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3
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
HIGHLANDER_U
10
4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 192
Cargo and luggage............ 201
Vehicle load limits ............. 206
Trailer towing..................... 207
Dinghy towing.................... 223
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 224
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 227
Automatic transmission ..... 233
Turn signal lever................ 239
Parking brake .................... 240
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 241
Automatic High Beam ....... 245
Fog light switch ................. 249
Windshield wipers and washer ............................ 250
Rear window wiper and washer ............................ 254 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap ........................... 256
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ...... 260
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..... 267
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 281
Dynamic radar cruise control ................... 291
Stop & Start system ........... 304
Rear view monitor system ............................. 314
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 323
• BSM function ................. 328
• RCTA function ............... 331
All-wheel drive lock switch .............................. 337
Driving assist systems ....... 338
Downhill assist control system ................. 344
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 346
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 350
4Driving
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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 32 of 732
321-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U
To release plate “B”, press the
release button on buckle “B”.
To release plate “A”, insert the
key ( P. 114) or plate “B” into
the hole on buckle “A”.
Retract the belt slowly when
releasing and stowing the seat
belt.
Holding plate “A” and “B”
together, insert both plates into
the holder on the roof.
Releasing and stowing the seat b elt (for the third center seat)
Release button
Plate “B”
Buckle “B”
1
Buckle “A”
Buckle “A”Plate “B”
Plate “A”
Plate “A”
O
P
Page 84 of 732

841-2. Emergency assistance
HIGHLANDER_U■
Emergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on t
he road, push the “SOS” button to
reach the Safety Connect respons e center. The answering agent
will determine your vehicle’s loca tion, assess the emergency, and
dispatch the necessary assistanc e required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-c enter
agent that you are not experiencing an emergency.
■
Enhanced Roadside Assistance
Enhanced Roadside As sistance adds GPS data to the already
included warranty-based Toyota roadside service.
Subscribers can press the “SOS” button to reach a Safety Connec t
response-center agent, who can he lp with a wide range of needs,
such as: towing, flat tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a description of the
Enhanced Roadside Assistance se rvices and their limitations,
please see the Safety Connect Te rms and Conditions, which are
available at Toyota.com in the United States, Toyotapr.com in
Puerto Rico and Toyota.ca in Canada.
Page 191 of 732

191
4Driving
HIGHLANDER_U4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 192
Cargo and luggage ........... 201
Vehicle load limits ............. 206
Trailer towing..................... 207
Dinghy towing ................... 223
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 224
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 227
Automatic transmission ..... 233
Turn signal lever................ 239
Parking brake .................... 240
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 241
Automatic High Beam ....... 245
Fog light switch ................. 249
Windshield wipers and washer ............................ 250
Rear window wiper and washer ............................ 254
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 256 4-5. Using the driving
support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ..... 260
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .... 267
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 281
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................. 291
Stop & Start system .......... 304
Rear view monitor system ............................ 314
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 323
• BSM function ................ 328
• RCTA function .............. 331
All-wheel drive lock switch .............................. 337
Driving assist systems ...... 338
Downhill assist control system ............................ 344
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 346
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 350
Page 201 of 732

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occ upants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The co mbined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers t hat
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers fr om
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo an d lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there wil l be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 750 (5150) =
650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loa ded
on the vehicle. That weight may n ot safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capac ity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your tra iler will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine h ow
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of y our
vehicle.
( P. 206)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution
Page 207 of 732

2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information about additi onal
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-car-
rying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on
handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consump-
tion. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not ov er-
load your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are
using appropriate towing equipm ent, that the towing equipment
has been installed correctly a nd used properly, and that you
employ the requisi te driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brake s,
the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with your trailer’s characteristics and operating
conditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Page 208 of 732
2084-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U■
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum
of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the
trailer).
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the total weight of
the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehi-
cle weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue weight.
Towing related terms