2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID tow

1633-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_UMake sure that the
head restraints
are adjusted so that the center of
the head restraint is closest to the
top of your ears.
■Adjusting the third center seat
head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one
level from the stowed position when
using.
■When using the outboard third
seats
If a head restraint is folded forward,
make sure to return it to the upright
position. ( P.158)
Pull the head restraint up while
pressing the lock release button
.
If the head restraint touches the
ceiling, making the removal difficult,
change the seat height or angle.
( P.153, 154)
Front seats
Second seats
Third center seat
Align the head restraint with the
installation holes and push it
down to the lock position.
Press and hold the lock release
button when lowering the
head restraint.
Front seats
Removing the head
restraints
Installing the head
restraints

1743-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
SymptomLikely causeSolution
The image is diffi-
cult to see.
The mirror surface is dirty.
Clean the mirror surface
gently, using a soft dry
cloth.
Sunlight or headlights are
shining directly into the Dig-
ital Rearview Mirror.
Change to optical mirror
mode.
(If the light is coming
through the moon roof or
panoramic moon roof,
close the sunshade or
electronic sunshade.)
• The vehicle is in a dark area.
• The vehicle is near a TV tower, broadcasting sta-
tion, electric power plant,
or other location where
strong radio waves or
electrical noise may be
present.
• The temperature around the camera is extremely
high/low.
• The ambient temperature is extremely low.
• It is raining or humid.
• Sunlight or headlights are shining directly into the
camera lens.
• The vehicle is under fluo- rescent lights, sodium
lights, mercury lights, etc.
• Exhaust gas is obstruct- ing the camera.
Change to optical mirror
mode.
(Change back to digital
mirror mode when the
conditions have
improved.)

189
4
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
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 2.5 + .................................. 243PCS (Pre-Collision System)
.................................. 249
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................. 260
Dynamic radar cruise con- trol with full-speed range
.................................. 271
RSA (Road Sign Assist) .................................. 283
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................. 286
Intuitive parking assist . 292
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function ............ 300
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) ........................ 305
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) .... 312
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehi-
cles) ........................... 318
Driving mode select switch .................................. 322
Trail Mode ................... 323
Driving assist systems .................................. 325
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips.................................. 331
Winter driving tips........ 333
Utility vehicle precautions .................................. 336

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_Uslippery.
●Drive carefully whe
n it starts to
rain, because the road surface will
be especially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when
driving on an expressway in the
rain, because there may be a
layer of water between the tires
and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from
operating properly.
■ECO Accelerator Guidance
(  P.94, 103)
It is easier to drive in an Eco-friendly
manner by driving while referring to
the ECO Accelerator Guidance dis-
play. Also, by using the ECO Accel-
erator Guidance it is easier to
increase the “Eco Score” evaluation.
●When starting off:
While staying within the ECO
Accelerator Guidance range,
gradually depress the accelerator
pedal and accelerate to the
desired speed. If excessive accel-
eration is avoid ed, the “Start”
score will increase.
●When driving:
After accelerating to the desired
speed, release the accelerator
pedal and drive at a stable speed
within the ECO Ac celerator Guid-
ance range. By keeping the vehi-
cle within the ECO Accelerator
Guidance range, the “Cruise”
score will increase.
●When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early
releasing the accelerator pedal
will cause the “Stop” score to
increase.
■Restraining the hybrid system
output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake
pedals are depressed at the same
time, the hybrid system output
may be restrained.
●A warning messag e is displayed
on the multi-information display
and head-up display (if equipped) while the system is operating.
■Restraining sudden start
(Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual oper-
ation is performed, the hybrid sys-
tem output may b
e restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P
to R (D includes S) with the accel-
erator pedal depressed, a warning
message appears on the
multi-information display and
head-up display (i f equipped). If a
warning message is shown on the
multi-information display and
head-up display (if equipped),
read the message and follow the
instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the
vehicle is in reverse.
●While Drive-Start Control is being
activated, your v ehicle may have
trouble escaping from the mud or
fresh snow. In such case, deacti-
vate TRAC ( P.326) to cancel
Drive-Start Cont rol so that the
vehicle may become able to
escape from the mud or fresh
snow.
●AWD models: Drive-Start Control
does not work when Trail Mode is
turned on.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle,
observing the following precautions
is recommended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.

