towing 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

16Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
■Instrument panel
Engine switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 218, 221
Starting the engine/changing the modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 218, 221
Emergency stop of the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 573
When the engine will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 633
Warning messages
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 604
Shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 227
Changing the shift position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 227
Precautions for towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 575
When the shift lever does not move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 231
Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 92
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel lights . . . . . P. 92
Warning lights/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 86
When a warning light comes on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 581
Multi-information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 95
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 95
When a warning message or indicator is displayed . . . . . . . . . P. 591
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321-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
To release plate “B”, press the
release button on buckle “B”.
To release plate “A”, insert the
key ( P. 108) or plate “B” into
the hole on buckle “A”.
Retract the belt slowly when
releasing and stowing the seat
belt.
Holding plate “A” and “B”
together, insert both plates into
the holder on the roof.
Releasing and stowing the seat b elt (for the third center seat)
Release button
Plate “B”
Buckle “B”
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Buckle “A”
Buckle “A”Plate “B”
Plate “A”
Plate “A”
O
P

185
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

1954-1. Before driving
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occ upants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The co mbined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers t hat
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers fr om
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo an d lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there wil l be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400  750 (5150) =
650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loa ded
on the vehicle. That weight may n ot safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capac ity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your tra iler will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine h ow
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of y our
vehicle.
(  P. 200)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information about additi onal
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-car-
rying vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on
handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consump-
tion. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not ov er-
load your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are
using appropriate towing equipm ent, that the towing equipment
has been installed correctly a nd used properly, and that you
employ the requisi te driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brake s,
the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with your trailer’s characteristics and operating
conditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.

2024-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum
of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the
trailer).
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the total weight of
the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehi-
cle weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue weight.
Towing related terms

2034-1. Before driving
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
axle weight. The gross axle
weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming
base vehicle with one driver,
one front passenger, towing
package (if available), hitch and
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the vehi
cle will
reduce the trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and
GAWR.
If the gross trailer weight exceeds 3000 lb. (1360 kg), it is r ecommended
to use a trailer with 2 or more axles.
Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
(With brakes)

2074-1. Before driving
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Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
●A recommended tongue weight varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to t he following instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tong ue
weight is 9% to 11%.
(Tongue weight /Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
If using a weight distributing hi tch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as b efore the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the
front fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust
weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the
same height as b efore connection.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight
can be measured with platform sca les found at a highway weigh-
ing station, building supply company, trucking company, junk
yard, etc.
Trailer Tongue Weight
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2084-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota rec-
ommends the use of Toy ota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For d etails,
contact your Toyota dealer.
● If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dea ler.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requ ire-
ment of your vehicle.
● Follow the directions suppli ed by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coating of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle.
When removing the hitch cover,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Hitch
Hitch cover