
1192-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
When the vehicle is powered by th e gasoline engine (Example: 8-inch dis-
play)
2WD/AWD models 

1222-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
When the vehicle is powered by the electric motor (traction motor) (Exam-
ple: 7-inch display)
2WD/AWD modelsAWD models only
When the vehicle is powered by both the gasoline engine and the  electric 
motor (traction motor) ( Example: 7-inch display)
2WD/AWD modelsAWD models only
When the vehicle is powered by th e gasoline engine (Example: 7-inch dis-
play)
2WD/AWD models 

1924-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Operating your vehicle in a for-
eign country
Comply with the re levant vehicle 
registration laws and confirm the 
availability of the  correct fuel. 
(  P.507)
■Eco-friendly driving
 P. 9 0
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so m ay result in 
death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the 
brake pedal while stopped with 
the “READY” indi cator is illumi-
nated. This prevents the vehicle 
from creeping.
■When driving  the vehicle
●Do not drive if y ou are unfamil-
iar with the location of the brake 
and accelerator pedals to avoid 
depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the  accelerator pedal instead of the 
brake pedal will result in sudden 
acceleration that may lead to an 
accident.
• When backing up, you may twist  your body around, leading to a 
difficulty in operating the pedals. 
Make sure to operate the pedals 
properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct  driving posture even when mov-
ing the vehicle only slightly. This 
allows you to depress the brake 
and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using  your right foot. Depressing the 
brake pedal using your left foot 
may delay respon se in an emer-
gency, resulting in an accident.
●The driver should pay extra 
attention to pedestrians when 
the vehicle is powered only by 
the electric motor (traction 
motor). As there is no engine 
noise, the pedestrians may mis-
judge the vehicle’s movement. 
Even though the vehicle is 
equipped with the acoustic vehi-
cle alerting system, drive with 
care as pedestri ans in the vicin-
ity may still not n otice the vehi-
cle if the surrounding area is 
noisy.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or 
stop the vehicle near flammable 
materials.
The exhaust system and 
exhaust gases can be 
extremely hot. These hot parts 
may cause a fire i f there is any 
flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not 
turn off the hybrid system. 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.
In the event of a n emergency, 
such as if it becomes impossible 
to stop the vehicle in the normal 
way: 
P. 4 5 2
●Use engine braking (downshift) 
to maintain a safe speed when 
driving down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously 
may cause the brakes to over-
heat and lose effectiveness. 
(
P.220)
●Do not adjust the positions of 
the steering wheel, the seat, or 
the inside or outside rear view 
mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of 
vehicle control. 

1934-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
●Always check that all passen-
gers’ arms, heads or other parts 
of their body are not outside the 
vehicle.
●AWD models: This is not an 
AWD vehicle designed for 
off-road driving. Proceed with all 
due caution if it becomes 
unavoidable to drive off-road.
●Do not drive across a river or 
through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/elec-
tronic components to short cir-
cuit, damage the hybrid system 
or cause other serious damage 
to the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the 
speed limit. Even if the legal 
speed limit permits it, do not 
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) 
unless your vehicle has 
high-speed capabilit y tires. Driv-
ing over 85 mp h (140 km/h) 
may result in tire failure, loss of 
control and possible injury. Be 
sure to consult a tire dealer to 
determine whether the tires on 
your vehicle are high-speed 
capability tires or not before 
driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery 
road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration 
and steering may cause tire 
slippage and reduce your ability 
to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine 
braking due to shifting, or 
changes in engine speed could 
cause the vehicle to skid.
●After driving through a puddle, 
lightly depress the brake pedal 
to make sure t hat the brakes 
are functioning properly. Wet 
brake pads may prevent the 
brakes from functioning prop-
erly. If the brakes on only one 
side are wet and not functioning 
properly, steering control may 
be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll back-
ward while a fo rward driving 
position is selected, or roll for-
ward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an acci-
dent or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the sh ift lever to P 
while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the sh ift lever to R 
while the vehicle is moving for-
ward.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a 
driving position while the vehicle 
is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while 
the vehicle is moving will disen-
gage the hybrid system. Engine 
braking is not a vailable when N 
is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift 
lever with the accelerator pedal 
depressed. Shifting the shift 
lever to any position other than 
P or N may lead to unexpected 
rapid acceleration of the vehicle 
that may cause an accident and 
result in death or serious injury. 

