
OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
1
This Quick Reference Guide is a summary of basic vehicle 
operations. It contains brief descriptions of fundamental operations 
so you can locate and use the vehicle’s main equipment quickly 
and easily.
The  Quick Reference Guide is not intended as a substitute for the  
Owner’s Manual  located in your vehicle’s glove box. We strongly 
encourage you to review the  Owner’s Manual and supplementary 
manuals so you will have a better understanding of your vehicle’s 
capabilities and limitations.
Your dealership and the entire staff of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., 
Inc. wish you many years of satisfied driving in your Highlander 
Hybrid.
A word about safe vehicle operations
This  Quick Reference Guide is not a full description of Highlander 
Hybrid operations. Every Highlander Hybrid owner should review 
the  Owner’s Manual that accompanies this vehicle.
Pay special attention to the boxed 
  
information highlighted in
  
color throughout the Owner’s Manual. Each box contains safe 
operating instructions to help you avoid injury or equipment 
malfunction.
All information in this Quick Reference Guide is current at the 
time of printing. Toyota reserves the right to make changes at 
any time without notice.
2015 
Highlander Hybrid
INDEX
Engine maintenance 9
Fuel  tank door release and cap  8
Hood release  8
Indicator 
symbols  
4-5
Instrument 
cluster  
4
Instrument 
panel  
2-3
Keyless entry1    6
Light 
control-Instrument panel  9
Smart Key system1,2 7  Air Conditioning/Heating 24-25
Audio   23
Auto lock/unlock
1 13
Bluetooth® Device Pairing Section 35-44
Clock
  26
Cruise control
 
26-27
Door locks
 
12
Door-Power 
back (rear liftgate)  
15-16
Driver Easy Speak 24
EV Drive Mode
 
11
Garage 
door opener (HomeLink
®)3 27
Hybrid 
Synergy Drive System
 
10
Lights1 & turn signals 18-19
Moonroof  14
Multi-Information Display2 20
Pairing 
a Bluetooth Device
 22
Panoramic 
Moonroof 
 14
Parking 
Brake
 
13
Power outlets-12V 
DC
 
19
Power outlet-120V 
AC
 
19
Rear 
seat entertainment system  
22
Seat 
adjustments-Front
 
16
Seat 
adjustments-Rear
 
17
Seats-Head 
restraints
 
17
Seat 
heaters / Seat ventilators  
25-26
Seats-Returning 
third row seats  
17
Seats-Stowing 
third row seats  
17
Steering 
lock release
 
13
Steering 
wheel controls and Bluetooth
® 21
Tilt and 
telescopic steering wheel
 14
Transmission
  12
Windows-Power
  20
Windshield wipers & washers
 
18  Doors-Child safety locks 29
Floor  mat installation  32
Seat 
belts  
28
Seat 
belts-Shoulder belt anchor  
29
Spare 
tire & tools  
30
Star 
Safety System
TM 31-32
Third row center seat belt
 29
Tire Pres
sure Monitoring (warning) System
 
28
OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY 
FEATURES
1 Visit your Toyota dealer for information on customizing this feature.2 Programmable by customer. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for instructions and more information.3 HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Gentex Corporation.    

OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
45
OVERVIEW
Indicator symbols 
Instrument cluster
Charging system warning1
Brake system warning (red light)1
1 If indicator does not turn off within a few seconds of starting hybrid system, there may be a  
malfunction. Have vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
2 If this light flashes, refer to “Cruise control,” Section 4-5, 2015 Owner’s Manual.   
Anti-lock Brake System warning1
Headlight low/high beam indicator
Turn signal indicator
Vehicle Stability Control OFF indicator
1
EV indicator
Cruise control/Cruise control “SET” indicator2
Tire Pressure Warning1
Open door warning
Airbag SRS warning1
Master warning1
Driver seat belt reminder (alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Low engine oil pressure warning1
Malfunction/Check Engine indicator1
Pre-collison warning system indicator1
Low fuel level warning
Electric power steering system warning1
Front fog light indicator
Slip indicator1
For details, refer to “Warning lights and indicators,” Section 2,  2014 Owner’s 
Manual .
123
Hybrid System Indicator
Multi-Information Display 
Speedometer 
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Meter panel lights control button
Shift position and shift range1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Odometer
Outside temperature
Trip meter reset knob
Fuel gauge
10
45678910Automatic high beam indicator
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) indicator
Intuitive parking assist indicator
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) outside rear view  indicator
Security indicator
READY indicator
Air Bag ON/OFF indicator
1
Brake system warning (yellow light)1
Vehicle proximity notification system warning1
“ECO MODE” indicator
Pre-collision system warning1
EV drive mode indicator 

OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
89
Hood release
Fuel tank door release and cap
* It may take up to 10 seconds after 
pushing the button for the door to open 
if the internal tank pressure is high.
NOTE: Tighten until one click is 
heard.  If the cap is not tightened 
enough, Check Engine “
” 
indicator may illuminate.
PullTurn to openStore
Windshield washer fluid tank
Brake fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil level dipstick
Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE: Regularly scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, will help  extend the life of your vehicle and maintain performance. Please refer 
to the “Warranty & Maintenance Guide.”
Engine maintenance
Light control-Instrument panel
The brightness level of the meters
when the surroundings are bright
(day mode) and dark (night mode)
can be adjusted individually. 
However,when in day mode, 
adjusting the brightness level will 
also change the brightness level of
night mode.
Engage support rod
OVERVIEW
PullPush*
When the fuel door 
cannot be opened by 
pressing the inside 
switch. Remove the 
cover inside the 
luggage compartment 
and pull the lever.
Pull up the 
auxiliary catch 
lever and raise 
hood
123
1
2
3
4
4
5
5 

OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
1011
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
(1) Put the selector lever in “P.”
(2) Depress the brake pedal, and “
” will be displayed on the Multi-Information  
 
Display 
(a message will also be displayed on color displays)
(3) Press the “POWER” switch briefly and firmly.  
(4) The “READY” light will blink. After a few seconds, when the light remains 
 
 
 
steady 
and a beep sounds, you may begin driving.
Starting your vehicle
The Hybrid Synergy Drive System utilizes a computer-controlled gasoline engine 
and electric motor to provide the most efficient combination of power for the 
vehicle. To conserve energy, when the brakes are applied the braking force 
generates electricity which is then sent to the traction battery. In addition, 
the engine shuts off when the vehicle is stopped. The benefits are better fuel 
economy, reduced vehicle emissions and improved performance.
NOTE: Fuel consumption and energy information of the Hybrid System is  shown on the Multi-Information Display and/or multimedia system/ 
navigation system screen.
Tips for improved fuel economy
-Ensure tire pressures are maintained at levels specified in the  Owner’s Manual.
-When possible, link trips to reduce engine cold starts. 
-Avoid driving at speeds that are higher than necessary, especially on the highway.
-When possible, avoid sudden stops to maximize regenerative braking energy.
-Minimize use of the Air Conditioning.
Hybrid Synergy Drive SystemEco Drive Mode
Push
Eco Driving Mode helps achieve low fuel consumption during trips that involve 
frequent accelerating.
Refer to the  Owner’s Manual  for more details.
EV Drive Mode
EV-Drive Mode allows the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), to be used to drive the vehicle.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual  for more details.
Push 

OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
13
12
Transmission
* The “POWER” switch must be in ON mode and the brake pedal depressed to shift 
from Park.
Shift the shift lever to “S” position from “D” position.
 +: Upshift (push  and release)
  -: Downshift (pull and release)
Downshifting increases power going uphill, or provides engine braking downhill. 
For best fuel economy during normal driving conditions, always drive with the shift 
lever in the “D” position.
“S” (Sequential) mode
Park*
Reverse
Neutral
Drive
N
“S” mode
Steering lock release
Turn
Door locks
Push
Auto lock/unlock
Automatic door locks can be programmed to operate in two different modes, or 
turned OFF.
-Doors lock when shifting from Park.
-Doors lock when the vehicle speed goes above approximately 12 mph.
-Doors unlock when shifting into Park.
-Doors unlock when the “POWER” switch is set to OFF and driver’s door is opened.
Refer to the  Owner’s Manual  for more details.
Parking brake
LockUnlock
Set: Depress
Release: Depress againUnlock
Lock
FEATURES/OPERATIONS