2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER towing

263
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wi th brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

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.

265
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.

407
3-6. Using the
storage features
3
Interior features
Bottle holders
Front
Rear
CAUTION
■Items unsuitable for the bottle holder
Do not place anything other than a bottle in the bottle holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and cause injury.
NOTICE
■When stowing a bottle
Put the cap on before stowing a bottle. Do not place open bottles in the bot-
tle holders. The contents may spill.
Bottle holders

427
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
■
Removing the luggage cover ( vehicles with luggage cover)
The luggage cover can be removed by following the procedure below.
■ Stowing the luggage cover (vehicles with luggage cover)
Detach the hooks.
Push in the left side of the luggage
cover while keeping hold of the right
side. Then raise the right side and pull
the luggage cover out.
Remove the side deck boards and open
the center deck board.
Fold the flaps on top of the luggage cover
with the hooks rolled inside.
Place the left end of the luggage cover in
the recess on the left-hand side and then
lower the right end into the recess on the
right-hand side.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

480 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmittersWhen replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new tire pressure warn ing valve and transmitter ID codes
must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by your Toyota
dealer. ( P. 481)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized when the
tire inflation pressure is changed (such as when changing
traveling speed or towing a trailer.)
When the tire pressure warning syst em is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch or the engine switch OFF.
While the vehicle is moving, in itialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire infla-
tion pressure level. ( P. 584)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire
inflation pressure level. The ti re pressure warning system will
operate based on this pressure level.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON
mode (vehicles with smart key system) or the engine switch to
the “ON” position (vehicles without smart key system).
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

504 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
23 EPS80 A Electric power steering
24 ST 30 A Starting system
25 CRT 10 ARear seat entertainment system,
audio system
26 RADIO NO.1 20 A Audio system
27 ECU-B NO.1 10 A Steering sensor, gauges and
meters, clock, main body ECU,
wireless remote control, smart key
system, power back door, multi-
information display, front passen-
ger occupant classification system
28 DOME 10 AVanity lights, personal lights, inte-
rior light, gauges and meters,
engine switch light, door courtesy
lights
29 TOWING 30 A Trailer lights
30 STR LOCK 20 A Steering lock system
31 EFI MAIN 25 AMultiport fuel injection system/
sequential multiport fuel injection
system, EFI NO.2, EFI NO.3
32 HAZ 15 A Turn signal lights
33 IG2 25 AINJ NO.1, INJ NO.2, IGN, GAUGE
NO.2
34 AMP 15 A Audio system
35 RR FOG 7.5 A No circuit
36 DEICER 15 A Windshield wiper de-icer
37 G/H 10 AGlass hatch, multiplex communica-
tion system, outer foot lights
38 ALT-S 7.5 A Charging system
39 AM2 7.5 A Multiplex communication system
40 H-LP LH HI 15 A Left-hand headlight (high beam)
FuseAmpereCircuit

5
When trouble arises
519
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
2WD models: If towing from the fr ont, the vehicle's rear wheels and
axles must be in good condition. (P. 523)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.