Toyota Highlander (2023 year). Manual in english

193

4-1. Before driving

ing

This function is activated when the

rated current of any of the following

trailer light circuit components is

exceeded:

●

Tail lights: maximum 4.5 A

●

Stop/turn signal light (right): maxi-

mum 7.8 A

●

Stop/turn signal light (left): maxi-

mum 4.5 A

■

When the auto current cut func-

tion is activated

If a trailer light does not come on

due to the activation of the auto cur-

rent cut function, the light system

will need to be reset.
Follow the reset procedure shown

below.

●

If a tail light does not come on,

turn off the headlight switch.

●

If the right-side stop/turn signal

light does not come on, put the

turn signal in the off position or

remove foot from the brake pedal.

●

If the left-side stop/turn signal light

does not come on, put the turn

signal in the off position or remove

foot from the brake pedal.

If the emergency flashers do not

operate, press the emergency

flasher switch to turn them off.
After the light system is reset, oper-

ate the light switches again to see if

the lights operate normally.
If the lights do not operate normally,

have the vehicle inspected by your

Toyota dealer.

Your vehicle will handle differ-
ently when towing a trailer. Help
to avoid an accident, death or
serious injury, keep the following
in mind when towing:



Speed limits for towing a
trailer vary by state or prov-
ince. Do not exceed the
posted towing speed limit.



Toyota recommends that the
vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65
mph (104 km/h) on a flat,
straight, dry road. Do not
exceed this limit, the posted
towing speed limit or the
speed limit for your trailer as
set forth in your trailer owner’s
manual, whichever is lowest.
Instability of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer combination (trailer
sway) increases as speed
increases. Exceeding speed
limits may cause loss of con-
trol.



Before starting out, check the
trailer lights, tires and the
vehicle-trailer connections.
Recheck after driving a short
distance.



Practice turning, stopping and
reversing with the trailer
attached in an area away
from traffic until you become
accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination.



Reversing with a trailer
attached is difficult and

NOTICE

■

Do not directly splice trailer

lights

Do not directly splice trailer lights.

Directly splicing trailer lights may

damage your vehicle’s electrical

system and cause a malfunction.

Trailer towing tips

194

4-1. Before driving

requires practice. Grip the
bottom of the steering wheel
and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the
left. Move your hand to the
right to move the trailer to
right. (This is generally oppo-
site to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp
or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when
reversing to reduce the risk of
an accident.



As stopping distance is
increased when towing a
trailer, vehicle-to vehicle dis-
tance should be increased.
For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one
vehicle and trailer length.



Avoid sudden braking as you
may skid, resulting in the
trailer jackknifing and a loss of
vehicle control. This is espe-
cially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.



Avoid jerky starts or sudden
acceleration.



Avoid jerky steering and
sharp turns, and slow down
before making turn.



Note that when making a turn,
the trailer wheels will be
closer than the vehicle wheels
to the inside of the turn. Com-
pensate by making a wider
than normal turning radius.



Slow down before making a

turn, in cross winds, on wet or
slippery surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can
destabilize the trailer.



Take care when passing other
vehicles. Passing requires
considerable distance. After
passing a vehicle, do not for-
get the length of your trailer,
and be sure you have plenty
of room before changing
lanes.



To maintain engine braking
efficiency and charging sys-
tem performance when using
engine braking, do not put the
transmission in D. If in the M
mode, the transmission shift
range position must be in 6 or
lower. (



P.201)



Instability happens more fre-
quently when descending
steep or long downhill grades.
Before descending, slow
down and downshift. Do not
make sudden downshifts
while descending steep or
long downhill grades.



Avoid holding the brake pedal
down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to
overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.



Due to the added load of the
trailer, your vehicle’s engine
may overheat on hot days (at
temperatures over 85°F
[30°C]) when driving up a long

195

4-1. Before driving

ing

or steep grade. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, imme-
diately turn off the air condi-
tioning (if in use), pull your
vehicle off the road and stop
in a safe spot. (



P.469)



Always place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle’s and
the trailer’s wheels when
parking. Put the transmission
in P and apply the parking
brake. Avoid parking on a
slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the
following:

Apply the brakes and keep
them applied.

Have someone place wheel
blocks under both the vehi-
cle’s and trailer’s wheels.

When the wheel blocks are in
place, release the brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb
the load.

Shift into P and apply the
parking brake.

Turn off the engine.



When restarting after parking
on a slope:

With the transmission in P,
start the engine. Be sure to
keep the brake pedal
depressed.

Shift into a forward gear. If
reversing, shift into R.

If the parking brake is in man-
ual mode, release the park-
ing brake. (



P.205)

Release the brake pedal, and
slowly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and
apply the brakes.

