2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Owners Manual

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 ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ..................................... 32
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system................. 35
Wireless remote control ....... 48
Side doors ............................ 54
Back door ............................. 60
Glass hatch .......................... 70
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ........................... 74
Rear seats ............................ 77
Head restraints ..................... 85
Seat belts ............................. 88
Steering wheel ..................... 94
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror.......................... 95
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 98
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .................. 101
Moon roof ........................... 104
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ................................... 109 1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system .............................. 113
Alarm .................................. 116
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................. 120
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ....... 121
SRS airbags ....................... 123
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 135
Child restraint systems ....... 142
Installing child restraints ..... 147
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .............. 160
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart
key system) ...................... 170
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 174
Automatic transmission ...... 177
Turn signal lever ................. 182
Parking brake ..................... 183
Horn .................................... 184
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ............ 185
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 187
Multi-information display ..... 191
1Before driving
2When driving

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2-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .................. 200
Fog light switch ................... 206
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 208
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 212
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ...................... 215
Rear view monitor system .............................. 219
Driving assist systems ........ 223
Hill-start assist control ......... 228
Downhill assist control system (4WD models) ...... 230
2-5. Driving information Off-road precautions ........... 233
Cargo and luggage ............. 238
Vehicle load limits ............... 242
Winter driving tips ............... 243
Trailer towing ...................... 247
Dinghy towing ..................... 265 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system.......... 268
Front automatic air conditioning system.......... 275
Rear manual air conditioning system.......... 283
Rear automatic air conditioning system.......... 286
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defoggers ............... 289
Windshield wiper de-icer .... 291
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 292
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system ...................... 293
Using the radio ................... 297
Using the CD player ........... 304
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ....................... 312
Operating an iPod .............. 320
Operating a USB memory ............................ 327
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 335
Using the AUX port............. 339
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 341
Detachable pole antenna ............................ 344
3Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
3-3. Using the Bluetooth® audio
system
Blue tooth
® audio system .... 347
Using the Bluetooth®
audio system .................... 350
Operating a Bluetooth
®
enabled portable player ... 355
Setting up a Bluetooth
®
enabled portable player ... 357
Bluetooth
® audio system
setup ................................ 362
3-4. Using the hands -free
phone syste m
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features ............................ 363
Using the hands-free phone system ................... 367
Making a phone call ........... 376
Setting a cellular phone...... 380
Security and system setup ................................ 385
Using the phone book ........ 389
3-5. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 396
• Personal/interior light
main sw itch ...................... 397
• Personal/interior lights...... 397
• Interior light ...................... 398 3-6. Using the storage features
List of storage features ....... 399
• Glove box ......................... 400
• Console box ..................... 401
• Overhead console ............ 402
• Cup holders ...................... 403
• Bottle holders ................... 407
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 408
• Side table ......................... 410
3-7. Other interior features Sun visors ........................... 412
Vanity mirrors ..................... 413
Clock................................... 414
Conversation mirror ............ 415
Power outlets ...................... 416
Seat heaters ....................... 420
Armrests ............................. 422
Floor mat ............................ 423
Luggage compartment features ............................ 424
Garage door opener ........... 429
Compass ............................ 435

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4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 440
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 443
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 446
General maintenance.......... 449
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 452
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 453
Hood ................................... 457
Positioning a floor jack ........ 459
Engine compartment ........... 463
Tires .................................... 478
Tire inflation pressure ......... 487
Wheels ................................ 490
Air conditioning filter............ 493
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ........ 496
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 499
Light bulbs........................... 510 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 518
If your vehicle needs to be towed........................... 519
If you think something is wrong ............................ 526
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 527
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 528
If a warning message is displayed .......................... 539
If you have a flat tire ........... 540
If the engine will not start.... 554
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 556
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter ........................ 557
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 558
If the battery is discharged........................ 560
If your vehicle overheats .... 564
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................. 567
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 569
6-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 572
Fuel information ................. 587
Tire information .................. 590
6-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 602
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize................. 606
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 608
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 609
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ........................ 611 Abbreviation list ........................ 622
Alphabetical index .................... 624
What to do if... .......................... 633
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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Pictorial indexExterior
Fog lights  P. 206
Parking, front side marker and
front turn signal lights
P. 182, 200
Hood P. 457
Windshield wipers P. 208
Moon roof  P. 104
Outside rear view
mirrors
P. 98Headlights (low beam)
P. 200
Headlights (high beam) and
daytime running lights

P. 200
Pole antenna P. 344