Page 232 of 604

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 91)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.
■ Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power 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 hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a
short period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system.
After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the power switch
with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your Toyota
dealer immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 472
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 428 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 233 of 604

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.
Page 246 of 604

2464-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the power 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
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to 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.
■ Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on. 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 325 of 604

325
5Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)5-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Front automatic air conditioning system ........ 326
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........ 333
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/
seat ventilators ................ 336
5-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 339
• Interior lights ................. 340
• Personal lights .............. 340
5-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ..... 342
• Glove box...................... 343
• Console box .................. 343
• Bottle holders ................ 344
• Cup holders .................. 345
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 347
• Open tray ...................... 348
Luggage compartment features ........................... 349 5-4. Using the other interior
features
Other interior features ....... 351
• Sun visors ..................... 351
• Vanity mirrors................ 351
• Conversation mirror ...... 352
• Clock ............................. 353
• Outside temperature display........................... 353
• Power outlets ................ 354
• Rear sunshades............ 357
• Armrest ......................... 358
• Coat hooks.................... 359
• Assist grips ................... 359
• Side table ...................... 360
Garage door opener.......... 361
Safety Connect ................. 368
Compass ........................... 374
Page 341 of 604
3415-2. Using the interior lights
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
■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 343 of 604
3435-3. Using the storage features
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
Unlock with the mechanical key
Lock with the mechanical key
Open (pull lever)
■Power back door main switch
The power back door main switch is located in the glove box. ( P. 136)
To open the console box lids,
press on the knob and slide both
lids.
■Tray in the console box
Glove box
1
2
3
Console box
The tray slides forward/backward and can
be removed.
Page 361 of 604

3615-4. Using the other interior features
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
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
Page 381 of 604

3816-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the ef\
fective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle
while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( P. 150)
■ Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical clean-
ers.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has
cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
■ Precaution regarding the rear bump er with Blind Spot Monitor (if
equipped)
If the paint of the rear bumper is chipped or scratched, the system may mal-
function. If this occurs, consult your Toyota dealer.