TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2022 Service Manual
Page 41 of 568
411-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
WARNING
●Improperly seated and/or 
restrained infants and children 
can be killed or seriously injured 
by a deploying airbag. An infant 
or child who is too small to use 
a seat belt should be properly 
secured using a child restraint 
system. Toyota strongly recom-
mends that all infants and chil-
dren be placed in the rear seats 
of the vehicle and properly 
restrained. The rear seats are 
safer for infants and children 
than the front passenger seat. 
(
P. 5 0 )
●Do not sit on the edge of the 
seat or lean against the dash-
board.
●Do not allow a child to stand in 
front of the SRS front passenger 
airbag unit or sit on the knees of 
a front passenger.
●Do not allow the front seat occu-
pants to hold items on their 
knees.
●Do not lean against the door, 
the roof side rail or the front, 
side and rear pillars.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on 
the passenger seat toward the 
door or put their head or hands 
outside the vehicle.
●Do not attach anything to or 
lean anything against areas 
such as the dashboard, steering 
wheel pad and lower portion of 
the instrument panel.
These items can become pro-
jectiles when th e SRS driver, 
front passenger and knee air-
bags deploy. 
Page 42 of 568
421-1. For safe use
WARNING
●Do not attach anything to areas 
such as a door, windshield, side 
windows, front or rear pillar, roof 
side rail and assist grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or 
other hard objects on the coat 
hooks. All of these items could 
become projectiles and may 
cause death or serious injury, 
should the SRS curtain shield 
airbags deploy.
●If a vinyl cover is put on the area 
where the SRS knee airbag will 
deploy, be sure to remove it.
●Do not use seat accessories 
which cover the parts where the 
SRS side airbags and SRS seat 
cushion airbag inflate as they 
may interfere with inflation of 
the SRS airbags. Such acces-
sories may prevent the side air-
bags and seat cushion airbag 
from activating correctly, disable 
the system or cause the side 
airbags and seat cushion airbag 
to inflate accidentally, resulting 
in death or serious injury.
●Do not strike or apply significant 
levels of force to the area of the 
SRS airbag components or the 
front doors. Doing so can cause 
the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the compo-
nent parts immediately after the 
SRS airbags have deployed 
(inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult 
after the SRS airbags have 
deployed, open a door or win-
dow to allow fresh air in, or 
leave the vehicle if it is safe to 
do so. Wash off any residue as 
soon as possible to prevent skin 
irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS air-
bags are stored, such as the 
steering wheel pad and front 
and rear pillar garnishes, are 
damaged or cracked, have 
them replaced by your Toyota 
dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as 
a cushion, on the front passen-
ger’s seat. Doing so will 
disperse the passenger’s 
weight, which prevents the sen-
sor from detecting the passen-
ger’s weight properly. As a 
result, the SRS front airbags for 
the front passenger may not 
deploy in the event of a colli-
sion.
■Modification and disposal of 
SRS airbag system compo-
nents
Do not dispose of your vehicle or 
perform any of the following modi-
fications without consulting your 
Toyota dealer. The SRS airbags 
may malfunction or deploy 
(inflate) accidentally, causing 
death or serious injury.
●Installation, re moval, disassem-
bly and repair of the SRS air-
bags
●Repairs, modific ations, removal 
or replacement of the steering 
wheel, instrument panel, dash-
board, seats or seat upholstery, 
front, side and rear pillars, roof 
side rails, front door panels, 
front door trims or front door 
speakers 
Page 43 of 568
431-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
Vehicles with a 8-inch displaySRS warning light
Driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat belt reminder light
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indica-
tor light
WARNING
●Modifications to the front door 
panel (such as making a hole in 
it)
●Repairs or modifications of the 
front fender, front bumper, or 
side of the occ upant compart-
ment
●Installation of a grille guard (bull 
bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow 
plows, winches or roof luggage 
carrier
●Modifications to the vehicle’s 
suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices 
such as mobile two-way radios 
and CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for 
a person with a physical disabil-
ity
Front passenger occu-
pant classification 
system
Your vehicle is equipped 
with a front passenger 
occupant classification sys-
tem. This system detects 
the conditions of the front 
passenger seat and acti-
vates or deactivates the 
front passenger airbag and 
seat cushion airbag.
