
2304-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Headlight control sensor
The sensor may not function prop-
erly if an object is placed on the sen-
sor, or anything that blocks the 
sensor is affixed  to the windshield.
Doing so interfere s with the sensor 
detecting the level of ambient light 
and may cause the automatic head-
light system to malfunction.
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights are on: The 
headlights and tail lights turn off 
30 seconds after a door is opened 
and closed if the power switch is 
turned to ACC or OFF. (The lights 
turn off immediately if   on the 
key is pressed afte r all the doors 
are closed.)
●When only the tail lights are on: 
The tail lights tu rn off automati-
cally if the power switch is turned 
to ACC or OFF an d the driver’s 
door is opened.
Except for Canada: To turn the lights 
on again, turn the power switch to 
ON, or turn the light switch off once 
and then back to   or  .
For Canada: To tu rn the lights on 
again, turn the power switch to ON, 
or turn the light s witch to   once 
and then back to   or  .
■Automatic headlight leveling 
system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is auto-
matically adjusted  according to the 
number of passengers and the load-
ing condition of the vehicle to 
ensure that the headlights do not  interfere with o
ther road users.
■Light reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds when the power 
switch is turned off or turned to ACC 
and the driver’s door is opened 
while the lights  are turned on.
■Welcome lighting
The parking lights  and tail lights 
automatically turn on at night when 
the doors are un locked using the 
entry function or  wireless remote 
control if the light switch is in the 
 position.
■Windshield wiper linked head-
light illumination
When driving during daytime with 
the headlight switch turned to  , if 
the windshield wipers are used, the 
headlights will turn o n automatically 
after several se conds to help 
enhance the visibility of your vehi-
cle.
■12-volt battery-saving function
In order to prevent the 12-volt bat-
tery of the vehicle from discharging, 
if the headlights and/or tail lights are 
on when the power switch is turned 
off the 12-volt battery-saving func-
tion will operate and  automatically 
turn off all the lig hts after approxi-
mately 20 minutes. When the power 
switch is turned to ON, the 12-volt 
battery-saving function will be dis-
abled. 
When any of the following are per-
formed, the 12-volt battery-saving 
function is canceled once and then 
reactivated. All the  lights will turn off 
automatically 20 mi nutes after the 
12-volt battery-saving function has 
been reactivated:
●When the headlight switch is oper-
ated
●When a door is opened or closed
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.526) 

2314-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
1 With the headlights on, push 
the lever away from you to 
turn on the high beams.
Pull the lever to ward you to the 
center position to turn the high 
beams off.
2 Pull the lever toward you and 
release it to flash the high 
beams once.
You can flash the high beams with 
the headlights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting 
System) secures excellent visi-
bility at intersections and on 
curves by automatically adjust-
ing the direction of the light axis 
of the headlights according to 
vehicle speed and the degree of  the tire’s angle as controlled by 
steering input.
AFS operates at speeds of 6 mph 
(10 km/h) or higher.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.526)
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-vo lt battery dis-
charge
Do not leave the lights on longer 
than necessary when the hybrid 
system is off.
Turning on the high beam 
headlights
AFS (Adaptive Front-light-
ing System) (if equipped) 

2324-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
1Press the Automatic High 
Beam switch. 2
Push the lever away from 
you with the headlight switch 
in the   or   position.
The Automatic High Beam indicator 
will come on  when the system is 
operating.
■Conditions to turn the high 
beams on/off automatically
●When all of the f ollowing condi-
tions are met, t he high beams will 
be turned on autom atically (after 
approximately 1 second):
• The vehicle speed is approxi-
mately 21 mph (34 km/h) or more.
• The area ahead of the vehicle is  dark.
• There are no vehicles ahead with  headlights or tail lights turned on.
• There are few str eetlights on the 
road ahead.
●If any of the following conditions is 
met, the high beams will turn off 
automatically:
• The vehicle speed is below 
approximately 17 mph (27 km/h).
• The area ahead of the vehicle is  not dark.
• Vehicles ahead have their head- lights or tail lights turned on.
• There are many streetlights on the  road ahead.
■Camera sensor detection infor-
mation
●The high beams m ay not be auto-
matically turned off in the following 
situations:
• When a vehicle suddenly appears 
Automatic High Beam
The Automatic High Beam 
uses a camera sensor 
located behind the upper 
portion of the windshield to 
assess the brightness of the 
lights of vehicles ahead, 
streetlights, etc., and auto-
matically turns the high 
beams on or off as neces-
sary.
WA R N I N G
■Limitations of the Automatic 
High Beam
Do not overly rely on the Auto-
matic High Beam. Always drive 
safely, taking care to observe your 
surroundings and turning the high 
beams on or off manually if nec-
essary.
■To prevent incorrect opera-
tion of the Automatic High 
Beam system
Do not overload the vehicle.
Activating the Automatic 
High Beam 

