TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 XU40 / 2.G Owners Manual

171
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Automatic Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
or the engine switch is
in ON, depress the
brake pedal and move
the shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
*1: To improve fuel consumption and reduce noises, set the shift lever in
the “D” position 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.
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the engine
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving ( P. 172)*2

172 2-1. Driving procedures
Changing shift ranges in S modeShift the shift lever to the S position and operate the shift lever. Upshifting
Downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is automatically set to 4.
■ 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.

173
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
Keep the engine rpm from going into red zone.
The maximum allowable speed is as follows:
mph (km/h)
■ When driving with the cruise control system
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting
from 5 to 4. ( P. 200)
■ Snow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the engine is turned off after driv-
ing in snow mode.
Shift rangeFunction
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
4  3 93 (150)
3  2 57 (92)
2  1 24 (39)

174 2-1. Driving procedures
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 512
■ 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.)

175
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Tur n signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in ON.
■ If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
Left turn
Right turn
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever
partway to signal a lane
change.
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

176
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

177
2
When driving
2-2. Instrument cluster
Gauges and meters
The following gauges and meters illuminate when the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch or the engine switch is in ON.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.

178 2-2. Instrument cluster
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Brighter
Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned to 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 vehi cle has been driven since the
meter was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to
record and display different 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. Check
the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 520)

179
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Indicators and war ning 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 navigat ion system)

180 2-2. Instrument cluster
Center panel (vehicles with navigation system)
■ Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 175)
(U.S.A.)
Headlight indicator
( P. 192)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 194)
(Canada)
Tail light indicator
(P. 192)
(4WD models)
Downhill assist control
system indicator
(P. 213)
(if equipped)
Front fog light indicator
( P. 196)
Slip indicator
(P. 208)“SNOW” indicator
( P. 172)
Shift position and shift range indica-
tors ( P. 171)
SRS airbag on-off indi-
cator (P. 134)
*1
*1
*1