towing TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

2
HIGHLANDER HV_UTABLE OF CONTENTS
For your information ........................
5
Reading this manual ...................... 10
How to search ................................ 11
Pictorial index ................................ 12
1-1. For safe use Before driving ........................ 24
For safe driving ..................... 25
Seat belts .............................. 27
SRS airbags .......................... 34
Front passenger occupant clas- sification system.................. 43
Exhaust gas precautions....... 48
1-2. Child safety Riding with children ............... 49
Child restraint systems .......... 50
1-3. Emergency assistance Safety Connect ..................... 65
1-4. Hybrid system Hybrid system features ......... 71
Hybrid system precautions .... 75
1-5. Theft deterrent system Immobilizer system ............... 79
Alarm ..................................... 81
2-1. Instrument cluster Warning lights and indicators............................................ 84
Gauges and meters .............. 89
Multi-information display (4.2-inch display)................. 92
Multi-information display (7-inch display)............................. 101
Head-up display ................. 112
Energy monitor/consumption screen .............................. 1173-1. Key information
Keys ................................... 128
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Side doors .......................... 131
Back door ........................... 135
Smart key system .............. 146
3-3. Adjusting the seats Front seats ......................... 153
Rear seats.......................... 154
Driving position memory .... 159
Head restraints................... 162
3-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
Steering wheel ................... 165
Inside rear view mirror ....... 166
Digital Rearview Mirror....... 167
Outside rear view mirrors ... 177
3-5. Opening, closing the win- dows and moon roof
Power windows .................. 179
Moon roof ........................... 182
Panoramic moon roof......... 185
4-1. Before driving Driving the vehicle.............. 190
Cargo and luggage ............ 197
Vehicle load limits .............. 200
T ra

iler towing...................... 201
Dinghy towing .................... 212
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch ....... 213
EV drive mode ................... 218
Hybrid transmission ........... 220
Turn signal lever................. 223
1For safety and security
2Vehicle status information
and indicators
3Before driving
4Driving

15Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Instrument panel
Power switch ................................................... ................... P.213
Starting the hybrid system/changing the modes .................. P. 2 1 3
Emergency stop of the hybrid system ............................ ...... P.458
When the hybrid system will not start .......................... ........ P.493
Warning messages ............................................... ............... P.476
Shift lever.................................................... ........................ P.220
Changing the shift position.................................... ............... P.220
Precautions for towing .. ....................................... ................ P.461
When the shift lever does not move............................. ........ P.221
Meters ......................................................... .......................... P.89
Reading the meters/adjusting the instrument panel light . P.89, 9 2
Warning lights/indicator lights ................................ ................ P.84
When a warning light turns on .................................. ........... P.466
Multi-information display . ........................................... P.92, 101
Display ........................................................ ................... P.92, 101
Energy monitor................................................. .................... P.117

311-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_Uing and stowing the seat belt.
3
Stow the plate and in
the holder on the roof.
In order to securely stow them,
firmly insert them as far as possi-
ble.
1Push the seat belt shoulder
anchor down while pressing
the release button .
2 Push the seat belt shoulder anchor up while pressing the
release button .
Move the height adjuster up and
down as needed until you hear a
click.
If the shoulder belt sits close to
a person’s neck, use the seat
belt comfort guide.
1
Pull the comfort guide from
the pocket.
2 Slide the belt past the slot of
the guide.
The elastic cord must be behind the
Adjusting the seat belt
shoulder anchor height
(front seats)
WARNING
■Adjustable shoulder anchor
Always make sure the shoulder
belt is positioned across the cen-
ter of your shoulder. The belt
should be kept away from your
neck, but not falling off your shoul-
der. Failure to do so could reduce
the amount of protection in an
accident and cause death or seri-
ous injuries in the event of a sud-
den stop, sudden swerve or
accident.
Seat belt comfort guide
(for the third center seat)

