Toyota Highlander (2023 year). Manual in english - page 8

128

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

WARNING

●

If the power back door system is 

disabled while the power back 

door is operating, the back door 

will stop operating. The back 

door must then be operated 

manually. Take extra care in this 

situation, as the back door may 

open or close suddenly.

●

If the operating conditions of the 

power back door (



P.125) are 

no longer met, a buzzer may 

sound and the back door may 

stop opening or closing. The 

back door must then be oper-

ated manually. Take extra care 

on an incline in this situation, as 

the back door may move sud-

denly.

●

On an incline, the back door 

may suddenly shut after it 

opens. Make sure the back door 

is fully open and secure.

●

In the following situations, the 

power back door may detect an 

abnormality and automatic 

operation may be stopped. In 

this case, the back door must 

then be operated manually. 

Take extra care in this situation, 

as the stopped back door may 

suddenly open or close, causing 

an accident.

• When the back door contacts an 

obstacle

• When the battery voltage sud-

denly drops, such as when the 

engine switch is turned to ON or 

the engine is started during 

automatic operation

●

If a heavy object is attached to 

the back door, the back door 

may not operate, causing a mal-

function, or the back door may 

suddenly shut again after being 

opened, causing someone’s 

hands, arms, head or neck to be 

caught and injured. Do not 

attach any accessories other 

than genuine Toyota parts to the 

back door.

■

Jam protection function

Observe the following precau-

tions. Failure to do so may cause 

death or serious injury.

●

Never use any part of your body 

to intentionally activate the jam 

protection function.

●

The jam protection function may 

not work if something gets 

caught just before the back door 

fully closes. Be careful not to 

get fingers caught or anything 

else.

●

The jam protection function may 

not work depending on the 

shape of the object that is 

caught. Be careful not to catch 

fingers or anything else.

■

Hands Free Power Back Door 

(if equipped)

Observe the following precautions 

when operating the Hands Free 

Power Back Door. Failure to do so 

may cause death or serious injury.

●

Check the safety of the sur-

rounding area to make sure 

there are no obstacles or any-

thing that could cause any of 

your belongings to get caught.

●

Exhaust gasses cause the 

exhaust pipes to become quite 

hot. When operating the Hands 

Free Power Back Door, be care-

ful not to touch the exhaust 

pipe.

129

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

3

Before driv

ing

WARNING

●

Do not operate the Hands Free 

Power Back Door if there is little 

space under the rear bumper.

NOTICE

■

Back door spindles

The back door is equipped with 

spindles that hold the back door in 

place.
Observe the following precau-

tions. Failure to do so may cause 

damage to the back door spindle, 

resulting in malfunction.

●

Do not attach any foreign 

objects, such as stickers, plastic 

sheets, or adhesives to the 

spindle rod.

●

Do not attach any accessories 

other than genuine Toyota parts 

to the back door.

●

Do not place your hand on the 

spindle or apply lateral forces to 

it.

■

To prevent back door closer 

malfunction

Do not apply excessive force to 

the back door while the back door 

closer is operating. Applying 

excessive force may cause the 

back door closer to malfunction.

■

To prevent malfunction of the 

power back door

●

Make sure that there is no ice 

between the back door and 

frame that would prevent move-

ment of the back door. Operat-

ing the power back door when 

excessive load is present on the 

back door may cause a mal-

function.

●

Do not apply excessive force to 

the power back door while the 

back door is operating.

●

Take care not to damage the 

sensors (installed on the right 

and left edges of the power 

back door) with a knife or other 

sharp object. If a sensor is dis-

connected, the power back door 

will not close automatically.

■

Hands Free Power Back Door 

precautions (if equipped)

The kick sensor is located behind 

lower center part of the rear 

bumper. Observe the following to 

ensure that the Hands Free 

Power Back Door function oper-

ates properly:

●

Keep the lower center part of 

the rear bumper clean at all 

times.

If the lower center part of the rear 

bumper is dirty or covered with 

snow, the kick sensor may not 

operate. In this situation, clean off 

the dirt or snow, move the vehicle 

from the current position and then 

check if the kick sensor operates. 

