TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

3214-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
The BSM function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles that are trav-
eling in an adjacent lane in the area that is not reflected in the outside
rear view mirror (the blind spot), and advises the driver of th e vehicles
existence via the outside rear view mirror indicator.
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The range of the detection area
extends to: Approximately 11.5 ft. (3.5 m)
from the side of the vehicle
The first 1.6 ft. (0.5 m) from the
side of the vehicle is not in the
detection area
Approximately 9.8 ft. (3 m) from
the rear bumper
Approximately 3.3 ft. (1 m) for-
ward of the rear bumper
BSM function
BSM function detection areas
1
2
3
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
The BSM function is a supplementary function which alerts the driver that a
vehicle is in a blind spot of the outside rear view mirrors or is approaching
rapidly from behind into a blind spot. Do not overly rely on th e BSM function.
As the function cannot judge if it is safe to change lanes, ove r reliance could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
As the system may not function correctly under certain conditions, the
driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary.

3224-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
■The BSM function is operational when
The BSM function is operational when all of the following condi tions are met:
● The BSM function is on.
● The shift lever is in a position other than R.
● The vehicle speed is greater than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h ).
■ The BSM function will detect a vehicle when
The BSM function will detect a vehicle present in the detection area in the fol-
lowing situations:
● A vehicle in an adjacent lane overtakes your vehicle.
● Another vehicle enters the detection area when it changes lanes.
■ Conditions under which the BSM function will not detect a vehicle
The BSM function is not designed to detect the following types of vehicles
and/or objects:
● Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.
*
●Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
● Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationar y objects
*
●Following vehicles that are in the same lane*
●Vehicles traveling 2 lanes away from your vehicle*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or obj ect may
occur.
■ Conditions under which the BSM function may not function correc tly
● The BSM function may not detect vehicles correctly in the follo wing situa-
tions:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the se nsor or its
surrounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surround-
ing area on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching with only a small gap b etween
each vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When there is a significant difference in speed between your v ehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• When the difference in speed between your vehicle and another vehicle
is changing
• When a vehicle enters a detection area traveling at about the same
speed as your vehicle
• As your vehicle starts from a stop, a vehicle remains in the d etection area
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as hills, dips
on the road, etc.
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven
surfaces

3234-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)• When vehicle lanes are wide, or when driving on the edge of a
lane, and
the vehicle in an adjacent lane is far away from your vehicle
• When towing a trailer
• When items such as a bicycle carrier are installed on the rear of the vehi-
cle
• When there is a significant difference in height between your vehicle and
the vehicle that enters the detection area
• Immediately after the BSM function is turned on
● Instances of the BSM function unnecessarily detecting a vehicle and/or
object may increase in the following situations:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the se nsor or its
surrounding area
• When the distance between your vehicle and a guardrail, wall, etc. that
enters the detection area is short
• When driving up and down consecutive steep inclines, such as h ills, dips
on the road, etc.
• When vehicle lanes are narrow, or when driving on the edge of a lane,
and a vehicle traveling in a lane other than the adjacent lanes enters the
detection area
• When driving on roads with sharp bends, consecutive curves, or uneven
surfaces
• When the tires are slipping or spinning
• When the distance between your vehicle and a following vehicle is short
• When a bicycle carrier or other accessory is installed to the rear of the vehicle
• When towing a trailer

3244-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
The RCTA function uses radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching
from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle and alerts the driver of
the presence of such vehicles by flashing the outside rear view mirror
indicators and s ounding a buzzer.
Approaching vehicles
Detection areas of approaching vehicles
RCTA function
1
2

3254-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
RCTA icon display
When a vehicle approaching from the right or left at the rear o
f the
vehicle is detected, the following will be displayed on the aud io sys-
tem screen.
DisplayContent
A vehicle is approaching from the left at the rear of the
vehicle
A vehicle is approaching from the right at the rear of the
vehicle
Vehicles are approaching from both sides of the vehicle
The RCTA function is malfunctioning ( P. 318)
WARNING
■Cautions regarding the use of the function
The driver is solely responsible for safe driving. Always drive safely, taking
care to observe your surroundings.
The RCTA function is only a supplementary function which alerts the driver
that a vehicle is approaching from the right or left at the rear of the vehicle.
As the RCTA function may not function correctly under certain c onditions,
the driver’s own visual confirmation of safety is necessary. Ov er reliance on
this function may lead to an accident resulting death or seriou s injury.

3264-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
The areas that vehicles can be detected in are outlined below.
The buzzer can alert the driver of faster vehicles approaching from
farther away.
Example:
■ The RCTA function is operational when
The RCTA function operates when all of the following conditions are met:
● The RCTA function is on.
● The shift lever is in R.
● The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
● The approaching vehicle speed is between approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
and 18 mph (28 km/h).
RCTA function detection areas
Approaching vehicleSpeedApproximate
alert distance
Fast18 mph (28 km/h)65 ft. (20 m)
Slow5 mph (8 km/h)18 ft. (5.5 m)
1

3274-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
Conditions under which the RCTA function will not detect a vehicle
The RCTA function is not designed to detect the following types of vehicles
and/or objects:
● Vehicles approaching from directly behind
● Vehicles backing up in a parking space next to your vehicle
● Guardrails, walls, signs, parked vehicles and similar stationar y objects
*
●Small motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.*
●Vehicles moving away from your vehicle
● Vehicles approaching from the parking spaces next to your vehic le
*
*
: Depending on the conditions, detection of a vehicle and/or obj ect may
occur.
■ Conditions under which the RCTA function may not function corre ctly
● The RCTA function may not detect vehicles correctly in the following situa-
tions:
• When the sensor is misaligned due to a strong impact to the se nsor or its
surrounding area
• When mud, snow, ice, a sticker, etc. is covering the sensor or surround-
ing area on the rear bumper
• When driving on a road surface that is wet with standing water during bad
weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog
• When multiple vehicles are approaching with only a small gap b etween
each vehicle
• When a vehicle is approaching at high speed
• When towing a trailer
●
Vehicles that the sensors cannot detect
due to obstructions

3284-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)• Immediately after the RCTA function is turned on
• Immediately after the engine is started with the RCTA function
on
• When backing up on a slope with a
sharp change in grade
• When backing out of a shallow angle parking spot
• When the sensors cannot detect a vehicle due to obstructions

3294-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)●
Instances of the RCTA function unnecessarily detecting a vehicl e and/or
object may increase in the following situations:
• When a vehicle passes by the side of your vehicle
• When the distance between your vehicle and metal objects, such as a
guardrail, wall, sign, or parked vehicle, which may reflect electrical waves
toward the rear of the vehicle, is short
• When the parking space faces a
street and vehicles are being driven
on the street

3304-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Press the switch.
The torque of the engine is distrib-
uted to the rear wheels to the max-
imum extent possible in
accordance with driving conditions.
Pressing the switch again cancels
all-wheel drive lock mode and
returns the Dynamic Torque Con-
trol AWD system to normal mode.
(P. 332)
■ All-wheel drive lock mode can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ All-wheel drive lock mode
●All-wheel drive lock mode is canceled when the brakes are appli ed to
ensure the ABS and VSC systems operate effectively.
● All-wheel drive lock mode is canceled when the vehicle speed ex ceeds 25
mph (40 km/h).
All-wheel drive lock switch (AWD models)
All-wheel drive lock mode can b e used when a large amount of
drive power needs to be applied to all the wheels, such as when
the vehicle gets stuck in m ud and you need to free it.