431-1. For safe use
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For safety and security
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Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag
sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on infor-
mation obtained from the sensors etc. shown in the system compo -
nents diagram above. This informat ion includes crash severity and
occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reactio n in
the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to h elp restrain
the motion of t he occupants.
WARNING
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their se at belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the se at belts.
● The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advi ses:
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from
the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10
in. (250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several
ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reach ing the ped-
als comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat.
Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250
mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, si mply by
reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your
seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a f irm, non-
slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air-
bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, whil e
still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.
1954-1. Before driving
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Driving
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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 sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may resu lt 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 c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippa ge 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 m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected.
2004-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate sud denly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps on the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 610)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the e ngine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), beari ngs and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.
2304-2. Driving procedures
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Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the engine switch. After
about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioni ng.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” is displayed on the multi-informa tion
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 551
■ Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine swi tch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning t he engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turni ng the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the eng ine.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 637 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.
2474-3. Operating the lights and wipers
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Driving
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■Conditions to turn the high beams on/off automatically
●When all of the following conditions are met, the high beams will be turned
on automatically (after approximately 1 second):
• The vehicle speed is approximately 21 mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few streetlights on the road ahead.
● If any of the following conditions is met, the high beams will turn off automat-
ically:
• The vehicle speed is below approximately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have their headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the road ahead.
■ Camera sensor detection information
●The high beams may not be automatically turned off in the follo wing situa-
tions:
• When a vehicle suddenly appears from around a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead cannot be detected due to repeated curves, road dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear in a faraway lane on a wide road
• When the lights of vehicles ahead are not on
● The high beams may be turned off if a vehicle ahead that is usi ng fog lights
without its headlights turned on is detected.
● House lights, street lights, traffic signals, and illuminated billboards or signs
and other reflective objects may cause the high beams to change to the low
beams, or the low beams to remain on.
● The following factors may affect the amount of time taken for t he high
beams to turn on or off:
• The brightness of the headlights, fog lights, and tail lights of vehicles
ahead
• The movement and direction of vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of the road (gradient, curve, condition of the r oad surface,
etc.)
• The number of passengers and amount of luggage in the vehicle
● The high beams may turn on or off unexpectedly.
● Bicycles or similar vehicles may not be detected.
● In the following situations the system may not be able to correctly detect the
surrounding brightness level. This may cause the low beams to r emain on
or the high beams to flash or dazzle pedestrians or vehicles ah ead. In such
a case, it is necessary to manually switch between the high and low beams.
2694-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Limitations of the pre-collision system
● The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
Do not use the pre-collision system instead of normal braking o perations
under any circumstances. This system will not prevent collision s or lessen
collision damage or injury in every situation. Do not overly re ly on this sys-
tem. Failure to do so may lead to an accident, resulting in dea th or serious
injury.
● Although this system is designed to help avoid a collision or h elp reduce
the impact of the collision, its effectiveness may change according to vari-
ous conditions, therefore the system may not always be able to achieve
the same level of performance.
Read the following conditions carefully. Do not overly rely on this system
and always drive carefully.
• Conditions under which the system may operate even if there is no pos-
sibility of a collision: P. 274
• Conditions under which the system may not operate properly: P. 277
● Do not attempt to test the operation of the pre-collision system yourself, as
the system may not operate properly, possibly leading to an acc ident.
■ Pre-collision braking
● When the pre-collision braking function is operating, a large a mount of
braking force will be applied.
● If the vehicle is stopped by the operation of the pre-collision braking func-
tion, the pre-collision braking function operation will be canceled after
approximately 2 seconds. Depress the brake pedal as necessary.
● The pre-collision braking function may not operate if certain o perations are
performed by the driver. If the accelerator pedal is being depressed
strongly or the steering wheel is being turned, the system may determine
that the driver is taking evasive action and possibly prevent t he pre-colli-
sion braking function from operating.
● In some situations, while the pre-collision braking function is operating,
operation of the function may be canceled if the accelerator pedal is
depressed strongly or the steering wheel is turned and the syst em deter-
mines that the driver is taking evasive action.
● If the brake pedal is being depressed, the system may determine that the
driver is taking evasive action and possibly delay the operation timing of
the pre-collision braking function.
2784-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, sno
w or a
sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud- denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming
traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at
night or in a tunnel
• After the engine has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after mak ing a left/
right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving o n a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other sli ppery sur-
face
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered
3605-1. Basic Operations
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Vo l u m e s w i t c h• Increases/dec reases volume
• Press and hold: Continuously increases/decreases volume
Cursor switch (“ ” and “ ”)
• Selects (radio stations/radio presets/tracks/files/songs)
• Press and hold: Fast up/ down (radio stations)
• Fast up/down (tracks/files)
“MODE/HOLD” switch • Changes audio source
• Press and hold this switch to mute or pause the current operat ion
To cancel the mute or pause, press and hold.
Steering wheel audio switches
Some audio features can be cont rolled using the switches on
the steering wheel.
Operation may differ depending on the type of audio system or
navigation system. For details, refer to the manual provided with
the audio system or navigation system.
Operating the audio system usi ng the steering wheel switches
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12
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WARNING
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.