If it does not operate, have the 

vehicle inspected by your Toyota 

dealer.

●

Do not apply coatings that have 

a rain clearing (hydrophilic) 

effect, or other coatings, to the 

lower center part of the rear 

bumper.

130

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

The open position of the power 
back door can be adjusted.

1

Stop the power back door at 
the desired position. 
(



P.122)

2

Press and hold the power 
back door switch on the back 
door for approximately 2 sec-
onds.

• When setting is complete, a 

buzzer will sound 4 times.

• The next time the power back 

door is opened, it will stop at 
that position.

■

Returning the power back door 

opening position to the default 

setting

Press and hold the power back door 

switch on the back door for approxi-

mately 7 seconds.
A buzzer will sound 4 times, pause, 
and then sound 2 more times. The 
next time the power back door is 
opened, it will stop at the default 
position.

NOTICE

●

Do not park the vehicle near 

objects that may move and con-

tact the lower center part of the 

rear bumper, such as grass or 

trees.

If the vehicle has been parked for 

a while near objects that may 

move and contact the lower cen-

ter part of the rear bumper, such 

as grass or trees, the kick sensor 

may not operate. In this situation, 

move the vehicle from the current 

position and then check if the kick 

sensor operates. If it does not 

operate, have the vehicle 

inspected by your Toyota dealer.

●

Do not subject the kick sensor 

or its surrounding area to a 

strong impact.

If the kick sensor or its surround-

ing area has been subjected to a 

strong impact, the kick sensor 

may not operate properly.
If the kick sensor does not oper-

ate in the following situations, 

have the vehicle inspected by 

your Toyota dealer.
• The kick sensor or its surround-

ing area has been subjected to 

a strong impact.

• The lower center part of the rear 

bumper is scratched or dam-

aged.

●

Do not disassemble the rear 

bumper.

●

Do not attach stickers to the 

rear bumper.

●

Do not paint the rear bumper.

●

If a heavy object is attached to 

the power back door, disable 

the kick sensor.

Adjusting the open posi-
tion of the back door 
(vehicles with a power 
back door)

131

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

3

Before driv

ing

■

When setting the open position 

of the back door by the 

multi-information display

The open position of the power back 

door can be adjusted using the 

multi-information display. (



P.494)

When opened, the power back door 

will open to the last position set 

using the power back door switch on 

the back door or on the multi-infor-

mation display.

■

Antenna location

Antennas outside the cabin
Antennas inside the cabin
Antenna outside the luggage 
compartment

Smart key system

The following operations 
can be performed simply by 
carrying the electronic key 
on your person, for example 
in your pocket. The driver 
should always carry the 
electronic key.



Locks and unlocks the 
doors (



P.115)



Locks and unlocks the back 
door (



P.121)



Starts and stops the engine 
(



P.197)

132

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

■

Effective range (areas within 

which the electronic key is 

detected)

When locking or unlocking the 
doors

The system can be operated when 
the electronic key is within about 2.3 
ft. (0.7 m) of an outside front door 
handle and back door. (Only the 
doors detecting the key can be 
operated.)

When starting the engine or 
changing engine switch modes

The system can be operated when 
the electronic key is inside the vehi-
cle.

■

Alarms and warning messages

A combination of exterior and inte-

rior alarms as well as warning mes-

sages shown on the 

multi-information display are used to 

prevent theft of the vehicle and acci-

dents resulting from erroneous 

operation. Take appropriate mea-

sures in response to any warning 

message on the multi-information 

display. (



P.442)

When only an alarm sounds, cir-

cumstances and correction proce-

dures are as follows.

●

When an exterior alarm sounds 

once for 5 seconds

●

When an interior alarm sounds 

continuously

■

Battery-saving function

The battery-saving function will be 

activated in order to prevent the 

electronic key battery and the vehi-

cle battery from being discharged 

while the vehicle is not operated for 

a long time.

●

In the following situations, the 

smart key system may take some 

time to unlock the doors.

• The electronic key has been left in 

an area of approximately 6 ft. (2 

m) of the outside of the vehicle for 

10 minutes or longer.

• The smart key system has not 

been used for 5 days or longer.

