
3TABLE OF CONTENTS
HIGHLANDER HV_U
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Parking brake ..................... 224
Brake Hold ......................... 227
4-3. Operating the lights and wip- ers
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 sys- tems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 .... 243
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ......................................... 249
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)... 257
RSA (Road Sign Assist) ..... 267
Dynamic radar cruise control  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 function  (static objects) .................. 306
Parking Support Brake function  (rear-crossing vehicles).... 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... 3305-1. Toyota multi-operation touch
Toyota multi-operation touch......................................... 334
5-2. Using the air conditioning  system and defogger
Front automatic air conditioning 
system ............................. 336
Rear automatic air conditioning  system ............................. 348
Heated steering wheel/seat  heaters/seat ventilators.... 352
5-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................. 356
5-4. Using the storage features List of storage features ...... 359
Luggage compartment features ......................................... 364
5-5. Using the other interior fea- tures
Other interior features ........ 368
Garage door opener........... 384
6-1. Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior................. 394
Cleaning and protecting the  vehicle interior.................. 397
6-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements ........
................................. 400
General maintenance......... 402
Emission inspection and mainte- nance (I/M) programs ...... 404
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precau-tions ................................. 406
5Interior features
6Maintenance and care 

19Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER HV_U
USB port*1
USB charging ports ............................................. .............. P.368
Power outlet ................................................... .................... P.377
Brake hold switch .............................................. ................ P.227
Parking brake switch ........................................... .............. P.224
Applying/releasing............................................. ................... P.224
Precautions against winter season .............................. ........ P.327
Warning buzzer/light/message ................................... .. P.460, 470
Trail Mode switch
*2............................................................ P.3 17
EV drive mode switch ........................................... ............. P.218
VSC OFF switch ................................................. ................ P.320
Driving mode select switch ..................................... .......... P.316
*1: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA  SYSTEM OWNER’S MAN-
UAL”.
*2: If equipped 

361-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed 
based on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The 
airbag sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on 
information obtained from the sensors etc. shown in the system 
components diagram above. This in formation includes crash sever-
ity and occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical  
reaction in the inflators quickly  fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to 
help restrain the motion of the occupants.
■If the SRS airbags deploy 
(inflate)
●Slight abrasions,  burns, bruising 
etc., may be sustained from SRS 
airbags, due to the extremely high 
speed deployment (inflation) by 
hot gases.
●A loud noise and white powder will 
be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steer-
ing wheel hub, airbag cover and 
inflator) as well as the front seats, 
parts of the front  and rear pillars, 
and roof side rails, may be hot for 
several minutes. T he airbag itself 
may also be hot.
●The windshield may crack.
●The hybrid system will be stopped 
and fuel supply to the engine will 
be stopped. ( P. 7 8 )
●All of the doors will be unlocked. 
( P.132)
●The brakes and st op lights will be 
controlled automatically. ( P.320)
●The interior lights will turn on auto-
matically. ( P.358)
●The emergency flashers will turn 
on automatically. ( P.452)
●For Safety Connect subscribers, if 
any of the following situations 
occur, the system is designed to 
send an emergency call to the 
response center, notifying them of 
the vehicle’s location (without 
needing to push the “SOS” button) 
and an agent will attempt to speak 
with the occupants to ascertain 
the level of emergency and assis- tance required. If the occupants 
are unable to communicate, the 
agent automatically treats the call 
as an emergency and helps to dis-
patch the necessary emergency 
services. (
P. 6 5 )
• An SRS airbag is deployed.
• A seat belt pretensioner is acti-
vated.
• The vehicle is involved in a severe 
rear-end collision.
■SRS airbag deployment condi-
tions (SRS front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy 
in the event of an impact that 
exceeds the set  threshold level 
(the level of forc e corresponding 
to an approximately 12 - 18 mph 
[20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with 
a fixed wall that does not move or 
deform).
However, this threshold velocity will 
be considerably higher in the follow-
ing situations:
• If the vehicle strikes an object,  such as a parked vehicle or sign 
pole, which can move or deform 
on impact
• If the vehicle is involved in an  underride collision, such as a colli-
sion in which the front of the vehi-
cle “underrides”, or goes under, 
the bed of a truck
●Depending on the type of collision, 
it is possible that only the seat belt 
pretensioners will activate.
●The SRS front airbags for the front 
passenger will not activate if there 
is no passenger sitting in the front 
passenger seat. However, the  

852-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
7-inch display
The units used on the meters and some indicators may differ 
depending on the target region.
Warning lights inform the driver 
of malfunctions in the indicated 
vehicle’s systems.
Warning lights
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning 
light
*1 (  P.460)
(red)
(Canada)
Brake system warning 
light
*1 (  P.460)
(yellow)
Brake system warning 
light
*1 ( P.460)
High coolant temperature 
warning light
*2 (  P.460)
Hybrid system overheat 
warning light
*2 (  P.461)
Charging system warning 
light
*2 (  P.461)
Low engine oil pressure 
warning light
*2 (  P.461)
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator 
lamp
*1 ( P.461)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator 
lamp
*1 ( P.461)
SRS warning light
*1 
(  P.462)
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light*1 
(  P.462)
(Canada)
ABS warning light*1 
(  P.462)
Brake Overri de System 
warning light/Drive-Start 
Control warning light
*2 
(  P.462)
(red/yel-
low)
Electric power steering 
system warning light 
( P.463)
Low fuel leve l warning 
light
*1(  P.463) 

