
3204-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER HV_U
starting on an uphill
■EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing)
Employs an electric motor to 
reduce the amount of effort 
needed to turn the steering 
wheel
■E-Four
Electronic On-Demand AWD 
system. Automatically switches 
from front-wheel drive to 
all-wheel drive (AWD) according 
to the driving conditions, helping 
to ensure reliable handling and 
stability. Examples of conditions 
where the system will switch to 
AWD are when cornering, going 
uphill, starting off or accelerat-
ing, and when the road surface 
is slippery due to snow, rain, etc.
■VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics 
Integrated Management)
Provides integrated control of 
the ABS, brake assist, TRAC, 
VSC, hill-start assist control and 
EPS systems
Helps to maintain vehicle stabil-
ity when swerving on slippery 
road surfaces by controlling the 
brakes, hybrid system output 
and steering assist.
■The Secondary Collision 
Brake
When the SRS airbag sensor 
detects a collision and the sys-
tem operates, the brakes and 
brake lights are automatically 
controlled to reduce the vehicle  speed and help reduce the pos-
sibility of further damage due to 
a secondary collision.
■When the 
TRAC/VSC/ABS/Trailer Sway 
Control systems
 are operating
The slip indicator light will flash 
while the TRAC/VSC/ABS/Trailer 
Sway Control systems are operat-
ing.
■Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt 
or snow, the TRAC system may 
reduce power from the hybrid sys-
tem to the wheels. Pressing the   
switch to turn th e system off may 
make it easier for you to rock the 
vehicle in order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly 
press and release the   switch.
The “Traction Cont rol Turned OFF” 
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press the   switch again to turn 
the system back on. 

3274-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
 Use fluids that are appropriate 
to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
Have a service technician 
inspect the condition of the 
12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with 
four snow tires or purchase a 
set of tire chains for the front 
tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same 
size and brand,  and that chains 
match the size of the tires.
Perform the following according 
to the driving conditions:
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary 
preparations and inspec-
tions before driving the 
vehicle in winter. Always 
drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the pre-
vailing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
WA R N I N G
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions 
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so m ay result in a 
loss of vehicle control and cause 
death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended 
level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 
mph (120 km/h), regardless of 
the type of snow tires being 
used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just 
some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions 
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the 
vehicle being unable to be driven 
safely, and may cause death or 
serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the 
speed limit specifi ed for the tire 
chains being used, or 30 mph 
(50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving  on bumpy road 
surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, 
abrupt steering, sudden brak-
ing and shifting operations that 
cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before 
entering a curve to ensure that 
vehicle control is maintained.
●Do not use the LTA (Lane Trac-
ing Assist) system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow 
tires
Request repairs or replacement of 
snow tires from Toyota dealers or 
legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and 
attachment of snow tires affects 
the operation of the tire pressure 
warning valves and transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle 

4206-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_Udriving on snow-covered or icy 
roads. For driving on snow-covered 
roads or icy roads, the use of snow 
tires is recommended. When install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all 
four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to pro-
vide better traction in snow and to 
be adequate for driving in most win-
ter conditions a s well as for use 
year-round. All season tires, how-
ever, do not have  adequate traction 
performance compared with snow 
tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, 
all season tires fall short in accelera-
tion and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway 
driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads 
or icy roads, we recommend using 
snow tires. If you need snow tires, 
select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load  capacity as the 
originally installed tires. Since your 
vehicle has radial t ires as original 
equipment, make sure your snow 
tires also have radial construction. 
Do not install stud ded tires without 
first checking local regulations for 
possible restrictions. Snow tires 
should be installed on all wheels. 
(  P.327)
■If the tread on snow tires wears 
down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as 
snow tires is lost.
WA R N I N G
■When inspecting or replacing 
tires
Observe the following precautions 
to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause dam-
age to parts of the drive train as 
well as dangerous handling char-
acteristics, which may lead to an 
accident resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
●Do not mix tires of different 
makes, models or tread pat-
terns.
Also, do not mix tires of remark-
ably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than 
those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently con-
structed tires (rad ial, bias-belted 
or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season 
and snow tires.
●Do not use tires  that have been 
used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not 
know how they were used previ-
ously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a 
compact spare tire installed.
NOTICE
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving 
on roads with loose surfaces or 
potholes.
These conditions may cause 
losses in tire inflation pressure, 
reducing the cush ioning ability of 
the tires. In addition, driving on 
rough roads may cause damage 
to the tires themselves, as well as 
the vehicle’s wheels and body. 

4557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
7
When trouble arises
7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If  your vehicle needs 
to be towed
If towing is necessary, we 
recommend having your 
vehicle towed by your Toy-
ota dealer or commercial 
towing service, using a 
wheel-lift type truck or flat-
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system 
for all towing, and abide by 
all state/provincial and local 
laws.
If towing your vehicle with a 
wheel-lift type truck from 
the front, the vehicle’s rear 
wheels and axles must be in 
good conditions. ( P.457)
If they are damaged, use a 
towing dolly or flatbed 
truck.
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so m ay result in 
death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transp ort the vehicle 
with the front wheels raised or 
with all four wheels raised off the 
ground. If the vehicle is towed 
with the front wheels contacting 
the ground, the drivetrain and 
related parts ma y be damaged or 
electricity generated by the opera-
tion of the motor may cause a fire 
to occur depending on the nature 
of the damage or malfunction.
AWD models
Be sure to transp ort the vehicle 
with all four wheels raised off the 
ground. If the vehicle is towed 
with the tires co ntacting the 
ground, the drivetrain or related 
parts may be damaged, the vehi-
cle may fly off the truck, or elec-
tricity generated by the operation 
of the motor may cause a fire to 
occur depending o n the nature of 
the damage or malfunction.