System components 
Page 44 of 568
441-1. For safe use
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indica-
tor light
Vehicles with a 12.3-inch dis-
playSRS warning light
Driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat belt reminder light
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indica-
tor light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indica-
tor light
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant 
classification system precau-
tions
Observe the following precautions 
regarding the front passenger 
occupant classification system.
Failure to do so may cause death 
or serious injury.
●Wear the seat belt properly.
●Make sure the front passenger’s 
seat belt plate has not been left 
inserted into the buckle before 
someone sits in the front pas-
senger seat.
●Make sure the “PASS AIR BAG 
OFF” indicator light is not illumi-
nated when using the seat belt 
extender for the front passenger 
seat. If the “PASS AIR BAG 
OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated, disconnect the extender 
tongue from the seat belt 
buckle, and reconnect the seat 
belt. Reconnect the seat belt 
extender after making sure the 
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indicator 
light is illuminated. If you use 
the seat belt extender while the 
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator 
light is illuminated, the SRS air-
bags for the front passenger will 
not activate, which could cause 
death or serious injury in the 
event of a collision.
●Do not apply a heavy load to the 
front passenger seat or equip-
ment (e.g. seatback pocket).
●Do not put weigh t on the front 
passenger seat by putting your 
hands or feet on the front pas-
senger seat seatback from the 
rear passenger seat.
●Do not let a rea r passenger lift 
the front passenger seat with 
their feet or press on the seat-
back with their legs.
●Do not put objects under the 
front passenger seat. 
Page 45 of 568
451-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
WARNING
●Do not recline the front passen-
ger seatback so far that it 
touches a rear seat. This may 
cause the “PASS AIR BAG 
OFF” indicator light to be illumi-
nated, which indicates that the 
SRS airbags for the front pas-
senger will not activate in the 
event of a severe accident. If 
the seatback touches the rear 
seat, return the seatback to a 
position where it does not touch 
the rear seat. Keep the front 
passenger seatback as upright 
as possible when the vehicle is 
moving. Reclining the seatback 
excessively may lessen the 
effectiveness o f the seat belt 
system.
●If an adult sits in the front pas-
senger seat, the “PASS AIR 
BAG ON” indicator light is illumi-
nated. If the “PASS AIR BAG 
OFF” indicator is illuminated, 
ask the passen ger to sit up 
straight, well back in the seat, 
feet on the floor, and with the 
seat belt worn correctly. If the 
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator 
still remains illuminated, either 
ask the passenger to move to 
the rear seat, or if that is not 
possible, move the front pas-
senger seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install 
a forward-facing child restraint 
system on the fr ont passenger 
seat, install the child restraint 
system on the fr ont passenger 
seat in the proper order. 
(
P. 5 2 )
●Do not modify or remove the 
front seats.
●Do not kick the  front passenger 
seat or subject it to severe 
impact. Otherwise, the SRS 
warning light m ay come on to 
indicate a malfu nction of the 
front passenger occupant clas-
sification system. In this case, 
contact your Toyota dealer 
immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed 
on the rear seat should not con-
tact the front seatbacks.
●Do not use a seat accessory, 
such as a cushion and seat 
cover, that covers the seat 
cushion surface.
●Do not modify or replace the 
upholstery of the front seat. 
Page 46 of 568
461-1. For safe use
■Adult*1
■Child*4
■Child restraint system with infant*5
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant 
classification system
Indicator/warning  light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG  ON”
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat  belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagActivated
Front passenger seat cushion air- bagActivated*2 or 
deactivated
*3
Indicator/warning  light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG OFF” or “PASS 
AIR BAG ON”
*4
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat  belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated or 
activated
*4
Front passenger seat cushion air- bagDeactivated or 
activated
*4, 2
Indicator/warning  light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG 
OFF”
*6
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat  belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedFront passenger seat cushion air- bag 
Page 47 of 568
471-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
■Unoccupied
■There is a malfunction in the system
*1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller 
adult sits in the front passenger  seat, the system may not recognize 
him/her as an adult  depending on his/her  physique and posture.
*2: In the event the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.
*3: In the event the front passenge r does not wear a seat belt.
*4: For some children, child in seat, child in booster seat or chi ld in convert-
ible seat, the system  may not recognize him/her as a child. Fac tors 
which may affect this can be the physique or posture.
