Page 200 of 732

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.
Page 220 of 732

2204-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U■
Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train com ponents
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing ), Toyota rec-
ommends that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has bee n driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the veh icle at a speed
of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent m aintenance due
to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “ Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
● If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering w heel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gra dually to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)
● After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combinat ion. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.
Page 224 of 732
224
HIGHLANDER_U
4-2. Driving procedures
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Turn the engine switch to the “START” position and start the
engine.
“LOCK”
The steering wheel is locked and
the key can be removed. (The key
can be removed only when the
shift lever is in P.)
“ACC”
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ON”
All electrical components can be used.
“START”
For starting the engine.
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system)
Starting the engine
Changing the engine switch positions
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Page 231 of 732

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lo ck or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activ ation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, res ulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving th e vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or pr ess it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( P. 575)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will
make it more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull o ver and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Page 306 of 732

3064-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U
■Operating conditions
●The Stop & Start system is operational when all of the followin g conditions
are met:
• The brake pedal is being depressed firmly.
• The engine is adequately warmed up.
• The outside temperature is 23°F (-5°C) or higher.
• The shift lever is in D.
• is off.
• The hood is closed.
• The driver's seat belt is fastened.
• The driver's door is closed.
• The accelerator pedal is not being depressed.
● In the following situations the engine may not be stopped by th e Stop & Start
system. This is not a malfunction of the Stop & Start system.
• The air conditioning system is being used when the ambient tem perature
is high or low.
• The battery is not sufficiently charged, such as if the vehicle has been
parked for a long time and the battery charge has decreased, the electric
load is large, the battery temperature is excessively low or th e battery has
deteriorated, or is undergoing a periodic recharge.
• The brake booster vacuum is low.
• The vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.
• The steering wheel is being operated.
• Due to traffic or other circumstances the vehicle is being sto pped repeat-
edly.
• The vehicle is being driven in a high altitude area.
• Engine coolant temperature or transmission fluid temperature i s
extremely low or high.
• The battery fluid temperature is extremely low or high.
• For a while after the battery terminals have been disconnected and
reconnected.
• For a while after the battery replacement.
• Power mode or snow mode is selected.
Page 338 of 732

3384-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U
◆ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenl y,
or if the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface
◆Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake p edal
is depressed when the system de tects a panic stop situation
◆VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road surfaces
◆Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional stability when swerving on slippe ry
road surfaces by controlling steering performance.
◆Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control tra iler sway by selectively applying brake
pressure for individual wheels and reducing driving torque when
trailer sway is detected.
◆TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power and prevent the drive wheels from
spinning when starting the vehicl e or accelerating on slippery roads
◆Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward movement of the vehicle when start -
ing on an uphill
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following
systems operate autom atically in response to various driving
situations. Be aware, however, that these systems are supple-
mentary and should not be relied upon too heavily when operat-
ing the vehicle.
Page 339 of 732
3394-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
◆Dynamic Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)
Automatically switches from fron t-wheel drive to all-wheel drive
(AWD) according to the driving conditions, helping to ensure re li-
able handling and stability. Ex amples of conditions where the s ys-
tem will switch to AWD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off
or accelerating, and when the road surface is slippery due to s now,
rain, etc.
◆EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel
Page 441 of 732

441
6Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U6-1. Using the air
conditioning system
and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system ........ 442
Front automatic air conditioning system ........ 448
Rear manual air conditioning system ........ 455
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........ 458
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/
seat ventilators ................ 461
6-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 464
• Interior lights ................. 464
• Personal lights .............. 465
6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ..... 466
• Glove box...................... 467
• Console box .................. 467
• Bottle holders ................ 468
• Cup holders .................. 469
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 471
• Open tray ...................... 472
Luggage compartment features ........................... 473 6-4. Using the other
interior features
Other interior features ....... 478
• Sun visors ..................... 478
• Vanity mirrors................ 478
• Conversation mirror ...... 479
• Clock ............................. 479
• Outside temperature display........................... 480
• Power outlets ................ 481
• USB charging ports....... 483
• Rear sunshades............ 485
• Armrest ......................... 486
• Coat hooks.................... 487
• Assist grips ................... 487
• Side table ...................... 488
Garage door opener.......... 489
Compass ........................... 496