TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2018 Owners Manual (in English)

2314-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
Turns EV drive mode on/off
When EV drive mode is turned on,
the EV drive mode indicator will
come on. Pressing the switch
when in EV drive mode will return
the vehicle to normal driving (using
the gasoline engine and electric
motor [traction motor]).
■Situations in which EV dri ve mode cannot be turned on
It may not be possible to turn EV drive mode on in the following situati\
ons. 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 low.
(→P. 113)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
● The windshield defogger is in use.
EV drive mode
In EV drive mode, electric power is supplied by the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery), and only the electric motor (traction
motor) is used to drive the vehicle.
This mode allows you to drive in residential areas early in the
morning and late at night, or in indoor parking lots etc. without
concern for noises and gas emissions.
However, when the vehicle proximity notification system is
active, the vehicle may produce sound.

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)■
Switching to EV drive mode when the gasoline engine is cold
If the hybrid system is started while the gasoline engine is cold, the gasoline
engine will start automatically after a short period of time in order to warm up.
In this case, you will become unable to switch to EV drive mode.
After the hybrid system has started and the “READY” indicator has illumi-
nated, press the EV drive mode switch before the gasoline engine starts to
switch to EV drive mode.
■ Automatic cancelatio n 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 low.
(→P. 113)
● Vehicle speed is high.
● The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
■ Possible driving distance when driving in EV drive mode
EV drive mode’s possible driving distance ranges from a few hundred meters
to approximately 0.6 mile (1 km). However, depending on vehicle conditions,
there are situations when EV drive mode cannot be used. (The distance that
is possible depends on the hybrid battery [traction battery] level and driv\
ing
conditions.)
■ Fuel economy
The hybrid system 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 econ-
omy.
WARNING
■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 vehi-
cle starting off or approaching them, so take extra care while driving.

2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
While the power switch is in ON mode, 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.
Hybrid transmission
Shifting the shift lever

2344-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
*1: Shifting to the D position allows the system to select a gear suitable for thedriving conditions. Setting the shift lever to the D position is recommended
for normal driving.
*2: Selecting shift ranges using S mode controls engine braking forces.
Use Eco drive mode to help achieve low fuel consumption during trips
that involve frequent accelerating.
Press the “ECO MODE” switch to
select Eco drive mode.
The “ECO MODE” indicator will be
displayed on the multi-information
display.
Press the button again to cancel
Eco drive mode.
Shift position purpose
Shift positionFunction
PParking the vehicle/starting the hybrid system
RReversing
NNeutral
DNormal driving*1
SS mode driving*2 ( →P. 235)
Selecting Eco drive mode

2354-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
When the shift lever is in the S position, the shift lever can be oper-
ated as follows:For upshifting
For downshifting
The initial shift range in S mode is set automatically to 5 or 4 accord-
ing to vehicle speed.
■Shift ranges and their functions
● You can choose from 6 levels of engine braking force.
● A lower shift range will provide greater engine braking force than
a higher shift range, and the engine speed will also increase.
Changing shift ranges in S mode
1
2

2364-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
Eco drive mode controls the heating/cooling operations and fan speed of the
air conditioning system to enhance fuel efficiency. ( →P. 434) To improve air
conditioning performance, adjust the fan speed or turn off Eco drive mode.
■ Automatic return to normal driving mode
If EV drive mode is selected, the driving mode will automatically return to nor-
mal mode when the hybrid system is turned off.
■ S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to 6.
● To prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically
occur.
■ When driving with dynamic radar cruise control activated
Even when performing the following actions with the intent of enabling engine
braking, engine braking will not activate while driving in S mode and down-
shifting to 5 or 4 because dynamic radar cruise control will not be canceled.
(→P. 292)
■ 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 power switch is in ON
mode and the brake pedal is being depressed.

2374-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)■
If the shift lever canno t 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 brake pedal, there may
be a problem with the shift lock system. Have the vehicle inspected by y\
our
Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to ensure that
the shift lever can be shifted.
Releasing the shift lock:
Set the parking brake.
Turn the power switch off.
Depress the brake pedal.
■ If S does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the hybrid transmission system. Have \
the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the hybrid transmission will operate in the same as manner
as when the shift lever is in D.)
■ Downshift restriction warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may
sometimes be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be
possible even when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)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.
1
2
3
4
5

2384-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
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 set the parking
brake and depress the brake pedal.
If the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed instead of the brake pedal
when the shift lock override button is pressed and the shift lever is shifted
out of P, the vehicle may suddenly start, possibly leading to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction battery) charge precaution
If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged even when the engine is running. Therefore, if the vehicle is left
with the shift lever in N for a long period of time, the hybrid battery (traction
battery) will discharge, and this may result in the vehicle not being able to
start.

2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
The power switch is in ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature →P. 673)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4

2404-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM0E032U)
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while depress-
ing the brake pedal with your right
foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brake.)
*1:For U.S.A.
*2: For Canada
■Parking the vehicle
→P. 192
■ Parking brake engaged warning buzzer
→P. 580
■ Usage in winter time
→P. 337
Parking brake
Operating instructions
*1*2
NOTICE
■Before driving
Fully release the parking brake.
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake set will lead to brake components
overheating, which may affect braking performance and increase brake
wear.