Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 14

222

4-2. Driving procedures

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 power switch off 

while the system is holding the 

brake may release the brake, 

which would cause the vehicle to 

move. When operating the power 

switch, depress the brake pedal, 

shift the shift lever to P and set 

the parking brake.

223

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

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iv

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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.223) and 

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

2

 The side marker, park-

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



P.223) 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 hybrid system is started

• 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

224

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

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 power 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 power 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 power 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 power 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 power 

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.

■

12-volt battery-saving function

In order to prevent the 12-volt bat-

tery of the vehicle from discharging, 

if the headlights and/or tail lights are 

on when the power switch is turned 

off the 12-volt battery-saving func-

tion will operate and automatically 

turn off all the lights after approxi-

mately 20 minutes. When the power 

switch is turned to ON, the 12-volt 

battery-saving function will be dis-

abled. 

When any of the following are per-

formed, the 12-volt battery-saving 

function is canceled once and then 

reactivated. All the lights will turn off 

automatically 20 minutes after the 

12-volt 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.510)

225

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

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ing

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.510)

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery dis-

charge

Do not leave the lights on longer 

than necessary when the hybrid 

system is off.

Turning on the high beam 
headlights

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

226

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

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

227

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

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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

228

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

■

Temporarily lowering sensor 

sensitivity

The sensitivity of the sensor can be 

temporarily lowered.

1

Turn the power 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 power 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

229

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

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iv

ing

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

230

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

3

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Low speed operation

4

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

High speed operation

5

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Temporary operation

Wiper intervals can be adjusted 
when intermittent operation is 
selected.

6

Increases the intermittent 
windshield wiper frequency

7

Decreases the intermittent 
windshield wiper frequency

8

 Washer/wiper dual 

operation

Pulling the lever operates the wip-
ers and washer.
Wipers will automatically operate a 
couple of times after the washer 
squirts.



Rain-sensing windshield wip-
ers

When “AUTO” is selected, the 
wipers will operate automatically 
when the sensor detects falling 
rain. The system automatically 
adjusts wiper timing in accor-
dance with rain volume and 
vehicle speed.
The sensor sensitivity can be 
adjusted when “AUTO” is 
selected.

1

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Off

2

 Rain-sensing wiper oper-

ation

3

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Low speed operation

4

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

High speed operation

5

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Temporary operation

When AUTO mode is selected, 

231

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

Dr

iv

ing

the sensor sensitivity can be 
adjusted by turning the switch 
ring.

6

Increases the sensitivity

7

Decreases the sensitivity

8

 Washer/wiper dual 

operation

Pulling the lever operates the wip-
ers and washer.
The wipers will automatically oper-
ate a couple of times after the 
washer squirts.

■

The windshield wipers and 

washer can be operated when

The power switch is in ON.

■

Dripping prevention wiper 

sweep

After washing and wiping operation 

several times, the wipers operate 

one more time after a short delay to 

prevent dripping. However, this 

function will not operate while driv-

ing.

■

Effects of vehicle speed on 

wiper operation

Vehicle speed affects the intermit-

tent wiper interval.

■

Raindrop sensor (vehicles with 

rain-sensing windshield wipers)

●

The raindrop sensor judges the 

amount of raindrops.

An optical sensor is adopted. It 

may not operate properly when 

sunlight from the rising or setting 

of the sun intermittently strikes the 

windshield, or if bugs, etc. are 

present on the windshield

●

If the wiper switch is turned to the 

“AUTO” position while the power 

switch is in ON, the wipers will 

operate once to show that AUTO 

mode is activated.

●

When the sensor sensitivity ring is 

turned toward high while in 

“AUTO” position, the wipers will 

operate once to indicate that the 

sensor sensitivity is enhanced.

●

If the temperature of the raindrop 

sensor is 185°F (85°C) or higher, 

or 5°F (-15°C) or lower, automatic 

operation may not occur. In this 

case, operate the wipers in any 

mode other than AUTO mode.

