Page 227 of 712
2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position for long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to star t or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 231 of 712

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine 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 engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the engine switch. \
After
about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” is displayed on the multi-information
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 532
■ Operation of the engine switch
●When operating the engine switch, one short, firm press is enough. If the
switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the engine switch
mode may not change. It is not necessary to press and hold the switch.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning the engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turning the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the engine.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
P. 618 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
Page 302 of 712

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The
EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
■ Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:
● The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).
● The vehicle is stopped.
● The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
● The parking brake is not engaged.
■ Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
● The shift lever is moved to P or N.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed.
● The parking brake is engaged.
● Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.
WARNING
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces
Page 305 of 712

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
If the “DAC” switch is turned off during operation of the downhill assist
control system
The downhill assist control system gradually ceases operation. The downhill
assist control system indicator will flash during the canceling operation, and
then go off when the system is fully off.
■ Downhill assist contro l system operation sound
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment during operation of the
downhill assist control system. This sound does not indicate a malfunction.
● If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed during operation of the down-
hill assist control system, a sound caused by the release of system opera-
tion may be heard, or you may feel the brake pedal push-back. This does
not indicate a malfunction.
■ When the downhill assist cont rol system operates continuously
The brake actuator may overheat. In that case, the downhill assist control
system will stop operating, a buzzer will sound and the downhill assist control
system indicator will start flashing. Refrain from using the system until the
downhill assist control system indicator stays on. (There is no problem with
continuing to drive normally.)
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■Conditions which may affect the downhill assist control system opera-
tion
● Do not rely too heavily on the downhill assist control system. On extremely
steep inclines, icy surfaces or muddy roads, the vehicle may slip and the
system may not be able to maintain the constant low vehicle speed of
about 3 mph (5 km/h), leading to an accident causing death or serious
injury.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while driving forward, or to D while driving
backward. Doing so may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to an acci-
dent causing death or serious injury. In addition, excessive stress will be
applied to the automatic transmission, possibly resulting in damage.
Page 441 of 712

4416-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters/seat
ventilator s
: If equipped
The heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips
of the steering wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators
maintain good airflow by blowing air from the seats.
WARNING
● Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel or seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent the minor burns or overheat-
ing
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat
heater.
• Do not use the seat heaters more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is
stopped.
Page 553 of 712
553
8When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 554
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 555
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ......................... 557
If you think something is wrong .............................. 561
Fuel pump shut off system ............................ 562
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 563
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 572
If you have a flat tire.......... 590
If the engine will not start ................................. 615
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P............. 617
If the electronic key does not operate properly........ 618
If the vehicle battery is discharged ...................... 621
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 626
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................... 629
Page 626 of 712
6268-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
●The needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge ( P. 9 4 )
enters the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle sp eed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out from under the hood.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning sys-
tem, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficient ly, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant
leaks, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory
if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Radiator cap
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2
4
1
2
3
4
Page 697 of 712

697Alphabetical index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Child-protectors....................... 126
Cleaning ........................... 484, 487Aluminum wheels.................. 485
Exterior ................................. 484
Interior................................... 487
Seat belts .............................. 488
Clock ......................................... 457
Coat hooks ............................... 464
Compass .................................. 479
Condenser ................................ 509
Console box ............................. 447
Conversation mirror ................ 456
Cooling system ........................ 508 Engine overheating ............... 626
Cruise control Cruise control........................ 261
Dynamic radar cruise control................................. 266
Cup holders.............................. 449
Curtain shield airbags ............... 41
Customizable features ............ 662 DAC (Downhill Assist
Control system).................... 304
Daytime running light system.................................... 242
Deck board ............................... 454
Defogger
Outside rear view mirrors ........................ 424, 430
Rear window ................. 424, 430
Windshield .................... 423, 430
Dimensions .............................. 632
Dinghy towing.......................... 224
Display Drive information ............ 97, 103
Dynamic radar cruise
control ................................ 266
LDA (Lane Departure
Alert)................................... 281
Multi-information display .......................... 97, 101
Warning message ................ 572
Do-it-yourself maintenance .... 498
Door lock Doors .................................... 121
Smart key system ................. 121
Wireless remote control ........ 122D