
2
HIGHLANDER HV_UTABLE OF CONTENTS
For your information ........................
5
Reading this manual ...................... 10
How to search ................................ 11
Pictorial index ................................ 12
1-1. For safe use Before driving ........................ 24
For safe driving ..................... 25
Seat belts .............................. 27
SRS airbags .......................... 34
Front passenger occupant clas- sification system.................. 43
Exhaust gas precautions....... 48
1-2. Child safety Riding with children ............... 49
Child restraint systems .......... 50
1-3. Emergency assistance Safety Connect ..................... 65
1-4. Hybrid system Hybrid system features ......... 71
Hybrid system precautions .... 75
1-5. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system ............... 79
Alarm ..................................... 81
2-1. Instrument cluster Warning lights and indicators............................................ 84
Gauges and meters .............. 89
Multi-information display  (4.2-inch display)................. 92
Multi-information display (7-inch  display)............................. 102
Head-up display ................. 112
Energy monitor/consumption  screen .............................. 1173-1. Key information
Keys ................................... 128
3-2. Opening, closing and locking  the doors
Side doors .......................... 131
Back door ........................... 135
Smart key system .............. 146
3-3. Adjusting the seats Front seats ......................... 153
Rear seats.......................... 154
Driving position memory .... 159
Head restraints................... 162
3-4. Adjusting the steering wheel  and mirrors
Steering wheel ................... 165
Inside rear view mirror ....... 166
Digital Rearview Mirror....... 167
Outside rear view mirrors ... 177
3-5. Opening, closing the win- dows and moon roof
Power windows .................. 179
Moon roof ........................... 182
Panoramic moon roof......... 185
4-1. Before driving Driving the vehicle.............. 190
Cargo and luggage ............ 197
Vehicle load limits .............. 200
T r
ailer towing...................... 201
Dinghy towing .................... 212
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ....... 213
EV drive mode ................... 218
Hybrid transmission ........... 220
Turn signal lever................. 223
1For safety and security
2Vehicle status information 
and indicators
3Before driving
4Driving 

6
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
 Anti-lock brake system
 SRS airbag system
 Seat belt pretensioner system
Be sure to check with your Toy-
ota dealer for precautionary 
measures or special instructions 
regarding installation of a mobile 
two-way radio system.
High voltage parts and cables 
on the hybrid vehicles emit 
approximately the same amount 
of electromagnetic waves as the 
conventional gasoline powered 
vehicles or home electronic 
appliances despite of their elec-
tromagnetic shielding.
Unwanted noise may occur in 
the reception of the mobile 
two-way radio.
The vehicle is equipped with 
sophisticated computers that will 
record certain data, such as:
• Engine speed/Electric motor  speed (traction motor speed)
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation status of the driving  assist systems
• Images from the cameras
Your vehicle is equipped with cam-
eras. Contact your Toyota dealer for 
the location of re cording cameras.
The recorded data varies  according to the vehicle grade 
level and options with which it is 
equipped.
These computers do not record 
conversations or sounds, and 
only record images outside of 
the vehicle in certain situations.
Data Transmission
Your vehicle may transmit the data 
recorded in these computers to 
Toyota without notification to you.
Data usage
Toyota may use the data recorded 
in this computer to diagnose mal-
functions, conduct research and 
development, and improve quality.
Toyota will not  disclose the 
recorded data to a third party 
except:
• With the consen t of the vehicle 
owner or with the consent of the 
lessee if the vehicle is leased
• In response to an official request  by the police, a court of law or a 
government agency
• For use by Toyota in a lawsuit
• For research purposes where the  data is not tied to a specific vehi-
cle or vehicle owner
 Recorded image information 
can be erased by your Toyota 
dealer.
The image recording function can 
be disabled. However, if the func-
tion is disabled, data from when the 
system operates will not be avail-
able.
To learn more about the vehi-
cle data collected, used and 
Vehicle data recording 

