Toyota Highlander (2022 year). Manual in english - page 13

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4-2. Driving procedures

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: While the engine 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.

*

: 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 engine 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 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:

1

Turn the engine switch to ON 

and check that the parking brake 

is set. (



P.204, 210)

2

Turn the engine switch to off.

3

Depress the brake pedal.

4

Pry the cover up with a flathead 

screwdriver or equivalent tool.

To prevent damage to the cover, 

cover the tip of the screwdriver with 

a rag.

5

Press and hold the shift lock 

override button.

The shift lever can be shifted while 

both buttons are pressed.

Shifting the shift lever

208

4-2. Driving procedures



P.311, 315

To enter M mode, shift the shift 
lever to M. Gears can then be 
selected by operating the shift 
lever, allowing you to drive in the 
gear of your choosing.

1

Upshifting

2

Downshifting

The gear changes once every time 
the shift lever or paddle shift switch 
is operated.
The selected gear, from M1 to M8, 
will be fixed and displayed on the 
meters.

When in the M position, the gear 
will not change unless the shift 
lever is operated.
However, even when in the M 
position, the gears will be auto-
matically changed in the follow-
ing situation:



When vehicle speed drops 
(downshift only).



When the automatic transmis-
sion fluid or engine coolant 
temperature is low.



When automatic transmis-
sion fluid temperature is high 
(upshift only).



When the needle of the 
tachometer is in the red zone 
(the range which exceeds the 
allowable revs of the engine).

In the following situation, the 
gear will not shift even if the shift 
lever is operated.



The vehicle speed is low 
(upshift only).

■

Downshifting restriction warn-

ing buzzer

To help ensure safety and driving 

performance, downshifting opera-

tion may sometimes be restricted. In 

some circumstances, downshifting 

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 and snow mode

Selecting gears in the M 
position

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4-2. Driving procedures

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may not be possible even when the 

paddle shift switch is operated. (A 

buzzer will sound twice.)

1

Right turn

2

Lane change to the right 
(move the lever partway and 
release it)

The right hand signals 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.

4

Left turn

■

Turn signals can be operated 

when

The engine 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 

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

210

4-2. Driving procedures

burned out.

■

Using the manual mode

The parking brake can be set 
and released manually.

U.S.A.
Canada

1

Pull the switch to set the 
parking brake

The parking brake indicator light 
and parking brake light will turn on.

Parking brake

The parking brake can be 
set or released automati-
cally or manually.

In automatic mode, the 
parking brake can be set or 
released automatically 
according to the shift lever 
operation. Also, even in 
automatic mode, the park-
ing brake can be set or 
released manually.

Operating instructions

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Pull and hold the parking brake 
switch if an emergency occurs and 
it is necessary to operate the park-
ing brake while driving.

2

Push the switch to release 
the parking brake

• Operate the parking brake switch 

while depressing the brake pedal.

• Parking brake automatic release 

function (



P.211)

Make sure that the parking brake 
indicator light and parking brake 
light turn off.
If the parking brake indicator light 
and parking brake light flashes, 
operate the switch again. (



P.463)

■

Turns automatic mode on

While the vehicle is stopped, 
pull and hold the parking brake 
switch until a “EPB Shift Inter-
lock Function Activated” is 
shown on the multi-information 
display.

When the automatic mode is 
turned on, the parking brake 
operates as follows.



When the shift lever is moved 
out of P, the parking brake will 
be released, and the parking 
brake indicator light and park-
ing brake light turn off.



When the shift lever is moved 
into P, the parking brake will 
be set, and the parking brake 
indicator light and parking 
brake light turn on.

Operate the shift lever with the 
brake pedal depressed.

■

Turns automatic mode off

While the vehicle is stopped, 
press and hold the parking 
brake switch until a “EPB Shift 
Interlock Function Deactivated” 
is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.

■

Parking brake operation

●

When the engine switch is not in 

ON, the parking brake cannot be 

released using the parking brake 

switch.

●

When the engine switch is not in 

ON, automatic mode (automatic 

brake setting and releasing) is not 

available.

■

Parking brake automatic 

release function

The parking brake will be released 

automatically when the accelerator 

pedal is slowly depressed under the 

following conditions:

●

The driver’s door is closed

●

The driver is wearing the seat belt

●

The shift lever is in a forward or 

212

4-2. Driving procedures

reverse position.

●

The malfunction indicator lamp or 

brake system warning light is not 

illuminated

If the automatic release function 

does not operate, release the park-

ing brake manually.