Have someone retrieve the
blocks.

196

4-1. Before driving

Dinghy towing

Your vehicle is not designed
to be dinghy towed (with 4
wheels on the ground)
behind a motor home.

NOTICE

■

To avoid serious damage to

your vehicle

Do not tow your vehicle with the 4

wheels on the ground.

■

To prevent causing serious

damage to the transmission

and AWD system

2WD models: Never tow this vehi-

cle from the rear with the front

wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage

to the transmission.

Never dinghy tow your vehicle to

prevent causing serious damage

to the Dynamic Torque Control

AWD system (AWD models) or

Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD

system (AWD models) and trans-

mission.

197

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

4-2.Driving procedures

Check that the parking brake
is set.

Check that the shift lever is in
P.

Firmly depress the brake
pedal.

and a message will be dis-

played on the multi-information dis-

play.
If it is not displayed, the engine

cannot be started.

Press the engine switch
shortly and firmly.

When operating the engine switch,

one short, firm press is enough. It is

not necessary to press and hold the

switch.
The engine will crank until it starts

or for up to 30 seconds, whichever

is less.
Continue depressing the brake

pedal until the engine is completely

started.
The engine can be started from any

engine switch mode.

■

If the engine does not start

●

The engine immobilizer system

may not have been deactivated.

(



P.69)

Contact your Toyota dealer.

●

If a message related to start-up is

shown on the multi-information

display, read the message and fol-

low the instructions.

■

If the battery is discharged

The engine cannot be started using

the smart key system. Refer to

P.465to restart the engine.

■

Electronic key battery depletion



P.112

■

Conditions affecting operation



P.133

■

Note for the entry function



P.133

■

Electronic key battery



P.410

■

Operation of the engine switch

●

If the switch is not pressed shortly

and firmly, the engine switch

mode may not change or the

engine may not start.

●

If attempting to restart the engine

immediately after turning the

engine switch off, the engine may

not start in some cases. After turn-

ing the engine switch off, please

wait a few seconds before restart-

ing the engine.

Engine (ignition)

switch

Performing the following
operations when carrying
the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or
changes engine switch
modes.

Starting the engine

198

4-2. Driving procedures

■

Customization

If the smart key system has been

deactivated in a customized setting,

refer to P.463.

Stop the vehicle completely.

Set the parking brake
(



P.205), and shift the shift

lever to P.

Check the parking brake indicator

is illuminated.

Press the engine switch.

The engine will stop, and the meter

display will be extinguished.

Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown
on the multi-information dis-
play.

■

Automatic engine shut off fea-

ture

●

The vehicle is equipped with a

feature that automatically shuts off

the engine when the shift lever is

in P with the engine running for an

extended period.

●

The engine will automatically shut

off after approximately 1 hour if it

has been left running while the

shift lever is in P.

●

The timer for the automatic engine

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.118) from the inside or

the mechanical key from the out-

side, the automatic engine shut off

feature will be disabled. The timer

for the automatic engine shut off

feature will be re-enabled if the

driver’s door is opened.

■

When the engine is stopped

Even if the engine switch is turned

off, the cooling fan may continue to

operate for a short time.

WARNING

■

When starting the engine

Always start the engine while sit-

ting in the driver’s seat. Do not

depress the accelerator pedal

while starting the engine under

any circumstances.

Doing so may cause an accident

resulting in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

When starting the engine

●

Do not race a cold engine.

●

If the engine becomes difficult to

start or stalls frequently, have

your vehicle checked by your

Toyota dealer immediately.

■

Symptoms indicating a mal-

function with the engine

switch

If the engine switch seems to be

operating somewhat differently

than usual, such as the switch

sticking slightly, there may be a

malfunction. Contact your Toyota

dealer immediately.

Stopping the engine

199

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

Modes can be changed by
pressing the engine switch with
brake pedal released. (The
mode changes each time the
switch is pressed.)

OFF

The emergency flashers can be
used.

WARNING

■

Stopping the engine in an

emergency

●

If you want to stop the engine in

an emergency while driving the

vehicle, press and hold the

engine switch for more than 2

seconds, or press it briefly 3

times or more in succession.

(



P.424)

However, do not touch the

engine switch while driving

except in an emergency. Turn-

ing the engine off while driving

will not cause loss of steering or

braking control, but the power

assist to these systems will be

lost. This will make it more diffi-

cult to steer and brake, so you

should pull over and stop the

vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

●

If the engine switch is operated

while the vehicle is running, a

warning message will be shown

on the multi-information display

and a buzzer sounds.

●

To restart the engine after per-

forming an emergency shut-

down, shift the shift lever to N

and then press the engine

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

engine.

