2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER parking brake

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

16
Rear view monitor system 
Multi-information display

Clock

P. 219
P. 191
P. 414
Gauges and
meters
P. 185
Tilt and telescopic steering lock release
lever
P. 94
Glove box P. 400
Pictorial indexInstrument panel
Power back door
main switch

P. 62
Tire pressure warning reset switch P. 480
Parking brake pedal P. 183
Hood release lever P. 457
Auxiliary box P. 408
Engine (ignition) switch
(vehicles with smart key system)
P. 170
Fog light switch 
Headlight switch
Turn signal lever P. 206
P. 200
P. 182
Windshield wiper and
washer switch
Rear window wiper and
washer switch
P. 208
P. 212
Horn
P. 184Floor mat P. 423
Fuel filler door opener P. 109

When driving2
159
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving 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 2-3.
Operating the lights and
wipers
Headlight sw itch ............... 200
Fog light switch ................ 206
Windshield wipers and washer ........................... 208
Rear window wiper and washer ........................... 212
2-4. Using other drivin g
s ystems
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

160
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driv-
ing.
■ Starting the engine
P. 170, 174
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. ( P. 177)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 183)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift
the shift lever to P or N. ( P. 177)
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 183)
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 177)
When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Vehicles without smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position to stop the
engine.
Vehicles with smart key system:
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF to stop the
engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

161
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting on a steep uphill
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is rec-
ommended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■ Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodi-
cally or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bedding-down.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

163
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
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when N is
selected.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine 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. 569
● Use engine braking (downshift) 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. 178)
● 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.
● Do not drive the vehicle off-road.
This is not a 4WD vehicle designed for real off-road driving. Proceed with
all due caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.

165
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the
parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or ba ckward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle's electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.

166 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine
and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
■ Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and
odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health haz-
ard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.