●

If the smart key system has not 

been used for 14 days or longer, 

the doors cannot be unlocked at 

any doors except the driver’s door. 

In this case, take hold of the 

driver’s door handle, or use the 

Situation

Correction 

procedure

An attempt was 
made to lock the 
vehicle while a door 
was open.

Close all of 
the doors 
and lock the 
doors again.

Situation

Correction 

procedure

The engine switch 
was turned to ACC 
while the driver’s 
door was open (or 
the driver’s door was 
opened while the 
engine switch was in 
ACC).

Turn the 
engine 
switch off 
and close 
the driver’s 
door.

The engine switch 
was turned off while 
the driver’s door was 
open.

Close the 
driver’s 
door.

133

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

3

Before driv

ing

wireless remote control or the 

mechanical key, to unlock the 

doors.

■

Turning an electronic key to 

battery-saving mode

When battery-saving mode is set, 

battery depletion is minimized by 

stopping the electronic key from 

receiving radio waves.

Press 

 twice while pressing and 

holding 

. Confirm that the elec-

tronic key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is 

set, the smart key system cannot be 

used. To cancel the function, press 

any of the electronic key buttons.

■

Conditions affecting operation

The smart key system uses weak 

radio waves. In the following situa-

tions, the communication between 

the electronic key and the vehicle 

may be affected, preventing the 

smart key system, wireless remote 

control and engine immobilizer sys-

tem from operating properly. (Ways 

of coping:



P.463)

●

When the electronic key battery is 

depleted

●

Near a TV tower, electric power 

plant, gas station, radio station, 

large display, airport or other facil-

ity that generates strong radio 

waves or electrical noise

●

When the electronic key is in con-

tact with, or is covered by the fol-

lowing metallic objects

• Cards to which aluminum foil is 

attached

• Cigarette boxes that have alumi-

num foil inside

• Metallic wallets or bags

• Coins

• Hand warmers made of metal

• Media such as CDs and DVDs

●

When other wireless keys (that 

emit radio waves) are being used 

nearby

●

When carrying the electronic key 

together with the following devices 

that emit radio waves

• Portable radio, cellular phone, 

cordless phone or other wireless 

communication devices

• Another electronic key or a wire-

less key that emits radio waves

• Personal computers or personal 

digital assistants (PDAs)

• Digital audio players

• Portable game systems

●

If window tint with a metallic con-

tent or metallic objects are 

attached to the rear window

●

When the electronic key is placed 

near a battery charger or elec-

tronic devices

●

When the vehicle is parked in a 

pay parking spot where radio 

waves are emitted

■

Note for the entry function

●

Even when the electronic key is 

within the effective range (detec-

tion areas), the system may not 

operate properly in the following 

cases:

• The electronic key is too close to 

the window or outside door han-

dle, near the ground, or in a high 

place when the doors are locked 

or unlocked.

• The electronic key is on the instru-

ment panel, luggage compart-

ment, floor, or in the door pockets 

or glove box when the engine is 

started or engine switch modes 

are changed.

●

Do not leave the electronic key on 

top of the instrument panel or near 

the door pockets when exiting the 

vehicle. Depending on the radio 

wave reception conditions, it may 

be detected by the antenna out-

134

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

side the cabin and the door will 

become lockable from the outside, 

possibly trapping the electronic 

key inside the vehicle.

●

As long as the electronic key is 

within the effective range, the 

doors may be locked or unlocked 

by anyone. However, only the 

doors detecting the electronic key 

can be used to unlock the vehicle.

●

Even if the electronic key is not 

inside the vehicle, it may be possi-

ble to start the engine if the elec-

tronic key is near the window.

●

The doors may unlock or lock if a 

large amount of water splashes on 

the door handle, such as in the 

rain or in a car wash when the 

electronic key is within the effec-

tive range. (The doors will auto-

matically be locked after 

approximately 60 seconds if the 

doors are not opened and closed.)

●

If the wireless remote control is 

used to lock the doors when the 

electronic key is near the vehicle, 

there is a possibility that the door 

may not be unlocked by the entry 

function. (Use the wireless remote 

control to unlock the doors.)

