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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 

9
HIGHLANDER_UThe installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehic
le could affect
electronic systems such as: 
● Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system
● Toyota Safety Sense P
● Anti-lock brake system
● SRS airbag system
● Seat belt pretensioner system
Be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary meas ures or spe-
cial instructions regarding instal lation of a mobile two-way radio system.
Your Toyota is equipped with several sophisticated computers th at will record
certain data, such as:
• Engine speed
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Shift position
The  recorded  data  varies  according  to  the  vehicle  grade  level  and  options
with  which  it  is  equipped.  These  computers  do  not  record  conver sations  or
sounds, and only record images outside of the vehicle in certai n situations.
●Data Transmission
Your  vehicle  may  transmit  the  data  recorded  in  these  computers  to Toyota
without notification to you.
●Data usage
Toyota may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose  malfunc-
tions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party exc ept:
• With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request by the police, a court of l aw or a govern-
ment agency
• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
• For  research  purposes  where the  data is not  tied to  a  specific   vehicle  or
vehicle owner
●Usage of data collected through Safety Connect (U.S. mainland o nly)
If your Toyota has Safety Connect and if you have subscribed to  those ser-
vices,  please  refer  to  the  Safety  Connect  Telematics  Subscription  Service
Agreement for information on data collected and its usage.
●To  learn  more  about  the  vehicle  data  collected,  used  and  shared  by Toy-
ota, please visit www.toyota.com/privacyvts/
.
Installation of a mobile  two-way radio system
Vehicle data recordings 

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 

1964-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When shifting the shift lever
● Do not let the vehicle roll backward while the shift lever is i n a driving posi-
tion, or roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake an d steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
● Do not shift the shift lever to P while the vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving f orward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Do not shift the shift lever to a driving position while the ve hicle is moving
backward. 
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss o f vehicle
control.
● Moving  the  shift  lever  to  N  while  the  vehicle  is  moving  will  disengage  the
engine  from  the  transmission.  Engine  braking  is  not  available  w hen  N  is
selected.
● Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pe dal depressed.
Shifting the shift lever to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected
rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident an d result in
death or serious injury. 

2174-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
●As  stopping  distance  is  increased  when  towing  a  trailer,  vehicl e-to
vehicle  distance  should  be  increased.  For  each  10  mph  (16  km/h)
of speed, allow at least one v ehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may  skid, resulting in the trailer  jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true  on wet or
slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering  and sharp turns, and slow down before maki ng
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer  than
the vehicle wheels to the inside  of the turn. Compensate by mak ing
a wider than normal turning radius.
● Slow down before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slipp ery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able  distance. After  passing  a  vehicle,  do  not  forget  the  lengt h  of
your  trailer,  and  be  sure  you  have  plenty  of  room  before  changi ng
lanes.
● To  maintain  engine  braking  efficiency  and  charging  system  perfo r-
mance  when  using  engine  braking,  do  not  put  the  transmission  in
D. If in the S mode, the transm ission shift range position must be in
6 (8-speed models) or 4 (6-speed models) or lower.
● Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or lo ng
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while  descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the bra kes
too frequently. This could cause  the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency. 
![TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019  Owners Manual (in English) 2184-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may  over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85 F  [30C])  when  driving
up  a  l TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019  Owners Manual (in English) 2184-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may  over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85 F  [30C])  when  driving
up  a  l](/manual-img/14/42547/w960_42547-217.png)
2184-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
●Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may  over-
heat  on  hot  days  (at  temperatures  over  85 F  [30C])  when  driving
up  a  long  or steep  grade.  If  the  engine  coolant  temperature  gau ge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditionin g (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the  road and stop in a safe spot. 
(  P. 646)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trai ler’s
wheels  when  parking. Apply  the  parking  brake  firmly,  and  put  th e
transmission  in  P. Avoid  parking  on  a  slope,  but  if  unavoidable ,  do
so only after perform ing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone  place wheel blocks  under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.
When  the  wheel  blocks  are  in  pl ace,  release  the  brakes  slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into P and turn off the engine.
● When restarting afte r parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep t he
brake pedal depressed.
Shift into a forward gear.  If reversing, shift into R.
Release  the  parking  brake  and  brake  pedal,  and  slowly  pull  or
back away from the wheel bloc ks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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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. 

2234-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Dinghy towing
Your  vehicle  is  not  designed  to  be  dinghy  towed  (with  4  wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home. 
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
■ To  prevent  causing  serious  damag e  to  the  transmission  and  the
Dynamic Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)
Do not tow your vehicle with 4 wheels on
the ground.
2WD models: Never tow this vehicle from
the  rear  with  the  front  wheels  on  the
ground. This may cause serious damage
to the transmission.
AWD models: Never tow this vehicle with
any  of  the  wheels  on  the  ground.  This
may  cause  serious  damage  to  the
Dynamic  Torque  Control  AWD  system
and transmission.