■

If “Parking Brake Temporarily 

Unavailable” is displayed on 

the multi-information display

If the parking brake is operated 

repeatedly over a short period of 

time, the system may restrict opera-

tion to prevent overheating. If this 

happens, refrain from operating the 

parking brake. Normal operation will 

return after about 1 minute.

■

If “Parking Brake Unavailable” 

is displayed on the multi-infor-

mation display

Operate the parking brake switch. If 

the message does not disappear 

after operating the switch several 

times, the system may be malfunc-

tioning. Have the vehicle inspected 

by your Toyota dealer immediately.

■

Parking brake operation sound

When the parking brake operates, a 

motor sound (whirring sound) may 

be heard. This does not indicate a 

malfunction.

■

Parking brake indicator light 

and parking brake light

●

Depending on the engine switch 

mode, the parking brake indicator 

light and parking brake light will 

turn on and stay on as described 

below:

ON: Comes on until the parking 

brake is released.

Not in ON: Stays on for approxi-

mately 15 seconds.

●

When the engine switch is turned 

off with the parking brake set, the 

parking brake indicator light and 

parking brake light will stay on for 

about 15 seconds. This does not 

indicate a malfunction.

■

When the parking brake switch 

malfunctions

Automatic mode (automatic brake 

setting and releasing) will be turned 

on automatically.

■

Parking the vehicle



P.179

■

Parking brake engaged warning 

buzzer

A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is 

driven with the parking brake 

engaged. “Parking Brake ON” is dis-

played on the multi-information dis-

play.

■

Warning messages and buzzers

Warning messages and buzzers are 

used to indicate a system malfunc-

tion or to inform the driver of the 

need for caution. If a warning mes-

sage is shown on the multi-informa-

tion display, read the message and 

follow the instructions.

■

If the brake system warning 

light comes on



P.456

■

Usage in winter time



P.324

WARNING

■

When parking the vehicle

Do not leave a child in the vehicle 

alone. The parking brake may be 

released unintentionally and there 

is the danger of the vehicle mov-

ing that may lead to an accident 

resulting in death or serious injury.

■

Parking brake switch

Do not set any objects near the 

parking brake switch. Objects 

may interfere with the switch and 

may lead the parking brake to 

unexpectedly operate.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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Turns the brake hold system on

The brake hold standby indicator 
(green) 

 comes on. While the 

system is holding the brake, the 
brake hold operated indicator (yel-
low) 

 comes on.

■

Brake hold system operating 

conditions

The brake hold system cannot be 

turned on in the following condi-

tions:

●

The driver’s door is not closed.

●

The driver is not wearing the seat 

belt.

NOTICE

■

When parking the vehicle

Before you leave the vehicle, shift 

the shift lever to P, set the parking 

brake and make sure that the 

vehicle does not move.

■

When the system malfunc-

tions

Stop the vehicle in a safe place 

and check the warning messages.

■

When the parking brake can-

not be released due to a mal-

function

Driving the vehicle with the park-

ing brake set will lead to brake 

components overheating, which 

may affect braking performance 

and increase brake wear.
Have the vehicle inspected by 

your Toyota dealer immediately if 

this occurs.

Brake Hold

The brake hold system 
keeps the brake applied 
when the shift lever is in D, 
M or N with the system on 
and the brake pedal has 
been depressed to stop the 
vehicle. The system 
releases the brake when the 
accelerator pedal is 
depressed with the shift 
lever in D or M to allow 
smooth start off.

Enabling the system

214

4-2. Driving procedures

●

The parking brake is engaged.

If any of the conditions above are 

detected when the brake hold sys-

tem is enabled, the system will turn 

off and the brake hold standby indi-

cator light will go off. In addition, if 

any of the conditions are detected 

while the system is holding the 

brake, a warning buzzer will sound 

and a message will be shown on the 

multi-information display. The park-

ing brake will then be set automati-

cally.

■

Brake hold function

●

If the brake pedal is left released 

for a period of about 3 minutes 

after the system has started hold-

ing the brake, the parking brake 

will be set automatically. In this 

case, a warning buzzer sounds 

and a message is shown on the 

multi-information display.

●

To turn the system off while the 

system is holding the brake, firmly 

depress the brake pedal and 

press the button again.

●

The brake hold function may not 

hold the vehicle when the vehicle 

is on a steep incline. In this situa-

tion, it may be necessary for the 

driver to apply the brakes. A warn-

ing buzzer will sound and the 

multi-information display will 

inform the driver of this situation. If 

a warning message is shown on 

the multi-information display, read 

the message and follow the 

instructions.

■

When the parking brake is set 

automatically while the system 

is holding the brakes

Perform any of the following opera-

tions to release the parking brake.

●

Depress the accelerator pedal. 

(The parking brake will not be 

released automatically if the seat 

belt is not fastened.)

●

Operate the parking brake switch 

with the brake pedal depressed.

Make sure that the parking brake 

indicator light goes off. (



P.210)

■

When an inspection at your 

Toyota dealer is necessary

When the brake hold standby indi-

cator (green) does not illuminate 

even when the brake hold switch is 

pressed with the brake hold system 

operating conditions met, the sys-

tem may be malfunctioning. Have 

the vehicle inspected at your Toyota 

dealer.

■

If “Brake Hold Malfunction 

Press Brake to Deactivate Visit 

Your Dealer” or “Brake Hold 

Malfunction Visit Your Dealer” 

is displayed on the multi-infor-

mation display

The system may be malfunctioning. 

Have the vehicle inspected by your 

Toyota dealer.

■

Warning messages and buzzers

Warning messages and buzzers are 

used to indicate a system malfunc-

tion or to inform the driver of the 

need for caution. If a warning mes-

sage is shown on the multi-informa-

tion display, read the message and 

follow the instructions.

■

If the brake hold operated indi-

cator flashes



P.463

WARNING

■

When the vehicle is on a 

steep incline

When using the brake hold sys-

tem on a steep incline, exercise 

caution. The brake hold function 

may not hold the vehicle in such a 

situation.

■

When stopped on a slippery 

road

The system cannot stop the vehi-

cle when the gripping ability of the 

tires has been exceeded. Do not 

use the system when stopped on 

a slippery road.

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4-2. Driving procedures

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NOTICE

■

When parking the vehicle

The brake hold system is not 

designed for use when parking 

the vehicle for a long period of 

time. Turning the engine switch off 

while the system is holding the 

brake may release the brake, 

which would cause the vehicle to 

move. When operating the engine 

switch, depress the brake pedal, 

shift the shift lever to P and set 

the parking brake.

216

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4-3.Operating the lights and wipers

Operating the 

 switch 

turns on the lights as follows:

U.S.A.
Canada

1

 The headlights, daytime 

running lights (



P.216) and 

all the lights listed below turn 
on and off automatically. 
(When the engine switch is in 
ON.)

2

 The side marker, park-

ing, tail, license plate, instru-
ment panel lights, and 
daytime running lights 
(



P.216) turn on.

3

 The headlights and all 

lights listed above (except 
daytime running lights) turn 
on.

4

 (U.S.A.) Off

■

Daytime running light system

●

Vehicles without projector head-

lights: The daytime running lights 

illuminate using the same lights as 

the low beam headlights and illu-

minate dimmer than the low beam 

headlights.

●

Vehicles with projector head-

lights: The daytime running lights 

illuminate using the same lights as 

the parking lights and illuminate 

brighter than the parking lights.

●

To make your vehicle more visible 

to other drivers during daytime 

driving, the daytime running lights 

turn on automatically when all of 

the following conditions are met. 

(The daytime running lights are 

not designed for use at night.)

• The engine is running

• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the 

 

or 

*

 position

*

: When the surroundings are bright

The daytime running lights remain 

on after they illuminate, even if the 

parking brake is set again.

●

For the U.S.A.: Daytime running 

lights can be turned off by operat-

ing the switch.

●

Compared to turning on the head-

lights, the daytime running light 

system offers greater durability 

and consumes less electricity, so 

it can help improve fuel economy.

Headlight switch

The headlights can be oper-
ated manually or automati-
cally.

Operating instructions

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4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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■

Headlight control sensor

The sensor may not function prop-

erly if an object is placed on the sen-

sor, or anything that blocks the 

sensor is affixed to the windshield.

Doing so interferes with the sensor 

detecting the level of ambient light 

and may cause the automatic head-

light system to malfunction.

■

Automatic light off system

●

When the headlights are on: The 

headlights and tail lights turn off 

30 seconds after a door is opened 

and closed if the engine switch is 

turned to ACC or OFF. (The lights 
turn off immediately if 

 on the 

key is pressed after all the doors 

are closed.)

●

When only the tail lights are on: 

The tail lights turn off automati-

cally if the engine switch is turned 

to ACC or OFF and the driver’s 

door is opened.

Except for Canada: To turn the lights 

on again, turn the engine switch to 

ON, or turn the light switch off once 
and then back to 

 or 

.

