tow TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2021 (in English) User Guide

1393-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Vehicles without tow hitchKick sensor
Hands Free Power Back
Door operation detection
area
Smart key system operation
detection area ( P.146)
Vehicles with tow hitch
Kick sensor
Hands Free Power Back
Door operation detection
area
Smart key system operation
detection area ( P.146)
2 Perform a kick operation by
moving your foot to within
approximately 3.9 in. (10 cm)
of the rear bumper and then
pulling it back.
• Perform the entire kick opera- tion within 1 second. • The back door will not start
operating while a foot is
detected under the rear
bumper.
• Operate the Hands Free Power Back Door without
contacting the rear bumper
with your foot.
• If another electronic key is in the cabin or luggage compart-
ment, it may take slightly lon-
ger than normal for the
operation to occur.
Kick sensor
Hands Free Power Back
Door operation detection
area
3 When the kick sensor detects
that your foot is pulled back,
a buzzer will sound and the
back door will automatically
fully open/close.
If kick operation is performed while
the back door is opening/closing,
the back door will stop the opera-
tion. Perform a kick operation again
will operate the back door in the
opposite direction.
■Back door closer
In the event that the back door is left
slightly open, the back door closer

1413-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Kick sensor operating condi-
tions (vehicles with a Hands
Free Power Back Door)
●When the kick sensor operation
setting is turned on (P.530) and
the power switch is turned off.
●When an electronic key is carried
within the operation detection
area.
■Situations in which the Hands
Free Power Back Door may not
operate properly (if equipped)
In the following situations, the
Hands Free Power Back Door may
not operate properly:
●When a foot remains under the
rear bumper.
●If the rear bumper is strongly hit
with a foot or is touched for a
while.
If the rear bumper has been touched
for a while, wait for a short time
before attempting to operate the
Hands Free Power Back Door
again.
●When standing excessively close
to the rear bumper.
●When an external radio wave
source interferes with the commu-
nication between the electronic
key and the vehicle. ( P.147)
●When the vehicle is parked near
an electrical noise source which
affects the sensitivity of the Hands
Free Power Back Door, such as a
pay parking spot , gas station,
electrically heated road, or fluo-
rescent light.
●When the vehicle is near a TV
tower, electric power plant, radio
station, large display, airport or
other facility that generates strong
radio waves or electrical noise.
●When a large amount of water is
applied to the rear bumper, such
as when the vehicle is being
washed or in heavy rain.
●When mud, snow, ice, etc. is
attached to the rear bumper.
●When the vehicle has been
parked for a while near objects
that may move and contact the
rear bumper, such as plants.
●When an accessory is installed to
the rear bumper.
If an accessory has been installed,
turn the kick sensor operation set-
ting off. ( P.530)
■Preventing unintentional opera-
tion of the Hands Free Power
Back Door (if equipped)
When an electronic key is in the
operation detection area, the Hands
Free Power Back Door may operate
unintentionally, so be careful in the
following situations:
●When a large amount of water is
applied to the rear bumper, such
as when the vehicle is being
washed or in heavy rain.
●When dirt is wiped off the rear
bumper.
●When a small animal or small
object, such as a ball, moves
under the rear bumper.
●When an object is moved from
under the rear bumper.
●If someone is swinging their legs
while sitting on the rear bumper.
●If the legs or another part of some-
one’s body contacts the rear
bumper while passing by the vehi-
cle.
●When the vehicle is parked near
an electrical noise source which
affects the sensitivity of the Hands
Free Power Back Door, such as a
pay parking spot, gas station,
electrically heated road, or fluo-
rescent light.
●When the vehicle is near a TV
tower, electric power plant, radio
station, large display, airport or
other facility that generates strong
radio waves or electrical noise.
●When the vehicle is parked in a
place where objects such as
plants are near the rear bumper.

1473-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●When an interior alarm sounds
continuously
■Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be
activated in order to prevent the
electronic key battery and the
12-volt battery from being dis-
charged while the vehicle is not
operated for a long time.
●In the following situations, the
smart key system may take some
time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in
an area of approximately 6 ft. (2
m) of the outside of the vehicle for
10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
●If the smart key system has not
been used for 14 days or longer,
the doors cannot be unlocked at
any doors except the driver’s door.
In this case, take hold of the
driver’s door handle, or use the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key, to unlock the
doors.
■Turning an electronic key to
battery-saving mode
When battery-saving mode is set,
battery depletion is minimized by
stopping the electronic key from
receiving radio waves.
Press twice while pressing and
holding . Confirm that the elec-
tronic key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is
set, the smart key system cannot be
used. To cancel the function, press
any of the electronic key buttons.
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak
radio waves. In the following situa-
tions, the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle
may be affected, preventing the
smart key system, wireless remote
control and immobilizer system from
operating properly. (Ways of cop-
ing: P.496)
●When the electronic key battery is
depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power
plant, gas station, radio station,
large display, airport or other facil-
ity that generates strong radio
waves or electrical noise
●When the electronic key is in con-
tact with, or is covered by the fol-
lowing metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have alumi- num foil inside
SituationCorrection
procedure
An attempt was
made to lock the
vehicle while a door
was open.Close all of
the doors
and lock the
doors again.
SituationCorrection procedure
The power switch
was turned to ACC
while the driver’s
door was open (or
the driver’s door was
opened while the
power switch was in
ACC).
Turn the
power
switch off
and close
the driver’s
door.
The power switch
was turned off while
the driver’s door was
open.Close the
driver’s
door.

