Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 80

332

4-5. Using the driving support systems

◆

Dynamic Torque Control AWD system (AWD models)

Automatically switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive
(AWD) according to the driving conditions, helping to ensure reli-
able handling and stability. Examples of conditions where the sys-
tem will switch to AWD are when cornering, going uphill, starting off
or accelerating, and when the road surface is slippery due to snow,
rain, etc.

◆

EPS (Electric Power Steering) 

Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to
turn the steering wheel 

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

4

Drivin

g

The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC systems are
operating.

If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt or snow, the TRAC system may

reduce power from the engine to the wheels. Pressing 

 to turn the

system off may make it easier for you to rock the vehicle in order to
free it.

To turn the TRAC system off,

quickly press and release 

.

“Traction Control Turned Off” will
be shown on the multi-information

display. Press 

 again to turn the

system back on.

When the TRAC/VSC systems are operating

Disabling the TRAC system

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4-5. Using the driving support systems

■

Turning off both TRAC and VSC systems

To turn the TRAC and VSC systems off, press and hold 

 for more than 3

seconds while the vehicle is stopped.

The VSC OFF indicator light will come on and “Traction Control Turned Off”
will be shown on the multi-information display.

*

Press 

 again to turn the systems back on.

*

: Pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision braking will also be disabled.

(

→P. 274) 

■

When the message is displayed on the multi-information display show-

ing that TRAC has been disabled even if 

 switch has not been

pressed
TRAC cannot be operated. Contact your Toyota dealer.

■

Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will
operate:

●

The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/
backward on an upward incline).

●

The vehicle is stopped.

●

The accelerator pedal is not depressed.

●

The parking brake is not engaged.

■

Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:

●

The shift lever is moved to P or N.

●

The accelerator pedal is depressed.

●

The parking brake is engaged.

●

Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

■

Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems

●

A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal
is depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.

●

Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are
operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred. 

• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.

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■

EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be
heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.

■

Automatic reactivation of TRAC and VSC systems
After turning the TRAC and VSC systems off, the systems will be automati-
cally re-enabled in the following situations:

●

Vehicles without a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned to
the “LOCK” position 
Vehicles with a smart key system: When the engine switch is turned off

●

If only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC will turn on when vehicle
speed increases 
If both the TRAC and VSC systems are turned off, automatic re-enabling will
not occur when vehicle speed increases.

■

Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from
overheating when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of
time. The steering wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. The
EPS system should return to normal within 10 minutes.

WARNING

■

The ABS does not operate effectively when

●

The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded (such as
excessively worn tires on a snow covered road).

●

The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on wet or slick roads.

■

Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, especially in the
following situations:

●

When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads

●

When driving with tire chains

●

When driving over bumps on the road

●

When driving over roads with potholes or uneven surfaces