For Canada: To turn the lights on 

again, turn the engine switch to ON, 
or turn the light switch to 

 once 

and then back to 

 or 

.

■

Automatic headlight leveling 

system (if equipped)

The level of the headlights is auto-

matically adjusted according to the 

number of passengers and the load-

ing condition of the vehicle to 

ensure that the headlights do not 

interfere with other road users.

■

Light reminder buzzer

A buzzer sounds when the engine 

switch is turned off or turned to ACC 

and the driver’s door is opened 

while the lights are turned on.

■

Welcome lighting

The parking lights and tail lights 

automatically turn on at night when 

the doors are unlocked using the 

entry function or wireless remote 

control if the light switch is in the 

 position.

■

Windshield wiper linked head-

light illumination

When driving during daytime with 
the headlight switch turned to 

, if 

the windshield wipers are used, the 

headlights will turn on automatically 

after several seconds to help 

enhance the visibility of your vehi-

cle.

■

Battery-saving function

In order to prevent the battery of the 

vehicle from discharging, if the 

headlights and/or tail lights are on 

when the engine switch is turned off 

the battery saving function will oper-

ate and automatically turn off all the 

lights after approximately 20 min-

utes. When the engine switch is 

turned to ON, the battery-saving 

function will be disabled.

When any of the following are per-

formed, the battery-saving function 

is canceled once and then reacti-

vated. All the lights will turn off auto-

matically 20 minutes after the 

battery-saving function has been 

reactivated:

●

When the headlight switch is oper-

ated

●

When a door is opened or closed

■

Customization

Some functions can be customized. 

(



P.521)

218

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

1

With the headlights on, push 
the lever away from you to 
turn on the high beams.

Pull the lever toward you to the 
center position to turn the high 
beams off.

2

Pull the lever toward you and 
release it to flash the high 
beams once.

You can flash the high beams with 
the headlights on or off.

AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting 
System) secures excellent visi-
bility at intersections and on 
curves by automatically adjust-
ing the direction of the light axis 
of the headlights according to 
vehicle speed and the degree of 
the tire’s angle as controlled by 

steering input.

AFS operates at speeds of 6 mph 
(10 km/h) or higher.

■

Customization

Some functions can be customized. 

(



P.521)

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not leave the lights on longer 

than necessary when the engine 

is off.

Turning on the high beam 
headlights

AFS (Adaptive Front-light-
ing System) (if equipped)

219

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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1

Press the Automatic High 
Beam switch.

2

Push the lever away from 
you with the headlight switch 

in the 

 or 

 position.

The Automatic High Beam indicator 

will come on when the system is 

operating.

■

Conditions to turn the high 

beams on/off automatically

●

When all of the following condi-

tions are met, the high beams will 

be turned on automatically (after 

approximately 1 second):

• The vehicle speed is approxi-

mately 21 mph (34 km/h) or more.

• The area ahead of the vehicle is 

dark.

• There are no vehicles ahead with 

headlights or tail lights turned on.

• There are few streetlights on the 

road ahead.

●

If any of the following conditions is 

met, the high beams will turn off 

automatically:

• The vehicle speed is below 

approximately 17 mph (27 km/h).

• The area ahead of the vehicle is 

not dark.

• Vehicles ahead have their head-

lights or tail lights turned on.

• There are many streetlights on the 

road ahead.

■

Camera sensor detection infor-

mation

●

The high beams may not be auto-

matically turned off in the following 

situations:

• When a vehicle suddenly appears 

Automatic High Beam

The Automatic High Beam 
uses a camera sensor 
located behind the upper 
portion of the windshield to 
assess the brightness of the 
lights of vehicles ahead, 
streetlights, etc., and auto-
matically turns the high 
beams on or off as neces-
sary.

WARNING

■

Limitations of the Automatic 

High Beam

Do not overly rely on the Auto-

matic High Beam. Always drive 

safely, taking care to observe your 

surroundings and turning the high 

beams on or off manually if nec-

essary.

■

To prevent incorrect opera-

tion of the Automatic High 

Beam system

Do not overload the vehicle.

Activating the Automatic 
High Beam

220

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

from around a curve

• When the vehicle is cut in front of 

by another vehicle

• When vehicles ahead cannot be 

detected due to repeated curves, 

road dividers or roadside trees

• When vehicles ahead appear in a 

faraway lane on a wide road

• When the lights of vehicles ahead 

are not on

●

The high beams may be turned off 

if a vehicle ahead that is using fog 

lights without its headlights turned 

on is detected.

