2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Owners Manual

1453-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
WARNING
●Do not pull on the glass hatch damper stay to close the glass hatch, and
do not hang on the glass hatch damper stay.
Doing so may cause hands to be caught or the glass hatch damper stay to
break, causing an accident.
● Do not attach any accessories other than genuine Toyota parts to the
glass hatch. Such additional weight on the glass hatch may cause the
glass hatch to suddenly shut again after it is opened, resulting in death or
serious injury.
● Do not open the glass hatch while the rear wiper is switched on. (If the rear
wiper is switched on while the glass hatch is open, the wiper motor drive
disc will be rotating on the door panel.)
●The glass hatch may suddenly shut if it
is not opened fully. It is more difficult to
open or close the glass hatch on an
incline than on a level surface, so
beware of the glass hatch unexpectedly
open or close by itself. Make sure that
the glass hatch is fully open and secure
before using the luggage compartment.
Also pay attention to your personal
belongings such as bags and ties.
● When closing the glass hatch, take
extra care to prevent your fingers etc.
from being caught. Also pay attention to
your personal belongings such as bags
and ties.
● When closing the glass hatch, make
sure to press it lightly on its outer sur-
face.

1463-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
WARNING
●Do not close the glass hatch while the rear wiper is switched on. The rear
wiper arm may be restarted suddenly after closing the glass hatch.
NOTICE
■Glass hatch damper stays
The glass hatch is equipped with damper stays that hold the glass hatch in
place. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause damage to the glass hatch damper stay, result-
ing in malfunction.
● Do not place your hand or foot on the damper stay or apply lateral forces
to it.
●Do not insert any object in the wiper
motor drive disc.
●Do not attach any foreign objects, such
as stickers, plastic sheets, or adhesives
to the damper stay rod.
● Do not touch the damper stay rod with
gloves or other fabric items.
● Do not attach any accessories other
than genuine Toyota parts to the glass
hatch.
Damper stays

1473-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
●Locking and unlocking the doors ( P. 121)
● Opening the back door ( P. 130)
● Opening the glass hatch ( P. 142)
● Starting the engine ( P. 228)
■Antenna location
Smart key system
: If equipped
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying
the electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket.
The driver should always carry the electronic key.
Antennas outside the cabin
Antennas inside the cabin
Antenna outside the luggage compart-
ment1
2
3

1483-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Effective range (areas within whic h the electronic key is detected)
■ Alarms and warning indicators
An alarm sounds and warning messages are displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display are used to protect against unexpected accidents or theft of the
vehicle resulting from erroneous operation. When a warning message is dis-
played, take appropriate measures based on the displayed message.
(P. 572)
When only an alarm sounds, circumstances and correction procedures are as
follows: When locking or unlocking the doors
The system can be operated when
the electronic key is within about 2.3
ft. (0.7 m) of an outside front door
handle. (Only the doors detecting the
key can be operated.)
When starting the engine or changing engine switch modes The system can be operated when the electronic key is inside the
vehicle.
When opening the glass hatch and locking or unlocking the doors
This system can be operated when the electronic key is within about
2.3 ft. (0.7 m) of the back door opener switch.
AlarmSituationCorrection procedure
Exterior alarm sounds
once for 5 seconds
The glass hatch was
closed while the elec-
tronic key was still
inside the vehicle and
all the doors were
locked.
Retrieve the electronic
key from the vehicle
and close the glass
hatch.
An attempt was made
to lock the vehicle while
a door was open.Close all of the doors
and lock the doors
again.
Interior alarm sounds
continuously
The engine switch was
turned to ACCESSORY
mode while the driver’s
door was open (or the
driver’s door was
opened while the
engine switch was in
ACCESSORY mode).
Turn the engine switch
off and close the
driver’s door.

1493-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be activated in order to prevent the electronic
key battery and the vehicle battery from being discharged while the vehicle is
not in operation for a long time.
●In the following situations, the smart key system may take some time to
unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in an area of approximately 6 ft. (2 m) of
the outside of the vehicle for 10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
● If the smart key system has not been used for 14 days or longer, the doors
cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver’s door. In this case, take
hold of the driver’s door handle, or use the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key, to unlock the doors.
■ Electronic Key Battery-Saving Function
When battery-saving mode is set, battery depletion is minimized by stopping
the electronic key from receiving radio waves.
Press twice while pressing and
holding . Confirm that the electronic
key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is set, the
smart key system cannot be used. To
cancel the function, press any of the elec-
tronic key buttons.

1503-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the
communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected,
preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobi-
lizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: P. 618)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise
● When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the
rear window
● When the electronic key is placed near a battery charger or electronic
devices

1513-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection areas),
the system may not operate properly in the following cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle, near
the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the ground or in a high place, or too close to
the rear bumper center when the back door is opened.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel or floor, or in the auxiliary box of the driver's side instrument panel, door pockets or glove box when
the engine is started or engine switch modes are changed.
● Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave recep-
tion conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin and the
door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.
● As long as the electronic key is within the effective range, the doors may be
locked or unlocked by anyone. However, only the doors detecting the elec-
tronic key can be used to unlock the vehicle.
● Even if the electronic key is not inside the vehicle, it may be possible to start
the engine if the electronic key is near the window.
● The doors may unlock or lock if a large amount of water splashes on the
door handle, such as in the rain or in a car wash when the electronic key is
within the effective range. (The doors will automatically be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the doors are not opened and closed.)
● If the wireless remote control is used to lock the doors when the electronic
key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not be
unlocked by the entry function. (Use the wireless remote control to unlock
the doors.)
● Touching the door lock or unlock sensor while wearing gloves may prevent
lock or unlock operation. Remove the gloves and touch the lock or unlock
sensor again.
● When the lock operation is performed using the lock sensor, recognition sig-
nals will be shown up to two consecutive times. After this, no recognition
signals will be given.
● If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the
following correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
• Place the electronic key in a location 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from the
vehicle. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key system. ( P. 149)

1523-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)●
If the electronic key is inside the vehicle and a door handle becomes wet
during a car wash, a message may be shown on the multi-information dis-
play and a buzzer will sound outside the vehicle. To turn off the alarm, lock
all the doors.
● The lock sensor may not work properly if it comes into contact with ice,
snow, mud, etc. Clean the lock sensor and attempt to operate it again, or
use the lock sensor on the lower part of the door handle.
● A sudden handle operation or a handle operation immediately after entering
the effective range may prevent the doors from being unlocked. Touch the
door unlock sensor and check that the doors are unlocked before pulling the
door handle again.
● Unlocking the vehicle may take more time if another electronic key is within
the effective range.
■ When the vehicle is not driven for extended periods
●To prevent theft of the vehicle, do not leave the electronic key within 6 ft. (2
m) of the vehicle.
● The smart key system can be deactivated in advance. ( P. 662)
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from the
outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the key
may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly. (The
alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention function may not
operate.)
■ If the smart key system do es not operate properly
● Locking and unlocking the doors: Use the mechanical key. ( P. 618)
● Starting the engine: P. 619
■ Customization
Settings (e. g. smart key system) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 662)
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
●Locking and unlocking the doors:
Use the wireless remote control or mechanical key. ( P. 122, 618)
● Starting the engine and changing engine switch modes: P. 619
● Stopping the engine: P. 2 2 9