1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Cargo capacity depends on the
total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load
capacity) — (Total weight of
occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined
weight of the driver and passen-
gers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and passen-
gers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb passen-
gers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5 
150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
( P.200)
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) ( P.510)
When 2 people with the com-
bined weight of A lb. (kg) are rid-
ing in your vehicle, which has a
total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) of B lb. (kg),
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity will
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following
information about storage
precautions, cargo capacity
and load.
Capacity and distribution
Calculation formula for
your vehicle

1984-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
be C lb. (kg) as follows:
B
*2 lb. (kg) - A*1 lb. (kg) = C*3 lb.
(kg)
*1: A =Weight of people
*2: B =Total load capacity
*3: C =Available cargo and luggage load
In this condition, if 3 more passen-
gers with the combined weight of D
lb. (kg) get on, the available cargo
and luggage load will be reduced E
lb. (kg) as follows:
C lb. (kg) - D*4 lb. (kg) = E*5 lb.
(kg)
*4: D =Additional weight of people
*5: E =Available cargo and luggage load
As shown in the example above,
if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and lug-
gage load will be reduced by an
amount that equals the
increased weight due to the
additional occupants. In other
words, if an increase in the num-
ber of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity
(combined weight of occupants
plus cargo and luggage load),
you must reduce the cargo and
luggage on your vehicle.
WARNING
■Things that must not be car-
ried in the luggage compart-
ment
The following things may cause a
fire if loaded in the luggage com-
partment:
●Receptacles containing gaso-
line
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may prevent the
pedals from being depressed
properly, may block the driver’s
vision, or may res ult in items hit-
ting the driver or passengers, pos-
sibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the
luggage compartment when-
ever possible.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage
in the luggage compartment
higher than the seatbacks.
●When you fold down the rear
seats, long items should not be
placed directly behind the front
seats.
●Never allow anyon e to ride in
the luggage compartment. It is
not designed for passengers.
They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly
fastened.
●Do not place cargo or luggage
in or on the follo wing locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the luggage cover
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant
compartment.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum
axle weight rating or the total
vehicle weight rating.

2004-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Total load capacity and seating
capacity
These details are also described on
the tire and loading information
label. ( P.436)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include
total load capacity, seating
capacity, trailer weight rat-
ing and cargo capacity.
 Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight): P.510
Total load capacity means the
combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
 Seating capacity:  P.510
Seating capacity means the max-
imum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight
is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
TWR (Trailer Weight Rat-
ing):  P.206, 510
TWR means the maximum gross
trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo weight) that your vehicle
is able to tow.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or
decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occu-
pants.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to
the tires, but also degrade steer-
ing and braking ability, resulting in
an accident.

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Matching trailer ball height to
trailer coupler height
No matter wh ich class of tow hitch
applies, for a m ore safe trailer
hookup, the trailer ball setup must
be the proper height for the coupler
on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the fo llowing conditions
are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires
are properly inflated. ( P.515)
●Trailer tires are inflated according
to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed pri-
marily as a passen-
ger-and-load-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer can
have an adverse impact on
handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel
consumption. For your
safety and the safety of oth-
ers, you must not overload
your vehicle or trailer. You
must also ensure that you
are using appropriate tow-
ing equipment, that the tow-
ing equipment has been
installed correctly and used
properly, and that you
employ the requisite driv-
ing habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and
braking performance are
affected by trailer stability,
brake performance and set-
ting, trailer brakes, the hitch
and hitch systems (if
equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use
extreme care and drive the
vehicle in accordance with
your trailer’s characteris-
tics and operating condi-
tions.
Toyota warranties do not
apply to damage or mal-
function caused by towing a
trailer for commercial pur-
poses.
Contact your Toyota dealer
for further information
about additional require-
ments such as a towing kit,
etc.