●

Touching the door lock or unlock 

sensor while wearing gloves may 

prevent lock or unlock operation.

●

When the lock operation is per-

formed using the lock sensor, rec-

ognition signals will be shown up 

to two consecutive times. After 

this, no recognition signals will be 

given.

●

If the door handle becomes wet 

while the electronic key is within 

the effective range, the door may 

lock and unlock repeatedly. In that 

case, follow the following correc-

tion procedures to wash the vehi-

cle:

• Place the electronic key in a loca-

tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from 

the vehicle. (Take care to ensure 

that the key is not stolen.)

• Set the electronic key to bat-

tery-saving mode to disable the 

smart key system. (



P.133)

●

If the electronic key is inside the 

vehicle and a door handle 

becomes wet during a car wash, a 

message may be shown on the 

multi-information display and a 

buzzer will sound outside the vehi-

cle. To turn off the alarm, lock all 

the doors.

●

The lock sensor may not work 

properly if it comes into contact 

with ice, snow, mud, etc. Clean 

the lock sensor and attempt to 

operate it again, or use the lock 

sensor on the lower part of the 

door handle.

●

A sudden handle operation or a 

handle operation immediately 

after entering the effective range 

may prevent the doors from being 

unlocked. Touch the door unlock 

sensor and check that the doors 

are unlocked before pulling the 

door handle again.

●

If there is another electronic key in 

the detection area, it may take 

slightly longer to unlock the doors 

after the door handle is gripped.

■

When the vehicle is not driven 

for extended periods

●

To prevent theft of the vehicle, do 

not leave the electronic key within 

6 ft. (2 m) of the vehicle.

●

The smart key system can be 

deactivated in advance. (



P.494)

●

Setting the electronic key to bat-

tery-saving mode helps to reduce 

key battery depletion. (



P.133)

■

To operate the system properly

Make sure to carry the electronic 

key when operating the system. Do 

not get the electronic key too close 

to the vehicle when operating the 

system from the outside of the vehi-

cle.
Depending on the position and hold-

ing condition of the electronic key, 

the key may not be detected cor-

135

3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors

3

Before driv

ing

rectly and the system may not oper-

ate properly. (The alarm may go off 

accidentally, or the door lock pre-

vention may not operate.)

■

If the smart key system does 

not operate properly

If the doors cannot be 

locked/unlocked using the smart key 

system, lock/unlock the doors by 

performing any of the following:

●

Bring the electronic key close to 

either front door handle and oper-

ate the entry function.

●

Operate the wireless remote con-

trol.

If the doors cannot be 

locked/unlocked using the above 

methods, use the mechanical key. 

(



P.463)

If the engine cannot be started using 

the smart key system, refer to 

P.464.

■

Customization

Some functions can be customized. 

(



P.494)

■

If the smart key system has 

been deactivated in a custom-

ized setting

●

Locking and unlocking the doors: 

Use the wireless remote control or 

mechanical key. (



P.115, 463)

●

Starting the engine and changing 

engine switch modes: 



P.464

●

Stopping the engine: 



P.198

WARNING

■

Caution regarding interfer-

ence with electronic devices

●

People with implantable car-

diac pacemakers, cardiac 

resynchronization ther-

apy-pacemakers or implantable 

cardioverter defibrillators should 

keep away from the smart key 

system antennas. (



P.131) The 

radio waves may affect the 

operation of such devices. If 

necessary, the entry function 

can be disabled. Ask your Toy-

ota dealer for details, such as 

the frequency of radio waves 

and timing of the emitted radio 

waves. Then, consult your doc-

tor to see if you should disable 

the entry function.

●

Users of any electrical medical 

device other than implantable 

cardiac pacemakers, cardiac 

resynchronization ther-

apy-pacemakers or implantable 

cardioverter defibrillators should 

consult the manufacturer of the 

device for information about its 

operation under the influence of 

radio waves. Radio waves could 

have unexpected effects on the 

operation of such medical 

devices.

Ask your Toyota dealer for details 

on disabling the entry function.

