
3
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
10
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 192
Cargo and luggage............ 201
Vehicle load limits ............. 206
Trailer towing..................... 207
Dinghy towing.................... 224
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without 
a smart key system) ........ 225
Engine (ignition) switch  (vehicles with 
a smart key system) ........ 228
Automatic transmission ..... 234
Turn signal lever................ 239
Parking brake .................... 240
4-3. Operating the lights  and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 241
Automatic High Beam ....... 246
Fog light switch ................. 252
Windshield wipers and  washer ............................ 253
Rear window wiper and  washer ............................ 257
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .................................. 259 4-5.  Using the driving 
support systems
Cruise control .................... 263
Dynamic radar cruise  control.............................. 268
LDA  (Lane Departure Alert)..... 283
Rear view monitor  system ............................. 291
All-wheel drive lock  switch .............................. 300
Driving assist systems ....... 301
Downhill assist control  system ............................. 307
PCS (Pre-Collision  System) ........................... 309
BSM  (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 316
• The Blind Spot Monitor  function.........................  320
• The Rear Cross Traffic  Alert function ................  323
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 326
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 330
4Driving 

TABLE OF CONTENTS6
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 488
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 492
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 495
General maintenance ........ 498
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 502
7-3. Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 503
Hood.................................. 505
Positioning a floor jack ...... 507
Engine compartment ......... 508
Tires .................................. 520
Tire inflation pressure........ 531
Wheels .............................. 534
Air conditioning filter .......... 536
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 538
Checking and replacing  fuses ............................... 541
Light bulbs ......................... 545 8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ........... 560
If your vehicle has to be stopped 
in an emergency .............. 561
8-2. Steps to take  in an emergency
If your vehicle needs  to be towed ...................... 563
If you think something  is wrong ........................... 567
Fuel pump shut off  system ............................. 568
If a warning light turns  on or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................. 569
If a warning message  is displayed...................... 578
If you have a flat tire .......... 596
If the engine will  not start ........................... 621
If the shift lever cannot  be shifted from P ............. 623
If the electronic key does  not operate properly  ....... 624
If the vehicle battery  is discharged ................... 627
If your vehicle overheats.... 632
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................ 635
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises 

16Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
■Instrument panel
Engine switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 225, 228
Starting the engine/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 225, 228
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 561
When the engine will not start  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 621
Warning messages
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 592
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 234
Changing the shift position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 234
Precautions against towing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 563
When the shift lever does not move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 623
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 92
Reading the meters/adjusting the meter light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 92
Warning lights/indicator lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 86
When the warning lights come on  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 569
Multi-information display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 95, 99
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   P.  9 5, 99
When a warning message or indicator is displayed . . . . . . . . .  P. 578
1
2
3 

321-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
To release plate “B”, press the
release button on buckle “B”.
To release plate “A”, insert the
key (P. 112) or plate “B” into
the hole on buckle “A”.
Retract the belt slowly when
releasing and stowing the seat
belt.
Holding plate “A” and “B”
together, insert both plates into
the holder on the roof.
Releasing and stowing the seat belt (for the third center seat)
Release button
Plate “B”
Buckle “B”
1
Buckle “A”
Buckle “A”Plate “B”
Plate “A”
Plate “A”
2
3 

431-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag
sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on infor-
mation obtained from the sensors et c. shown in the system compo-
nents diagram above. This informat ion includes crash severity and
occupant information.  As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbag s with non-toxic gas to help restrain
the motion of the occupants.
WARNING
■ SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags. 
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in.  (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from
the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10
in. (250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the ped- als comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. 
Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250
mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by
reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your
seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-
slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air-
bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls. 

451-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
WARNING
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
● Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.
● Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.
● Do not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board, steering wheel pad and lower
portion of the instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles
when the SRS driver, front passenger
and driver’s knee airbags deploy. 

1153-1. Key information
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
When required to leave the vehicle’s key with a parking attendant
Lock the glove box as circumstances demand. ( P. 451)
Vehicles without a smart key system: Carry the master key for your own use
and provide the attendant with the valet key.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Remove the mechanical key for your own
use and provide the attendant with the electronic key only.
■ If you lose your keys
New genuine keys can be made by your Toyota dealer using a master key
(vehicles without a smart key system) or  the other key (vehicles with a smart
key system) and the key number stam ped on your key number plate. Keep
the plate in a safe place such as your wallet, not in the vehicle. 
■ When riding in an aircraft
When bringing a key with wireless remote control function onto an aircraft,
make sure you do not press any buttons on the key while inside the aircraft
cabin. If you are carrying the key in your bag etc., ensure that the buttons are
not likely to be pressed accidentally. Pressing a button may cause the key to
emit radio waves that could interfere with the operation of the aircraft. 
■ Conditions affecting operation
Vehicles without a smart key system
The wireless remote control function may not operate normally in the follow-
ing situations:
● When the wireless 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 or other wireless communi-
cation device
● When multiple wireless keys are in the vicinity
● When the wireless key is in contact with, or is covered by a metallic object
● When a wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
● When the wireless key has been left near an electrical appliance such as a
personal computer
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the
rear window
Vehicles with a smart key system
P. 149 

1493-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
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. 624)
● 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