2023 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Owners Manual

2094-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
cally shut off after approximately 1
hour if it has been left running
while the shift lever is in P.
●The timer for the automatic hybrid
system shut off feature will reset if
the brake pedal is depressed or if
the shift lever is in a position other
than P.
●After the vehicle is parked, if the
door is locked with the door lock
switch ( P.130) from the inside or
the mechanical key from the out-
side, the automatic hybrid system
shut off feature will be disabled.
The timer for the automatic hybrid
system shut off f eature will be
re-enabled if the driver’s door is
opened.
Modes can be changed by
pressing the power switch with
brake pedal released. (The
mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)
WARNING
■Stopping the hybrid system
in an emergency
●If you want to stop the hybrid
system in an emergency while
driving the vehicle, press and
hold the power switch for more
than 2 seconds, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in suc-
cession. ( P.438)
However, do not touch the
power switch while driving
except in an emergency. Turn-
ing the hybrid system off while
driving will not cause loss of
steering or braking control, how-
ever, power assist to the steer-
ing will be lost. This will make it
more difficult to steer smoothly,
so you should pull over and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so.
●If the power switch is operated
while the vehicle is running, a
warning message will be shown
on the multi-info rmation display
and a buzzer sounds.
●To restart the hybrid system
after performing an emergency
shutdown, shift the shift lever to
N and then pre ss the power
switch.
■When parking
Exhaust gases include harmful
carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Observe
the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle
and may lead to an accident
caused by light-headedness, or
may lead to death or a serious
health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-
lated area or a closed area,
such as a garage, stop the
hybrid system.
●Do not leave the vehicle with
the hybrid system operating for
a long time. If such a situation
cannot be avoided, park the
vehicle in an open space and
ensure that exhaust fumes do
not enter the vehicle interior.
●Do not leave the hybrid system
operating in an area with snow
build-up, or where it is snowing.
If snowbanks build up around
the vehicle while the hybrid sys-
tem is operating, exhaust gases
may collect and enter the vehi-
cle.
Changing power switch
modes

2104-2. Driving procedures
1OFF*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
2ACC
Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
3ON
All electrical com ponents can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the
hybrid system, the power switch
will be turned to A CC, not to OFF.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is le ft in ACC for more
than 20 minutes or ON (the hybrid
system is not operating) for more
than an hour with the shift lever in P,
the power switch will automatically
turn off. However, this function can- not entirely prevent 12-volt battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle
with the power switch in ACC or ON
for long periods of time when the
hybrid system is not operating.
If the hybrid system is stopped
with the shift lever in a position
other than P, the power switch
will not be turned off but instead
be turned to ACC. Perform the
following procedure to turn the
switch off:
1
Check that the parking brake
is set.
2 Shift the shift lever to P.
3 Check that “ACCESSORY” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and press the
power switch shortly and
firmly.
4 Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display are
off.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
●Do not leave the power switch
in ACC or ON for long periods of
time without the hybrid system
on.
●If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION
ON” is displayed on the
multi-information display, the
power switch is not off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the power
switch off.
When stopping the hybrid
system with the shift lever
in a position other than P

2114-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch when
in EV drive mode will return the
vehicle to normal driving (using the
gasoline engine and electric motor
[traction motor]).
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery dis-
charge
Do not stop the hybrid system
when the shift lever is in a position
other than P. If the hybrid system
is stopped in another shift lever
position, the powe r switch will not
be turned off but instead be
turned to ACC. If the vehicle is left
in ACC, 12-volt b attery discharge
may occur.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric
power is supplied by the
hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), and only the electric
motor (traction motor) is
used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to
drive in residential areas
early in the morning and
late at night, or in indoor
parking lots, etc., without
concern for noises and gas
emissions.
However, when the Acoustic
Vehicle Alerting System is
active, the vehicle may pro-
duce sound.
Operating instructions

2124-2. Driving procedures
■Situations in which EV drive
mode cannot be turned on
It may not be po ssible to turn EV
drive mode on in t he following situa-
tions. If it cannot be turned on, a
buzzer will sound and a message
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is high.
The vehicle has been left in the
sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid sys-
tem is low.
The vehicle has been left in tem-
peratures lower than about 68°F
(20°C) for a long period of time,
etc.
●The gasoline engine is warming
up.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the energy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P. 1 1 9 )
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill, etc.
●The windshield defogger is in use.
■Switching to EV drive mode
when the gasoline engine is
cold
If the hybrid system is started while
the gasoline engine is cold, the gas-
oline engine will star t automatically
after a short peri od of time in order
to warm up. In this case, you will
become unable to switch to EV drive
mode.
After the hybrid system has started
and the “READY” indicator has illu-
minated, press the EV drive mode
switch before the gasoline engine
starts to switch to EV drive mode.
■Automatic cancelation of EV
drive mode
When driving in EV drive mode, the
gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the follo wing situations.
When EV drive mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound, the EV drive
mode indicator will go off after flash-
ing, and a message is displayed on
the multi-information display.
●The hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) becomes low.
The remaining batt ery level indi-
cated in the energy monitor dis-
play is low. ( P. 1 1 9 )
●Vehicle speed is high.
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed firmly or the vehicle is
on a hill, etc.
■Possible driving distance when
driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving
distance ranges from a few hundred
meters to approximately 0.6 mile (1
km). However, depending on vehicle
conditions, there are situations
when EV drive mode cannot be
used.
(The distance tha t is possible
depends on the hybrid battery [trac-
tion battery] level a nd driving condi-
tions.)
■Fuel economy
The hybrid system is designed to
achieve the best possible fuel econ-
omy during normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]). Driving in
EV drive mode more than neces-
sary may lower fuel economy.
■If “EV Mode Unavailable” is
shown on the multi-information
display
The EV drive mode is not available.
The reason the EV drive mode is
not available (the vehicle is idling,
battery charge is low, vehicle speed
is higher than the EV drive mode
operating speed r ange or accelera-
tor pedal is depressed too much)