2334-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
from around a curve
• When the vehicle is cut in front of  by another vehicle
• When vehicles ahead cannot be  detected due to repeated curves, 
road dividers or roadside trees
• When vehicles ahead appear in a  faraway lane on a wide road
• When the lights of vehicles ahead 
are not on
●The high beams may be turned off 
if a vehicle ahead that is using fog 
lights without its headlights turned 
on is detected.
●House lights, street lights, traffic 
signals, and illumi nated billboards 
or signs and other reflective 
objects may cause the high 
beams to change to the low 
beams, or the low beams to 
remain on.
●The following factors may affect 
the amount of time taken for the 
high beams to turn on or off:
• The brightness of the headlights,  fog lights, and ta il lights of vehi-
cles ahead
• The movement and direction of  vehicles ahead
• When a vehicle ahead only has 
operational lights on one side
• When a vehicle ahead is a  two-wheeled vehicle
• The condition of  the road (gradi-
ent, curve, condi tion of the road 
surface, etc.)
• The number of passengers and  amount of luggage in the vehicle
●The high beams may turn on or off 
unexpectedly.
●Bicycles or similar vehicles may 
not be detected.
●In the following situations the sys-
tem may not be abl e to correctly 
detect the surrounding brightness 
level. This may cause the low 
beams to remain on or the high 
beams to flash or dazzle pedestri-
ans or vehicles ahead. In such a 
case, it is necess ary to manually 
switch between the high and low 
beams. • When driving in inclement weather 
(heavy rain, snow, fog, sand-
storms, etc.)
• When the windshi eld is obscured 
by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.
• When the windshield is cracked or 
damaged
• When the camera sensor is  deformed or dirty
• When the temperature of the cam- era sensor is extremely high
• When the surrounding brightness 
level is equal to that of headlights, 
tail lights or fog lights
• When headlights or tail lights of 
vehicles ahead are turned off, 
dirty, changing color, or not aimed 
properly
• When the vehicle  is hit by water, 
snow, dust, etc. from a preceding 
vehicle
• When driving through an area of  intermittently changing brightness 
and darkness
• When frequently and repeatedly  driving ascending/descending 
roads, or roads with rough, bumpy 
or uneven surfaces (such as 
stone-paved roads, gravel roads, 
etc.)
• When frequently and repeatedly  taking curves or driving on a wind-
ing road
• When there is a h ighly reflective 
object ahead of the vehicle, such 
as a sign or mirror
• When the back of a preceding  vehicle is highly reflective, such as 
a container on a truck
• When the vehicle’s headlights are  damaged or dirty, or are not aimed 
properly
• When the vehicle is listing or titling  due to a flat tire, a trailer being 
towed, etc.
• When the headlights are changed  between the high beams and low 
beams repeatedly in an abnormal 
manner
• When the driver believes that the  high beams may be flashing or 
dazzling pedestrians or other driv-
ers 

2344-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Temporarily lowering sensor 
sensitivity
The sensitivity of the sensor can be 
temporarily lowered.
1 Turn the power switch off while 
the following cond itions are met.
●The headlight switch is in   or 
.
●The headlight switch lever is in 
high beam position.
●Automatic High Beam switch is 
on.
2 Turn the power  switch to ON.
3 Within 60 seconds after step  2, 
repeat pulling the headlight 
switch lever to the original posi-
tion then pushing it to the high 
beam position qu ickly 10 times, 
then leave the lever in high beam 
position.
4 If the sensitivity is changed, the 
Automatic High Beam indicator 
is turn on and off 3 times.
Automatic High Beam (headlights) 
may turn on even w hen the vehicle 
is stopped.
■Switching to the low beams
Pull the lever to its original posi-
tion.
The Automatic High Beam indicator 
will turn off.
Push the lever away from you to 
activate the Automatic High Beam 
system again.
■Switching to the high 
beams
Press the Automatic High Beam 
switch.
The Automatic High Beam indicator 
will turn off and the  high beam indi-
cator will turn on.
Press the switch to activate the 
Automatic High Beam system 
again.
Turning the high beams 
on/off manually 

