Page 228 of 604
2284-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on the ground.
■ To prevent causing serious damage to the hybrid transmission and
AWD system
Never tow this vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground. This may cause
serious damage to the hybrid transmis-
sion and AWD system.
Page 237 of 604
2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
While the power switch is in ON mode, depress the brake
pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever
Page 240 of 604

2404-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( P. 326) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Automatic return to normal driving mode
If EV drive mode is selected, the driving mode will automatically return to nor-
mal mode when the hybrid system is turned off.
■ S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 6.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
■ When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control acti-
vated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control will
not be canceled. ( P. 264, 269)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 512
■ If S does not come on even afte r shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the hybrid transmission system. Have \
the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the hybrid transmission will operate in the same as manner
as when the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)
Page 323 of 604

3234-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
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 will 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 riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated 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”.
Page 390 of 604
3906-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the battery connections. (P. 407)
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-ance from the floor? ( P. 535)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 535)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Page 452 of 604
452
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-
information display and the vehicle does not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we re commend having your vehicle
towed by your Toyota dealer or a commercial towing service,
using a lift-type truc k or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/
provincial and local laws.
If towing your vehicle with a whee l-lift type truck, use a towing
dolly. ( P. 452, 453)
Situations needs to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
Page 455 of 604
4557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent body damage when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ Recreational towing (beh ind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the hybrid
transmission and AWD system.
(P. 228)
Page 535 of 604
5358-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
*: The fluid capacity is a reference quantity.If replacement is necessary, contact your Toyota dealer.
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N,50 kgf) while the hybrid system is on.
*2: Parking brake pedal travel when depre ssed with a force of 67 lbf (300 N,
31 kgf)
Hybrid transmission
Fluid capacity*
Front
4.9 qt. (4.6 L, 4.0 Imp. qt.)
Rear
1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Fluid type Toyota Genuine ATF WS
NOTICE
■Hybrid transmission fluid type
Using transmission fluid other than “Toyota Genuine ATF WS” may ulti-
mately damage the transmission of your vehicle.
Brakes
Pedal clearance*13.7 in. (93 mm) Min.
Pedal free play 0.04 0.08 in. (1 2 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lining
wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal
travel*28
11 clicks
Fluid type SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
Steering
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)