
1
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
INDEX
1 Visit your Toyota dealer for information on customizing this feature.2 Programmable by customer. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for instructions and more information.3 HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Gentex Corporation.  
Engine maintenance 11
Fuel tank door release & cap 10
Hood release  10
Indicator symbols 6-7
Instrument cluster 5
Instrument panel 2-4
Instrument panel light control 11 
Keyless entry1,2 8-9
Smart Key system1,2  9
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
FEATURES & OPERATIONS (continued)
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+)
Air conditioning/heating 29-31
Audio 25
Auto lock/unlock1 12
Automatic transmission 12
Bird’s Eye View Camera 
with Perimeter Scan 38
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and  
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) 35
Clock 23
Door locks1,2 17
Downhill Assist Control system (DAC) 4 1
Driver Easy Speak 33
Driving mode select switch 41
Electric parking brake 13
Front and Rear Parking Assist with 
Automated Braking (PA w/AB) 36
Garage door opener (HomeLink®)3 34
Head-Up Display (HUD) 23
Heated/ventilated seats 32
Heated steering wheel 33
Height Adjustable, Hands-Free  
Power Liftgate1,2 14-15
Intuitive parking assist 37
Lights1,2 & turn signals1 19
Moonroof1 15
Multi-Information Display (MID)2 22
Multi-terrain select (AWD) 40
Panoramic moonroof  16
Power outlets-12V DC 27
Power outlets-120V AC 27
Power windows1 18
Qi wireless charger 26
Rear view monitor system 39
Seat adjustments-Front 20
Seat adjustments-Rear 21
Seats-Head restraints 20
Seats-Stowing & returning  
3rd row seats 21
Snow mode button 40
Steering lock release 17
Steering wheel switches & 
telephone controls (Bluetooth®) 24
Stop & Start Engine System 39
Tilt & telescopic steering wheel 17
Toyota multi-operation touch 28
USB charge ports 27
USB media port 26
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)/TRAC/
Trailer Sway Control OFF switch  34
Windshield wipers & washers1 18
Automatic High Beams (AHB) 55
Full-Range Dynamic Radar 
Cruise Control (DRCC) 52-54
Lane Departure Alert with  
Steering Assist 47-49
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) System 46
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) with  
Lane Centering 50-51
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian 
Detection (PCS w/PD) 43-45
Quick overview-Toyota Safety  
Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) 42
Road Sign Assist (RSA) 56
Sensors 43
BLUETOOTH® DEVICE  PAIRING SECTION 64-66
Floor mat installation 62
Rear door child safety locks 58 
Safety Connect® 60
Seat belts 57
Seat belts-3rd row center 57
Seat belts-Shoulder belt anchor 57
Spare tire & tools 59
Star Safety SystemTM 61-62
Tire Pressure Monitoring  
(warning) System (TPMS) 58
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   17/9/21   7:31 AM 

2
Steering wheel controls
Automatic High Beam (AHB) switch
Audio control switches2Audio volume control switch2
Meter control switchesFull-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) vehicle-to-vehicle distance buttonFull-Speed Range DRCC switches
Tilt and telescopic steering lock release lever  (below the steering wheel)
Headlight/turn signal/front fog light1 controlMeter/Multi-Information Display (MID)
Hood lock release lever
Fuel tank door release button
Windshield wiper de-icer switch1
Heated steering wheel switch1
Heated steering wheel switch1
Automatic High Beams (AHB) switch
Automatic High Beams (AHB) switch
Birds Eye View Camera switch1,2
Power back door switch1
Power back door switch1
Voice command switch2
Telephone switch2
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)/ Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist switch
OVERVIEW
Instrument panel
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   27/9/21   6:46 AM 

6
Automatic High Beams (AHB) 
indicator5
For details, refer to “Warning lights and indicators,” Section 2-1, 2021 Owner’s 
Manual.
Front Fog light indicator4, 5
Constant speed cruise control indicator/Constant speed cruise control SET indicator
Electric power steering system 
warning [red/yellow]
Downhill Assist Control indicator4
Fuel tank door positionAnti-lock Brake (ABS) System 
warning1
Airbag SRS warning1
Air Bag ON/OFF indicator1
Brake system warning1 [yellow]
High coolant temperature warning
Eco drive mode indicator
Mud & sand mode indicator4
Low engine oil pressure warning
Brake Override System/Drive-Start
Control warning
Charging system warning1
Brake hold operating indicator1,2
Brake hold standby indicator1
Front and Rear Parking Assist 
with Automated Braking OFF 
indicator1,2,4,5,6
Brake system warning1
BSM outside rear view mirror 
indicator4
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) OFF 
indicator4
Eco Driving indicator1
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder (alarm will sound when the vehicle is on)
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control indicator/DRCC SET indicator
Malfunction/Check Engine indicator1
Low tire pressure warning1
Intuitive parking assist OFF 
indicator1,2,4,5
Headlight low/high beam indicator
Low fuel level warning1
Low outside temperature indicator
Parking brake indicator1,2
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)/Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist 
indicator [white/green/orange3]
Pre-Collison System (PCS) warning1,2
OVERVIEW
Indicator symbols
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   67/9/21   6:46 AM 