136

3-3. Adjusting the seats

3-3.Adjusting the seats



Manual seat

Seat position adjustment 
lever
Seatback angle adjustment 
lever



Power seat

Seat position adjustment 
switch
Seatback angle adjustment 
switch
Seat cushion (front) angle 
adjustment switch

Vertical height adjustment 
switch
Lumbar support adjustment 
switch (driver’s side only)

■

When adjusting the seat

Take care when adjusting the seat 

so that the head restraint does not 

touch the ceiling.

Front seats

Adjustment procedure

WARNING

■

When adjusting the seat posi-

tion

●

Take care when adjusting the 

seat position to ensure that 

other passengers are not 

injured by the moving seat.

●

Do not put your hands under the 

seat or near the moving parts to 

avoid injury. Fingers or hands 

may become jammed in the 

seat mechanism.

●

Make sure to leave enough 

space around the feet so they 

do not get stuck.

■

Seat adjustment

●

Be careful that the seat does 

not hit passengers or luggage.

●

To reduce the risk of sliding 

under the lap belt during a colli-

sion, do not recline the seat 

more than necessary.

If the seat is too reclined, the lap 

belt may slide past the hips and 

apply restraint forces directly to 

the abdomen, or your neck may 

contact the shoulder belt, increas-

ing the risk of death or serious 

injury in the event of an accident.
Adjustments should not be made 

while driving as the seat may 

unexpectedly move and cause 

the driver to lose control of the 

vehicle.

137

3-3. Adjusting the seats

3

Before driv

ing

WARNING

●

Manual seat only: After adjust-

ing the seat, make sure that the 

seat is locked in position.

Rear seats

The seat position and seat-
back angle can be adjusted, 
and the seatback can be 
folded by operating a seat-
back angle adjustment 
lever.

WARNING

■

Seat adjustment

●

To reduce the risk of sliding 

under the lap belt during a colli-

sion, do not recline the seat 

more than necessary.

If the seat is too reclined, the lap 

belt may slide past the hips and 

apply restraint forces directly to 

the abdomen, or your neck may 

contact the shoulder belt, increas-

ing the risk of death or serious 

injury in the event of an accident.
Adjustments should not be made 

while driving as the seat may 

unexpectedly move and cause 

the driver to lose control of the 

vehicle.

●

Be careful that the seat does 

not hit passengers or luggage.

●

Be careful not to get your hands 

or feet caught in the seat.

■

After adjusting or returning 

the seats

Observe the following precau-

tions. Failure to do so may result 

in death or serious injury.

●

Make sure that the seat and 

seatback are securely locked in 

position by lightly rocking them 

back and forth.

●

Check that the seat belts are 

not twisted or caught in the 

seatback.

138

3-3. Adjusting the seats

■

Second seats



8-seat models

Seatback angle adjustment 
lever
Seat position adjustment 
lever

WARNING

■

When folding the rear seat-

backs down

Observe the following precau-

tions. Failure to do so may result 

in death or serious injury.

●

Do not fold the seatbacks down 

while driving.

●

Stop the vehicle on level 

ground, set the parking brake 

and shift the shift lever to P.

●

Do not allow anyone to sit on a 

folded seatback or in the lug-

gage compartment while driv-

ing.

●

Do not allow children to enter 

the luggage compartment.

●

Do not fold down a rear seat-

back when there are passen-

gers sitting in the rear seats or 

when there is luggage placed 

on the rear seats.

●

Be careful not to catch your 

hand when folding the rear seat-

backs.

Adjustment procedure

139

3-3. Adjusting the seats

3

Before driv

ing



7-seat models

Seatback angle adjustment 
lever
Seat position adjustment 
lever

■

Third seats

Seatback angle adjustment 
lever

■

When entering/exiting the 
vehicle

Pull the seatback angle adjust-
ment lever   or   to tilt the 
seatback forward and then slide 
the seat forward.

Make sure that the second seat is 
free of passengers and obstruc-
tions before operating the lever.

■

After passengers have 
entered/exited the vehicle

Lift up the seatback and slide 
the seat backward until it locks.

■

Before folding down the 
second seats

1

Stow the armrest. (



P.356)

Moving a second seat for 
third seat access

Folding down the second 
seats

140

3-3. Adjusting the seats

2

Stow the second seat belt 
buckles.