●

Do not leave the vehicle with

the engine running 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 engine running

in an area with snow build-up,

or where it is snowing. If snow-

banks build up around the vehi-

cle while the engine is running,

exhaust gases may collect and

enter the vehicle.

Changing engine switch
modes

200

4-2. Driving procedures

ACC

Some electrical components such
as the audio system can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.

All electrical components 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
engine, the engine switch will be
turned to ACC, not to OFF.

■

Auto power off function

If the vehicle is left in ACC for more

than 20 minutes or ON (the engine

is not running) for more than an

hour with the shift lever in P, the

engine switch will automatically turn

off. However, this function cannot

entirely prevent battery discharge.

Do not leave the vehicle with the

engine switch in ACC or ON for long

periods of time when the engine is

not running.

If the engine is stopped with the
shift lever in a position other
than P, the engine switch will not
be turned off but instead be
turned to ACC. Perform the fol-
lowing procedure to turn the
switch off:

Check that the parking brake
is set.

Shift the shift lever to P.

Check that “ACCESSORY” is
displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display and press the
engine switch shortly and
firmly.

Check that “ACCESSORY”
or “IGNITION ON” on the
multi-information display are
off.

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

●

Do not leave the engine switch

in ACC or ON for long periods of

time without the engine running.

●

If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION

ON” is displayed on the

multi-information display, the

engine switch is not off. Exit the

vehicle after turning the engine

switch off.

When stopping the engine
with the shift lever in a
position other than P

NOTICE

■

To prevent battery discharge

Do not stop the engine when the

shift lever is in a position other

than P. If the engine is stopped in

another shift lever position, the

engine switch will not be turned

off but instead be turned to ACC.

If the vehicle is left in ACC, bat-

tery discharge may occur.

201

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

:Shifting to the D position allows

the system to select a gear suit-
able for the driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to the D
position is recommended for nor-
mal driving.

:Selecting gears using M mode

fixes the gear step, controls
engine braking force, and pre-
vents unnecessary upshifting.

■

To protect the automatic trans-

mission

If the automatic transmission fluid

temperature is high, “High Trans-

mission Fluid Temp See Owner's

Manual” will be displayed on the

multi-information display and the

vehicle will go into transmission pro-

tection mode automatically. Have

the vehicle inspected by your Toyota

dealer.

■

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.175

■

AI-SHIFT

●

The AI-SHIFT automatically

selects the suitable gear accord-

ing to driver performance and driv-

ing conditions.

The AI-SHIFT automatically oper-

ates when the shift lever is in D.

(Shifting the shift lever to the M posi-

tion cancels the function.)

●

G AI-SHIFT automatically selects

a suitable gear for sporty driving

according to driver’s input and

driving conditions. G AI-SHIFT

operates automatically when the

shift lever is in D and sport mode

is selected for the driving mode.

(Selecting normal mode with the

driving mode select switch or shift-

ing the shift lever to the M position

cancels this function.)

Automatic transmis-

sion

Select the shift position
depending on your purpose
and situation.

Shift position purpose

Shift posi-

tion

Objective or function

Parking the vehi-

cle/starting the engine

Reversing

Neutral

Normal driving

M mode driving

(



P.203)

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.

202

4-2. Driving procedures

: 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:

Turn the engine switch to ON

and check that the parking brake

is set. (



P.199, 205)

Turn the engine switch to off.

Depress the brake pedal.

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.

Press and hold the shift lock

override button.

The shift lever can be shifted while

both buttons are pressed.

Shifting the shift lever

203

4-2. Driving procedures

ing



P.300, 304

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.

Upshifting

Downshifting

The gear changes once every time
the shift lever 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.

(A buzzer will sound twice.)

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

204

4-2. Driving procedures

Right turn

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

The right hand signals will flash 3
times.

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

The left hand signals will flash 3
times.

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

burned out.

Turn signal lever

Operating instructions

205

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

■

Using the manual mode

The parking brake can be set
and released manually.

U.S.A.
Canada

Pull the switch to set the
parking brake

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

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

Push the switch to release
the parking brake

• Operate the parking brake switch

while depressing the brake pedal.

• Parking brake automatic release

function (



P.206)

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.438)

■

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.

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

206

4-2. Driving procedures



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

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.

207

4-2. Driving procedures

ing

■

When the parking brake switch

malfunctions

Automatic mode (automatic brake

setting and releasing) will be turned

on automatically.

■

Parking the vehicle



P.174

■

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.431

■

Usage in winter time



P.314

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.

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.

208

4-2. Driving procedures

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.

●

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

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

Toyota Highlander (2023 year). Manual in english - page 12