
189
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
4
Driving
Driving
.4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle....... 190
Cargo and luggage ..... 197
Vehicle load limits ....... 200
Trailer towing............... 201
Dinghy towing ............. 212
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch.................................. 213
EV drive mode ............ 218
Hybrid transmission .... 220
Turn signal lever.......... 223
Parking brake .............. 224
Brake Hold .................. 227
4-3. Operating the lights and  wipers
Headlight switch .......... 229
Automatic High Beam . 232
Fog light switch ........... 235
Windshield wipers and  washer....................... 235
Rear windshield wiper and  washer....................... 238
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................. 240
4-5. Using the  driving support 
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 .................................. 243PCS (Pre-Collision System)
.................................. 249
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................. 257
RSA (Road Sign Assist) .................................. 267
Dynamic radar cruise con- trol with full-speed range.................................. 270
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................. 280
Intuitive parking assist . 286
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic  Alert) function ............ 294
PKSB (Parking Support  Brake) ........................ 299
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) .... 306
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehi-
cles) ........................... 312
Driving mode select switch .................................. 316
Trail Mode ................... 317
Driving assist systems .................................. 319
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips.................................. 325
Winter driving tips........ 327
Utility vehicle precautions .................................. 330 

1904-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4-1.Before driving
■Starting the hybrid system
 P. 2 1 3
■Driving
1 With the brake pedal 
depressed, shift the shift 
lever to D. ( P.220)
2 Release the parking brake. 
( P.224)
If the parking brake is in automatic 
mode, the parking brake is 
released automatically when shift-
ing the shift lever to any position 
other than P. ( P.224)
3 Gradually release the brake 
pedal and gently depress the 
accelerator pedal to acceler-
ate the vehicle.
■Stopping
1 With the shift lever in D, 
depress the brake pedal.
2 If necessary, set the parking 
brake. ( P.224)
If the vehicle is to be stopped for an 
extended period of time, shift the 
shift lever to P or N. ( P.220)
■Parking the vehicle
1 With the shift lever in D, 
depress the brake pedal. 2
Set the parking brake 
( P.224), and shift the shift 
lever to P ( P.220).
3 Press the power switch to 
stop the hybrid system.
4 Lock the door, making sure 
that you have the electronic 
key on your person.
If parking on a hill, block the wheels 
as needed.
■Starting off on a steep 
uphill
1 With the brake pedal 
depressed, shift the shift 
lever to D. ( P.220)
2 Pull the parking brake switch 
and parking brake is set man-
ually. ( P.224)
3 Release the brake pedal and 
gently depress the accelera-
tor pedal to accelerate the 
vehicle.
4 Push the parking brake 
switch and parking brake is 
released manually.
■When starting off on a uphill
The hill-start assist control will acti-
vate. ( P.319)
■For fuel-efficient driving
Keep in mind that hybrid vehicles 
are similar to conventional vehicles, 
and it is necessary to refrain from 
activities such as sudden accelera-
tion. ( P.325)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully whe n it is raining, 
because visibility will be reduced, 
the windows may become 
fogged-up,  and the road will be 
Driving the vehicle
The following procedures 
should be observed to 
ensure safe driving:
Driving procedure 

2154-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake 
( P.224), and shift the shift 
lever to P.
Check the parking brake indicator 
is illuminated.
3 Press the power switch.
The hybrid system will stop, and the 
meter display will be extinguished.
4Release the brake pedal and 
check that “ACCESSORY” or 
“IGNITION ON” is not shown 
on the multi-information dis-
play.
■Automatic hybrid system shut 
off feature
●The vehicle is equipped with a 
feature that automatically shuts off 
the hybrid system when the shift 
lever is in P with  the hybrid system 
operating for an extended period.
●The hybrid system will automati- cally shut off after approximately 1 
hour if it has been left running 
while the shift lever is in P.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid 
system shut off feature will reset if 
the brake pedal is depressed or if 
the shift lever is in a position other 
than P.
●After the vehicle 
is parked, if the 
door is locked with the door lock 
switch ( P.134) from the inside or 
the mechanical k ey from the out-
side, the automatic hybrid system 
shut off feature  will be disabled. 
The timer for the automatic hybrid 
system shut off feature will be 
re-enabled if the driver’s door is 
opened.
NOTICE
■When starting the hybrid sys-
tem
If the hybrid system becomes diffi-
cult to start, have your vehicle 
checked by your Toyota dealer 
immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a mal-
function with the power 
switch
If the power switch seems to be 
operating somewh at differently 
than usual, such  as the switch 
sticking slightly, there may be a 
malfunction. Contact your Toyota 
dealer immediately.
Stopping the hybrid sys-
temWA R N I N G
■Stopping the hybrid system 
in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid 
system in an emergency while 
driving the vehicle, press and 
hold the power s witch for more 
than 2 seconds, or press it 
briefly 3 times or more in suc-
cession. (
P.452)
However, do not touch the 
power switch while driving 
except in an emergency. Turn-
ing the hybrid s ystem off while 
driving will not cause loss of 
steering or braking control, how-
ever, power assist to the steer-
ing will be lost. This will make it 
more difficult to steer smoothly, 
so you should pull over and stop 
the vehicle as soon as it is safe 
to do so.
●If the power switch is operated 
while the vehicle  is running, a 
warning message will be shown 
on the multi-information display 
and a buzzer sounds. 

