Page 223 of 716

2234-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■ Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights may damage
your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction.
Page 230 of 716

2304-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
● Do not leave the power switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long peri-
ods if the hybrid system is not operating.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-information
display while the hybrid system is not operating, the power switch is not
off. Exit the vehicle after turning the power switch off.
● Do not stop the hybrid system when the shift lever is in a position other
than P. If the hybrid system is stopped in another shift lever position, the
power switch will not be turned of f but instead be turned to ACCESSORY
mode. If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, 12-volt battery dis-
charge may occur.
■ When starting th e hybrid system
If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have your vehicle checked by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the power switch
If the power switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 239 of 716
2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
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
The power switch is in 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. 673)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
Page 241 of 716
241
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:The headlights, day-
time running lights ( →P.
242) and all the lights
listed below turn on and
off automatically.
(When the power
switch is in ON mode)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
( → P. 242) and instru-
ment panel lights turn
on.
The headlights and all the lights listed above (except day-
time running lights) turn on.
*1 The daytime running lights turn off.
*2 The daytime running lights turn on. ( →P. 242)
*1:For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Operating instructions
*1*2
1
2
3
4
Page 242 of 716

2424-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
With the headlights on, push
the lever away from you to turn
on the high beams.
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you and
release it to flash the high
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with the headlights on or off.
■Daytime running light system
●Type A: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime
driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid
system is started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch
off or in the “AUTO” position. (Illuminate dimmer than the headlight.) Day-
time running lights are not designed for use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Type B: To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime
driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically whenever the hybrid
system is started and the parking brake is released with the headlight switch
off or in the “AUTO” position. Daytime running lights are not designed for
use at night.
For the U.S.A.: Daytime running lights can be turned off by operating the
switch.
● Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system
offers greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve
fuel economy.
Turning on the high beam headlights
1
2
Page 243 of 716

2434-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Headlight control sensor
■ Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 sec-
onds after the power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off
and any of the doors is opened and closed. (The lights turn off immediately if
on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
● When only the tail lights are on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and the driver’s
door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the power switch to ON mode, or turn th\
e light
switch off once and then back to or .
If any of the doors is kept open, the lights automatically turn off after 20 min-
utes.
■ Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power switch is turned off or turned to ACCES-
SORY mode and the driver’s door is opened while the lights are turned on. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the
windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Page 244 of 716
2444-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Battery-saving function
In the following conditions, the remaining lights will go off automatically after
20 minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged:
●The headlights and/or tail lights are on.
● The power switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off.
This function will be canceled in any of the following situations:
● When the power switch is turned to ON mode.
● When the light switch is operated.
● When any of the doors is opened or closed.
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 673)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.
Page 245 of 716
2454-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Push the lever away from you
with the headlight switch in the or position.
Press the Automatic High
Beam switch.
The Automatic High Beam indica-
tor will come on when the system
is operating.
Automatic High Beam
The Automatic High Beam uses a camera sensor located behind
the upper portion of the windshiel d to assess the brightness of
the lights of vehicles ahead, streetlights, etc., and automatically
turns the high beams on or off as necessary.
WARNING
■ Limitations of the Automatic High Beam
Do not overly rely on the Automatic High Beam. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings and turning the high beams on or off
manually if necessary.
■ To prevent incorrect operation of the Automatic High Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic High Beam system
1
2