2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Owners Manual

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Operation of the power switch
●When operating the power switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the hybrid system may not start or the power
switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 513
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid syst em in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press
it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( P. 451)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the hybrid system off while driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, however, power assist to the steering will be
lost. This will make it more difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

2344-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods if the hybrid system is not operating.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display while the hybrid system is not operating, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting the hybrid system
● Do not depress the accelerator pedal unnecessarily.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the power switch
If the power 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.

2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV dri ve mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situati\
ons. If it
cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
F (0C) for a
long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(P. 117)
● Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by
the hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.

2364-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gas oline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(P. 117)
● Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, it is possible to drive up to about 0.6 mile (1 km) if driving at
a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less. (The distance that is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
Your Toyota is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during
normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction motor]).
Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel economy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehi-
cle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
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

2384-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for thedriving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode controls engine braking forces.
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during trips
that involve frequent accelerating.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch to
select Eco drive mode.
The “ECO MODE” indicator will
come on
*1 or will be displayed on
the multi-information display
*2.
Press the button again to cancel
Eco drive mode.
*1: Vehicles with monochrome display
*2: Vehicles with color display
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 239)
Selecting Eco drive mode
*1*2

2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:For upshifting
For downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed.
*1: Vehicles with monochrome display
*2: Vehicles with color display
■
Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide gr eater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Changing shift ranges in S mode
*1*2
1
2

2404-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
■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.)