■

If no windshield washer fluid 

sprays

Check that the washer nozzles are 

not blocked, if there is washer fluid 

in the washer fluid tank.

■

Front door opening linked wind-

shield wiper stop function 

(vehicles with rain-sensing 

windshield wipers)

When “AUTO” is selected and the 

232

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

windshield wipers are operating, if a 

front door is opened, the operation 

of the windshield wipers will be 

stopped to prevent anyone enter-

ing/exiting the vehicle from being 

sprayed by water from the wipers, 

provided the vehicle is stopped with 

the parking brake applied or the shift 

lever in P. When the front door is 

closed, wiper operation will resume.

Operating the 

 switch 

operates the rear wiper as fol-
lows.

1

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Off

2

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Intermittent operation

3

 (U.S.A.) or 

 (Canada) 

Normal operation

WARNING

■

Caution regarding the use of 

windshield wipers in AUTO 

mode (vehicles with 

rain-sensing windshield wip-

ers)

The windshield wipers may oper-

ate unexpectedly if the sensor is 

touched or the windshield is sub-

ject to vibration in AUTO mode. 

Take care that your fingers, etc. 

do not become caught in the 

windshield wipers.

■

Caution regarding the use of 

washer fluid

When it is cold, do not use the 

washer fluid until the windshield 

becomes warm. The fluid may 

freeze on the windshield and 

cause low visibility. This may lead 

to an accident, resulting in death 

or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

When the washer fluid tank is 

empty

Do not operate the switch continu-

ally as the washer fluid pump may 

overheat.

■

When a nozzle becomes 

blocked

In this case, contact your Toyota 

dealer.

Do not try to clear it with a pin or 

other object. The nozzle will be 

damaged.

Rear windshield wiper 

and washer

NOTICE

■

When the rear window is dry

Do not use the wiper, as it may 

damage the rear window.

Operating the wiper lever

233

4-3. Operating the lights and wipers

4

Dr

iv

ing

4

 Washer/wiper dual 

operation

Pushing the lever operates the 
wiper and washer.
The wiper will automatically operate 
a couple of times after the washer 
squirts.
The washer will automatically oper-
ate and clean the camera for the 
Digital Rearview Mirror

*1

 (



P.166) 

and rear camera

*2

.

*1

:If equipped

*2

:Refer to “MULTIMEDIA 

OWNER’S MANUAL”.

■

The rear window wiper and 

washer can be operated when

The power switch is in ON.

■

If no washer fluid sprays

Check that the washer nozzle is not 

blocked if there is washer fluid in the 

washer fluid tank.

■

Reverse-linked rear window 

wiper function

When the shift lever is shifted to R 

when the front wipers are operating, 

the rear window wiper will operate 

once.

■

Customization

Setting of the reverse-linked func-

tion can be changed. (



P.510)

NOTICE

■

When the washer fluid tank is 

empty

Do not operate the switch continu-

ally as the washer fluid pump may 

overheat.

234

4-4. Refueling

4-4.Refueling



Close all the doors and win-
dows, and turn the power 
switch off.



Confirm the type of fuel.

■

Fuel types



P.498

■

Fuel tank opening for unleaded 

gasoline

To help prevent incorrect fueling, 

your vehicle has a fuel tank opening 

that only accommodates the spe-

cial nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.

Opening the fuel tank 

cap

The fuel tank of your vehicle 
has a special structure, 
which requires a reduction 
in fuel tank pressure before 
refueling. After the opener 
switch has been pressed, it 
will take several seconds 
until the vehicle is ready for 
refueling.

Before refueling the vehi-
cle

WARNING

■

When refueling the vehicle

Observe the following precautions 

while refueling the vehicle. Failure 

to do so may result in death or 

serious injury.

●

After exiting the vehicle and 

before opening the fuel door, 

touch an unpainted metal sur-

face to discharge any static 

electricity. It is important to dis-

charge static electricity before 

refueling because sparks result-

ing from static electricity can 

cause fuel vapors to ignite while 

refueling.

●

Always hold the grips on the 

fuel tank cap and turn it slowly 

to remove it.

