
16Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER HV_U
When the warning messages are displayed ........................ P. 4 7 0
Turn signal lever.............................................. ................... P.223
Headlight switch ............................................... ................. P.229
Headlights/side marker lights/pa rking lights/tail lights/license plate 
lights/daytime running lights .................................. ............... P.229
Front fog lights ............................................... ...................... P.235
Windshield wiper and washer sw itch....................... P.235, 238
Usage.......................................................... ................. P.235, 238
Adding washer fluid .............................................................. P.415
Warning messages ............................................... ............... P.470
Emergency flasher switch ....................................... .......... P.452
Hood lock release lever ........................................ ............. P.408
Tilt and telescopic steering  lock release lever ................P. 1 6 5
Adjustment ..................................................... ...................... P.165
Air conditioning  system ............................. ....................... P.336
Usage................................................................................... P.336
Rear window defogger ........................................... .............. P.338
Windshield wiper de-icer
*1................................................... P.338
Audio system
*2
Fuel filler door opener swi tch ........................................... P.240
*1: If equipped
*2: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA  SYSTEM OWNER’S MAN-
UAL”. 

2374-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
the sensor sensitivity can be 
adjusted by turning the switch 
ring.
6 Increases the sensitivity
7 Decreases the sensitivity
8  Washer/wiper dual 
operation
Pulling the lever o perates the wip-
ers and washer.
The wipers will au tomatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the 
washer squirts.
■The windshield wipers and 
washer can be operated when
The power swit ch is in ON.
■Dripping prevention wiper 
sweep
After washing and wiping operation 
several times, the wipers operate 
one more time after  a short delay to 
prevent dripping. However, this 
function will not operate while driv-
ing.
■Effects of vehicle speed on 
wiper operation
Vehicle speed affects the intermit-
tent wiper interval.
■Raindrop sensor (vehicles with 
rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●The raindrop sensor judges the 
amount of raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It 
may not operate properly when 
sunlight from the rising or setting 
of the sun intermittently strikes the 
windshield, or if bugs, etc. are 
present on the windshield
●If the wiper switch i s turned to the 
“AUTO” position while the power 
switch is in ON,  the wipers will 
operate once to show that AUTO 
mode is activated.
●When the sensor sensitivity ring is 
turned toward high while in 
“AUTO” position, the wipers will 
operate once to indicate that the 
sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
●If the temperature of the raindrop 
sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, 
or 5°F (-15°C) or lower, automatic 
operation may not occur. In this 
case, operate the wipers in any 
mode other than AUTO mode.
■If no windshield washer fluid 
sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are 
not blocked, if there is washer fluid 
in the washer fluid tank.
■Front door opening linked wind-
shield wiper stop function 
(vehicles with rain-sensing 
windshield wipers)
When “AUTO” is selected and the  

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 

2394-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
4  Washer/wiper dual 
operation
Pushing the lever operates the 
wiper and washer.
The wiper will automatically operate 
a couple of times after the washer 
squirts.
The washer will au tomatically oper-
ate and clean the camera for the 
Digital Rearview Mirror
*1 (  P.172) 
and rear camera
*2.
*1: If equipped
*2: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND  MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM 
OWNER’S MANUAL”.
■The rear window wiper and 
washer can be operated when
The power swit ch is in ON.
■If no washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzle is not 
blocked if there is  washer fluid in the 
washer fluid tank.
■Reverse-linked rear window 
wiper function
When the shift lever is shifted to R 
when the front wipers are operating, 
the rear window  wiper will operate 
once.
■Customization
Setting of the reverse-linked func-
tion can be changed. ( P.526)
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is 
empty
Do not operate the switch continu-
ally as the washer fluid pump may 
overheat. 

4046-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
The OBD system determines 
that a problem exists some-
where in the emission control 
system. Your vehicle may not 
pass the I/M test and may need 
to be repaired. Contact your 
Toyota dealer to service the 
vehicle.
When the 12-volt battery is 
disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set 
during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving 
habits, the readiness codes may 
not be completely set.
When the fuel tank cap is 
loose
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors
• Do the doors 
operate 
smoothly?
Engine hood
• Does the engine hood lock system 
work properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs of 
fluid leakage 
after the vehicle 
has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire infla-tion pressure 
correct?
• The tires should  not be damaged 
or excessively 
worn.
• Have the tires  been rotated 
according to the 
maintenance 
schedule?
• The wheel nuts  should not be 
loose.
Windshield 
wipers/rear 
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show 
any signs of 
cracking, split-
ting, wear, con-
tamination or 
deformation.
• The wiper blades  should clear the 
windshield/rear 
window without 
streaking or skip-
ping.
Emission inspection 
and maintenance (I/M) 
programs
Some states have vehicle 
emission inspection pro-
grams which include OBD 
(On Board Diagnostics) 
checks. The OBD system 
monitors the operation of 
the emission control sys-
tem.
If the malfunction indica-
tor lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass 
the I/M test in the follow-
ing situations: