TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

2214-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
and a message will be displayed on the multi-information displ ay.
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.
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system)
Performing the following opera tions when carrying the elec-
tronic key on your person starts the engine or changes engine
switch modes.
Starting the engine
1
2
3
4

2224-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Stop the vehicle.
Set the parking brake (P. 234), and shift the shift lever to P.
Press the engine switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that “ACCESSORY” or “IGNI-
TION ON” on the multi-info rmation display is off.
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.
The multi-information display will
not be displayed.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components such
as the power outlet can be used.
“ACCESSORY” will be displayed
on the multi-information display.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can be
used.
“IGNITION ON” will be displayed on the multi-information displa y.
*: If the shift lever is in a position other than P when turning off the engine,
the engine switch will be turned to ACCESSORY mode, not to off.
Stopping the engine
Changing engine switch modes
1
2
3
4
1
2
3

2234-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
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
ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn the
switch off:
Check that the park ing brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” is displayed on the multi-informati on
display and then press the engine switch once.
Check that “Turn Power OFF” on the multi-information display is off.
■Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as exam ples, and may
differ from the image that is actually displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minut es or IGNI-
TION ON mode (with the engine not running) for more than an hou r with the
shift lever in P, the engine switch will automatically turn off. However, this
function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge. Do not leav e the vehicle
with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode for lon g peri-
ods of time when the engine is not running.
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 112
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 144
■ Note for the entry function
P. 145
■ If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 80)
Contact your Toyota dealer.
● Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the
shift lever is displaced out of P.
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other
than P
1
2
3
4

2244-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the
steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operating the
engine switch again automatically cancels the steering lock.
■ When the steering lock cannot be released
■ Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, operation of the motor
may be suspended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short
period of time. In this case, refrain from operating the engine switch. After
about 10 seconds, the steering lock motor will resume functioni ng.
■ When “Check SMART Key System” is displayed on the multi-informa tion
display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the electronic key battery is depleted
P. 549
■ Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the engine swi tch mode may
not change or the engine may not start.
● If attempting to restart the engine immediately after turning t he engine
switch off, the engine may not start in some cases. After turni ng the engine
switch off, please wait a few seconds before restarting the eng ine.
■ If the smart key system has been d eactivated in a customized setting
P. 635 “Steering Lock active” will be displayed on
the multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is set in P. Press
the engine switch while turning the steer-
ing wheel left and right.

2254-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumsta nces.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious in jury.
■ Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lo ck or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activ ation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, res ulting in
death or serious injury.
■ Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving th e vehicle,
press and hold the engine switch for more than 2 seconds, or pr ess it briefly
3 times or more in succession. ( P. 573)
However, do not touch the engine switch while driving except in an emer-
gency. Turning 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 difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull o ver and stop
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

2264-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do not leave the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is n ot off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction 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 malfunctio n. Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.

2274-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in the “ON” position, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
While the engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, depress the
brake pedal and move the shift lever.
When shifting the shift lever between P and D, make sure that t he
vehicle is completely stopped.
Automatic transmission
Shifting the shift lever

2284-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
*1: Shifting the shift lever to D allows the system to select a gear suitable for
the driving conditions.
Setting the shift lever to D is recommended for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode restricts the upper limit of the possible
gear ranges, controls engine braking force, and prevents unnece ssary
upshifting.
■
Snow mode
Use snow mode for accelerating and driving on slippery road sur -
faces, such as on snow.
Press the “SNOW” button to
select snow mode.
The “SNOW” indicator will be
displayed on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press the button again to cancel
snow mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionObjective or function
PParking the vehicle/starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( P. 229)
Selecting the driving mode

2294-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
Power mode (if equipped)
Use power mode for powerful acceleration or driving in mountain
-
ous regions.
Press “<” or “>” of the meter
control switches, select .
Press “ ” or “ ” of the meter
control switches, select
“PWR MODE”.
The “PWR MODE” indicator will
be displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
Select “PWR MODE” again to
cancel power mode.
To enter S mode, shift the shift lever to S. Shift ranges can be selected
by operating the shift lever, allowing you to drive in the shif t range of
your choosing. The shift range can be selected by the shift lev er.
Upshifting
Downshifting
8-speed models: The selected shift
range, from 1 to 8, will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
The initial shift range in S mode is
set automatically to 6, 5 or 4
according to vehicle speed. How-
ever, the initial shift range may be
set to 3 if AI-SHIFT has operated
while the shift lever was in D.
( P. 234)
6-speed models: The selected shift
range, from 1 to 6, will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 according to
vehicle speed. However, the initial shift range may be set to 3 if AI-SHIFT
has operated while the shift lever was in D. ( P. 232)
1
2
Selecting shift ranges in the S position
1
2

2304-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
Shift ranges and their functions
A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking forces
than a higher
shift range.
■ Message displays
Message illustrations used in this section are intended as exam ples, and may
differ from the image that is actually displayed on the multi-information dis-
play.
■ S mode
●8-speed models: When the shift range is 7 or lower, holding the shift lever
toward “+” sets the shift range to 8.
6-speed models: When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever
toward “+” sets the shift range to 6.
● To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
● To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automati-
cally selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature i s high.
■ Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting ope ration may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting ma y not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■ Deactivation of snow mode
Snow mode will be canceled if the engine is turned off after dr iving in snow
mode.
■ Deactivation of power mode (if equipped)
Power mode will be canceled if the engine is turned off after d riving in power
mode.
■ If both snow mode and power m ode (if equipped) are selected
Snow mode will be selected and power mode will be suspended unt il snow
mode is canceled.
■ When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of e nabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mo de and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because dynamic radar cruise control will no t be canceled.
( P. 285)
Meter displayFunction
S2 - S8
(8-speed models)A gear in the range between 1 and the selected
gear is automatically chosen depending on vehicle
speed and driving conditions
S2 - S6
(6-speed models)
S1Setting the gear at 1