Page 192 of 716

192
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
4-1. Before driving
P. 225, 228
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. 
(  P. 234)
Release the parking brake. ( P. 240)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
lever to P or N. ( P. 234)
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 234)
Set the parking brake. ( P. 240)
Vehicles without a smart key system: 
Turn the engine switch to the “L OCK” position to stop the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system: 
Press the engine switch to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should  be observed to ensure safe
driving: 
Starting the engine
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
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3
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5 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 225 of 716
225
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position and start the
engine.
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (The key
can be removed only when the
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a 
smart key system)
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
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4
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2264-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
■Turning the key from  “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P. ( P. 234)
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 80) 
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.
1
2
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.
WARNING
■
When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. A\
n accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. ( P. 561) 
         
        
        
     
        
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2284-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Vehicles with monochrome display:  will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Vehicles with color display: 
 and a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a 
smart key system)
Performing the following operati ons when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
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2304-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-information
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
■Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as examples, and may
differ from the image that is actually  displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNI-
TION ON mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with th\
e
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for long peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P.  1 1 6
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 149
■ Note for the entry function
P. 150
■ If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 80) 
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
When stopping the engine with the  shift lever in a position other
than P
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2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
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. 538
■ 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. 624 “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 234 of 716
2344-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped. 
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped. 
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 239 of 716
2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature  P. 674)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
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