2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID battery

250 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
hybrid battery, hybrid system or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the
hybrid system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.
● Water entering the hybrid transaxle w ill cause deterioration in transmission
quality. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not
be drivable.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the transaxle case, reducing the gear
oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulate d in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

256
2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Observe the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

287
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■When outside air temperature approaches 32°F (0°C)
The air conditioning system may not operate even when is pressed.
■ 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.
■ When driving in Eco drive mode
Operation of the air conditioning system is controlled when in Eco drive
mode. Turning off Eco drive mode enhances comfort.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not set the air outlet selection dial to during cool air operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the
outside air and that of the windshield can cause the outer surface of the
windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery from being discharged
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.

296 3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the wind-
shield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery from being discharged
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.

299
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
Feet
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Turn the fan speed control dial clockwise (increase) or counter-
clockwise (decrease).
Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
■When driving in Eco drive mode
Operation of the air conditioning system is controlled when in Eco drive
mode. Turning off Eco drive mode enhances comfort.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery from being discharged
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.

303
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
3
Interior features
■When driving in Eco drive mode
Operation of the air conditioning system is controlled when in Eco drive
mode. Turning off Eco drive mode enhances comfort.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery from being discharged
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.

315
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
NOTICE
■
To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary when the hybrid
system is off.
■ To avoid damaging the audio system
Take care not to spill drinks or other fluids over the audio system.

360
3-3. Using the Bluetooth® audio system
Bluetooth® audio system
■Conditions under which th e system will not operate
● If using a portable player that does not support Bluetooth
®
●If the portable player is switched off
● If the portable player is not connected
● If the portable player’s battery is low
● If the portable player is behind the seat or in the glove box or console box
● If metal is covering or touching the portable player
With Display Audio system
Owners of models equipped with a Display Audio system should
refer to the “Display Audio System Owner’s Manual”.
With navigation system
Owners of models equipped with a navigation system should refer to
the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Without Display Audio syst em or navigation system
The Bluetooth® audio system enables you to enjoy music played on
a portable digital audio player (portable player) from the vehicle
speakers via wireless communication.
This audio system supports Bluetooth
®, a wireless data system
capable of playing portable audio music without cables. If your por-
table player does not support Bluetooth
®, the Bluetooth® audio sys-
tem will not function.
TitlePage
Using the Bluetooth
® audio system P. 363
Operating a Bluetooth
® enabled portable player P. 368
Setting up a Bluetooth
® enabled portable player P. 370
Bluetooth
® audio system setup P. 375