TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2023 Owners Manual

3014-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
driving on roads with many curves.
When Sport mode is selected,
Sport mode indicator comes on.
3Eco drive mode
Helps the driver a ccelerate in an
eco-friendly manner and improve
fuel economy through moderate
throttle characteri stics and by con-
trolling the operation of the air con-
ditioning system (heating/cooling).
When Eco drive mode is selected,
Eco drive mode indicator comes
on.
■When changing to a driving
mode other than normal mode
Switches to AWD control suitable for
the selected mode. (for Dynamic
Torque Vectoring AWD vehicles
only)
■Air conditioning system opera-
tion in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, heating/cooling
operations and the fan speed is con-
trolled to improve fuel efficiency.
Perform the following procedures to
increase the air conditioning perfor-
mance.
●Vehicle with 12.3-inch audio sys-
tem screen: Turn eco air condi-
tioning mode off ( P.328)
●Adjust the fan speed ( P.323)
●Cancel Eco drive mode
■Canceling a driving mode
●Sport mode is automatically can-
celed and the driving mode
returns to normal mode when the
engine switch is turned off.
●Normal mode and Eco drive mode
are not canceled until another
driving mode is sel ected. (Even if
the engine switch is turned off,
normal mode and Eco drive mode
will not be automatically can-
celed.)
Multi-terrain Select
(AWD models)
Multi-terrain Select is a sys-
tem that improves drivabil-
ity in off-road situations.
When driving over muddy,
sandy or rough road sur-
faces, the system selects a
suitable driving mode to
switch AWD, brake and
drive force control to per-
form control suitable for the
road condition.
WARNING
■Before using Multi-terrain
Select
Make sure to observe the follow-
ing precautions. Failure to
observe these precautions may
result in an unexp ected accident.
●Check that the Mud & Sand and
Rock & Dirt indicators are illumi-
nated before driving. Multi-ter-
rain Select will not operate
when the indicators are off.
●Do not rely solely upon the
Multi-terrain Select. This func-
tion is not inten ded to expand
the limits of the vehicle. If the
system is continuously used for
a long period of time, the load
on related parts increases and
the system may be unable to
operate normally, which may
lead to an accident. Thoroughly
check the road conditions and
driving route before driving, and
drive with caution.

3024-5. Using the driving support systems
Control that is suitable for the
following road conditions can be
performed by switching to either
of the two modes. Select a
mode that is appropriate for the
road condition.
■Mud & Sand mode
Suitable for driving on roads
with increased driving resis-
tance such as sandy roads,
muddy roads, etc.
■Rock & Dirt mode
Suitable for driving in bumpy
road conditions, such as on
unpaved forest roads.
■Dynamic Torque Control
AWD vehicles
1 Mud & Sand mode
When the switch is pressed while
not in Mud & Sand mode, the sys-
tem switches to Mud & Sand mode
and the Mud & Sand mode indica-
tor, VSC OFF indi cator and PCS
warning light illuminate on the
multi-information display.
2 Normal mode
Mode that performs AWD, brake
and drive force cont rol suitable for
driving on general roads. Use nor-
mal mode when not driving
off-road.
The driving mode returns to normal
mode if the switch i s pressed while
in Mud & Sand mode or Rock & Dirt
mode.
3 Rock & Dirt mode
When the switch is pressed while
not in Rock & Dirt mode, the sys-
tem switches to Rock & Dirt mode
and the Rock & Dirt mode indicator
illuminates on the mu lti-information
display.
WARNING
●The road conditions listed
(Guidelines for selecting each
mode: P.302) are for reference
only. There is a chance that the
function may not be the most
appropriate in terms of road
conditions such as pitch, slip-
periness, undulation, etc. Thor-
oughly check the road
conditions before driving.
Guidelines for selecting
each mode
Changing the mode

