2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER start

2994-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
◆Dynamic Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)
Automatically switches from fron t-wheel drive to all-wheel drive
(AWD) according to the driving conditions, helping to ensure reli-
able handling and stability. Exampl es of conditions where the sys-
tem will switch to AWD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off
or accelerating, and when the road surface is slippery due to snow,
rain, etc.
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to redu ce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
◆PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
 P. 3 0 6

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
■Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems
To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold for more than 3
seconds while the vehicle is stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and the “TRAC OFF” will be shown
on the multi-information display.
*
Press again to turn the systems back on.
*: On vehicles with pre-collision system, pre-collision brake assist and pre-
collision braking will also be disabled. The pre-collision system warning
light will come on and the message will be shown on the multi-information
display. ( P. 306)
■ When the message is displayed on th e multi-information display show-
ing that TRAC has been disabled even if switch has not been
pressed
TRAC, hill-start assist control and downhill assist control cannot be operated.
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by th e ABS, brake assist, TRAC, VSC and
hill-start assist control systems
● A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
● Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■ EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● Vehicles without a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position
Vehicles with a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned off
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.

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

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
WARNING
■TRAC may not operat e effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst ems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.

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.

3224-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Conditions under which the Rear Cr oss Traffic Alert function will not
detect a vehicle
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function is not designed to detect the following
types of vehicles and/or objects.
● Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc.
*
●Vehicles approaching from directly behind
● Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationary objects
*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
● Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehicle
*
●Vehicles backing up in the parking space next to your vehicle*
*
: Depending on conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or object may occur.
■ Conditions under which the Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not
function correctly
The Rear Cross Traffic Alert function may not detect vehicles correctly in the
following conditions:
● When ice or mud etc. is attached to the rear bumper
● During bad weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow etc.
● When multiple vehicles approach continuously
● Shallow angle parking
● When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
● When parking on a steep incline, such as hills, a dip in the road etc.
● Directly after the BSM main switch is set to on
● Directly after the engine is started with the BSM main switch on
● When towing a trailer
● Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect
because of obstacles

3274-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
●Specific design characte ristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehi cle design feature causes this
type of vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary pas-
senger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may c ause the vehicle to rollover.
Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the util ity vehicle class, which has
higher ground clearance and narrowe r tread in relation to the
height of its center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
WARNING
■ Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Ther efore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
● Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury.
● Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier (if equipped) will make the cen-
ter of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp
turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher
center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-
nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle)
can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward.

3385-1. Basic Operations
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Audio system
: If equipped
Operations such as listening to audio, using the hands-free
phone, confirming vehicle information and changing audio sys-
tem settings are started by using the following buttons.
Audio system operation buttons
“AUDIO” button
Display the “Select Audio Source” screen
or audio top screen. ( P. 350) button
Press this button to access the
Bluetooth
® hands-free system. ( P. 384)
“CAR” button
Press this button to access the vehicle information.
(P. 110)
“SETUP” button
Press this button to customize
the function settings. (
P. 345)