2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER steering

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

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
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

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

Before driving1
31
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

74
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Front seats
Manual seat
Seat position adjustment lever
Seatback angle adjustment lever
Vertical height adjustment lever (driver’s side only)
Seat cushion (front) angle adjustment knob (driver’s side only)
Pull up the lever until the lock is completely released.

75
1-3. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
Active head restraints
When the occupant’s lower back
presses against the seatback
during a rear-end collision, the
head restraint moves slightly for-
ward and upward to help reduce
the risk of whiplash to the seat
occupant.
Power seat
Seat position adjustment switch
Seatback angle adjustment switch
Seat cushion (front) angle adjustment switch (driver’s side only)
Vertical height adjustment switch (driver’s side only)
Driver’s seat leg support adjustment switch (if equipped)
Seat lumbar support adjustment switch (driver’s side only)

76 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
■Active head restraints
Even small forces applied to the seatback may cause the head restraint to
move. Pushing up a locked head restraint forcibly may cause the inner struc-
ture of the head restraint to appear. This does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
●Be careful that the seat does not hit passengers or luggage.
● Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion
to reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt.
If the seat is too reclined, the lap belt may slide past the hips and apply
restraint forces directly to the abdomen or your neck may contact the
shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of
an accident.
● Manual seat only: After adjusting the seat, make sure that the seat is
locked in position.
Inner
structure During
rear-end
collision