Page 232 of 712

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( P. 555)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Page 243 of 712

2434-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)■
Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
Vehicles without a smart key system
● When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and
any of the doors is opened and closed. (The lights turn off immediately if
on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to “ON” position, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
Vehicles with a smart key system
● When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off
and any of the doors is opened and closed. (The lights turn off immediately if
on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode, or
turn the light switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Page 244 of 712

2444-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)■
Light reminder buzzer
Vehicles without a smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” or “ACC”
position and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
Vehicles with a smart key system
A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on.
■ Battery-saving function
In the following conditions, the remaining lights will go off automatically after
20 minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged:
●The headlights and/or tail lights are on.
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
The engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
The engine switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
This function will be canceled in any of the following situations:
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
When the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
When the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode.
● When the light switch is operated.
● When any of the doors is opened or closed.
Page 257 of 712
257
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
4-4. Refueling
●Close all the doors and windows, and turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or off (vehi-
cles with a smart key system).
● Confirm the type of fuel.
■Fuel types
Unleaded gasoline (Octane rating 87 [Research Octane Number 91] or
higher)
Opening the fuel tank cap
Perform the following steps to open the fuel tank cap:
Before refueling the vehicle
Page 421 of 712

421
6Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)6-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system ........ 422
Front automatic air conditioning system ........ 428
Rear manual air conditioning system ........ 435
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........ 438
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/
seat ventilators ................ 441
6-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 444
• Interior lights ................. 444
• Personal lights .............. 445
6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ..... 446
• Glove box...................... 447
• Console box .................. 447
• Bottle holders ................ 448
• Cup holders .................. 449
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 451
• Open tray ...................... 452
Luggage compartment features ........................... 453 6-4. Using the other interior
features
Other interior features ....... 455
• Sun visors ..................... 455
• Vanity mirrors................ 455
• Conversation mirror ...... 456
• Clock ............................. 457
• Outside temperature display........................... 458
• Power outlets ................ 459
• Rear sunshades............ 462
• Armrest ......................... 463
• Coat hooks.................... 464
• Assist grips ................... 464
• Side table ...................... 465
Garage door opener.......... 466
Safety Connect ................. 473
Compass ........................... 479
Page 445 of 712

4456-2. Using the interior lights
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Turn the light on/off
■Illuminated entry system
Vehicles without a smart key system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to the engine switch position,
whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and whether the doors are open/
closed.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to engine switch mode, the
presence of the electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and
whether the doors are opened/closed.
■ To prevent battery discharge
If the following lights are left on when the engine 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)
● Engine switch light (vehicles with a smart key system)
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 662)
Personal lights
FrontRear
Page 447 of 712
4476-3. Using the storage features
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Unlock with the master key
(vehicles without a smart key
system) or mechanical key
(vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem)
Lock with the master key (vehi-
cles without a smart key sys-
tem) or mechanical key
(vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem)
Open (pull lever)
■Power back door main switch (vehicles with power back door)
The power back door main switch is located in the glove box. ( P. 132)
To open the console box lids,
press on the knob and slide both
lids.
Glove box
1
2
3
Console box
Page 466 of 712

4666-4. Using the other interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
The garage door opener (HomeLink Universal Transceiver) is manu-
factured under license from HomeLink.
The HomeLink
® compatible transceiver in your vehicle has 3 buttons
which can be programmed to operate 3 different devices. Refer to the
programming method below appropriate for the device.
Buttons
HomeLink
® indicator light
Garage door operation indica-
tors
■Before programming HomeLink®
● During programming, it is possible that garage doors, gates, or
other devices may operate. For this reason, make sure that peo-
ple and objects are clear of the garage door or other devices to
prevent injury or other potential harm.
● It is recommended that a new battery be placed in the remote
control transmitter for more accurate programming.
● Garage door openers manufactured after 1995 may be equipped
with rolling code protection. If this is the case, you will need a
stepladder or other sturdy, safe device to reach the “learn” or
“smart” button on the garage door opener motor.
Garage door opener
: If equipped
The garage door opener can be programmed to operate garage
doors, gates, entry doors, door locks, home lighting systems,
security systems, and other devices.
Programming the HomeLink®
1
2
3