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 332 of 604

3325-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
WARNING
■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
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■Humidity sensor
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature
of the windshield, the surround humidity,
etc. is installed. ( P. 331)
Follow these points to avoid damaging
the sensor:
● Do not disassemble the sensor
● Do not spray the glass cleaner on the
sensor or subject it to strong impacts
● Do not stick anything on the sensor
Page 335 of 604
3355-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)■
Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
■Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-
lets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
forward or backward.
Closes the vent
Slide the knob to the rear-most
position.
Opens the vent
Air outlets
1
2
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.
Page 336 of 604

3365-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters/seat
ventilator s
: If equipped
The heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips
of the steering wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators
maintain good airflow by blowing air from the seats.
WARNING
● Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or overheating
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use the seat heaters more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, do not use the functions when the
hybrid system is off.
Page 341 of 604
3415-2. Using the interior lights
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
■Illuminated entry system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to power switch mode, the pres-
ence of the electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and
whether the doors are opened/closed.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
If the following lights are left on when the power switch is turned off, the lights
will go off automatically after 20 minutes:
●Interior lights
● Personal lights
● Front door courtesy lights
● Ambient lights (if equipped)
● Power switch light
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 556)
Page 351 of 604
351
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
5-4. Using the other interior features
To set the visor in the forward
position, flip it down.
To set the visor in the side posi-
tion, flip down, unhook, and
swing it to the side.
To use the side extender, place
the visor in the side position,
then slide it backward.
Open the cover.
The vanity light turns on.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
If the vanity lights remain on for 20 minutes while the hybrid system is off, the
lights will turn off automatically.
Other interior features
Sun visors
1
2
3
Vanity mirrors
Page 353 of 604
3535-4. Using the other interior features
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
The clock can be adjusted by pressing the buttons.Adjusts the hours
Adjusts the minutes
■The clock is displayed when
The power switch is in ACCESSORY or ON mode.
■ When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The time display will automatically be set to 1:00.
The temperature display shows temperatures within the range of -40F
(-40
C) to 122F (50C).
Clock
1
2
Outside temperature display
Vehicles with monochrome dis-
playVehicles with color display
Page 356 of 604
3565-4. Using the other interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48D74U)
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the power outlets
Close the power outlet lids when the power outlets are not in use.
Foreign objects or liquids that enter the power outlets may cause a short cir-
cuit.
■ To prevent blown fuses
12 V
Do not use an accessory that uses more than 12 V 10 A.
120 VAC
Do not use a 120 VAC appliance that requires more than 100 W.
If a 120 VAC appliance that consumes more than 100 W is used, the protec-
tion circuit will cut the power supply.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not use the power outlet longer than necessary when the hybrid system
is off.
■ Appliances that may not operate properly (120 VAC)
The following 120 VAC appliances may not operate properly even if their
power consumption is under 100 W:
● Appliances with high initial peak wattage
● Measuring devices that process precise data
● Other appliances that require an extremely stable power supply