TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2009 XU40 / 2.G Owners Manual

181
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Shift position uses
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable
for the driving conditions. Setting the shift lever to D position is recom-
mended for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of thepossible gear ranges, controls engine braking forces, and prevents
unnecessary upshifting.
■ Selecting the snow mode
Use the snow mode for accelerating and driving on slippery road
surfaces, such as on snow.
Press the “SNOW” switch.
The indicator will come on.
Press the switch once more to
cancel the snow mode.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving (→P. 182)*2

182 2-1. Driving procedures
Changing shift ranges in S modeShift the shift lever to the S position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to the vehicle speed.
When the shift range is “5” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+”
sets the shift range to “6”.
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
The initial shift range in S m ode is automatically set to 4.
When the shift range is “4” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+”
sets the shift range to “5”.

183
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces than a higher
shift range.
■Downshifting restrictions
The shift lever cannot be downshifted if the following speeds are exceeded.
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
mph (km/h)
Shift range
Function
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
6 Automatically selecting
gears between 1 and 6
according to vehicle speed
and driving conditions. ⎯
5 Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 5 according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
4 Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 4 according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
3 Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 3 according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
2 Automatically selecting gears between 1 and 2 according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions.
1 Setting the gear at 1.
DownshiftingMaximum speed
5 → 4 98 (158)
4 → 3 70 (114)
3 → 2 47 (77)
2 → 1 21 (34)

184 2-1. Driving procedures
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) enginemph (km/h)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
Engine braking will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting from
“6” to “5” or “5” to “4”. ( →P. 211)
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Engine braking will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting from
“5” to “4”. ( →P. 211)
■ Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine is turned off after driv-
ing in snow mode.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 537
■ If the S indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to
S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the vehicle will operate as if the shift lever is in D.)
DownshiftingMaximum speed
4 → 3 93 (150)
3 → 2 57 (92)
2 → 1 24 (39)

185
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without smart key system
The engine switch is in
the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

186
2-1. Driving procedures
Parking brake
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.
Sets the parking brake*
(Depress the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*: Fully depress the parking
brake pedal with your left
foot while depressing the
brake pedal with your right
foot.
U.S.A. Canada

187
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Horn
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
( →P. 100)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.

188
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
Vehicles without smart key system
The following gauges and meters illuminate when the engine
switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with smart key system
The following gauges and meters illuminate when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Tachometer
Displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Speedometer
Displays the vehicle speed.
Odometer/trip meter switching and trip meter resetting button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and hold-
ing the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being dis-
played.

189
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When drivingInstrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted. Brighter
Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned on, the brightness will
be reduced slightly unless the
control dial is turned fully up.
Odometer/Trip meterOdometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
Displays the distance the v ehicle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to
record and display differ ent distances independently.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
● Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and
check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
→P. 545)

190
2-2. Instrument cluster
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and cen-
ter panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various sys-
tems.
Instrument cluster
Center panel (vehicles without navigation system)