Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 54

228

4-2. Driving procedures

*

1

: Shifting the shift lever to D allows the system to select a gear suitable for

the driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to D is recommended for normal driving.

*

2

: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible

gear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnecessary
upshifting.

■

Snow mode

Use snow mode for accelerating and driving on slippery road sur-
faces, such as on snow.

Press the “SNOW” button to
select snow mode.

The “SNOW” indicator will be
displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display. 

Press the button again to cancel
snow mode.

Shift position purpose

Shift position

Objective or function

P

Parking the vehicle/starting the engine

R

Reversing

N

Neutral

D

Normal driving

*

1

S

S mode driving

*

2

 (

→P. 229)

Selecting the driving mode

229

4-2. Driving procedures

4

Drivin

g

■

Power mode (if equipped)

Use power mode for powerful acceleration or driving in mountain-
ous regions.

Press “<” or “>” of the meter
control switches, select 

.

Press “

∧” or “∨” of the meter

control switches, select
“PWR MODE”.

The “PWR MODE” indicator will
be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.

Select “PWR MODE” again to
cancel power mode.

To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shift range of
your choosing. The shift range can be selected by the shift lever.

Upshifting

Downshifting

8-speed models: The selected shift
range, from 1 to 8, will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.

The initial shift range in S mode is
set automatically to 6, 5 or 4
according to vehicle speed. How-
ever, the initial shift range may be
set to 3 if AI-SHIFT has operated
while the shift lever was in D. 
(

→P. 234)

6-speed models: The selected shift
range, from 1 to 6, will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.

The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT
has operated while the shift lever was in D. (

→P. 232)

1

2

Selecting shift ranges in the S position

1
2

230

4-2. Driving procedures

■

Shift ranges and their functions

A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.

■

Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as examples, and may
differ from the image that is actually displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.

■

S mode

●

8-speed models: When the shift range is 7 or lower, holding the shift lever
toward “+” sets the shift range to 8.
6-speed models: When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever
toward “+” sets the shift range to 6.

●

To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.

●

To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high. 

■

Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)

■

Deactivation of snow mode
Snow mode will be canceled if the engine is turned off after driving in snow
mode.

■

Deactivation of power mode (if equipped)
Power mode will be canceled if the engine is turned off after driving in power
mode.

■

If both snow mode and power mode (if equipped) are selected
Snow mode will be selected and power mode will be suspended until snow
mode is canceled.

■

When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.
(

→P. 285)

Meter display

Function

S2 - S8 

(8-speed models)

A gear in the range between 1 and the selected
gear is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions

S2 - S6 

(6-speed models)

S1

Setting the gear at 1

231

4-2. Driving procedures

4

Drivin

g

■

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 engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) 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 problem 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 lever can be shifted.

Releasing the shift lock:

Set the parking brake.

Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.

Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off.

Depress the brake pedal.

■

If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even
after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same manner as when
the shift lever is in D.)

Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.

To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.

Press the shift lock override button.

The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.

1

2

3

4

5