3334-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst ems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if VSC
turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction.
334
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
4-6. Driving tips
◆Using Eco drive mode
When using Eco drive mode, the torque corresponding to the accel-
erator pedal depression amount can be generated more smoothly
than it is in normal conditions. In addition, the operation of the air
conditioning system (h eating/cooling) will be minimized, improving
the fuel economy. ( →P. 434)
◆Use of Hybrid System Indicator
The Eco-friendly driving is possible by keeping the indicate of
Hybrid System Indicator within Eco area. ( →P. 105)
◆Shift lever operation
Shift the shift lever to D when stopped at a traffic light, or driving in
heavy traffic, etc. Shift the shift lever to P when parking. When
using the N, there is no positive effect on fuel consumption. In the
N, the gasoline engine operates but electricity cannot be gener-
ated. Also, when using the air cond itioning system, etc., the hybrid
battery (traction batter y) power is consumed.
◆Accelerator pedal/brake pedal operation
●Drive your vehicle smoothly. Avoid abrupt acceleration and
deceleration. Gradual accelerati on and deceleration will make
more effective use of the electric motor (traction motor) without
having to use gasoline engine power.
● Avoid repeated acceleration. Repeated acceleration consumes
hybrid battery (traction battery) power, resulting in poor fuel con-
sumption. Battery power can be restored by driving with the
accelerator pedal slightly released.
Hybrid vehicle driving tips
For economical and ecological driv ing, pay attention to the fol-
lowing points:
3384-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.
● Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released. If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking
brake, make sure to block the wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehi-
cle to move unexpectedly, pos sibly leading to an accident.
● If the vehicle is parked without se tting the parking brake, confirm
that the shift lever ca nnot be moved out of P
*.
*: The shift lever will be locked if it is attempted to be shifted from P to any
other position without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can
be shifted from P, there may be a problem with the shift lock system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
5017-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the battery connections. (→P. 517)
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-ance from the floor? ( →P. 645)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( →P. 645)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-
erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com- ing from the steering wheel.
5688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
→ Release the parking brake.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system;
• The Trailer Sway Control; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC, TRAC or Trailer Sway
Control
system is operating.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (9.7
L, 2.1 Imp. gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s and front passenger’ s seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (war ning buzzer) turn off.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
5718-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
*1: Brake system warning buzzer:When there is a possible problem that could affect braking performance,
the warning light will come on and a warning buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
→P. 581
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the power switch is turned to ON mode, the
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20
km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24
seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the
seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90
more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 6 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 90 more seconds.
*4: Rear seat seat belt buzzer:The second and third passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the sec-
ond and third passengers that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in
a different tone for 24 more seconds.
5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid systemA buzzer also sounds.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer.
Indicates that the hybrid battery (traction battery)
is low A buzzer also sounds.
→ When stopping the vehicle for a long
period of time, shift the shift lever to P. The
battery cannot be charged with the shift
lever in N.
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric
Power Steering) system
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that the vehicle is being driven at 3 mph (5
km/h) or more with the parking brake still engaged
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Release the parking brake.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(U.S.A.) (Canada) (Flashes)
5978-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
●Stop the vehicle in a safe pl ace on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the hybrid system.
● Turn on the emergency flashers. ( →P. 560)
If you have a flat tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be
replaced with the spare tire.
For details about tires: →P. 5 2 2
WARNING
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short dist ance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair, which could result in an accident.
Before jacking up the vehicle