Page 16 of 732

16Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U
■Instrument panel
Engine switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 224, 227
Starting the engine/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 224, 227
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 575
When the engine will not start  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 635
Warning messages
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 606
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 233
Changing the shift position  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .  P. 233
Precautions for towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 577
When the shift lever does not move  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 237
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 98
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel lights . . . . .  P. 98
Warning lights/indicator lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .  P. 92
When a warning light comes on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 583
Multi-information display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 101
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   P. 101
When a warning message or indicator is displayed . . . . . . . . .  P. 593
1
2
3 
     
        
        Page 43 of 732

431-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
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. 
     
        
        Page 45 of 732
451-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■SRS airbag precautions
● Do  not  allow  a  child  to  stand  in  front  of
the  SRS  front  passenger  airbag  unit  or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.
● Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
● Do  not  lean  against  the  door,  the  roof
side  rail  or  the  front,  side  and  rear  pil-
lars.
● Do  not  allow  anyone  to  kneel  on  the
passenger  seat  toward  the  door  or  put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.
● Do  not  attach  anything  to  or  lean  any-
thing  against  areas  such  as  the  dash-
board,  steering  wheel  pad  and  lower
portion of the instrument panel.
These  items  can  become  projectiles
when  the  SRS  driver,  front  passenger
and driver’s knee airbags deploy. 
     
        
        Page 47 of 732

471-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■SRS airbag precautions
● If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad  and  front  and  rear  pillar  garnishes,  are  damaged  or  cracked ,  have
them replaced by your Toyota dealer.
● Do  not  place  anything,  such  as  a  cushion,  on  the  front  passenger’s  seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents t he sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, th e SRS front
airbags for the front passenger may not deploy in the event of  a collision.
■ Modification and disposal of  SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting your Toyota dealer. The SRS airbags may malfunction or
deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or serious injury.
● Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbag s
● Repairs,  modifications,  removal  or  replacement  of  the  steering  wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, s ide and rear
pillars or roof side rails
● Repairs  or  modifications  of  the  front  fender,  front  bumper  or  s ide  of  the
occupant compartment
● Installation  of  a  grille  guard  (bull  bars,  kangaroo  bar,  etc.),   snow  plows,
winches or roof luggage carrier
● Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system
● Installation  of  electronic  devices  such  as  mobile  two-way  radio s  and  CD
players
● Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disa bility 
     
        
        Page 52 of 732
521-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U●
The  pad  section  of  the  steering  wheel,
dashboard  near  the  front  passenger  air-
bag  or  lower  portion  of  the  instrument
panel  is  scratched,  cracked,  or  other-
wise damaged.
● The  front  passenger’s  seat  cushion  sur-
face  is  scratched,  cracked,  or  otherwise
damaged.
● The  surface  of  the  seats  with  the  side
airbag  is  scratched,  cracked,  or  other-
wise damaged.
● The  portion  of  the  front  pillars,  rear  pil-
lars  or  roof  side  rail  garnishes (padding)
containing  the  curtain  shield  airbags
inside  is  scratched,  cracked,  or  other-
wise damaged. 
     
        
        Page 92 of 732
92
HIGHLANDER_U
2. Instrument cluster
The units used on the meters and some indicators may differ depending on
the target region.
Warning lights and indicators
The warning lights and indicators on the instrument cluster and
center panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s vari-
ous systems. 
For  the  purpose  of  explanation,  t he  following  illustration  dis-
plays all warning lights a nd indicators illuminated. 
     
        
        Page 94 of 732
942. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), to indicat e that a
system  check  is  being  performed.  They  will  turn  off  after  the  engine  is
started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in  a system if
a  light  does  not  come  on,  or  turn  off.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer.
*2: If equipped
*3: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
*4: This light illuminates on the center panel.
*5: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction. Additionally, it  will turn on if the
system is turned off.
*1
(Canada)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 584) 
     
        
        Page 97 of 732

972. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U
*6: In  order  to  confirm  operation,  the  BSM  outside  rear  view  mirror  indicators
illuminate in the following situations:
Vehicles without a smart key system
• When  the  BSM  function  is  enabled  on    of  the  multi-information  dis-
play, the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position.
• When  the  engine  switch  is  the  “ON”  position,  the  BSM  function  is
enabled on   of the multi-information display.
Vehicles with a smart key system
• When  the  BSM  function  is  enabled  on    of  the  multi-information  dis-
play, the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode.
• When the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the BSM functio n is
enabled on   of the multi-information display.
If the system is functioning correctly, the BSM outside rear vi ew mirror indi-
cators will turn off after a few seconds.
If  the  BSM  outside  rear  view  mirror  indicators  do  not  illuminat e  or  do  not
turn off, there may be a malfunction in the system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota deale r.
*7: This light illuminates on the outside rear view mirrors.
*8: This light illuminates on the center panel.
*9: This light does not turn on when the system is disabled.
WARNING
■If a safety system warning light does not come on 
Should  a  safety  system  light  such  as  the ABS  and  SRS  warning  lights  not
come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these s ystems are
not available to help protect you in an accident, which could r esult in death
or serious injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota de aler immedi-
ately if this occurs.