731-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U
1
For safety and security
and you are unable to start the 
hybrid system, contact your Toyota 
dealer.
■Charging the 1 2-volt battery
 P. 4 9 1
■After the 12-volt battery has dis-
charged or when the terminal 
has been removed and installed 
during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop 
even if the vehicle is being driven by 
the hybrid battery (traction battery). 
If this continues for a few days, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific 
to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or 
vibration even though the vehicle is 
able to move with the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated. For safety, apply 
the parking brake and make sure to 
shift the shift lever to P when 
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations 
may occur when the hybrid system 
is operating and are not a malfunc-
tion:
●Motor sounds may be heard from 
the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
under the rear seats when the 
hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a 
snap or soft clank will be emitted 
from the hybrid battery (traction 
battery), under the rear seats, 
when the hybrid system is started 
or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system 
may be heard when the back door 
is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the 
transmission when the gasoline 
engine starts or stops, when driv-
ing at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard 
when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to 
regenerative braking when the 
brake pedal is depressed or as 
the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the 
gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard 
from the air intake vents under the 
rear seats.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling, 
and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regard-
ing maintenance, repair, recycling 
and disposal. Do n ot dispose of the 
vehicle yourself.
When driving with the gasoline 
engine stopped, a sound, which 
changes in accordance with the 
driving speed, will be played in 
order to warn people nearby of 
the vehicle’s approach. The 
sound will stop when the vehicle 
speed exceeds approximately 
22 mph (35 km/h).
■Acoustic vehicle alerting sys-
tem
In the following cases, the acoustic 
vehicle alerting system may be diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the acoustic vehicle alerting 
system is installed on the front of the 
vehicle, it may be more difficult to 
hear from the rear of the vehicle 
compared to the front.
Acoustic vehicle alerting 
system 

189
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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 

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. 

2104-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
requires practice. Grip the 
bottom of the steering wheel 
and move your hand to the 
left to move the trailer to the 
left. Move your hand to the 
right to move the trailer to 
right. (This is generally oppo-
site to reversing without a 
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp 
or prolonged turning. Have 
someone guide you when 
reversing to reduce the risk of 
an accident.
 As stopping distance is 
increased when towing a 
trailer, vehicle-to vehicle dis-
tance should be increased. 
For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of 
speed, allow at least one 
vehicle and trailer length.
 Avoid sudden braking as you 
may skid, resulting in the 
trailer jackknifing and a loss of 
vehicle control. This is espe-
cially true on wet or slippery 
surfaces.
 Avoid jerky starts or sudden 
acceleration.
 Avoid jerky steering and 
sharp turns, and slow down 
before making turn.
 Note that when making a turn, 
the trailer wheels will be 
closer than the vehicle wheels 
to the inside of the turn. Com-
pensate by making a wider 
than normal turning radius.
 Slow down before making a  turn, in cross winds, on wet or 
slippery surfaces, etc. 
Increasing vehicle speed can 
destabilize the trailer.
 Take care when passing other 
vehicles. Passing requires 
considerable distance. After 
passing a vehicle, do not for-
get the length of your trailer, 
and be sure you have plenty 
of room before changing 
lanes.
 To maintain engine braking 
efficiency and charging sys-
tem performance when using 
engine braking, do not put the 
transmission in D. If in the S 
mode, the hybrid transmission 
shift range position must be in 
5 or lower. ( P.220)
 Instability happens more fre-
quently when descending 
steep or long downhill grades. 
Before descending, slow 
down and downshift. Do not 
make sudden downshifts 
while descending steep or 
long downhill grades.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal 
down too long or applying the 
brakes too frequently. This 
could cause the brakes to 
overheat and result in 
reduced braking efficiency.
 Due to the added load of the 
trailer, your vehicle’s engine 
may overheat on hot days (at 
temperatures over 85°F 
[30°C]) when driving up a long  

2114-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
or steep grade. If the engine 
coolant temperature gauge 
indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air condi-
tioning (if in use), pull your 
vehicle off the road and stop 
in a safe spot. ( P.497)
 Always place wheel blocks 
under both the vehicle’s and 
the trailer’s wheels when 
parking. Put the transmission 
in P and apply the parking 
brake. Avoid parking on a 
slope, but if unavoidable, do 
so only after performing the 
following:
1 Apply the brakes and keep 
them applied.
2 Have someone place wheel 
blocks under both the vehi-
cle’s and trailer’s wheels.
3 When the wheel blocks are in 
place, release the brakes 
slowly until the blocks absorb 
the load.
4 Shift into P and apply the 
parking brake.
5 Turn off the hybrid system.
 When restarting after parking 
on a slope:
1 With the transmission in P, 
start the hybrid system. Be 
sure to keep the brake pedal 
depressed.
2 Shift into a forward gear. If 
reversing, shift into R. 3
If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, release the park-
ing brake. ( P.224)
4 Release the brake pedal, and 
slowly pull or back away from 
the wheel blocks. Stop and 
apply the brakes.
5 Have someone retrieve the 
blocks. 

2124-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed 
to be dinghy towed (with 4 
wheels on the ground) 
behind a motor home.
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to 
your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the 4 
wheels on the ground.
■To prevent causing serious 
damage to the hybrid trans-
mission and Hybrid AWD sys-
tem
Never tow this vehicle with any of 
the wheels on the ground. This 
may cause serious damage to the 
hybrid transmission and Hybrid 
AWD system.