Page 231 of 604

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
If the hybrid system is stopped with the shift lever in a position other
than P, the power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the power switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
■Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as examples, and may
differ from the image that is actually displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or ON
mode (the hybrid system is not operating) for more than an hour with the shift
lever in P, the power switch will automatically turn off. However, this function
cannot entirely prevent 12-volt battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long periods of time
when the hybrid system is not operating.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 8 4
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 126
■ When the ambient temperature is low, such as during winter driving con-
ditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 151
■ Note for the entry function
P. 152
When stopping the hybrid system with the shift lever in a posi-
tion other than P
1
2
3
4
Page 243 of 604
2434-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*1:For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
■Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
P. 472
■ Usage in winter time
P. 316
Parking brake
Operating instructions
*1*2
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Page 245 of 604

2454-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
●Type A: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights
turn on automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the hybrid system is
started and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not
designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Type B: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the daytime run-
ning lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid system is started and
the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
Page 295 of 604

2954-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)■
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the hybrid system
off. The EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).
● The vehicle is stopped.
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
● The parking brake is not engaged.
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● The shift lever is moved to P or N.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed.
● The parking brake is engaged.
● Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
Page 296 of 604

2964-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
7
WARNING
■TRAC may not operat e effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst ems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
Page 317 of 604

3174-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
Perform 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 the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, ve hicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.
Park the vehicle and shift lever to P without setting the parking brake.
The parking brake may freeze up, prev enting it from being released. If
necessary, block the wheels to pr event inadvertent sliding or creep-
ing.
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Page 391 of 604
3916-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
6
Maintenance and care
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points
Page 460 of 604

4607-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: P. 472
*2: Vehicles with monochrome display
*3: Vehicles with color display
*4: If equipped
*5: Open door warning buzzer:P. 468
*6: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the power switch is turned to ON mode, the
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20
km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 25
seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the
seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20
more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the\
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 25 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.