3

Pass the outer seat belts 
through the seat belt hangers 
and secure the seat belt 
plates.

This prevents the shoulder belts 

from being damaged.

4

Lower the head restraints to 
the lowest position. (



P.145)

■

Folding down the second 
seats

1

Pull the seatback angle 
adjustment lever   or   to 
tilt the seatback forward.

Each seatback may be folded sep-

arately.

2

Pull the seatback folding 
lever to unlock the seatback. 
The seatback will be folded 
down.

■

After folding down the sec-
ond seats

Slide the folded second seats 
backward until they lock.

141

3-3. Adjusting the seats

3

Before driv

ing

■

Returning the second seats

Lift up the seatbacks until they 
lock.

Remove the secured seat belts 
from the seat belt hangers before 
using them.

■

Before folding down the 
third seats

1

Stow the third seat belt buck-
les.

2

Pass the outer seat belts 
through the seat belt hangers 
and secure the seat belt 
plates.

This prevents the shoulder belts 

from being damaged.

3

Lower the center head 
restraint to the lowest posi-
tion. (



P.145)

■

Folding down the third 
seats

While pulling the seatback angle 
adjustment lever, fold down the 
seatbacks.

The outer head restraints will fold 
forward.

■

Returning the third seats

1

Returning the seatbacks



From inside

Lift up the seatbacks until they lock.

Folding down the third 
seats

142

3-3. Adjusting the seats



From outside

Pull the straps and raise the seat-
backs until they lock.
After using either strap, use the vel-
cro on the strap to attach it to the 
seatback.

2

Returning the outer head 
restraints.

Remove the secured seat belts 

from the seat belt hangers before 

using them.

*

: If equipped

1

Check that the shift lever is in 
P.

2

Turn the engine switch to 
ON.

3

Adjust the driver’s seat, out-
side rear view mirrors and 
head-up display (if equipped) 
to the desired positions.

4

While pressing the “SET” but-
ton, or within 3 seconds after 
the “SET” button is pressed, 
press button “1” or “2” until 
the buzzer sounds.

If the selected button has already 

been preset, the previously 

recorded position will be overwrit-

Driving position mem-

ory

*

This feature automatically 
adjusts the driver’s seat, 
outside rear view mirrors 
and head-up display (if 
equipped) to suit your pref-
erences.

Two different driving posi-
tions can be recorded into 
memory.

Each electronic key can be 
registered to recall your pre-
ferred driving position.

Recording a driving posi-
tion into memory

143

3-3. Adjusting the seats

3

Before driv

ing

ten.

■

Seat positions that can be 

memorized

The adjusted positions other than 

the position adjusted by lumbar sup-

port switch can be recorded.

■

In order to correctly use the 

driving position memory func-

tion

If a seat position is already in the 

furthest possible position and the 

seat is operated in the same direc-

tion, the recorded position may be 

slightly different when it is recalled.

1

Check that the shift lever is in 
P.

2

Turn the engine switch to 
ON.

3

Press one of the buttons for 
the driving position you want 

to recall until the buzzer 
sounds.

■

To stop the position recall oper-

ation part-way through

Perform any of the following opera-

tions:

●

Press the “SET” button.

●

Press button “1” or “2”.

●

Operate any of the seat adjust-

ment switches (only cancels seat 

position recall).

■

Operating the driving position 

memory after turning the 

engine switch off

Recorded seat positions can be 

activated up to 180 seconds after 

the driver’s door is opened and 

another 60 seconds after it is closed 

again.

■

When the recorded seat posi-

tion cannot be recalled

The seat position may not be 

recalled in some situations when the 

seat position is recorded in a certain 

range. For details, contact your Toy-

ota dealer.

■

Registering procedure

Record your driving position to 

WARNING

■

Seat adjustment caution

Take care during seat adjustment 

so that the seat does not strike 

the rear passenger or squeeze 

your body against the steering 

wheel.

Recalling a driving posi-
tion

Registering/cancel-
ing/recall a driving posi-
tion to an electronic key 
(memory recall function)