●

House lights, street lights, traffic 

signals, and illuminated billboards 

or signs and other reflective 

objects may cause the high 

beams to change to the low 

beams, or the low beams to 

remain on.

●

The following factors may affect 

the amount of time taken for the 

high beams to turn on or off:

• The brightness of the headlights, 

fog lights, and tail lights of vehi-

cles ahead

• The movement and direction of 

vehicles ahead

• When a vehicle ahead only has 

operational lights on one side

• When a vehicle ahead is a 

two-wheeled vehicle

• The condition of the road (gradi-

ent, curve, condition of the road 

surface, etc.)

• The number of passengers and 

amount of luggage in the vehicle

●

The high beams may turn on or off 

unexpectedly.

●

Bicycles or similar vehicles may 

not be detected.

●

In the following situations the sys-

tem may not be able to correctly 

detect the surrounding brightness 

level. This may cause the low 

beams to remain on or the high 

beams to flash or dazzle pedestri-

ans or vehicles ahead. In such a 

case, it is necessary to manually 

switch between the high and low 

beams.

• When driving in inclement weather 

(heavy rain, snow, fog, sand-

storms, etc.)

• When the windshield is obscured 

by fog, mist, ice, dirt, etc.

• When the windshield is cracked or 

damaged

• When the camera sensor is 

deformed or dirty

• When the temperature of the cam-

era sensor is extremely high

• When the surrounding brightness 

level is equal to that of headlights, 

tail lights or fog lights

• When headlights or tail lights of 

vehicles ahead are turned off, 

dirty, changing color, or not aimed 

properly

• When the vehicle is hit by water, 

snow, dust, etc. from a preceding 

vehicle

• When driving through an area of 

intermittently changing brightness 

and darkness

• When frequently and repeatedly 

driving ascending/descending 

roads, or roads with rough, bumpy 

or uneven surfaces (such as 

stone-paved roads, gravel roads, 

etc.)

• When frequently and repeatedly 

taking curves or driving on a wind-

ing road

• When there is a highly reflective 

object ahead of the vehicle, such 

as a sign or mirror

• When the back of a preceding 

vehicle is highly reflective, such as 

a container on a truck

• When the vehicle’s headlights are 

damaged or dirty, or are not aimed 

properly

• When the vehicle is listing or titling 

due to a flat tire, a trailer being 

towed, etc.

• When the headlights are changed 

between the high beams and low 

beams repeatedly in an abnormal 

manner

• When the driver believes that the 

high beams may be flashing or 

dazzling pedestrians or other driv-

ers

221

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

Dr

iv

ing

■

Temporarily lowering sensor 

sensitivity

The sensitivity of the sensor can be 

temporarily lowered.

1

Turn the engine switch off while 

the following conditions are met.

●

The headlight switch is in 

 or 

.

●

The headlight switch lever is in 

high beam position.

●

Automatic High Beam switch is 

on.

2

Turn the engine switch to ON.

3

Within 60 seconds after step 

2

, 

repeat pulling the headlight 

switch lever to the original posi-

tion then pushing it to the high 

beam position quickly 10 times, 

then leave the lever in high beam 

position.

4

If the sensitivity is changed, the 

Automatic High Beam indicator 

is turn on and off 3 times.

Automatic High Beam (headlights) 

may turn on even when the vehicle 

is stopped.

■

Switching to the low beams

Pull the lever to its original posi-
tion.

The Automatic High Beam indicator 
will turn off.
Push the lever away from you to 
activate the Automatic High Beam 
system again.

■

Switching to the high 
beams

Press the Automatic High Beam 
switch.

The Automatic High Beam indicator 
will turn off and the high beam indi-
cator will turn on.
Press the switch to activate the 
Automatic High Beam system 
again.

Turning the high beams 
on/off manually

222

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

*

: If equipped

1

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Turns the fog lights off

2

 Turns the fog lights on

■

Fog lights can be used when

The headlights are on in low beam.

Operate the 

 lever oper-

ates the wipers or washer as fol-
lows.



Intermittent windshield wip-
ers with interval adjuster

1

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Off

2

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Intermittent operation

Fog light switch

*

The fog lights secure excel-
lent visibility in difficult driv-
ing conditions, such as in 
rain and fog.

Operating instructions

Windshield wipers and 

washer

Operating the lever can 
switch between automatic 
operation and manual oper-
ation, or can use the 
washer.

NOTICE

■

When the windshield is dry

Do not use the wipers, as they 

may damage the windshield.

Operating the wiper lever