tow TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019 (in English) User Guide

1613-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U■
Returning the second seats
Lift up the seatbacks until they
lock.
■Before folding down the third seats
Stow the third seat belt buck-
les.
Pass the outer seat belts
through the seat belt hangers
and secure the seat belt
plates.
This prevents the shoulder belts
from being damaged.
Make sure that the seat belts
are removed from the hangers
before using them.
Lower the head restraints to the lowest position. ( P. 168)
Folding down the third seats
1
2
3

1713-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U■
Adjusting the height o f the head restraints
■ Adjusting the third seat head restraints
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed posit ion when
using. Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.
WARNING
■ Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
● Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
● After adjusting the head restraints, push down on them and make sure
they are locked in position.
● Do not drive with the head restraints removed.

191
4Driving
HIGHLANDER_U4-1. Before driving
Driving the vehicle ............. 192
Cargo and luggage ........... 201
Vehicle load limits ............. 206
Trailer towing..................... 207
Dinghy towing ................... 223
4-2. Driving procedures Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without a
smart key system) ........... 224
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with a
smart key system) ........... 227
Automatic transmission ..... 233
Turn signal lever................ 239
Parking brake .................... 240
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch ................ 241
Automatic High Beam ....... 245
Fog light switch ................. 249
Windshield wipers and washer ............................ 250
Rear window wiper and washer ............................ 254
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap .......................... 256 4-5. Using the driving
support systems
Toyota Safety Sense P ..... 260
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .... 267
LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering
control) ............................ 281
Dynamic radar cruise control ............................. 291
Stop & Start system .......... 304
Rear view monitor system ............................ 314
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ........ 323
• BSM function ................ 328
• RCTA function .............. 331
All-wheel drive lock switch .............................. 337
Driving assist systems ...... 338
Downhill assist control system ............................ 344
4-6. Driving tips Winter driving tips ............. 346
Utility vehicle precautions ..................... 350

1934-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Make sure that the parking brake is set and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
■ When starting off on an uphill
The hill-start assist control will activate. ( P. 338)
■ Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the win-
dows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
● Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be espe-
cially slippery.
● Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the r ain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road sur-
face, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properl y.
■ Engine speed while driving
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation to
meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
●The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
● When the accelerator pedal is released
■ Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following prec autions is recom-
mended:
● For the first 186 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
● For the first 621 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
Starting off on a steep uphill
1
2
3

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
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. 206)
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution

2034-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the pedals from being depressed pr operly,
may block the driver’s vision, or may result in items hitting t he driver or
passengers, possibly causing an accident.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever poss i-
ble.
●Do not stack cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment highe r
than the seatbacks.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations.
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rea r seats (when stacking items)
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be pla ced
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage compartment. It is no t
designed for passengers. They should ride in their seats with t heir seat
belts properly fastened.

2064-1. Before driving
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◆Total load capacity (vehicle capacity weight): P. 652
Total load capacity means the co mbined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
◆Seating capacity: 7 or 8 occ upants (Front 2, Rear 5 or 6)
Seating capacity means the max imum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 1 50 lb. (68 kg) per person.
◆TWR (Trailer Weight Rating): P. 212, 652
TWR means the maximum gross trai ler weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
◆Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number o f occupants.
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading inform ation label.
(  P. 544)
Vehicle load limits
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capaci ty,
TWR (Trailer Weight Rati ng) and cargo capacity.
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering
and braking ability, res ulting in an accident.

2074-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
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.

2084-1. Before driving
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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

2094-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U■
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)