Page 225 of 732

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
■Turning the key from “ACC” to “LOCK”
Shift the shift lever to P. (P. 233)
■ If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 86)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Key reminder function
A buzzer sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the engine switch is in
the “LOCK” or “ACC” position to remind you to remove the key. Push in the key and turn it to the
“LOCK” position.
1
2
When starting the engine, the engine
switch may seem stuck in the “LOCK”
position. To free it, turn the key while turn-
ing the steering wheel slightly left and
right.
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 when driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position while driving. If, in an
emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is mo ving, turn
the engine switch only to the “ACC” position to stop the engine. An accident
may result if the engine is stopped while driving. ( P. 575)
Page 226 of 732
2264-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the “ACC” or “ON” position fo r long peri-
ods of time without the engine running.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring system.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Page 227 of 732
2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information displ ay.
If it is not displayed, the engine cannot be started.
Press the engine switch shortly
and firmly.
When operating the engine switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It
is not necessary to press and hold
the switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 seconds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from
any engine switch mode.
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Performing the following opera tions when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4
Page 228 of 732
2284-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (P. 240), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” on the multi-info rmation display is off.
Modes can be changed by pressing the engine switch with brake
pedal released. (The mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off
*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the multi-information displa y.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine,
the engine switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
Page 229 of 732

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P,
the engine switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-informati on
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
■Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as exam ples, and may
differ from the image that is actually displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or IGNI-
TION ON mode (with the engine not running) for more than an hou r with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leav e the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for lon g peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 118
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 150
■ Note for the entry function
P. 151
■ If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 86)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4
Page 230 of 732

2304-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U■
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.
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 232 of 732

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is n ot off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently than usual,
such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.