Utomatic transmission TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

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HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
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4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle ............. 186
Cargo and luggage............ 195
Vehicle load limits ............. 200
Trailer towing..................... 201
Dinghy towing.................... 217
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 218
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a smart
key system) ..................... 221
Automatic transmission .................... 227
Turn signal lever................ 233
Parking brake .................... 234
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 235
Automatic High Beam ....... 239
Fog light switch ................. 243
Windshield wipers and washer ............................ 244
Rear window wiper and washer ............................ 248
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 250 4-5. Using the driving
support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ........................... 254
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ........................... 261
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 275
Dynamic radar cruise control.............................. 285
Stop & Start system ........... 297
Rear view monitor system ............................. 307
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)......... 316
• BSM function ................. 321
• RCTA function ............... 324
All-wheel drive lock switch .............................. 330
Driving assist systems ........................... 331
Downhill assist control system ............................. 337
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips .............. 339
Utility vehicle precautions ...................... 343
4Driving

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4Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 186
Cargo and luggage ........... 195
Vehicle load limits ............. 200
Trailer towing..................... 201
Dinghy towing ................... 217
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 218
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a smart
key system) ..................... 221
Automatic transmission ..... 227
Turn signal lever................ 233
Parking brake .................... 234
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 235
Automatic High Beam............................... 239
Fog light switch ................. 243
Windshield wipers and washer ..................... 244
Rear window wiper and washer ..................... 248 4-4. Refueling
Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 250
4-5. Using the driving support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P .......................... 254
PCS (Pre-Collision System)........................... 261
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 275
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................. 285
Stop & Start system .......... 297
Rear view monitor system ............................ 307
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 316
• BSM function ................ 321
• RCTA function .............. 324
All-wheel drive lock switch .............................. 330
Driving assist systems........................... 331
Downhill assist control system ............................ 337
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 339
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 343

2274-2. Driving procedures
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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

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

2314-2. Driving procedures
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
Shift lock system
The shift lock system is a system to prevent accidental operation of the shift
lever in starting.
The shift lever can be shifted from P only when the engine switch is in the
“ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode
(vehicles with a smart key system) and the brake pedal is being depressed.
■ If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
First, check whether the brake pedal is being depressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brak e pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensu re that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If the S indicator does not come on or the D indicator is displayed even
after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission s ystem. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same m anner as when
the shift lever is in D.) Pry the cover up with a flathead screw-
driver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover, cover
the tip of the screwdriver with a rag.
Press the shift lock override button.
The shift lever can be shifted while the
button is pressed.
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2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
If the automatic transmission fl uid temperature warning message is dis-
played
When the warning message goes out, the vehicle can be driven ag ain.
If the warning message does not go out after waiting a while, h ave your vehi-
cle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■ AI-SHIFT
The AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver per-
formance and driving conditions.
The AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in D. (Shifting the
shift lever to S cancels the function.) If the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature warning message is displayed
while driving, make sure to return to D
position driving and reduce speed by eas-
ing off the accelerator pedal. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place, shift the shift lever
to P and let the engine idle until the warn-
ing message goes out.
WARNING
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
Do not accelerate or shift gears suddenly.
Sudden changes in engine braking may cause the vehicle to spin or skid,
resulting in an accident.
■ To prevent an accident when releasing the shift lock
Before pressing the shift lock override button, make sure to se t the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of t he brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift le ver is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to a n accident
resulting in death or serious injury.

3384-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)●
In the following situations, the indicator flashes to alert the driver, but the
system will operate:
• The shift lever is in N.
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating. The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash during
operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.
■ Downhill assist control system operation sound
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engin e is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control syst em.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill assist control
system is operating. None of these are indicators that a malfun ction has
occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When using downhill assist control system
Do not rely overmuch on the downhill assist control system. Thi s function
does not extend the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always t horoughly
check the road conditions, and drive safely.
■ The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may lead
to an accident causing death or serious injury
● Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surface
● Unpaved roads
■ Do not shift the shift lever to R while driving forward, or to D while driv-
ing backward.
Doing so may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to an acciden t causing
death or serious injury.
In addition, excessive stress will be applied to the automatic transmission,
possibly resulting in damage.

3464-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine d amage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deteriorat ion in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibrati on, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams , first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmn ess. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around bra ke
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-r oad driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or wat er. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Main tenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

5117-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( P. 659)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 659)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.

5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
If a warning light turns on or a war ning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning ligh ts
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and w arning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning li ght (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.