61
Star Safety System™
Your vehicle comes standard with the Star Safety SystemTM, which combines Anti-
lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution
(EBD), Smart Stop Technology (SST), Traction Control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability
Control (VSC).
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details and important information on limitations
to these systems.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
Toyota’s ABS sensors detect which wheels are locking up and limits wheel lockup
by “pulsing” each wheel’s brakes independently. Pulsing releases brake pressure
repeatedly for fractions of a second. This helps the tires attain the traction that
current road conditions will allow, helping you to stay in directional control.
BRAKE ASSIST (BA)
Brake Assist is designed to detect sudden or “panic” braking, and then add braking
pressure to help decrease the vehicle’s stopping distance. When there’s only a split
second to react, Brake Assist can add additional brake pressure more quickly than
just the driver alone can.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION (EBD)
Toyota’s ABS technology has Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to help
maintain control and balance when braking. EBD responds to sudden stops by
redistributing brake force to enhance the braking effectiveness of all four wheels.
SMART STOP TECHNOLOGY (SST)
Smart Stop Technology automatically reduces engine power when the accelerator
and brake pedals are pressed simultaneously under certain conditions.
SST engages when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are applied
firmly for longer than one-half second at speeds greater than five miles per hour.
SST doesn’t engage if the brake pedal is depressed before the accelerator pedal,
allowing vehicles to start on a steep hill and safely accelerate without rolling
backward.
ENHANCED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC)
Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control provides cooperative control of the ABS, TRAC,
VSC and EPS.
Enhanced VSC helps to maintain directional stability when loss of traction occurs
during a turn.
OVERVIEW
FEATURES & OPERATIONS
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
SAFETY & EMERGENCY FEATURES
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd 617/9/21 6:47 AM
62
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES
Floor mat installation
There are two types of Toyota floor mats: carpeted and all-weather. Each vehicle
has model-specific floor mats. Installation is easy.
To keep your floor mat properly positioned, follow these steps:
• Only use Toyota floor mats designed for your specific model.
• Use only one floor mat at a time, using the retaining hooks to keep the mat in
place.
• Install floor mats right side up.
Always align the Δ marks
TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC)
VSC helps prevent loss of traction during cornering by reducing engine power, and
Traction Control helps maintain traction on loose gravel and wet, icy, or uneven
surfaces by applying brake force to the spinning wheel(s).
Toyota’s TRAC sensors are activated when one of the drive wheels starts to slip.
TRAC limits engine output and applies the brakes to the spinning wheel. This
transfers power to the wheels that still have traction to help keep you on track.
130494_MY21_Highlander_QRG_V7_ML_070821_PRINT_R1.indd 627/9/21 6:47 AM