862-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
*1: These lights turn on when the power switch is turned to ON to 
indicate that a system check is 
being performed. They will turn 
off after the hybrid system is on,  or after a few seconds. There 
may be a malfunction in a sys-
tem if a light does not come on, 
or turn off. Have the vehicle 
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
*2: This light illuminates on the 
multi-information display.
*3: This light comes on when the system is turned off.
*4: 7-inch display only
The indicators inform the driver 
of the operating state of the 
vehicle’s various systems.
Driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat belt reminder 
light ( P.463)
Rear passengers’ seat 
belt reminder light
*2 
(  P.464)
Tire pressure warning 
light
*1 (  P.464)
(orange)
LTA indicator*2 ( P.464)
(flashes)
Intuitive parking assist 
OFF indicator
*1, 3, 4 (if 
equipped) ( P.465)
(flashes)
RCTA OFF indicator*2, 3 
(  P.465)
(flashes)
PKSB OFF indicator*1, 3, 4 
(if equipped) ( P.465)
(flashes or 
illumi-
nates)PCS warning light*1 
(  P.466)
Slip indicator
*1 (  P.466)
(flashes)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator*1 
(  P.467)
(flashes)
(Canada)
Parking brake indicator*1 
(  P.467)
(flashes)
Brake hold operated indi-
cator
*1 ( P.467)
WA R N I N G
■If a safety system warning 
light does not come on
Should a safety system light such 
as the ABS and SRS warning 
lights not come on when you start 
the hybrid system, this could 
mean that these s ystems are not 
available to help protect you in an 
accident, which could result in 
death or serious injury. Have the 
vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer immediately if this occurs.
Indicators
Turn signal indicator 
(  P.223)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator 
( P.229)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator 
( P.229)
Headlight high beam indi-
cator ( P.231)
Automatic High Beam indi-
cator
*1 (  P.232) 

872-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
 Drive mode indicators
*1: 7-inch display only: This light illu-
minates on the multi-information 
display.
*2: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
*3: This light comes on when the system is turned off.
*4: These lights tu rn on when the 
power switch is turned to ON to 
indicate that a  system check is 
being performed.  They will turn 
Front fog light indicator
*1 
(  P.235)
PCS warning light
*3, 4 
(  P.251)
Cruise control indicator
*2 
(  P.277)
Dynamic radar cruise con-
trol indicator
*2 (  P.270)
Cruise control “SET” indi-
cator
*2 (  P.270)
(white)
LTA  i n d i c a t o r*2 ( P.262)
(green)
LTA  i n d i c a t o r*2 ( P.262)
(orange)
(flashes)LTA  i n d i c a t o r*2 (  P.262)
BSM outside rear view 
mirror indicators
*5, 6 
(  P.281, 294)
BSM OFF indicator
*2, 3 
(  P.281)
Intuitive parking assist 
OFF indicator
*3, 4, 9(if 
equipped) (P.287)
RCTA OFF indicator
*2, 3 
(  P.294)
PKSB OFF indicator
*3, 4, 
9
(if equipped) ( P.300)
(flashes)
Slip indicator*4 ( P.320)
VSC OFF indicator
*3, 4 
(  P.321)
Smart key system indica-
tor
*2 (  P.213)
“READY” indicator 
(  P.213)
EV drive mode indicator*1 
(  P.218)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake indicator*4 
(  P.224)
(Canada)
Parking brake indicator*4 
(  P.224)
Brake hold standby indica-
tor
*4 (  P.227)
Brake hold operated indi-
cator
*4 (  P.227)
EV indicator
*1 (  P. 7 2 )
Low outside temperature 
indicator
*2, 7 (  P. 8 9 )
Security indicator
*8 
(  P.79, 81)
“PASS AIR BAG ON/OFF” 
indicator
*4, 8 (  P. 4 3 )
Eco drive mode indicator
*2 
(  P.316)
Sport mode indicator
*2 
(  P.316)
Trail Mode indicator
*2 (if 
equipped) ( P.317) 

1393-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
3
Before driving
detection area ( P.146)
2 Perform a kick operation by 
moving your foot to within 
approximately 3.9 in. (10 cm) 
of the rear bumper and then 
pulling it back.
• Perform the entire kick opera- tion within 1 second.
• The back door will not start  operating while a foot is 
detected under the rear 
bumper.
• Operate the Hands Free  Power Back Door without 
contacting the rear bumper 
with your foot.
• If another electronic key is in  the cabin or luggage compart-
ment, it may take slightly lon-
ger than normal for the 
operation to occur.
Kick sensor
Hands Free Power Back 
Door operation detection 
area
3 When the sensor detects that 
your foot is pulled back, a 
buzzer will sound and the 
back door will automatically 
fully open/close.If kick operation is performed while 
the back door is opening/closing, 
the back door will  stop the opera-
tion. Perform a kick operation again 
will operate  the back door in the 
opposite direction.
■Back door closer
In the event that the back door is left 
slightly open, the back door closer 
will automatically clo se it to the fully 
closed position.
●The back door closer can function 
when the power switch is in any 
mode.
●The back door can be opened 
using the back door opener switch 
even if the back door closer is 
operating.
■Power back door operating con-
ditions
If the following conditions are met, 
the power back door can be opened 
and closed automatically.
●When the power back door sys-
tem is enabled. ( P.526)
●When the power switch is in ON, 
one of the following conditions 
must be met in a ddition to the 
above conditions:
• The parking brake is engaged.
• The brake pedal is depressed.
• The shift lever is in P.
■Operation of the power back 
door
●When the power back door begins 
to operate, the  emergency flash-
ers will flash twice and a buzzer 
will sound.
●When the power back door is dis-
abled, the powe r back door will 
not operate but can be opened 
and closed manually.
●When the power back door is 
opening/closing, if the power back 
door becomes obstructed, opera-
tion will stop. 

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