*5: Never install a rear-facing ch ild restraint system on the front passenger 
seat. A forward-facing  child restraint system should only be in stalled on 
the front passenger sea t when it is unavoidable. ( P.50)
*6: In case the indicator light is  not illuminated, consult this m anual on how 
to install the child restr aint system properly. (P. 5 2 )
Indicator/warning 
light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG  OFF”
SRS warning light
OffDriver’s and front passenger’s seat  belt reminder light
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedSeat cushion airbag in the front passenger side
Indicator/warning light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG  OFF”
SRS warning lightOn
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat  belt reminder lightOff
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedFront passenger seat cushion air- bag 
Page 48 of 568
481-1. For safe use
Exhaust gas precau-
tions
Harmful substance to the 
human body is included in 
exhaust gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful 
carbon monoxide (CO), which is 
colorless and odorless. Observe 
the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause 
exhaust gases enter the vehicle 
and may lead to an accident 
caused by light-headedness, or 
may lead to death or a serious 
health hazard.
■Important points while driving
●Keep the back door closed.
●If you smell exhaust gases in 
the vehicle even when the back 
door is closed, open the win-
dows and have the vehicle 
inspected at your Toyota dealer 
as soon as possible.
■When parking
●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.
■Exhaust pipe
The exhaust system needs to be 
checked periodically. If there is a 
hole or crack caused by corro-
sion, damage to a joint or abnor-
mal exhaust noise, be sure to 
have the vehicle inspected and 
repaired by your Toyota dealer. 
Page 49 of 568
491-2. Child safety
1
For safety and security
1-2.Child safety
Riding with children
Observe the following pre-
cautions when children are 
in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system 
appropriate for the child, 
until the child becomes 
large enough to properly 
wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
It is recommended that chil-
dren sit in the rear seats to 
avoid accidental contact 
with the shift lever, wiper 
switch, etc.
 Use the rear door child-pro-
tector lock or the window 
lock switch to avoid children 
opening the door while driv-
ing or operating the power 
window accidentally. 
( P.120, 169)
 Do not let small children 
operate equipment which 
may catch or pinch body 
parts, such as the power 
window, hood, back door, 
seats etc.
WARNING
■When children are in the vehi-
cle
Never leave children unattended 
in the vehicle, and never allow 
children to have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the 
vehicle or shift the vehicle into 
neutral. There is also a danger 
that children ma y injure them-
selves by playing with the win-
dows, the moon roof or panoramic 
moon roof, or other features of the 
vehicle. In addition, heat build-up 
or extremely cold temperatures 
inside the vehicle can be fatal to 
children. 
Page 50 of 568
501-2. Child safety
Points to remember: P.50
Child restraint system: P.52
When using a child restraint sys-
tem: P.53
Child restraint system installa-
tion method
• Fixed with a seat belt: P.55
• Fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor: P.60
• Using an anchor bracket (for  top tether strap): P.62 The laws of all 50 states of the 
U.S.A. as well as Canada now 
require the use of child restraint 
systems.
Prioritize and observe the 
warnings, as well as the laws 
and regulations for child 
restraint systems.
 Use a child restraint system 
until the child becomes large 
enough to properly wear the 
vehicle’s seat belt.
 Choose a child restraint sys-
tem that suits your vehicle 
and is appropriate to the age 
and size of the child.
Child restraint sys-
tems
Before installing a child 
restraint system in the vehi-
cle, there are precautions 
that need to be observed, 
different types of child 
restraint systems, as well as 
installation methods, etc., 
written in this manual.
Use a child restraint system 
when riding with a small 
child that cannot properly 
use a seat belt. For the 
child’s safety, install the 
child restraint system to a 
second seat. Be sure to fol-
low the installation method 
that is in the operation man-
ual enclosed with the 
restraint system.
Table of contents
Points to remember
WARNING
■When a child is riding
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may result in 
death or serious injury.
●For effective protection in auto-
mobile accidents and sudden 
stops, a child must be properly 
restrained, using a seat belt or 
child restraint system which is 
correctly installe d. For installa-
tion details, refer to the opera-
tion manual enclosed with the 
child restraint system. General 
installation instruction is pro-
vided in this manual.