
3274-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Handling the radar sensor
Blind Spot Monitor sensors are installed behind the left and ri ght sides of the
rear bumper respectively. Observe the following to ensure the B lind Spot
Monitor can function correctly.
● Do not subject a sensor or its surrounding area on the rear bum per to a
strong impact.
If a sensor is moved even slightly off position, the system may malfunction
and vehicles may not be detected correctly.
In the following situations, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
• A sensor or its surrounding area is subject to a strong impact .
• If the surrounding area of a sensor is scratched or dented, or part of
them has become disconnected.
● Do not disassemble the sensor.
● Do not attach stickers to the sensor or surrounding area on the rear
bumper.
● Do not modify the sensor or surrounding area on the rear bumper .
● Do not paint the rear bumper any color other than an official Toyota color.
●Keep the sensors and the surrounding
areas on the rear bumper clean at all
times.
If a sensor or its surrounding area on
the rear bumper is dirty or covered with
snow, the Blind Spot Monitor may not
operate and a warning message ( P.
593) will be displayed. In this situation,
clear off the dirt or snow and drive the
vehicle with the operation conditions of
the BSM function ( P. 329) satisfied for
approximately 10 minutes. If the warn-
ing message does not disappear, have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.

3284-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U
The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are trav-
eling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in the outside
rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of th e vehicles
existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area
extends to: Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m)
from the side of the vehicle
The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the
side of the vehicle is not in the
detection area
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from
the rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) for-
ward of the rear bumper
BSM function
BSM function detection areas
1
2
3
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is in a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or is approaching
rapidly from behind into a blind spot. Do not overly rely on th e BSM function.
As the function cannot judge if it is safe to change lanes, ove r reliance could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

3324-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U■
RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear o
f the
vehicle is detected, the following will be displayed on the aud io sys-
tem screen.
DisplayContent
A vehicle is approaching from the left at the rear of the
vehicle
A vehicle is approaching from the right at the rear of the
vehicle
Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle
The RCTA function is malfunctioning ( P. 325)
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver
that a vehicle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle.
As the RCTA function may not function correctly under certain c onditions,
the driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary. Ov er reliance on
this function may lead to an accident resulting death or seriou s injury.

3424-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U■
EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring so und) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■ Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:
● Vehicles without a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position
Vehicles with a smart key system: When the engine switch is tur ned off
● If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on wh en vehicle
speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-e nabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.
■ Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the s ystem from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an exten ded period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should thi s occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The
EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.
WARNING
■ The ABS does not operate effectively when
● The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (suc h as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).
● The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or s lick roads.
■ Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, espe cially in the
following situations:
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps on the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces

3434-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
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 p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start ass ist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded 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 systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stabilit y 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 ope rate if VSC
turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, trea d 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 di fferent tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfuncti on.

3454-5. Using the driving support systems
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U●
In the following situations, the indicator flashes to alert the driver, but the
system will operate:
• The shift lever is in N.
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating. The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash during
operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.
■ Downhill assist control system operation sound
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engin e is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control syst em.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill assist control
system is operating. None of these are indicators that a malfun ction has
occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When using downhill assist control system
Do not rely overmuch on the downhill assist control system. Thi s function
does not extend the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always t horoughly
check the road conditions, and drive safely.
■ The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may lead
to an accident causing death or serious injury
● Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surface
● Unpaved roads
■ Do not shift the shift lever to R while driving forward, or to D while driv-
ing backward.
Doing so may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to an acciden t causing
death or serious injury.
In addition, excessive stress will be applied to the automatic transmission,
possibly resulting in damage.

3494-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and ca use death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the size specified.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of acciden ts.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be d riven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tir e chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that v ehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Do not use LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) sys tem.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealer s or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affect s the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not funct ion correctly
when tire chains are fitted.

3504-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U
●Specific design charac teristics give it a higher center of grav ity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehi cle design feature causes this
type of vehicle to be more likel y to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of v ehicles.
● An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
● It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary pas-
senger cars any more than low-s lung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under o ff-road conditions. Therefore, sh arp
turns at excessive speeds may c ause the vehicle to rollover.
Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has
higher ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the
height of its center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
WARNING
■Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk o f death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more l ikely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and al l passengers
should always fasten their seat belts.
● Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury.
● Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier (if equipped) will make the cen-
ter of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp
turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may res ult in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
● Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher
center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordi-
nary passenger car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
● Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-ro ad vehicle)
can tip over sideways much more easily than forward or backward .