591-2. Child safety
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_Usystem.
Since the seat belt automatically
reels itself, slowly
return it to the
stowing position.
WARNING
■When installing a child
restraint system
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so m ay result in
death or serious injury.
●Do not allow children to play
with the seat belt. If the seat belt
becomes twisted around a
child’s neck, it may lead to
choking or other serious injuries
that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle
cannot be unfastened, scissors
should be used to cut the belt.
●Ensure that the belt and plate
are securely locked and the
seat belt is not twisted.
●Shake the child restraint system
left and right, and forward and
backward to ensure that it has
been securely installed.
●After securing a child restraint
system, never adjust the seat.
●When a booster seat is
installed, always ensure that the
shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of the child’s
shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the child’s neck,
but not so that it could fall off the
child’s shoulder.
●Follow all installation instruc-
tions provided by the child
restraint system manufacturer.
●When securing some types of
child restraint systems in rear
seats, it may not be possible to
properly use the seat belts in
positions next to the child
restraint without interfering with
it or affecting seat belt effective-
ness. Be sure your seat belt fits
snugly across your shoulder
and low on your hips. If it does
not, or if it interferes with the
child restraint, move to a differ-
ent position. Fa ilure to do so
may result in death or serious
injury.
■When installing a booster
seat
To prevent the belt from going into
ALR lock mode, do not fully
extend the shoulder belt. ALR
mode causes the belt to tighten
only. This could cause injury or
discomfort to the child. ( P. 2 8 )
■Do not use a seat belt
extender
If a seat belt extender is used
when installing a child restraint
system, the seat belt will not
securely hold the child restraint
system, which could cause death
or serious injury to the child or
other passengers in the event of
sudden braking, sudden swerv-
ing or an accident.

691-3. Emergency assistance
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Emergency Assistance But-
ton (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on
the road, push the “SOS” button
to reach the Safety Connect
response center. The answer-
ing agent will determine your
vehicle’s location, assess the
emergency, and dispatch the
necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS”
button, tell the response-center
agent that you are not experiencing
an emergency.
■Enhanced Roadside Assis-
tance
Enhanced Roadside Assistance
adds GPS data to the already
included warranty-based Toyota
roadside service.
Subscribers can press the
“SOS” button to reach a Safety
Connect response-center agent,
who can help with a wide range
of needs, such as: towing, flat
tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a
description of the Enhanced
Roadside Assistance services
and their limitations, please see
the Safety Connect Terms and
Conditions, which are available
at Toyota.com in the United
States, Toyotapr.com in Puerto
Rico and Toyota.ca in Canada.
Important! Read this informa- tion before using Safety Con-
nect.
■Exposure to radio fre-
quency signals
The Safety Connect system
installed in your vehicle is a
low-power radio transmitter and
receiver. It receives and also
sends out radio frequency (RF)
signals.
In August 1996, the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) adopted RF exposure
guidelines with safety levels for
mobile wireless phones. Those
guidelines are consistent with
the safety standards previously
set by the following U.S. and
international standards bodies.
 ANSI (American National
Standards Institute) C95.1
[1992]
 NCRP (National Council on
Radiation Protection and
Measurement) Report 86
[1986]
 ICNIRP (International Com-
mission on Non-Ionizing Radi-
ation Protection) [1996]
Those standards were based on
comprehensive and periodic
evaluations of the relevant sci-
entific literature. Over 120 scien-
tists, engineers, and physicians
from universities, and govern-
ment health agencies and
industries reviewed the avail-
able body of research to
Safety information for
Safety Connect

771-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_U
There are air intake vents under
each side of the rear seatback
for the purpose of cooling the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
If the vent is blocked,
charging/discharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
may become limited.
WARNING
●If your vehicle needs to be
towed, do so with all four
wheels raised. If the wheels
connected to the electric motor
(traction motor) are on the
ground when towing, the motor
may continue to generate elec-
tricity. This may cause a fire.
(  P.461)
●Carefully inspect the ground
under the vehicle. If you find
that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, the fuel system may
have been damaged. Leave the
vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
●Never resell, hand over or mod-
ify the hybrid battery. To prevent
accidents, hybrid batteries that
have been removed from a dis-
posed vehicle are collected
through your Toyota dealer. Do
not dispose of the battery your-
self.
Unless the battery is properly col-
lected, the following may occur,
resulting in dea th or serious
injury:
• The hybrid battery may be ille- gally disposed of or dumped,
and it is hazardous to the envi-
ronment or someone may touch
a high voltage part, resulting in
an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your
hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid bat-
tery is used outside of your
vehicle or modified in any way,
accidents such as electric
shock, heat generation, smoke
generation, an explosion and
electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over
your vehicle, the possibility of an
accident is extremely high
because the person receiving the
vehicle may not be aware of these
dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of
without the hybrid battery hav-
ing been removed, there is a
danger of serious electric shock
if high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors are touched. In
the event that your vehicle must
be disposed of, the hybrid bat-
tery must be disposed of by
your Toyota dealer or a qualified
service shop. If the hybrid bat-
tery is not disposed of properly,
it may cause electric shock that
can result in dea th or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vents
Do not carry large amounts of
water such as water cooler bottles
in the vehicle. If water spills onto
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
Hybrid battery (traction
battery) air intake vent

