Page 105 of 716

1052. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
■The meters and display illuminate when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ Hybrid System Indicator
●By keeping the indicator needle within Eco area, more Eco-friendly driving
can be achieved.
● Charge area indicates regeneration
* status. Regenerated energy will be
used to charge the hybrid battery (traction battery).
*: When used in this manual, “regeneration” refers to the conversion of
energy created by the movement of the vehicle into electrical energy.
■ Engine speed
On hybrid vehicles, engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc.
There are times when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even
when vehicle operation and driving conditions are the same.
■ Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be \
dis-
played, or the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
● When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit
of a garage, tunnel, etc.) Charge area
Shows regenerative charging.
Hybrid Eco area
Shows that gasoline engine power is
not being used very often.
The gasoline engine will automatically
stop and restart under various condi-
tions.
Eco area
Shows that the vehicle is being driven in
an Eco-friendly manner.
Power area
Shows that an Eco-friendly driving
range is being exceeded (during full
power driving etc.)
1
2
3
4
Page 106 of 716
1062. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. ( →P. 631)
Page 112 of 716

1122. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal
information display. At extremely low temperatures, the display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver’s shifting and the new gear
number appearing on the display. This l ag could cause the driver to down-
shift again, causing rapid and excessive engine braking and possibly an
accident resulting in death or injury.
■ Cautions during setting up the display
As the hybrid system needs to be running during setting up the display,
ensure that the vehicle is parked in a place with adequate ventilation. In a
closed area such as a garage, exhaust gases including harmful carbon
monoxide (CO) may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to death or
a serious health hazard.
NOTICE
■During setting up the display
To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, ensure that the hybrid system is oper-
ating while setting up the display features.
Page 114 of 716
1142. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Multi-information display
To select the energy monitor dis-
play, push the meter control
switches several times
Audio system screenMulti-information display
When the vehicle is powered by the electric motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by both the gasoline engine and the electric
motor (traction motor)
When the vehicle is powered by the gasoline engine
Page 193 of 716

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( →P. 329)
■ For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles are similar to conventional vehicles, and it
is necessary to refrain from activities such as sudden acceleration. ( →P. 334)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■ Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
● When the accelerator pedal is released
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
●For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3
Page 194 of 716

1944-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type par king brake system. This type of brake
system needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Toyota dealer per-
form the bedding down operation.
■ Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( →P. 641)
■ Brake actuator
The brake actuator uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump to power-assist
the brakes. If the brake actuator fails during driving, the brake system warn-
ing light comes on and the buzzer sounds intermittently. In this case, the
brakes may not work properly. If they do not work well, depress the brake
pedal firmly. If the brake system warning light comes on, immediately stop
your vehicle and contact your Toyota dealer.
In the following conditions, you may hear a sound in the engine compartment.
This is not a malfunction.
● The driver’s door is opened with the hybrid system turned off.
● The brake pedal is depressed with the hybrid system turned off.
● After the hybrid system is turned on.
● The brake pedal is depressed repeatedly with the hybrid system turned on.
● After the hybrid system is turned off.
The brake pedal may be hard to depress or the brake pedal stroke may be
short before turning the hybrid system on. This is not a malfunction.
■ When braking the vehicle
When applying brakes, you may hear a sound coming from the motor gener-
ator.
However, this does not indicate any trouble.
Page 195 of 716

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the “READY”
indicator is illuminated. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■ When driving the vehicle
● Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and ac\
cel-
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake
pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a diffi- culty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress the brake and accelera-
tor pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, result-
ing in an accident.
● The driver should pay extra attention to pedestrians when the vehicle is
powered only by the electric motor (traction motor). As there is no engine
noise, the pedestrians may misjudge the vehicle’s movement. Even
though the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle proximity notification sys-
tem, drive with care as pedestrians in the vicinity may still not notice the
vehicle if the surrounding area is noisy.
● Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot
parts may cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
● During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid
system off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control,
however, power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more
difficult to steer smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: →P. 561
Page 196 of 716

1964-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 233)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has h\
igh-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.