3034-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD vehicles
1 Mud & Sand mode
When the switch is turned to the left
while not in Mud & Sand mode, the
system switches to Mud & Sand
mode and the Mud & Sand mode
indicator, VSC OFF indicator and
PCS warning light illuminate on the
multi-information display.
2Normal mode
Mode that performs AWD, brake
and drive force control suitable for
driving on general roads. Use nor-
mal mode when not driving
off-road.
The driving mode returns to normal
mode if the switch is pressed while
in Mud & Sand mode or Rock & Dirt
mode.
3Rock & Dirt mode
When the switch is turned to the
right while not in Rock & Dirt mode,
the system switches to Rock & Dirt
mode and the Rock & Dirt mode
indicator illuminates on the
multi-information display.
■Multi-terrain Select
●Multi-terrain Sele ct is intended for
use when driving on rough roads.
Drive in normal mode during nor-
mal driving.
●The Mud & Sand and Rock & Dirt modes control the
vehicle so that
it can maximize the drive force
and improve driv ability on rough
roads. As a result, fuel efficiency
may diminish when compared to
driving in normal mode.
■If Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt
mode is selected
The AWD operation status display
will automatically switch on the
multi-information display.
■AWD control for Mud & Sand
and Rock & Dirt modes
If the vehicle speed exceeds the
speeds listed below, the same level
of AWD control for Normal mode is
performed, even if Mud & Sand or
Rock & Dirt mode is selected.
●Mud & Sand mode: Vehicle speed
is approximately 25 mph (40
km/h) or more
●Rock & Dirt mode: Vehicle speed
is approximately 16 mph (25
km/h) or more
If the vehicle speed drops below the
above speeds, the system automati-
cally returns to the AWD control for
each mode.
■When Multi-terrain Select brake
control temporarily stops oper-
ating
If Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt mode
is continuously used for a long
period of time, th e brakes may over-
heat, and Multi-terrain Select brake
control may temporarily stop operat-
ing.
●At this time, the buzzer sounds
intermittently and “Traction Con-
trol Turned OFF” is displayed on
the multi-information display.
●If Multi-terrain Sele ct brake control
stops operating, stop the vehicle
in a safe location as soon as pos-
sible
* and wait until the system
temperature decreases. Once the
display message on the
multi-information d isplay turns off,
the brake control returns to nor-

3044-5. Using the driving support systems
mal. Note that normal driving is
still possible even when Multi-ter-
rain Select brake control is not
operating.
*: After stopping the vehicle, do not stop the engine until the display
message has turned off.
■When Mud & Sand or Rock &
Dirt mode is canceled
In the following situations, Mud &
Sand mode or Rock & Dirt mode are
automatically canceled even if they
are selected.
●When the driving mode is
changed ( P.300)
●When the engine switch is turned
off
■Driving in Mud & Sand or Rock
& Dirt mode
The following types of situations
may occur, but they are not malfunc-
tions.
●Vibrations may be felt throughout
the vehicle or steering wheel
●Operating noise may be heard
from the engine compartment
■When an inspection at your
Toyota dealer is necessary
In the following si tuations, the sys-
tem may be malfunctioning. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
●When the slip indic ator light illumi-
nates while Mud & Sand or Rock
& Dirt mode is selected
●When the indicator for each mode
does not illuminate even though
Mud & Sand or Rock & Dirt mode
is selected
Press the snow mode switch.
When the switch is pressed, the
system switches to snow mode and
the snow mode indi cator illuminates
on the multi-information display.
When the switch is pressed again,
the snow mode indicator turns off.
■Canceling the snow mode
Snow mode is automatically can-
celed when the engine switch is
turned OFF or Mud & Sand or Rock
& Dirt mode is selec ted for Multi-ter-
rain Select.
Snow mode switch
Snow mode can be selected
to suit the conditions when
driving on slippery road sur-
faces, such as on snow.
System operation

3054-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
*: If equipped
Press the downhill assist control
switch.
The downhill assist control system
indicator will comes on and the sys-
tem will operate.
When the system is in operation,
the slip indicator will flash, and the
stop lights/high mounted stop lights
will be lit. A sound may also occur
during the operation. This does not
indicated a malfunction.
Press the downhill assist control
switch while the system is in
operation.
The downhill assist control system
indicator will flash as the system
gradually ceases operation, and will
turn off when the system is fully off.
Press the downhill assist control
switch while the downhill assist
control system indicator is flashing
to start the system again.
■Operating tips
The system will o perate when the
shift lever is in a position other than
P, however to make effective use of
the system it is recommended to
select a lower shift range.
■If the downhill assist control
system indicator flashes
●In the following situ ations, the indi-
cator flashes and the system will
not operate:
• The shift lever is in a position P.
• The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 18 mph (30 km/h).
• The brake system overheats.
●In the following situation, the indi-
cator flashes to alert the driver,
but the system will operate:
• The downhill assist control switch is turned off while the system is
operating.
The system will gradually ceases
Downhill assist con-
trol system*
The downhill assist control
system helps to prevent
excessive speed on steep
downhill slopes.
The system will operate
when the vehicle is traveling
under 18 mph (30 km/h).
WARNING
■When using downhill assist
control system
Do not rely overmuch on the
downhill assist control system.
This function does not extend the
vehicle’s performance limitations.
Always thoroughly check the road
conditions, and drive safely.
System operation
Turning off the system