1563-3. Adjusting the seats
HIGHLANDER HV_U
7-seat modelsSeatback angle adjustment
lever
Seat position adjustment
lever
■Third seatsSeatback angle adjustment
lever
■When entering/exiting the
vehicle
Pull the seatback angle adjust-
ment lever or to tilt the
seatback forward and then slide
the seat forward.
Make sure that the second seat is
free of passengers and obstruc-
tions before operating the lever.
■After passengers have
entered/exited the vehicle
Lift up the seatback and slide
the seat backward until it locks.
■Before folding down the
second seats
1 Stow the armrest. ( P.382)
Moving a second seat for
third seat access
Folding down the second
seats

1573-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
2Stow the second seat belt
buckles.
3 Pass the outer seat belts
through the seat belt hangers
and secure the seat belt
plates.
This prevents the shoulder belts
from being damaged.
4Lower the head restraints to
the lowest position. ( P.162)
■Folding down the second
seats
1 Pull the seatback angle
adjustment lever or to
tilt the seatback forward.
Each seatback may be folded sep- arately.
2
Pull the seatback folding
lever to unlock the seatback.
The seatback will be folded
down.
■After folding down the sec-
ond seats
Slide the folded second seats
backward until they lock.

1583-3. Adjusting the seats
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Returning the second seats
Lift up the seatbacks until they
lock.
Remove the secu red seat belts
from the seat belt hangers before
using them.
■Before folding down the
third seats
1 Stow the third seat belt buck-
les.
2 Pass the outer seat belts
through the seat belt hangers
and secure the seat belt
plates.
This prevents the shoulder belts from being damaged.
3
Lower the center head
restraint to the lowest posi-
tion. ( P.162)
■Folding down the third
seats
While pulling the the seatback
angle adjustment lever, fold
down the seatbacks.
The outer head rest raints will fold
forward.
■Returning the third seats
1 Returning the seatbacks
From inside
Lift up the seatbacks until they lock.
Folding down the third
seats

1633-3. Adjusting the seats
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_UMake sure that the head restraints
are adjusted so that the center of
the head restraint is closest to the
top of your ears.
■Adjusting the third center seat
head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one
level from the stowed position when
using.
■When using the outboard third
seats
If a head restraint is folded forward,
make sure to return it to the upright
position. ( P.158)
Pull the head restraint up while
pressing the lock release button
.
If the head restraint touches the
ceiling, making the removal difficult,
change the seat he ight or angle.
(  P.153, 154)
Front seats
Second seats
Third center seat
Align the head restraint with the
installation holes and push it
down to the lock position.
Press and hold the lock release
button when lowering the
head restraint.
Front seats
Removing the head
restraints
Installing the head
restraints

1743-4. Adjusting the steering wheel and mirrors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
SymptomLikely causeSolution
The image is diffi-
cult to see.
The mirror surface is dirty.
Clean the mirror surface
gently, using a soft dry
cloth.
Sunlight or headlights are
shining directly into the Dig-
ital Rearview Mirror.
Change to optical mirror
mode.
(If the light is coming
through the moon roof or
panoramic moon roof,
close the sunshade or
electronic sunshade.)
• The vehicle is in a dark area.
• The vehicle is near a TV tower, broadcasting sta-
tion, electric power plant,
or other location where
strong radio waves or
electrical noise may be
present.
• The temperature around the camera is extremely
high/low.
• The ambient temperature is extremely low.
• It is raining or humid.
• Sunlight or headlights are shining directly into the
camera lens.
• The vehicle is under fluo- rescent lights, sodium
lights, mercury lights, etc.
• Exhaust gas is obstruct- ing the camera.
Change to optical mirror
mode.
(Change back to digital
mirror mode when the
conditions have
improved.)

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

1914-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_Uslippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to
rain, because the road surface will
be especially slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when
driving on an expressway in the
rain, because there may be a
layer of water between the tires
and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from
operating properly.
■ECO Accelerator Guidance
(
 P.94, 103)
It is easier to driv e in an Eco-friendly
manner by driving while referring to
the ECO Accelerator Guidance dis-
play. Also, by using the ECO Accel-
erator Guidance it is easier to
increase the “Eco Score” evaluation.
●When starting off:
While staying within the ECO
Accelerator Guidance range,
gradually depress the accelerator
pedal and accelerate to the
desired speed. If excessive accel-
eration is avoided, the “Start”
score will increase.
●When driving:
After accelerating to the desired
speed, release the accelerator
pedal and drive at a stable speed
within the ECO Accelerator Guid-
ance range. By keeping the vehi-
cle within the ECO Accelerator
Guidance range, the “Cruise”
score will increase.
●When stopping:
When stopping the vehicle, early
releasing the accelerator pedal
will cause the “Stop” score to
increase.
■Restraining the hybrid system
output (Brake Override System)
●When the accelerator and brake
pedals are depressed at the same
time, the hybrid system output
may be restrained.
●A warning message is displayed
on the multi-information display
and head-up display (if equipped) while the system is operating.
■Restraining sudden start
(Drive-Start Control)
●When the following unusual oper-
ation is performed, the hybrid sys-
tem output may be restrained.
• When the shift lever is shifted from R to D, D to R, N to R, P to D, or P
to R (D includes S) with the accel-
erator pedal depressed, a warning
message appears on the
multi-information display and
head-up display (if equipped). If a
warning message is shown on the
multi-information display and
head-up display (if equipped),
read the message and follow the
instructions.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed too much while the
vehicle is in reverse.
●While Drive-Start Control is being
activated, your vehicle may have
trouble escaping from the mud or
fresh snow. In su ch case, deacti-
vate TRAC ( P.326) to cancel
Drive-Start Control so that the
vehicle may become able to
escape from the mud or fresh
snow.
●AWD models: Drive-Start Control
does not work when Trail Mode is
turned on.
■Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle,
observing the following precautions
is recommended:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 600 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.