2864-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_Ucle and/or object may increase in 
the following situations:
• When the sensor  is misaligned 
due to a strong impact to the sen-
sor or its surrounding area
• When the distanc e between your 
vehicle and a guar drail, wall, etc. 
that enters the detection area is 
short
• When driving up and down con- secutive steep inclines, such as 
hills, dips in the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or  when driving on the edge of a 
lane, and a vehicle traveling in a 
lane other than the adjacent lanes 
enters the detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp 
bends, consecutive curves, or 
uneven surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or 
spinning
• When the distanc e between your 
vehicle and a following vehicle is 
short
• When an accessory (such as a  bicycle carrier) is installed to the 
rear of the vehicle
*: If equipped
■Types of sensors
Front corner sensors
Front center sensors
Rear corner sensors
Rear center sensors
■Display
When the sensors detect an 
object, such as a wall, a graphic 
is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, head-up display (if 
Intuitive parking 
assist*
The distance from your 
vehicle to objects, such as a 
wall, when parallel parking 
or maneuvering into a 
garage is measured by the 
sensors and communicated 
via the multi-information 
display, head-up display (if 
equipped), audio system 
screen and a buzzer. Always 
check the surrounding area 
when using this system.
System components 

2874-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
equipped) and audio system 
screen depending on the posi-
tion and distance to the object.
 Multi-information display and 
head-up display
Front corner sensor detection
Front center sensor detection
Rear corner sensor detection
Rear center sensor detection
 Audio system screen (vehi-
cles with a Toyota parking 
assist monitor)
When the R shift lever is selected, 
a simplified image is displayed on 
the audio system screen.
Audio system screen (vehi-
cles with a Panoramic view 
monitor)
A graphic will be displayed on the 
audio system screen.
Use the meter control switches 
to enable/disable the intuitive 
parking assist. ( P.107)
1 Press   or   to select  .
2 Press   or   to select   
and then press  .
When the intuitive parking assist 
function is disabled, the intuitive 
parking assist OFF indicator 
( P.86) illuminates.
To re-enable the system, select   on the multi-information dis-
play, select   and turn it on. If 
the system is disabled, it will 
remain off even if the power 
switch is turned to ON after the 
power switch has been turned 
off.
Turning intuitive parking 
assist on/off 

2884-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
WA R N I N G
■When using the intuitive park-
ing assist
Observe the following precau-
tions. 
Failing to do so may result in the 
vehicle being unable to be driven 
safely and possibly cause an acci-
dent.
●Do not use the sensor at 
speeds in excess of 6 mph (10 
km/h).
●The sensors’ detection areas 
and reaction times are limited. 
When moving forward or revers-
ing, check the areas surround-
ing the vehicle (especially the 
sides of the vehicle) for safety, 
and drive slowly, using the 
brake to control the vehicle’s 
speed.
●Do not install accessories within 
the sensors’ d etection areas.
●The area directly under the 
bumpers is not detected.
Thin posts or objects lower than 
the sensor may not be detected 
when approached, even if they 
have been det ected once.
■When to disable the function
In the following situations, disable 
the function as  it may operate 
even though there is no possibility 
of a collision.
●The vehicle is equipped with a 
fender pole, wireless antenna or 
fog lights.
●The front or rear bumper or a 
sensor receives a strong 
impact.
●A non-genuine Toyota suspen-
sion (lowered suspension, etc.) 
is installed.
●To w i n g   e y e l e t s  are installed.
●A backlit licence plate is 
installed.
■When using intuitive parking 
assist
In the following  situations, the 
system may not function correctly 
due to a sensor malfunction, etc. 
Have the vehicle checked by your 
Toyota dealer.
●The intuitive parking assist 
operation display flashes or 
shows continuously, and a 
buzzer sounds when no objects 
are detected.
●If the area around a sensor col-
lides with something, or is sub-
jected to strong impact.
●If the bumper or grille collides 
with something.
●If the display flashes or is dis-
played continuously and a 
buzzer does not sound, except 
when the mute function has 
been turned on.
●If a display error occurs, first 
check the sensor. 
If the error occurs even when 
there is no ice,  snow or mud on 
the sensor, it is likely that the 
sensor is malfunctioning.
■Notes when washing the vehi-
cle
Do not apply intensive bursts of 
water or steam to the sensor 
area.
Doing so may result in the sensor 
malfunctioning.
●When using a high pressure 
washer to wash the vehicle, do 
not spray the sensors directly, 
as doing so may cause a sensor 
to malfunction. 