A whooshing sound may be 

heard when the fuel tank cap is 

loosened. Wait until the sound 

cannot be heard before fully 

removing the cap. In hot 

weather, pressurized fuel may 

spray out of the filler neck and 

cause injury.

●

Do not allow anyone that has 

not discharged static electricity 

from their body to come close to 

an open fuel tank.

●

Do not inhale vaporized fuel.

Fuel contains substances that 

are harmful if inhaled.

●

Do not smoke while refueling 

the vehicle.

Doing so may cause the fuel to 

ignite and cause a fire.

●

Do not return to the vehicle or 

touch any person or object that 

is statically charged.

This may cause static electricity 

to build up, resulting in a possi-

ble ignition hazard.

■

When refueling

Observe the following precautions 

to prevent fuel overflowing from 

the fuel tank:

●

Securely insert the fuel nozzle 

into the fuel filler neck.

●

Stop filling the tank after the fuel 

nozzle automatically clicks off.

235

4-4. Refueling

4

Dr

iv

ing

1

Press the switch to open the 
fuel filler door.

The fuel filler door will open within 

about 10 seconds of the switch 

being pressed. Before refueling is 

possible, a message will be shown 

on the multi-information display to 

indicate the progress of the fuel 

filler door opener.

2

Turn the fuel tank cap slowly 
to remove it and hang it on 
the back of the fuel filler door.

■

If the fuel filler door cannot be 

opened



P.476

After refueling, turn the fuel tank 
cap until you hear a click. Once 
the cap is released, it will turn 
slightly in the opposite direction.

WARNING

●

Do not top off the fuel tank.

NOTICE

■

Refueling

●

Finish refueling within 30 min-

utes. If more than 30 minutes 

passes, the internal valve 

closes. In this condition, fuel 

may spill out if you continue to 

refuel the vehicle. About 5 min-

utes after the valve is closed, a 

message “Close Fuel Lid” will 

appear on the multi-information 

display. To refuel the vehicle 

again, tighten the fuel tank cap 

and close the fuel filler door, 

and then press the opener 

switch again.

●

Make sure that the fuel filler 

door lock is not pushed by the 

fuel nozzle boot, etc. If the lock 

is held, the internal valve closes 

and fuel may overflow. To pre-

vent it, press the fuel filler door 

opener switch again.

●

Do not spill fuel during refueling.

Doing so may damage the vehi-

cle, such as causing the emis-

sion control system to operate 

abnormally or damaging fuel 

system components or the vehi-

cle’s painted surface.

Opening the fuel tank cap

Closing the fuel tank cap

236

4-4. Refueling

WARNING

■

When replacing the fuel tank 

cap

Do not use anything but a genu-

ine Toyota fuel tank cap designed 

for your vehicle. Doing so may 

cause a fire or other incident 

which may result in death or seri-

ous injury.

237

4-5. Using the driving support systems

4

Dr

iv

ing

4-5.Using the driving support systems

■

PCS (Pre-Collision System)



P.242

■

LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)



P.253

■

AHB (Automatic High 
Beam)



P.226

■

RSA (Road Sign Assist)

*



P.275

*

: If equipped

■

Dynamic radar cruise con-
trol with full-speed range



P.263

Two types of sensors, located 
behind the front grille and wind-
shield, detect information neces-
sary to operate the drive assist 
systems.

Radar sensor
Front camera

Toyota Safety Sense 

2.5 +

The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 
+ consists of the following 
drive assist systems and 
contributes to a safe and 
comfortable driving experi-
ence:

Driving assist system

WARNING

■

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 +

The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 + is 

designed to operate under the 

assumption that the driver will 

drive safely, and is designed to 

help reduce the impact to the 

occupants and the vehicle in the 

case of a collision or assist the 

driver in normal driving condi-

tions.
As there is a limit to the degree of 

recognition accuracy and control 

performance that this system can 

provide, do not overly rely on this 

system. The driver is always 

responsible for paying attention to 

the vehicle’s surroundings and 

driving safely.

Sensors