2354-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
*: If equipped
1  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Turns the fog lights off
2  Turns the fog lights on
■Fog lights can be used when
The headlights are on in low beam.
Operate the   lever oper-
ates the wipers or washer as fol-
lows.
Intermittent windshield wip-
ers with interval adjuster
1  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Off
2  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Intermittent operation
Fog light switch*
The fog lights secure excel-
lent visibility in difficult driv-
ing conditions, such as in 
rain and fog.
Operating instructions
Windshield wipers and 
washer
Operating the lever can 
switch between automatic 
operation and manual oper-
ation, or can use the 
washer.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they 
may damage the windshield.
Operating the wiper lever 

2454-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
●Do not attach objects, such as 
stickers, transparent stickers, 
etc., to the oute r side of the 
windshield in fr ont of the front 
camera (shaded  area in the 
illustration).
From the top of the windshield 
to approximately 0.4 in. (1 cm) 
below the bottom of the front 
camera
Approximately 7.9 in. (20 cm) 
(Approximately 4.0 in. [10 cm] 
to the right and left from the 
center of the front camera)
●If the part of the windshield in 
front of the front camera is 
fogged up or covered with con-
densation, or ice, use the wind-
shield defogger to remove the 
fog, condensation, or ice. 
(
P.338)
●If water droplets cannot be 
properly removed from the area 
of the windshield in front of the 
front camera by the windshield 
wipers, replace the wiper insert 
or wiper blade.
●Do not attach win dow tint to the 
windshield.
●Replace the windshield if it is 
damaged or cracked. 
After replacing the windshield, 
the front camera must be recali-
brated. Contact your Toyota 
dealer for details.
●Do not allow liquids to contact 
the front camera.
●Do not allow bright lights to 
shine into the front camera.
●Do not dirty or damage the front 
camera. 
When cleaning the inside of the 
windshield, do not allow glass 
cleaner to contact the lens of 
the front camera. Also, do not 
touch the lens.
If the lens is dirty or damaged, 
contact your Toyota dealer.
●Do not subject the front camera 
to a strong impact.
●Do not change the installation 
position or direction of the front 
camera or remove it.
●Do not disasse mble the front 
camera.
●Do not modify any components 
of the vehicle around the front 
camera (inside rear view mirror, 
etc.) or ceiling.
●Do not attach a ny accessories 
to the hood, front grille or front 
bumper that may obstruct the 
front camera. Contact your Toy-
ota dealer for details.
●If a surfboard or other long 
object is to be mounted on the 
roof, make sure  that it will not 
obstruct the front camera.
●Do not modify the headlights or 
other lights. 

2554-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
swerving, accelera tion or deceler-
ation)
• When your vehicle approaches a 
detectable object rapidly
• When a detectable object is not  directly in front of your vehicle
• When a detectable object is near  a wall, fence, guardrail, manhole 
cover, vehicle, steel plate on the 
road, etc.
• When a detectable object is under 
a structure
• When part of a detectable object  is hidden by an object, such as 
large baggage, an umbrella, or 
guardrail
• When multiple detectable objects 
are close together
• If the sun or other light is shining  directly on a detectable object
• When a detectable object is a  shade of white and looks 
extremely bright
• When a detectable object appears  to be nearly the same color or 
brightness as its surroundings
• If a detectable object cuts or sud- denly emerges in front of your 
vehicle
• When the front of your vehicle is  hit by water, snow, dust, etc.
• When a very bright light ahead, 
such as the sun or the headlights 
of oncoming traffic, shines directly 
into the front camera
• When approaching the side or  front of a vehicle ahead
• If a vehicle ahead is a motorcycle
• If a vehicle ahead is narrow, such  as a personal mobility vehicle
• If a preceding vehicle has a small  rear end, such as an unloaded 
truck
• If a preceding vehicle has a low  rear end, such as a low bed trailer
• If a vehicle ahead has extremely  high ground clearance
• If a vehicle ahead is carrying a  load which protrudes past its rear 
bumper
• If a vehicle ahead is irregularly 
shaped, such as a tractor or side 
car
• If a vehicle ahead is a child sized 
bicycle, a bicycle that is carrying a 
large load, a bicycle ridden by 
more than one person, or a 
uniquely shaped bicycle (bicycle 
with a child seat, tandem bicycle, 
etc.)
• If a pedestrian/or the riding height  of a bicyclist ahead is shorter than 
approximately 3.2 ft. (1 m) or taller 
than approximate ly 6.5 ft. (2 m)
• If a pedestrian/bic yclist is wearing 
oversized clothing (a rain coat, 
long skirt, etc.), making their sil-
houette obscure
• If a pedestrian is bending forward 
or squatting or bicyclist is bending 
forward
• If a pedestrian/bicyclist is moving 
fast
• If a pedestrian is pushing a  stroller, wheelchair, bicycle or 
other vehicle
• When driving in inclement weather  such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a 
sandstorm