2894-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
■The system can be operated 
when
●The power switch is in ON.
●Intuitive parking assist function is 
on.
●The vehicle speed is less than 
about 6 mph (10 km/h).
●A shift lever other than P.
■If “Parking Assist Unavailable” 
is displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display
●Water may be continuously flow-
ing over the sensor surface, such 
as in a heavy rain. When the sys-
tem determines that it is normal, 
the system will re turn to normal.
●Initialization may not have been 
performed after a battery terminal 
was disconnected and recon-
nected. Initialize the system. 
(  P.289) If this message contin-
ues to be displayed even after ini-
tialization, have the vehicle 
inspected by you r Toyota dealer.
■If “Parking Assist Unavailable 
Clean Parking Assist Sensor” is 
displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display
A sensor may be covered with ice, 
snow, dirt, etc. Remove the ice, 
snow, dirt, etc., from the sensor to 
return the syste m to normal.
Also, due to ice forming on a sensor 
at low temperatures, a warning 
message may be displayed or the 
sensor may not be able to detect an 
object. Once the ice melts, the sys-
tem will return  to normal.
■If a 12-volt battery terminal has 
been disconnected and recon-
nected
The system needs to be initialized. 
To initialize the system, drive the 
vehicle straight ahead for 5 seconds 
or more at a speed of approximately 
22 mph (35 km/h) or more.
■Sensor detection information
●The following situations may occur 
during use.
• The sensor's detec tion areas are 
limited to the areas around the 
vehicle front and rear bumpers.
• Depending on the shape of the  object and other factors, the 
detection distance may shorten, or 
detection may be impossible.
• If an object is extremely close to a  sensor, it may not be detected.
• There will be a short delay  between object detection and dis-
play. Even at low speeds, there is 
a possibility tha t the object will 
come within the sensor’s detec-
tion areas before the display is 
shown and the warning beep 
sounds.
• It might be diffic ult to hear the 
buzzer due to the volume of the 
audio system or air flow noise of 
the air conditioning system.
• It may be diffi cult to hear the 
buzzer if buzzers for other sys-
tems are sounding.
■Conditions under which the 
function may not function cor-
rectly
Certain vehicle conditions and the 
surrounding environment may affect 
the ability of a sensor to correctly 
detect objects. Part icular instances 
where this may occur are listed 
below.
●There is dirt, snow or ice on a sen-
sor. (Cleaning the sensors will 
resolve this problem.)
●A sensor is froz en. (Thawing the 
area will resolve this problem.) 
In especially cold weather, if a 
sensor is frozen the sensor dis-
WA R N I N G
●When using steam to clean the 
vehicle, do not direct steam too 
c los e to  th e se ns or s a s do ing  so  
may cause a sens or to malfunc-
tion. 

2904-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_Uplay may be displayed abnormally, 
or objects, such as a wall, may not 
be detected.
●A sensor is covered in any way.
●When a sensor or the area around 
a sensor is extremely hot or cold.
●On an extremely bumpy road, on 
an incline, on gravel, or on grass.
●The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy 
due to vehicle horns, motorcycle 
engines, air brakes of large vehi-
cles, or other l
oud noises produc-
ing ultrasonic waves.
●There is another vehicle equipped 
with parking assist sensors in the 
vicinity.
●A sensor is coated  with a sheet of 
spray or heavy rain.
●If a sensor is hit by a large amount 
of water, such as when driving on 
a flooded road.
●If the vehicle is sig nificantly tilted.
●The vehicle is approaching a tall 
or curved curb.
●If objects draw too close to the 
sensor.
■Objects which may not be prop-
erly detected
The shape of the object may pre-
vent the sensor from detecting it. 
Pay particular attention to the follow-
ing objects:
●Wires, fences, ropes, etc.
●Cotton, snow and other materials 
that absorb sound waves
●Sharply-angled objects
●Low objects
●Tall objects with upper sections 
projecting outwards in the direc-
tion of your vehicle
People may not be detected if they 
are wearing certain types of cloth-
ing.
■Adjusting the buzzer vol-
ume
The buzzer volume can be 
adjusted on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Use the meter control switches 
to change settings. ( P.107)
1 Press   or   to select  .
2 Press   or   to select and 
 then press and hold  .
3 Select the volume and then 
press  .
Each time the switch is pressed, 
the volume level will change 
between 1, 2, and 3.
■Muting a buzzer temporarily
A mute button will be displayed 
on the multi-information display 
when an object is detected. To 
mute the buzzer, press  .
Mute will be canceled automati-
cally in the following situations:
 When the shift lever is 
changed.
 When the vehicle speed 
exceeds a certain speed.
 When there is malfunction in 
a sensor or the system is tem-
porarily unavailable.
 When the operating function 
is disabled manually.
 When the power switch is 
turned off.
Setting the buzzer volume