Page 197 of 732

1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed properly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting the driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever possi-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment higher
than the seatbacks.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is not
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened.
Page 442 of 732
4426-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
Adjusting the temperature setting
To adjust the temperature setting, turn clockwise to increase
the temperature and countercloc
kwise to decrease the tempera-
ture.
The temperature for the driver, front passenger and rear seats can be
adjusted separately when: • is pressed. (The “SYNC” displays disappear.)
• The front passenger side dial is turned. (The “PASS SYNC”
display changes to “PASS”.)
• The “
∧” or “∨” side of is pressed. (The “REAR SYNC” display
changes to “REAR”.)
The air conditioning system switches between individual and synchro-
nized modes each time is pressed.
Front automatic air conditioning system∗
∗: If equipped
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.
Air conditioning controls
Page 455 of 732

4556-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Heated steering wheel∗/seat heaters∗/seat
ventilators
∗
∗: If equipped
The heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips
of the steering wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators
maintain good airflow by blowing air from the seats.
WARNING
● Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel or seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent the minor burns or overheat-
ing
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat
heater.
• Do not use the seat heaters more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is
stopped.
Page 463 of 732
4636-3. Using the storage features
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
■When using the bottle holder
●When storing a bottle, close the cap.
● The bottle may not be stored depending on its size or shape.
■
Front
■Rear (second seats)
Ty p e A
Pull the armrest down.
( → P. 478)
WARNING
Do not place anything other than a bottle in the bottle holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking and cause injury.
Cup holders
Page 464 of 732
4646-3. Using the storage features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Ty p e B
Fold the side table up for use.
(
→P. 480)
■Rear (third seats)
■ Removing the cup holder insert (front cup holder)
The cup holder insert may be removed for
cleaning.
WARNING
Do not place anything other than cups or aluminum cans in the cup holders.
Other items may be thrown out of the holders in the event of an accident or
sudden braking, causing injury. If possible, cover hot drinks to prevent
burns.
Page 468 of 732
4686-3. Using the storage features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
Center deck under tray
Pull the strap upwards to
open the center deck board.
To secure the center deck
board, remove the hook on
the backside of the center
deck board and attach the
hook to the head restraint on
the third seats as shown.
■Deck side box
Pull the strap upwards to open
the side deck board.
Auxiliary boxes
1
2
WARNING
Do not drive with any of the deck boards opened. Items may fall out and
cause injury.
Page 506 of 732

5067-1. Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco- hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
(→P. 275)
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window and the rear quarter windows
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window and the rear quarter
windows, as this may cause damage to the rear window defogger heater
wires or antenna. Use a cloth dampened with lukewarm water to gently
wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in strokes running parallel to the
heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.
Page 511 of 732

5117-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic 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. 659)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( →P. 659)
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.