189
4
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Driving
.4-1. Before drivingDriving the vehicle....... 190
Cargo and luggage ..... 197
Vehicle load limits ....... 200
Trailer towing............... 201
Dinghy towing ............. 212
4-2. Driving procedures Power (ignition) switch.................................. 213
EV drive mode ............ 218
Hybrid transmission .... 220
Turn signal lever.......... 223
Parking brake .............. 224
Brake Hold .................. 227
4-3. Operating the lights and wipers
Headlight switch .......... 229
Automatic High Beam . 232
Fog light switch ........... 235
Windshield wipers and washer....................... 235
Rear windshield wiper and washer....................... 238
4-4. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap.................................. 240
4-5. Using the driving support
systems
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 + .................................. 243PCS (Pre-Collision System)
.................................. 249
LTA (Lane Tracing Assist) .................................. 260
Dynamic radar cruise con- trol with full-speed range
.................................. 271
RSA (Road Sign Assist) .................................. 283
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) .................................. 286
Intuitive parking assist . 292
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) function ............ 300
PKSB (Parking Support Brake) ........................ 305
Parking Support Brake func- tion (static objects) .... 312
Parking Support Brake func- tion (rear-crossing vehi-
cles) ........................... 318
Driving mode select switch .................................. 322
Trail Mode ................... 323
Driving assist systems .................................. 325
4-6. Driving tips Hybrid vehicle driving tips.................................. 331
Winter driving tips........ 333
Utility vehicle precautions .................................. 336

1974-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Cargo capacity depends on the
total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load
capacity) — (Total weight of
occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The
combined 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 passen-
gers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and passen-
gers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb passen-
gers 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 loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
( P.200)
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) ( P.510)
When 2 people with the com-
bined weight of A lb. (kg) are rid-
ing in your vehicle, which has a
total load capacity (vehicle
capacity weight) of B lb. (kg),
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity will
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following
information about storage
precautions, cargo capacity
and load.
Capacity and distribution
Calculation formula for
your vehicle

2014-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Matching trailer ball height to
trailer coupler height
No matter wh ich class of tow hitch
applies, for a m ore safe trailer
hookup, the trailer ball setup must
be the proper height for the coupler
on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the fo llowing conditions
are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires
are properly inflated. ( P.515)
●Trailer tires are inflated according
to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed pri-
marily as a passen-
ger-and-load-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer can
have an adverse impact on
handling, performance,
braking, durability, and fuel
consumption. For your
safety and the safety of oth-
ers, you must not overload
your vehicle or trailer. You
must also ensure that you
are using appropriate tow-
ing equipment, that the tow-
ing equipment has been
installed correctly and used
properly, and that you
employ the requisite driv-
ing habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and
braking performance are
affected by trailer stability,
brake performance and set-
ting, trailer brakes, 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 characteris-
tics and operating condi-
tions.
Toyota warranties do not
apply to damage or mal-
function caused by towing a
trailer for commercial pur-
poses.
Contact your Toyota dealer
for further information
about additional require-
ments such as a towing kit,
etc.

2024-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●All trailer lights work as required
by law.
●All lights work each time you con-
nect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper
height for the coupler on the
trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is
hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not
level, and check for improper
tongue weight, overloading, worn
suspension, or other possible
causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely
loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to
all applicable federal, state/provin-
cial or local regu lations. If they do
not, install rear view mirrors
appropriate for towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped
with any new power train compo-
nents (such as an engine, hybrid
transmission, rear differential or
wheel bearing), Toyota recommends
that you do not tow a trailer until the
vehicle has been driven for over 500
miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km), you can
start towing. However, for the next
500 miles (800 km), drive the vehi-
cle at a speed of less than 50 mph
(80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and
avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle
will require more f requent mainte-
nance due to the additional load.
(See “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the
towing ball and bracket after
approximately 600 miles (1000
km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds,
passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.)
can adversely affect handling of
your vehicle and trailer, causing
instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to contr ol trailer sway-
ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradu-
ally to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not
apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no extreme correction
with the steering or brakes, your
vehicle and trailer should stabilize.
(if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can
also help to stabilize the vehicle and
trailer.)
●After the trailer swaying has
stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occu- pants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not
shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is
appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not over-
loaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the
speed at which trailer swaying
occurred is beyond the limit of your
particular vehicle-trailer combina-
tion. Drive at a lower speed to pre-
vent instability. Remember that
swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer
increases as speed increases.