2134-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
may be displayed. Use the EV drive
mode when it becomes available.
■If “EV Mode Deactivated” is
shown on the multi-information
display
The EV drive mode has been auto-
matically canceled. The reason the
EV drive mode is not available (the
battery charge is low, vehicle speed
is higher than the EV drive mode
operating speed range or accelera-
tor pedal is depressed too much)
may be displayed. Drive the vehicle
for a while before attempting to turn
on the EV drive mode again.
*1: To improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise, shift the shift lever
to D for normal driving.
*2: By selecting shift ranges using S mode, you can control accelerat-
ing force and engine braking
force.
■When driving with dynamic
radar cruise control with
full-speed range activated
Even when switching the driving
mode to sport mode with the intent
of enabling engine braking, engine
braking will not activate because
dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range will not be can-
celed.
■Drive-Start Control (DSC)
 P.185
WARNING
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV drive mode,
pay special attention to the area
around the vehicle. Because
there is no engine noise, pedestri-
ans, people riding bicycles or
other people and vehicles in the
area may not be aware of the
vehicle starting off or approaching
them, so take extra care while
driving. Therefore, take extra care
while driving even if the acoustic
vehicle alerting system is active.
Hybrid transmission
Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.
Shift position purpose
and functions
Shift posi-
tionObjective or function
P
Parking the vehi-
cle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2
(  P.215)

2144-2. Driving procedures
: While the power switch is in
ON and the brake pedal
depressed
*, shift the shift lever
while pushing the shift release
button on the shift knob.
: Shift the shift lever while pushing the shift release button
on the shift knob.
: Shift the shift lever normally.
When shifting the shift lever
between P and D, make sure that
the vehicle is completely stopped
and the brake pedal is depressed.
*: For the vehicle to be able to be shifted from P, the brake pedal
must be depressed before the
shift release button is pushed. If
the shift release button is pushed
first, the shift lock will not be
released.
■Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to
prevent accidental operation of the
shift lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P
only when the power switch is in ON
and the brake pedal is being
depressed.
■If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal
is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted
with your foot on the brake pedal,
there may be a p roblem with the
shift lock system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
The following steps may be used as
an emergency measure to ensure
that the shift lev er can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
1 Turn the power switch to ON and
check that the parking brake is
set. ( P.209, 217)
2 Turn the power switch to off.
3 Depress the brake pedal.
4 Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damag e to the cover,
WARNING
■When driving on slippery
road surfaces
Be careful of downshifting and
sudden acceleration, as this could
result in the vehicle skidding to
the side or spinning.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charge
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid
battery (traction battery) will not
be charged even when the engine
is running. Theref ore, if the vehi-
cle is left with the shift lever in N
for a long period of time, the
hybrid battery (tr action battery)
will discharge, and this may result
in the vehicle n ot being able to
start.
Shifting the shift lever

2154-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
cover the tip of the screwdriver with
a rag.
5Press and hold the shift lock
override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while
both buttons are pressed.
 P.308 When the shift lever is in the S
position, the shift lever can be
operated as follows:
1
Upshifting
2 Downshifting
The selected shift range, from S1 to
S6, will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
The initial shift range in S mode is
set automatically to S4 or S5
according to vehicle speed.
■S mode
●You can choose from 6 levels of
accelerating force and engine
braking force.
●A lower shift range will provide
greater accelerating force and
engine braking force than a higher
shift range, and t he engine revolu-
tions will also increase.
●To prevent the engine from
over-revving, upshifting may auto-
matically occur when the shift
range is 4 or lower.
●When the shift range is 4 or lower,
holding the shift lever toward “+”
WARNING
■To prevent an accident when
releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock
override button, make sure to set
the parking brake and depress the
brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed instead of the
brake pedal when the shift lock
override button is pressed and the
shift lever is shifted out of P, the
vehicle may suddenly start, possi-
bly leading to an accident result-
ing in death or serious injury.
Selecting the driving
mode
Changing shift ranges in
S mode

2164-2. Driving procedures
sets the shift range to 6.
■Downshifting restrictions warn-
ing buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving
performance, downshifting opera-
tion may sometimes b e restricted. In
some circumstances, downshifting
may not be possible even when the
shift lever is opera ted. (A buzzer will
sound twice.)
■If the S indicator does not come
on or the D indicator is dis-
played even after shifting the
shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in
the hybrid transmission system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately. (In this
situation, the hyb rid transmission
will operate in t he same manner as
when the shift lever is in D.)
1 Right turn
2 Lane change to the right
(move the lever partway and
release it)
The right hand s ignals will flash 3
times.
3 Lane change to the left
(move the lever partway and
release it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
4Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated
when
The power switch is in ON.
■If the indicator flashes faster
than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or
rear turn signal lights has not
Tur n signal lever
Operating instructions