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2284-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
If the hybrid system does not start
●The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( →P. 91)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The hybrid system may not
start if the shift lever is displaced out of P.
■ Steering lock
After turning the power switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
power switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor o verheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the hybrid system is turned on and off repeatedly in a
short period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the hybrid system.
After about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” will be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
In the event that the “READY” indicator does not come on even after perform-
ing the proper procedures for starting the vehicle, contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
■ If the hybrid system is malfunctioning
→P. 581
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 539 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the power switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
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 231 of 716

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV dri ve mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situati\
ons. If it
cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on the
multi-information display.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,
etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
°F (0°C) for a
long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(→P. 113)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is
active, the vehicle may produce sound.
Page 232 of 716

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n of EV drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the gasoline engine may automatically restart
in the following situations. When EV drive mode is canceled, a buzzer will
sound and the EV drive mode indicator will flash and go off.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is low.
(→P. 113)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that
is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driv\
ing
conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy
during normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV drive mode more than necessary may lower fuel econ-
omy.
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehi-
cle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.
Page 238 of 716

2384-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge precaution
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.
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 273 of 716

2734-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
■Operational conditions
Availability of the pedestrian detection function depends on the region i\
n
which the vehicle was sold. (For specific countries/areas: →P. 268)
Read the following for details:
Region A
(The pedestrian detection function is available)
The pre-collision system is enabled and the system determines that the pos-
sibility of a frontal collision wi th a vehicle or pedestrian is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
● Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 180 km/h).
(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and
50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and 110 mph (30 and 180 km/h).
(For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and
50 mph [30 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian
ahead is approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 7 and 110 mph (10 and 180
km/h). (For detecting a pedestrian, vehicle speed is between approxi-
mately 7 and 50 mph [10 and 80 km/h].)
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
● If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and
then the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
● If the shift lever is in R
● If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be opera-
tional)
● If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) warning light is flashing or illuminated
Page 274 of 716

2744-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Region B
(The pedestrian detection function is not available)
The pre-collision system is enabled and the system determines that the pos-
sibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle is high.
Each function is operational at the following speeds:
● Pre-collision warning:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 10 and 110 mph (15 and 180
km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision brake assist:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 19 and 110 mph (30 and 180
km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
approximately 19 mph (30 km/h) or more.
● Pre-collision braking:
• Vehicle speed is between approximately 10 and 110 mph (15 and 180
km/h).
• The relative speed between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is approximately 7 mph (10 km/h) or more.
The system may not operate in the following situations:
● If a 12-volt battery terminal has been disconnected and reconnected and
then the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
● If the shift lever is in R
● If VSC is disabled (only the pre-collision warning function will be opera-
tional)
● If the PCS (Pre-Collision System) warning light is flashing or illuminated