
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 

721-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U
electric motor (traction motor) is 
used.
When the shift lever is in N, the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
is not being charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the 
engine is warming up, etc., the 
gasoline engine will not automati-
cally stop. ( P. 7 2 )
■During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomi-
nantly used. The electric motor 
(traction motor) charges the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
as necessary.
■When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is 
depressed heavily, the power of 
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is added to that of the gas-
oline engine via the electric 
motor (traction motor).
■When braking (regenera-
tive braking)
The wheels operate the electric 
motor (traction motor) as a 
power generator, and the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) is 
charged.
■Regenerative braking
In the following si tuations, kinetic 
energy is converted to electric 
energy and deceleration force can 
be obtained in conjunction with the 
recharging of the hybrid battery 
(traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released 
while driving with the shift lever in  D or S.
●The brake pedal
 is depressed 
while driving with t he shift lever in 
D or S.
■EV indicator
The EV indicator  comes on when 
the vehicle is driven using only the 
electric motor (traction motor) or the 
gasoline engine is stopped.
■Conditions in which the gaso-
line engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and 
stops automatically. However, it may 
not stop automatic ally in the follow-
ing conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charging
●When the temperature of the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) is 
high or low
●When the heater is switched on
Depending on the circumstances, 
the gasoline engine may also not 
stop automatically in other situa-
tions.
■Charging the hybrid battery 
(traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the 
hybrid battery (trac tion battery), the 
battery does not need to be charged 
from an outside source. However, if 
the vehicle is left  parked for a long 
time the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) will slowly dis charge. For this 
reason, be sure to drive the vehicle 
at least once every  few months for 
at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 
km). If the hybrid battery (traction 
battery) becomes fully discharged  

3264-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER HV_U
gently release the brake pedal 
to allow the vehicle to move for-
ward slightly while avoiding 
overuse of the accelerator 
pedal. Doing so can help control 
excessive gasoline consump-
tion.
Control and maintain the vehicle 
at a constant speed. Before 
stopping at a toll booth or simi-
lar, allow plenty of time to 
release the accelerator and gen-
tly apply the brakes. A greater 
amount of electrical energy can 
be regenerated when slowing 
down.
Use the air conditioning only 
when necessary. Doing so can 
help reduce excessive gasoline 
consumption.
In summer: When the ambient 
temperature is high, use the 
recirculated air mode. Doing so 
will help to reduce the burden on 
the air conditioning system and 
reduce fuel consumption as 
well.
In winter: Because the gasoline 
engine will not automatically cut 
out until it and the interior of the 
vehicle are warm, it will con-
sume fuel. Also, fuel consump-
tion can be improved by 
avoiding overuse of the heater.Make sure to check the tire infla-
tion pressure frequently. 
Improper tire inflation pressure 
can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause 
large amounts of friction, their 
use on dry roads can lead to 
poor fuel economy. Use tires 
that are appropriate for the sea-
son.
Carrying heavy luggage will lead 
to poor fuel economy. Avoid car-
rying unnecessary luggage. 
Installing a large roof rack will 
also cause poor fuel economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts 
up and cuts out automatically 
when cold, warming up the 
engine is unnecessary. More-
over, frequently driving short 
distances will cause the engine 
to repeatedly warm up, which 
can lead to excess fuel con-
sumption.
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation 
pressure
Luggage
Warming up before driv-
ing 

333
HIGHLANDER HV_U
5
5
Interior features
Interior features
.5-1. Toyota multi-operation touch
Toyota multi-operation touch .................................. 334
5-2. Using the air conditioning  system and defogger
Front automatic air condi- tioning system ........... 336
Rear automatic air condi- tioning 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 fea- tures .......................... 364
5-5. Using the other interior  features
Other interior features . 368
Garage door opener.... 384 

3525-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER HV_U
*: If equipped
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not leave the air conditioning 
system on longer than necessary 
when the hybrid system is off.
Heated steering 
wheel*/seat heat-
ers*/seat ventilators*
 Heated steering wheel
Warms up the grip of the 
steering wheel
 Seat heaters
Warm up the seat upholstery
 Seat ventilators
Maintain good ventilation 
using a fan built into the seat
WA R N I N G
■To prevent minor burn inju-
ries
Care should be taken if anyone in 
the following categories comes in 
contact with the steering wheel or 
seats when the  heater is on:
●Babies, small children, the 
elderly, the sick and the physi-
cally challenged
●Persons with sensitive skin
●Persons who are fatigued
●Persons who have taken alco-
hol or drugs that induce sleep 
(sleeping drugs, cold remedies, 
etc.)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the 
seat heaters
Do not put heavy objects that 
have an uneven surface on the 
seat and do not stick sharp 
objects (needles, nails, etc.) into 
the seat. 

3535-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER HV_U
5
Interior features
Turns the heated steering wheel 
on/off
The indicator light comes on when 
the heated steering wheel is oper-
ating.
■Operation condition
The power swit ch is in ON.
■Timer function
The heated steer ing wheel will auto-
matically turn off after a period of 
time.
■Front (Front air condition-
ing control panel)
Each time the switch is pressed, 
the operation condition changes 
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment 
lit) Off
The level indicator (amber)   
lights up during operation.
Vehicle with a 12.3-inch dis-
play
Vehicle with a 8-inch display
■Front (Toyota multi-opera-
tion touch: Vehicle with a 
12.3-inch display)
Select   to display the seats 
climate screen.
Each time the switch is selected, 
the operation condition changes 
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment 
lit) Off
The level indicato r (red)   lights 
up during operation.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-vo lt battery dis-
charge
Do not use the functions when the 
hybrid system is off.
Heated steering wheel
Seat heaters 

3545-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Rear
Each time the switch is pressed, 
the operation condition changes 
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment 
lit) Off
The level indica tor (amber)   
lights up during operation.
■Operation condition
The power swit ch is in ON.
■Front air condioning con-
trol panel
Each time the switch is pressed, 
the operation condition changes 
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment 
lit) Off
The level indicato r (green)   lights 
up during operation.
Vehicle with a 12.3-inch dis-
play
Vehicle with a 8-inch display
WA R N I N G
■To prevent overheating and 
minor burn injuries
Observe the following precautions 
when using the seat heaters.
●Do not cover the seat with a 
blanket or cushion when using 
the seat heater.
●Do not use seat heater more 
than necessary.
Seat ventilators 

3805-5. Using the other interior features
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●Disconnect the plug of each 
device from the power outlets, 
check that the total power con-
sumption of all devices to be con-
nected to the power outlets is less 
than 1500 W, reconnect the 
devices and then press the 
AC120V switch again.
●Disconnect the plug of each 
device from the p ower outlets, 
check that the devices are not 
malfunctioning, reconnect the 
devices and then press the 
AC120V switch again.
●Check the charge of the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) ( P. 1 1 7 ) .  
If the charge is low, shift the shift 
lever to P, allow the engine to run 
to charge the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery), and then press the 
AC120V switch again.
●If the temperature inside the vehi-
cle is high, such as after the vehi-
cle has been park ed in the sun, 
use the air conditioning system to 
sufficiently vent ilate or cool the 
interior, and then press the 
AC120V switch again.
●If the vehicle has been stopped in 
a cold area, to pro tect the hybrid 
battery (traction battery), the 
power outlets may not be able to 
be used. In this case, drive the 
vehicle for a while  to warm up the 
hybrid battery (traction battery), 
and then press the AC120V 
switch again.
If the power outlets cannot be used 
even after performing the appropri-
ate procedures above, have the 
vehicle inspected by your Toyota 
dealer.
WA R N I N G
■For safe use
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may lead to an 
accident, resulting in death or 
serious injury.
●Do not use devices such as the 
following when driving:
• Devices which cannot be prop- erly secured within the vehicle.
• Devices which may distract the  driver and be a hindrance to 
safe driving, such as a TV, DVD 
player, etc.
• Unsecured devices which gen- erate heat, such as a toaster, 
microwave, electric heater, elec-
tric kettle, coffee maker, etc., as 
they may cause burns or a fire 
in the case of sudden braking or 
an accident.
• Devices which may fall under  the pedals and prevent the 
brake pedal from being 
depressed.
●Do not use devic es which pro-
duce steam while the windows 
are closed. Doing so may cause 
the windows to fog up, reducing 
visibility and making it difficult to 
drive safely. Also, the steam 
may damage or negatively 
affect other devices.
●Do not connect a malfunctioning 
device to a powe r outlet, as 
doing so may cause the power 
outlets to become inoperable.
●Do not disconnect the plug of a 
device while your hands are wet 
or insert a pin or other object 
into the power ou tlet. Also, if a 
liquid or snow is on the power 
outlet, dry the outlet before 
using it.
●Do not attempt to modify, disas-
semble or repair a power outlet. 
Also, do not replace the 120 
VAC inverter with a commer-
cially available one. For infor-
mation on repairs, contact your 
Toyota dealer.