Page 192 of 716
192
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
4-1. Before driving
→P. 2 2 5
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D.
( → P. 233)
Release the parking brake. ( →P. 240)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an extended period of time, shift the shift
lever to P. (→P. 233)
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake ( →P. 240), and shift the shift lever to P.
( → P. 233)
Press the power switch off to stop the hybrid system.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels as needed.
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe
driving:
Starting the hybrid system
Driving
Stopping
Parking the vehicle
1
2
3
1
2
1
2
3
4
Page 199 of 716

1994-1. 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 the vehicle is parked
● Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s
electrical components.
● Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
● Do not attach adhesive discs to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Adhesive discs or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehi-
cle.
● Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
● Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the hybrid
system and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated.
If the vehicle is parked with the shift lever in P but the parking brake is not
set, the vehicle may start to move, possibly leading to an accident.
● Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the “READY” indicator is illuminated
or immediately after turning the hybrid system off.
Doing so may cause burns.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or
fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in
a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
Page 228 of 716

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 229 of 716

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Operation of the power switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the power switch mode may
not change or the hybrid system may not start.
● If attempting to restart the hybrid system immediately after turning the power
switch off, the hybrid system may not start in some cases. After turning the
power switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the hybrid sys-
tem.
■ If the smart key system has been deactivated in a customized setting
→P. 623
WARNING
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any
circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution while driving
If hybrid system failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, result-
ing in death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency
If you want to stop the hybrid system in an emergency while driving the
vehicle, press and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds, or press
it briefly 3 times or more in succession. ( →P. 561)
However, do not touch the power switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. 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.
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 433 of 716

433
6Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)6-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Front automatic air conditioning system ........ 434
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........ 441
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/
seat ventilators ................ 444
6-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 447
• Interior lights ................. 448
• Personal lights .............. 448
6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ..... 450
• Glove box...................... 451
• Console box .................. 451
• Bottle holders ................ 452
• Cup holders .................. 453
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 455
• Open tray ...................... 456
Luggage compartment features ........................... 457 6-4. Using the other interior
features
Other interior features ....... 459
• Sun visors ..................... 459
• Vanity mirrors................ 459
• Conversation mirror ...... 460
• Clock ............................. 461
• Outside temperature display........................... 461
• Power outlets ................ 463
• USB charging ports....... 465
• Rear sunshades............ 467
• Armrest ......................... 468
• Coat hooks.................... 469
• Assist grips ................... 469
• Side table ...................... 470
Garage door opener.......... 471
Safety Connect ................. 478
Compass ........................... 484
Page 449 of 716
4496-2. Using the interior lights
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
■Illuminated entry system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to power switch mode, the pres-
ence of the electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and
whether the doors are opened/closed.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
If the following lights are left on when the power switch is turned off, the lights
will go off automatically after 20 minutes:
●Interior lights
● Personal lights
● Front door courtesy lights
● Ambient lights (if equipped)
● Power switch light
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features: →P. 666)
Page 451 of 716
4516-3. Using the storage features
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Unlock with the mechanical key
Lock with the mechanical key
Open (pull lever)
■Power back door main switch (vehicles with power back door)
The power back door main switch is located in the glove box. ( →P. 133)
To open the console box lids,
press on the knob and slide both
lids.
■Tray in the console box
Glove box
1
2
3
Console box
The tray slides forward/backward and can
be removed.