
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  

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. 

2384-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_Uwindshield wipers are operating, if a 
front door is opened, the operation 
of the windshield wipers will be 
stopped to prevent anyone enter-
ing/exiting the vehicle from being 
sprayed by water from the wipers, 
provided the vehicle is stopped with 
the parking brake applied or the shift 
lever in P. When the front door is 
closed, wiper operation will resume.
Operating the   switch 
operates the rear wiper as fol-
lows.
1
 (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Off
2  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Intermittent operation
3  (U.S.A.) or   (Canada) 
Normal operation
WA R N I N G
■Caution regarding the use of 
windshield wipers in AUTO 
mode (vehicles with 
rain-sensing wi ndshield wip-
ers)
The windshield wipers may oper-
ate unexpectedly if the sensor is 
touched or the windshield is sub-
ject to vibration in AUTO mode. 
Take care that your fingers, etc. 
do not become caught in the 
windshield wipers.
■Caution regarding the use of 
washer fluid
When it is cold, do not use the 
washer fluid until  the windshield 
becomes warm. The fluid may 
freeze on the windshield and 
cause low visibility. This may lead 
to an accident, resulting in death 
or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is 
empty
Do not operate the switch continu-
ally as the washer fluid pump may 
overheat.
■When a nozzle becomes 
blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota 
dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or 
other object. The nozzle will be 
damaged.
Rear windshield wiper 
and washer
NOTICE
■When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wiper, as it may 
damage the rear window.
Operating the wiper lever 

2494-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
The system can detect the fol-
lowing:
 Vehicles
 Bicyclists
 Pedestrians
■Pre-collision warning
When the system determines 
that the possibility of a frontal 
collision is high, a buzzer will 
sound and a warning message 
will be displayed on the 
multi-information display to urge 
the driver to take evasive action.
■Pre-collision brake assist
When the system determines 
that the possibility of a frontal 
collision is high, the system 
applies greater braking force in 
relation to how strongly the 
brake pedal is depressed.
■Pre-collision braking
If the system determines that 
the possibility of a frontal colli-
sion is extremely high, the 
brakes are automatically applied 
to help avoid the collision or 
reduce the impact of the colli-
sion.
PCS (Pre-Collision Sys-
tem)
The pre-collision system 
uses a radar sensor and 
front camera to detect 
objects ( P.249) in front of 
the vehicle. When the sys-
tem determines that the 
possibility of a frontal colli-
sion with an object is high, a 
warning operates to urge 
the driver to take evasive 
action and the potential 
brake pressure is increased 
to help the driver avoid the 
collision. If the system 
determines that the possi-
bility of a frontal collision 
with an object is extremely 
high, the brakes are auto-
matically applied to help 
avoid the collision or help 
reduce the impact of the col-
lision.
The pre-collision system can 
be disabled/enabled and the 
warning timing can be 
changed. ( P.251)
Detectable objects
System functions 

2564-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U• When driving through steam or 
smoke
• When the surrounding area is dim, 
such as at dawn or dusk, or while 
at night or in a t unnel, making a 
detectable object appear to be 
nearly the same color as its sur-
roundings
• When driving in a place where the 
surrounding brightness changes 
suddenly, such as at the entrance 
or exit of a tunnel
• After the hybrid system has  started the vehicle has not been 
driven for a certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and  for a few seconds after making a 
left/right turn
• While driving on a  curve and for a 
few seconds after driving on a 
curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the front of the vehicle is raised  or lowered
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the  front camera
• The vehicle is being driven at  extremely high speeds
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or front camera  is misaligned
●In some situations such as the fol-
lowing, sufficient braking force 
may not be obtained, preventing 
the system from performing prop-
erly:
• If the braking functions cannot  operate to their full extent, such as 
when the brake parts are 
extremely cold, extremely hot, or 
wet
• If the vehicle is not properly main- tained (brakes or tires are exces- sively worn, imprope
r tire inflation 
pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven 
on a gravel road or  other slippery 
surface
■If VSC is disabled
●If VSC is disabled ( P.321), the 
pre-collision br ake assist and 
pre-collision brakin g functions are 
also disabled.
●The PCS warning light will turn on 
and “VSC Turned OFF Pre-Colli-
sion Brake System Unavailable” 
will be displayed on the 
multi-information display. 

