TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2008 XU40 / 2.G Owners Manual

171
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●
If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the hybrid system. In a
closed area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle. This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
● The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer.
Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident
or fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked
in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the electronically controlled brake system does not operate, do not fol-
low other vehicles closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require
braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the others will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle.
■ If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud etc. This may damage the drive system components or
propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

172 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 505)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, hybrid
transaxle, rear motor transaxle, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

174
2-1. Driving procedures
Power (ignition) switch
■Starting the hybrid system
The hybrid system can be started in any mode by operating the
“POWER” switch at the same time as depressing the brake pedal.
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “POWER” switch indicator turns green. If the indicator does
not turn green, the hybrid system cannot be started.
Press the “POWER” switch.
After a while, the “READY”
indicator comes on with a beep
sound.
The vehicle can move when
the “READY” indicator is on
even if the engine is stopped.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Changing “POWER” switch mode
Modes can be switched by pressing the “POWER” switch when
carrying the electronic key on your person. (The hybrid system
can be started in any mode by operating the switch at the same
time as depressing the brake pedal.)
OFF*
Emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “POWER” switch indicator
turns amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a posi-tion other than P when turn-
ing off the hybrid system, the
“POWER” switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY
mode, not to OFF.

176 2-1. Driving procedures
■Steering lock release
■ If the hybrid system does not start
The immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 120)
■ When the “POWER” switch in dicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ If the “READY” indicator does not come on
If the “READY” indicator does not come on when you press the “POWER”
switch with the shift lever in P and the brake pedal depressed, contact your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the
shift lever in P, the “POWER” switch will automatically turn OFF.
■ When the ambient temperature is lo w, such as during winter driving
conditions
It may take time until the “READY” indicator comes on.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
P. 3 2
■ When the hybrid system is malfunctioning
P. 492
■ Electronic key battery depletion
P. 5 1
Make sure that the steering wheel lock is
released.
To release the steering wheel lock, gently
turn the wheel left or right while pressing
the “POWER” switch.
When the steering wheel lock does not
release, the “POWER” switch indicator
will flash green.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
■
When the electronic key battery is discharged
P. 517
■ Conditions affecting operation
P. 4 9
■ Note for the entry function
P. 5 1
CAUTION
■When starting the hybrid system
Always start the hybrid system while sitting in the driver's seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any cir-
cumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Caution when driving
Do not touch the “POWER” switch while driving.
Pressing and holding the “POWER” switch will stop the hybrid system, which
may lead to an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery from being discharge
Do not leave the “POWER” switch in ACCESSORY or ON mode for long
periods without the hybrid system on.
■ When starting the hybrid system
●Do not race a cold hybrid system.
● If the hybrid system becomes difficult to start, have the hybrid system
checked immediately by your Toyota dealer.

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2-1. Driving procedures
EV-Drive Mode
■Situations in which EV-Drive Mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV-Drive Mode on in the following situations. If
it cannot be turned on, a buzzer will sound and a message will be shown on
the multi-information display.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high.
The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high
speeds, etc.
● The temperature of the hybrid system is low.
The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32
F (0C)
for a long period of time etc.
● The gasoline engine is warming up.
● The hybrid battery (traction battery) is low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is
level 3 or lower. ( P. 35)
● Vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
In EV-Drive Mode the electric motor (traction motor), powered by the
hybrid battery (traction battery), is used to drive the vehicle.
On/off
When EV-Drive Mode is turned
on, the EV-Drive Mode indica-
tor will come on. Pressing the
switch when in EV-Drive Mode
will return to normal driving
(using the gasoline engine and
electric motor [traction motor]).

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■
Automatic cancelation of EV-Drive Mode
When driving in EV-Drive Mode, the gasoline engine may automatically
restart in the following situations. When EV-Drive Mode is canceled, a
buzzer will sound and the EV-Drive Mode indicator will flash and go off.
●The hybrid battery (traction battery) becomes low.
The remaining battery level indicated in the “Energy Monitor” display is
level 2 or lower. ( P. 35)
● Vehicle speed becomes more than about 25 mph (40 km/h).
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode
Possible driving distance when driving in EV-Drive Mode is up to about 1/2
mile (1 km) if driven at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or less. (Possible
driving distance depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and
driving conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
Highlander is designed to achieve the best possible fuel economy during
normal driving (using the gasoline engine and electric motor [traction
motor]). Driving in EV-Drive Mode more than necessary may lower fuel
economy.
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
When driving in EV-Drive Mode, pay special attention to the area around the
vehicle. Because there is no engine noise, pedestrians, people riding bicy-
cles or other people and vehicles in the area may not be aware of the vehicle
starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

180
2-1. Driving procedures
Transmission
Select a shift position appropriate for the driving conditions.
■Shifting the shift lever
While the “POWER”
switch is in ON mode,
depress the brake
pedal and move the
shift lever.
■ Shift position uses
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle or starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving
BEngine braking