2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER lights

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

396
3-5. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list
Your Toyota is equipped with an illuminated entry system to assist in
entering the vehicle. Owing to the fu nction of the system, the lights
shown in the following illustration automatically turn on/off accord-
ing to the presence of the electro nic key (vehicles with smart key
system), whether the doors are lo cked/unlocked, whether the doors
or glass hatch (if equipped) are opened/closed, the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch mode and en gine switch position.
Outer foot lights (vehicles with smart key system)
Personal/interior lights (P. 397)
Engine switch light (vehicle s without smart key system)
Front door courtesy light
Personal/interior light or interior light ( P. 397, 398)
Interior light ( P. 398)

397
3-5. Using the interior lights
3
Interior features
Personal/interior light main switch
“OFF”
The personal/interior lights and
interior light can be individually
turned on or off.
Door position
The personal/interior lights and
interior light come on when a door
or the glass hatch (if equipped) is
opened. They turn off when the
doors and glass hatch are closed.
On
The personal/interior lights and
interior light cannot be individually
turned off.
Personal/interior lightsFront On/off
The illuminated entry system is
activated even if the light is
turned off when the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in door
position.
Personal/interior light main switch and personal/interior lights

398 3-5. Using the interior lights
Center (if equipped)On/off
The illuminated entry system is
activated even if the light is
turned off when the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in door
position.
Interior light
On
Off
The illuminated entry system is
activated even if the light is
turned off when the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in door
position.
RearCenter (if equipped)
■To prevent battery discharge
If the lights remain on when the door is not fully closed and the personal/inte-
rior light main switch is in the door position, the lights will go off automatically
after 20 minutes.
■ Customization that can be co nfigured at Toyota dealer
Settings (e.g. The time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 602)
Personal/interior lights and interior light

413
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Vanity mirrors
NOTICE
■To prevent the battery from being di scharged (vehicles with vanity mir-
ror light)
Do not leave the vanity lights on for extended periods while the engine is
stopped.
Slide the cover.
The light turns on when the
cover is opened. (Vehicles with
vanity mirror light)