3064-5. Using the driving support systems
operation. The indicator will flash
during operation, and then go off
when the system is fully off.
■When the downhill assist con-
trol system is operated continu-
ously
This may cause the brake actuator
to overheat. In this case, the down-
hill assist control system will stop
operating, a buzzer will sound and
the downhill assist control system
indicator will start flashing, and
“Traction Control Turned OFF” will
be shown on the multi-information
display. Refrain from using the sys-
tem until the downhill assist control
system indicator stays on and the
message goes off. (The vehicle can
be driven normally during this time.)
■Sounds and vibrations caused
by the downhill assist control
system
●A sound may be heard from the
engine compartment when the
engine is started or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This
sound does not indicate that a
malfunction has occurred in down-
hill assist control system.
●Either of the following conditions
may occur when the downhill
assist control system is operating.
None of these are indicators that a
malfunction 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.
■System malfunction
In the following ca ses, have your
vehicle checked by your Toyota
dealer.
●The downhill assist control system
indicator does not come on when
the engine switch is turned to ON.
●The downhill assist control system
indicator does not come on when
the downhill assist control switch
is pressed.
●The slip indicator comes on.
WARNING
■The system may not operate
on the following surfaces,
which may lead to an acci-
dent causing death or serious
injury
●Slippery surfaces such as wet
or muddy roads
●Icy surface
●Unpaved roads

3074-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving■ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys-
tem)
Helps to prevent wheel lock
when the brakes are applied
suddenly, or if the brakes are
applied while driving on a slip-
pery road surface
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of
braking force after the brake
pedal is depressed when the
system detects a panic stop sit-
uation
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Con-
trol)
Helps the driver to control skid-
ding when swerving suddenly or
turning on slippery road sur-
faces
■Enhanced VSC (Enhanced
Vehicle Stability Control)
Provides cooperative control of
the ABS, TRAC, VSC and EPS.
Helps to maintain directional
stability when swerving on slip-
pery road surfaces by con-
trolling steering performance.
■Trailer Sway Control
Helps the driver to control trailer
sway by selectively applying
brake pressure for individual
wheels and reducing driving
torque when trailer sway is
detected.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps to maintain drive power
and prevent the drive wheels
from spinning when starting the
vehicle or accelerating on slip-
pery roads
■Active Cornering Assist
(ACA)
Helps to prevent the vehicle
from drifting to the outer side by
performing inner wheel brake
control when attempting to
accelerate while turning
■Hill-start assist control
Helps to reduce the backward
movement of the vehicle when
starting on an uphill
■EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing)
Employs an electric motor to
reduce the amount of effort
needed to turn the steering
Driving assist systems
To keep driving safety and
performance, the following
systems operate automati-
cally in response to various
driving situations. Be
aware, however, that these
systems are supplementary
and should not be relied
upon too heavily when oper-
ating the vehicle.
Summary of the driving
assist systems

3084-5. Using the driving support systems
wheel
■Dynamic Torque Control
AWD system (AWD models)
Automatically controls the drive
system such as to front-wheel
drive or AWD (all wheel drive)
according to various running
conditions including normal driv-
ing, during cornering, on a
uphill, when starting off, during
acceleration, on a slippery roads
due to snow or rain, thus con-
tributing to stable operability and
driving stability.
■Dynamic Torque Vectoring
AWD system (AWD models)
Automatically controls the drive
system such as to front-wheel
drive or AWD (all wheel drive)
according to various running
conditions including normal driv-
ing, during cornering, on a
uphill, when starting off, during
acceleration, on a slippery roads
due to snow or rain, thus con-
tributing to stable operability and
driving stability.
Also, drive torque distribution is
precisely controlled during cor-
nering, contributing to improve-
ments in operability and stability.
■The Secondary Collision
Brake
When the SRS airbag sensor
detects a collision and the sys-
tem operates, the brakes and
brake lights are automatically
controlled to reduce the vehicle speed and help reduce the pos-
sibility of further damage due to
a secondary collision.
■When the TRAC/VSC/Trailer
Sway Control systems are oper-
ating
The slip indicator light will flash
while the TRAC/VSC/Trailer Sway
Control systems are operating.
■Disabling the TRAC system
If the vehicle gets stuck in mud, dirt
or snow, the TRAC system may
reduce power from the engine to the
wheels. Pressing the switch to
turn the system off may make it eas-
ier for you to rock the vehicle in
order to free it.
To turn the TRAC system off, quickly
press and release the switch.
The “Traction Cont rol Turned OFF”
will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display.
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.

