2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER suspension

471-1. For safe use
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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

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.

2194-1. Before driving
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 662)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacture r’s recommen-
dation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for imprope r tongue weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors ap propriate for tow-
ing purposes.
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
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2

2844-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U
Press the LDA switch to turn the
LDA system on.
The LDA indicator illuminates and
a message is displayed on the
multi-information display.
Press the LDA switch again to turn
the LDA system off.
When the LDA system is turned on
or off, operation of the LDA system
continues in the same condition
the next time the engine is started.
WARNING
■Preventing LDA system malfunctio ns and operations performed by
mistake
● Do not modify the headlights or place stickers, etc. on the sur face of the
lights.
● Do not modify the suspension etc. If the suspension etc. needs to be
replaced, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Do not install or place anything on the hood or grille. Also, d o not install a
grille guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.).
● If your windshield needs repairs, contact your Toyota dealer.
Turning LDA system on

3434-5. Using the driving support systems
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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.

3524-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk o f death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risk s by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc. , check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adherin g or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may c ause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chass is.

5057-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration an d corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels, etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are presen t on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the pai nt surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediat ely.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a h ard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing wi nd-
shield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers may operate and th e wiper
blades may be damaged.
■ When using a high pressure car wash
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin man ufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they
come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts

5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms