Page 230 of 712

2304-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine 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 engine 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 IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 1 8
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 150
■ Note for the entry function
P. 151
■ If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 80)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4
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2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)■
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the engine switch. After
about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” is di splayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 532
■ Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 618 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 233 of 712

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
●Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is not off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engine switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malfunction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 235 of 712
2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
*1: Shifting the shift lever to D allows the system to select a gear suitable forthe driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to D is recommended for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possiblegear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.
Use snow mode for accelerating and driving on slippery road sur-
faces, such as on snow.
Press the “SNOW” button to
select snow mode.
The “SNOW” indicator will come
on
*1 or will be displayed on the
multi-information display
*2.
Press the button again to cancel
snow mode.
*1: Vehicles with monochrome display
*2: Vehicles with color display
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 236)
Selecting snow mode
*1*2
Page 236 of 712

2364-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of
your choosing. The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.Upshifting
Downshifting
The selected shift range, from 1 to
6, will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
The initial shift range in S mode is
set automatically to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed. However, the
initial shift range may be set to 3 if
AI-SHIFT has operated while the
shift lever was in D. ( P. 238)
*1: Vehicles with monochrome display
*2: Vehicles with color display
■
Shift ranges and their functions
● Automatically selecting shift ranges between 1 and 6 according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions. But the gear is limited
according to selected range.
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
*2*1
1
2
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2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
■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.
■ S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 6.
● To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■ Downshifting restrictions 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. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine is turned off after driv-
ing in snow mode.
■ When driving with cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control acti-
vated
Even when performing the following acti ons 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 contro l or dynamic radar cruise control will
not be canceled. ( P. 261, 266)
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 617
■ If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even
after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)
Page 238 of 712

2384-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)■
If the automatic transmission fluid temperature warning message is dis-
played
When the warning message goes out, the vehicle can be driven again.
If the warning message does not go out after waiting a while, have your vehi-
cle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when t he shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to S cancels the function.) If the automatic transmission fluid temper-
ature warning message is displayed while
driving, make sure to return to D position
driving and reduce speed by easing off
the accelerator pedal. Stop the vehicle in
a safe place, shift the shift lever to P and
let the engine idle until the warning mes-
sage goes out.
WARNING
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
Page 261 of 712
261
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Use the cruise control to maintain a set speed without depressing the
accelerator pedal. Indicators
Cruise control switch
*1: Vehicles with monochrome display
*2: Vehicles with color display
Cruise control
: If equipped
Summary of functions
*1
*2
1
2