3094-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
■Turning off both TRAC, VSC
and Trailer Sway Control sys-
tems
To turn the TRAC, VSC and Trailer
Sway Control systems off, press
and hold the switch for more
than 3 seconds while the vehicle is
stopped.
The VSC OFF indicator light will
come on and the “Traction Control
Turned OFF” will be shown on the
multi-information display.
*
Press the switch again to turn
the system back on.
*: On vehicles with PCS (Pre-Colli- sion System), PCS will also be
disabled (only Pre-Collision warn-
ing is available). The PCS warning
light will come on and a message
will be display ed on the
multi-informat ion display.
(  P.228)
■When the message is dis-
played on the multi-information
display showing that TRAC has
been disabled even if the
switch has not been pressed
TRAC is temporary deactivated. If
the information continues to show,
contact your Toyota dealer.
■Operating conditions of
hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions
are met, the hill-start assist control
will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position
other than P or N (when starting
off forward/backward on an
upward incline)
●The vehicle is stopped
●The accelerator pedal is not
depressed
●The parking brake is not engaged
●The engine switch is in ON
■Automatic system cancelation
of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn
off in any of the fo llowing situations:
●The shift lever is shifted to P or N
●The accelerator pedal is
depressed
●The brake pedal is depressed and
the parking brake is engaged
●2 seconds at maximum elapsed
after the brake pedal is released
●The engine switch is turned OFF
■Sounds and vibrations caused
by the ABS, brake assist, VSC,
Trailer Sway Control, TRAC and
hill-start assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the
engine compartment when the
brake pedal is depressed repeat-
edly, when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to
move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has
occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions
may occur when the above sys-
tems are operating. None of these
indicates that a malfunction has
occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the
vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard also
after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate
slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■Active Cornering Assist opera-
tion sounds and vibrations
When the Active Cornering Assist is
operated, operation sounds and
vibrations may be generated from
the brake system, but this is not a
malfunction.

3104-5. Using the driving support systems
■AWD system operation sounds
and vibrations when switching
between AWD and front wheel
drive (if equipped)
When the vehicle switches from
AWD to front wheel drive and vice
versa, operation sounds and vibra-
tions may be generated, but this is
not a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of the
EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS sys-
tem is reduced to prevent the sys-
tem from overheating when there is
frequent steering input over an
extended period of time. The steer-
ing wheel may feel heavy as a
result. Should this occur, refrain
from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine
off. The EPS syst em should return
to normal within 10 minutes.
■Automatic reactivation of
TRAC, Trailer Sway Control and
VSC systems
After turning the TRAC, Trailer
Sway Control and VSC systems off,
the systems will be automatically
re-enabled in the following situa-
tions:
●When the engine switch is turned
OFF
●If only the TRAC system is turned
off, the TRAC will turn on when
vehicle speed increases
If both the TRAC and VSC sys-
tems are turned off, automatic
re-enabling will not occur when
vehicle speed increases.
■Operating conditions of Active
Cornering Assist
The system operates when the fol-
lowing occurs.
●TRAC/VSC can operate
●The driver is at tempting to accel-
erate while turning
●The system detects that the vehi-
cle is drifting to the outer side
●The brake pedal is released
■If a message about AWD is
shown on the multi-information
display (AWD models)
Perform the following actions.
●“AWD System Over-heated
Switching to 2WD Mode.” AWD
system is overheated. Stop the
vehicle in a safe place with the
engine running.
*
If the message disappears after a
while, there is no problem. If the
message remains, have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
●“AWD System Over-heated 2WD
Mode Engaged.” AWD system
has been temporarily released
and switched to front-wheel drive
due to overheating. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place with the engine
running.
*
If the message disappears after a
while, AWD system will automati-
cally recover. If the message
remains, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
●“AWD system Malfunction 2WD
Mode Engaged Visit Your Dealer.”
A malfunction occurs in the AWD
system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
*: When stopping the vehicle, do not stop the engine until the display
message has turned off.
■Secondary Collision Brake
operating conditions
The system operates when the SRS
airbag sensor de tects a collision
while the vehicle is in motion.
However, the system does not oper-
ate when the components are dam-
aged.