2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER light

253
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toyota hitch/brac ket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight require-
ment of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer.
After removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle
body to prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.
Removing hitch cover
Remove the clip.
Grasp the lower edge of the hitch
cover and raise the cover.
When reattaching the cover,
reverse the steps listed.
STEP1
STEP2

255
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Positions for towing hitch
receiver and hitch ball
Weight carrying ball position:
48.1 in. (1221 mm)
Connecting trailer lights Use the wire harness stored in
the rear end under body.

256 2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s man ual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combin ation (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet
or slippery surfaces.

259
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 584)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trai\
ler.
● The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched.
Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

264 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.

Interior features3
267
3-4. Using the hands-free phone system
(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 switch .................... 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

273
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■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
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.
■ When outside air temperature approaches 32°F (0°C)
The air conditioning system may not operate even when is pressed.
■ When the indicator light on flashes (2.7 L 4-cylinder [1AR-FE]
engine only)
Press
and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on
once more. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indi-
cator light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ When
is selected for the air outlets used
For your driving comfort, air flowing to the feet may be warmer than air flow-
ing to the upper body depending on the position of the temperature adjust-
ment dial.
■ Air conditioning odors
●During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.

289
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers
Clear the rear window using the defogger.
Vehicles with manual air conditioning systemOn/off
Press the button to turn on the
rear window defogger. The
indicator light will come on.
The defoggers will automati-
cally turn off after 15 to 60 min-
utes. The operation time
changes according to the
ambient temperature and vehi-
cle speed. Pressing the button
again also turns the defogger
off.
Vehicles without outside rear view mirror defoggers
Vehicles with outside rear view mirror defoggers
Vehicles with automatic air conditioning systemOn/off
Press the button to turn on the
rear window defogger. The
indicator light will come on.
The defoggers will automati-
cally turn off after 15 to 60 min-
utes. The operation time
changes according to the
ambient temperature and vehi-
cle speed. Pressing the button
again also turns the defogger
off.
Vehicles without outside rear view mirror defoggers
Vehicles with outside rear view mirror defoggers
A
B
A
B