2784-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
and press the “-SET” switch 
to set the speed.
Cruise control “SET” indicator will 
come on.
The vehicle speed at the moment 
the switch is released becomes the 
set speed.
Adjusting the speed setting: 
P. 2 7 4
Canceling and resuming the speed 
setting:  P. 2 7 6
■Dynamic radar cruise control 
with full-speed range can be set 
when
●The shift lever is in D.
●The desired set speed can be set 
when the vehicle speed is approx-
imately 20 mph (30 km/h) or more. 
(However, when the vehicle speed 
is set while driving at below 
approximately 20 mph [30 km/h], 
the set speed will be set to 
approximately 20 mph [30 km/h].)
■Accelerating after setting the 
vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate by oper-
ating the accelerator pedal. After 
accelerating, the set speed 
resumes. However, during vehi-
cle-to-vehicle distance control 
mode, the vehicle speed may 
decrease below the set speed in 
order to maintain the distance to the 
preceding vehicle.
■When the vehicle stops while 
follow-up cruising
●Pressing the “+RES” switch while 
the vehicle ahead stops will 
resume follow-up  cruising if the 
vehicle ahead starts off within 
approximately 3 seconds after the 
switch is pressed.
●If the vehicle ahead starts off 
within 3 seconds after your vehicle 
stops, follow-up c ruising will be 
resumed.
■Automatic cancelation of vehi-
cle-to-vehicle d istance control 
mode
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control 
mode is automatically canceled in 
the following situations.
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of 
time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is 
turned off.
●The sensor cannot detect cor-
rectly because i t is covered in 
some way.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
●The parking brake is operated.
●The vehicle is stopped by system 
control on a steep incline.
●The following are detected when 
the vehicle has been stopped by 
system control:
• The driver is not wearing a seat  belt.
• The driver’s door is opened.
• The vehicle has been stopped for  about 3 minutes
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control 
mode is automatically canceled for 
any reasons other than the above, 
there may be a malfunction in the 
system. Contact you r Toyota dealer.
■Automatic cancelation of con-
stant speed control mode
Constant speed control mode is 
automatically cance led in the follow-
ing situations: 

2794-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
●Actual vehicle speed is more than 
approximately 10  mph (16 km/h) 
below the set vehicle speed.
●Actual vehicle speed falls below 
approximately 20  mph (30 km/h).
●VSC is activated.
●TRAC is activated for a period of 
time.
●When the VSC or TRAC system is 
turned off.
●Pre-collision braking is activated.
●The parking brake is operated.
If constant speed control mode is 
automatically canceled for any rea-
sons other than the above, there 
may be a malfunction in the system. 
Contact your Toyota dealer.
■Brake operation
A brake operation sound may be 
heard and the brake pedal response 
may change, but the se are not mal-
functions.
■Warning messages and buzzers 
for dynamic radar cruise con-
trol with full-speed range
Warning messages and buzzers are 
used to indicate a system malfunc-
tion or to inform  the driver of the 
need for caution while driving. If a 
warning message  is shown on the 
multi-information  display, read the 
message and follow the instruc-
tions.( P.247, 470)
■When the sensor may not be 
correctly detecting the vehicle 
ahead
In the case of the following and 
depending on the conditions, oper-
ate the brake pedal when decelera-
tion of the system is insufficient or 
operate the accelerator pedal when 
acceleration is required. 
As the sensor may not be able to 
correctly detect these types of vehi-
cles, the approach warning 
(  P.277) may not be activated.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving in the 
same lane
●Vehicles with small rear ends 
(trailers with no load on board, 
etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same 
lane
●When water or snow thrown up by 
the surrounding vehicles hinders 
the detecting of the sensor
●When your vehicle is pointing 
upwards (caused by a heavy load 
in the luggage compartment, etc.)
●Preceding vehicle has an 
extremely high ground clearance
■Conditions under which the 
vehicle-to-vehic le distance con-
trol mode may not function cor-
rectly
In the case of the following condi-
tions, operate the brake pedal (or 
accelerator pedal, depending on the 
situation) as necessary. 
As the sensor may  not be able to  

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.