.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vents under the rear
seat.

When driving2
167
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle............ 168
Power (ignition) switch ..... 179
Engine (ignition) switch .... 184
EV-Drive Mode................. 188
Transmission.................... 190
Turn signal lever .............. 193
Parking brake ................... 194
Horn ................................. 195
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ......... 196
Indicators and warning lights .............................. 198
Multi-information display............................ 203
2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ............... 213
Fog light switch ................ 219
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 221
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 224 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control ................... 226
Rear view monitor system ........................... 230
Driving assist systems ..... 234
Hill-start assist control ...... 239
2-5. Driving information Utility vehicle precautions .................... 241
Cargo and luggage .......... 246
Vehicle load limits ............ 250
Winter driving tips ............ 251
Trailer towing ................... 255
Dinghy towing .................. 274

173
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle\
control.
● Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
hybrid system. Engine braking is not available with the hybrid system dis-
engaged.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 567
● Use engine braking 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. 191)
● 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.

190
2-1. Driving procedures
Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
Vehicles without smart key system
While the engine switch is in
the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
Vehicles with smart key system
While the “POWER” switch is in ON mode, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.

245
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
hybrid battery, hybrid system or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the
hybrid system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.
● Water entering the hybrid transaxle will cause deterioration in transmission
quality. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not
be drivable.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the transaxle case, reducing the gear
oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulat ed in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

266 2-5. Driving information
●Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
● 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 wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed c an destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other v ehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehi cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, do not put the transmission in
D.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● 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.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
(  P. 562)