42
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™
Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) is a set of active safety technologies 
designed to help mitigate or prevent collisions across a wide range of traffic 
situations, in certain conditions. TSS 2.5+ is designed to help support the driver’s 
awareness, decision making and vehicle operation contributing to a safe driving 
experience.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for operation, setting adjustments, limitations and 
more details to understand these functions and complete safety precautions. For 
more information, please go to http://www.toyota.com/safety-sense.
Quick overview-Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+
Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)PCS w/PD is designed to provide alert, mitigation, and/or avoidance support in certain conditions, when the system detects a potential collision with a preceding vehicle is likely to occur. 
The advanced grille-mounted radar system is designed to work with 
the forward-facing camera to help recognize a preceding pedestrian or 
bicyclist, and provide an alert, mitigation and/or avoidance support in 
certain conditions.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering AssistLane Departure Alert with Steering Assist is designed to provide notification when the system detects an unintended lane departure.
The Steering Assist function is designed to provide small corrective steering inputs to the steering wheel for a short period of time to help keep the vehicle in its lane. The Sway Warning function is designed to detect vehicle swaying (based on the vehicle location and steering wheel operation) and alert drivers with an audio and visual alert, urging them to take a break.
Automatic High Beams (AHB)AHB is designed to detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and the tail lights of preceding vehicles and switch between high beams and low beams as appropriate.
Road Sign Assist (RSA)RSA is designed to recognize specific road signs using the forward- facing camera to provide information to the driver via the display.
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)Full-Speed Range DRCC is designed to help maintain a pre-set distance to a preceding vehicle when the preceding vehicle is traveling at a lower speed. The minimum set speed is approximately 20 MPH, but once activated, the operating speed range is 0-110 MPH.
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) SystemLTA contains all the features of Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist described below and additionally is designed to help keep the vehicle in the center of a lane by assisting the driver in steering control when using Full-Speed Range DRCC.
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   427/9/21   6:47 AM  

46
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™
While driving on a road with clear white (yellow) lane lines, the LTA system warns 
the driver if the vehicle may deviate from the current lane or course, and also can 
slightly operate the steering wheel to help avoid deviation from the lane or course.
Functions included in the LTA system are Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, 
Vehicle Sway Warning and Lane Centering.
Refer to the Toyota Owner’s Manual for additional information on LTA operation, 
settings adjustments, limitations, and precautions before attempting to use it.
TURNING THE LTA SYSTEM ON/OFF
LANE TRACING ASSIST SYSTEM
Note: Operation of the LTA system and setting adjustments continues in the 
same condition regardless of Ignition cycle until changed by the driver or the 
system is reset. The LTA indicator is illuminated when the LTA system is on.
Press and hold the LTA switch 
to turn the LTA system OFF. 
Press the LTA switch again to 
turn it on.
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) System
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   467/9/21   6:47 AM 

47
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
By detecting visible white/yellow lane markings or the road’s edge at speeds 
above 32 mph, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist is designed to issue an 
audio/visual alert if an inadvertent lane departure is detected. If the driver does not 
take corrective action, the Steering Assist function is designed to provide gentle 
corrective steering.*
* See toyota.com/safety-sense for more information.
Refer to the Toyota Owner’s Manual for a list of additional situations in which the 
system operation may be limited.
LANE DEPARTURE ALERT
LTA system display
The LTA indicator is illuminated when Lane Departure Alert is active. The LTA 
indicator and lane markers flash orange when operating.
Operation display of steering wheel operation support
LTA indicator
Lane markers/road edge
Press and hold the LTA switch 
to deactivate Lane Departure 
Alert with Steering Assist.
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   477/9/21   6:47 AM 

48
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™
LANE DEPARTURE ALERT (CONTINUED)
(2)(1)
The LTA system  displays when the Multi-Information Display (MID) is switched 
to the driving assist system information screen.
(1) The system displays solid white lines on the Lane Departure Alert indicator when 
visible lane markers or the road are detected. A side flashes orange to alert the 
driver when the vehicle deviates from its lane.
(2) The system displays outlines on the Lane Departure Alert indicator when lane 
markers or the road are not detected or the function is temporarily canceled.
Note: When operation conditions are no longer met, a function may be 
temporarily canceled. However, when the operation conditions are met 
again, operation of the function is automatically restored. For example, Lane 
Departure Alert may not function on the side(s) where white/yellow lines are 
not detectable.
ADJUSTING LANE DEPARTURE ALERT SENSITIVITY
The driver can adjust the sensitivity of the Lane Departure Alert function from the 
Multi-Information Display (MID) customization screen.
High - Is designed to warn approximately before the front 
tire crosses the lane marker.
Standard - Is designed to warn approximately when the front 
tire crosses the lane marker.
(1) Press “” or “” switches and select “” from the Multi-Information Display 
(MID). 
(2) Press “” or “” switches and select “” and then press “.” The setting 
screen is displayed. 
(3) Press “” or “” switches and select “Sensitivity” and then press “” to 
select the desired setting.
(4) Press “” to go back to the menu.
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   487/9/21   6:47 AM 

50
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE™
When Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is enabled and 
lane markers are detectable, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) uses the lines on the road 
and/or preceding vehicles to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane. 
See toyota.com/safety-sense for more information.
Refer to the Toyota Owner’s Manual for a list of additional situations in which the 
system operation may be limited.
Operation display of steering wheel operation support
LTA indicator
Lane markers
LANE TRACING ASSIST w/LANE CENTERING
LTA system display
Follow-up cruising display
The lane centering function is linked with Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise 
Control (DRCC) and provides the required assistance by operating the steering 
wheel to keep the vehicle in its current lane.
When dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range is not operating, the lane 
centering function does not operate.
Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) with Lane 
Centering
Press and hold the LTA switch 
to deactivate Lane Tracing 
Assist.
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd   507/9/21   6:47 AM