1944-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
WA R N I N G
■If you hear a squealing or 
scraping noise (brake pad 
wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and 
replaced by your Toyota dealer as 
soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the 
pads are not replaced when 
needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle 
when the wear lim its of the brake 
pads and/or those of the brake 
discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress t he accelerator 
pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any posi-
tion other than P or N, the vehi-
cle may accelerate suddenly 
and unexpectedly, causing an 
accident.
●In order to prev ent accidents 
due to the vehicle rolling away, 
always keep depressing the 
brake pedal while stopped with 
the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated, and appl y the parking 
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an 
incline, in order to prevent acci-
dents caused by the vehicle roll-
ing forward or backward, always 
depress the brake pedal and 
securely apply the parking 
brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the 
engine.
Running the engine at high 
speed while the vehicle is 
stopped may cause the exhaust 
system to overheat, which could 
result in a fire if combustible 
material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave gla sses, cigarette 
lighters, spray cans, or soft 
drink cans in the vehicle when it 
is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the fol-
lowing:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette  lighter or spray  can, and may 
lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the  vehicle may cause the plastic 
lenses and plastic material of 
glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture,  causing the contents to spray 
over the interior of the vehicle, 
and may also cause a short cir-
cuit in the vehicl e’s electrical 
components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in 
the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter 
is in a place such as the glove 
box or on the floor, it may be lit 
accidentally when luggage is 
loaded or the se at is adjusted, 
causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to 
the windshield or windows. Do 
not place containers such as air 
fresheners on the instrument 
panel or dashboard. Adhesive 
discs or containers may act as 
lenses, causing a fire in the 
vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window 
open if the curved glass is 
coated with a metallized film 
such as a silver-colored one. 
Reflected sunlight may cause 
the glass to act a s a lens, caus-
ing a fire. 

1964-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_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 vehi cle may acceler-
ate suddenly if the accelerator 
pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle 
parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel 
fully in either direction and hold 
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 pos-
sible to avoid damaging the 
wheels, underside of the vehi-
cle, etc.
■If you get a flat tire while driv-
ing
A flat or damaged tire may cause 
the following situations. Hold the 
steering wheel firmly and gradu-
ally depress the brake pedal to 
slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your 
vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal 
sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnor-
mally.
Information on what to do in case 
of a flat tire (
P.474)
■When encountering flooded 
roads
Do not drive on a road that has 
flooded after heavy rain etc. 
Doing 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 is 
flooded, be sure to have your Toy-
ota dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality 
of oil and fluid used for the 
engine, hybrid transaxle (front 
and rear [AWD models]), etc.
●Lubricant condition for bearings 
and suspension joints (where 
possible), and the function of all 
joints, bearings, etc. 

2024-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●All trailer lights work as required 
by law.
●All lights work each time you con-
nect 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 improper 
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/provin-
cial or local regu lations. If they do 
not, install rear  view mirrors 
appropriate for towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped 
with any new power train compo-
nents (such as an engine, hybrid 
transmission, rear differential or 
wheel bearing), Toyota recommends 
that you do not tow  a trailer until the 
vehicle has been 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 vehi-
cle 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 f requent mainte-
nance due to the additional load. 
(See “Scheduled Maintenance 
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement”.)
●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 contr ol trailer sway-
ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator  pedal immediately but very gradu-
ally 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 occu- pants 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 over-
loaded 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 combina-
tion. Drive at a lower speed to pre-
vent instability. Remember that 
swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer 
increases as speed increases. 

2064-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Certification Label. (P.504)
 If the gross trailer weight is 
over the unbraked TWR, 
trailer service brakes are 
required. 
If the gross trailer weight is 
over 2000 lb. (900 kg), a sway 
control device with sufficient 
capacity is required.
Confirm that the gross trailer we ight, gross combination weight, 
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all 
within the limits.
■GCWR*1 and TWR*1
■Unbraked TWR*1
1000 lb. (450 kg)
*1: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SA E Inter-
national per SAE J2807.
*2: The model code is indicated o n the Certification Label. (P.504)
*3: For 7-seat models
*4: For 8-seat models
A recommended tongue 
weight varies in accordance 
with the types of trailers or 
towing as described below. 
To ensure the recommended 
values shown below, the 
trailer must be loaded by 
referring to the following 
instructions.
• Tongue Weight
GCWR, TWR and Unbraked TWR
Model code*2EngineDriving 
systemGCWRTWR
 AXUH70L-ARXNHA
 AXUH70L-ARXMHA
 AXUH70L-ARXGHA
2.5L L4 
(A25A-FX
S) engine
2WD9460 lb. 
(4290 kg)
3500 lb. 
(1590 kg) AXUH78L-ARXNHA
 AXUH78L-ARXMHA
 AXUH78L-ARXGHA
*3AWD
9500 lb. 
(4310 kg)
AXUH78L-ARXGHA*49565 lb. 
(4340 kg)
Trailer Tongue Weight