Toyota Highlander 2012 Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Before driving

When driving

Interior features

Maintenance and care

When trouble arises

Vehicle specifications

For owners

Index

Adjusting and operating features such as door locks, mirrors, and steering column.

Driving, stopping and safe-driving information.

Air conditioning and audio systems, as well as other interior features for a comfortable driving experience.

Cleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it- yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.

What to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat tire, or is involved in an accident.

Detailed vehicle information.

Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners

Alphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

1		Before driving
1-1.		Key information
		Keys .....................................	32
1-2. Opening, closing and
		locking the doors
		Smart key system.................	35
		Wireless remote control .......	48
		Side doors ............................	54
		Back door .............................	60
		Glass hatch ..........................	70
1-3.		Adjustable components
		(seats, mirrors,
		steering wheel)
		Front seats ...........................	74
		Rear seats............................	77
		Head restraints.....................	85
		Seat belts .............................	88
		Steering wheel .....................	94
		Anti-glare inside rear
		view mirror..........................	95
		Outside rear view mirrors .....	98
1-4. Opening and closing the
		windows and moon roof
		Power windows ..................	101
		Moon roof ...........................	104
1-5.		Refueling
		Opening the fuel tank
		cap ...................................	109

1-6. Theft deterrent system
		Engine immobilizer
		system ..............................	113
		Alarm ..................................	116
		Theft prevention labels
		(U.S.A.).............................	120
1-7.		Safety information
		Correct driving posture .......	121
		SRS airbags .......................	123
		Front passenger occupant
		classification system.........	135
		Child restraint systems .......	142
		Installing child restraints .....	147
2		When driving
2-1.		Driving procedures
		Driving the vehicle ..............	160
		Engine (ignition) switch
		(vehicles with smart
		key system) ......................	170
		Engine (ignition) switch
		(vehicles without smart
		key system) ......................	174
		Automatic transmission ......	177
		Turn signal lever .................	182
		Parking brake .....................	183
		Horn....................................	184
2-2.		Instrument cluster
		Gauges and meters ............	185
		Indicators and warning
		lights .................................	187
		Multi-information display.....	191

2

2-3. Operating the lights and
wipers
Headlight switch..................	200
Fog light switch ...................	206
Windshield wipers and
washer ..............................	208
Rear window wiper and
washer ..............................	212
2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control......................	215
Rear view monitor
system ..............................	219
Driving assist systems ........	223
Hill-start assist control.........	228
Downhill assist control
system (4WD models) ......	230
2-5. Driving information
Off-road precautions ...........	233
Cargo and luggage .............	238
Vehicle load limits ...............	242
Winter driving tips ...............	243
Trailer towing ......................	247
Dinghy towing .....................	265

3 Interior features

	3-1. Using the air conditioning		1
	system and defogger
	Front manual air
	..........conditioning system	268
	Front automatic air
	conditioning system..........	275	2
	Rear manual air
	conditioning system..........	283
	Rear automatic air
	conditioning system..........	286	3
	Rear window and
	outside rear view
	...............mirror defoggers	289
	Windshield wiper de-icer	291
	Using the steering wheel		4
	climate remote control
	switches ...........................	292
	3-2. Using the audio system
			5
	Audio system	293
	Using the radio ...................	297
	...........Using the CD player	304
	Playing back MP3 and
	WMA discs .......................	312	6
	Operating an iPod ..............	320
	Operating a USB
	memory ............................	327
	Optimal use of the audio		7
	system..............................	335
	Using the AUX port.............	339
	Using the steering wheel
	..................audio switches	341
	Detachable pole
	antenna ............................	344

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Index

3-3. Using the Bluetooth® audio
system
Bluetooth® audio system....	347
Using the Bluetooth®
audio system....................	350
Operating a Bluetooth®
enabled portable player ...	355
Setting up a Bluetooth®
enabled portable player ...	357
Bluetooth® audio system
setup ................................	362
3-4. Using the hands-free
phone system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)
features ............................	363
Using the hands-free
phone system...................	367
Making a phone call ...........	376
Setting a cellular phone......	380
Security and system
setup ................................	385
Using the phone book ........	389
3-5. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list .................	396
• Personal/interior light
main switch ......................	397
• Personal/interior lights......	397
• Interior light ......................	398

3-6. Using the storage features
List of storage features .......	399
• Glove box .........................	400
• Console box .....................	401
• Overhead console ............	402
• Cup holders ......................	403
• Bottle holders ...................	407
• Auxiliary boxes .................	408
• Side table .........................	410
3-7. Other interior features
Sun visors...........................	412
Vanity mirrors .....................	413
Clock...................................	414
Conversation mirror ............	415
Power outlets......................	416
Seat heaters .......................	420
Armrests .............................	422
Floor mat ............................	423
Luggage compartment
features ............................	424
Garage door opener ...........	429
Compass ............................	435

4

4		Maintenance and care
4-1. Maintenance and care
		Cleaning and protecting
		the vehicle exterior............	440
		Cleaning and protecting
		the vehicle interior.............	443
4-2.		Maintenance
		Maintenance
		requirements.....................	446
		General maintenance..........	449
		Emission inspection and
		maintenance (I/M)
		programs...........................	452
4-3.		Do-it-yourself maintenance
		Do-it-yourself service
		precautions .......................	453
		Hood ...................................	457
		Positioning a floor jack ........	459
		Engine compartment...........	463
		Tires ....................................	478
		Tire inflation pressure .........	487
		Wheels ................................	490
		Air conditioning filter............	493
		Wireless remote control/
		electronic key battery........	496
		Checking and replacing
		fuses .................................	499
		Light bulbs...........................	510

5		When trouble arises
5-1.		Essential information
					1
		Emergency flashers	518
		If your vehicle needs to
		...........................be towed	519
		If you think something
		is wrong............................	526		2
		Fuel pump shut off
		system..............................	527
5-2. Steps to take in an
					3
		emergency
		If a warning light turns on
		or a warning buzzer
		sounds	528
		If a warning message is			4
		displayed ..........................	539
		If you have a flat tire ...........	540
		If the engine will not start....	554
		If the shift lever cannot be			5
		shifted from P	556
		If you lose your keys/
		wireless remote control
		transmitter	557
		If the electronic key does			6
		not operate properly .........	558
		If the battery is
		discharged........................	560
		If your vehicle overheats ....	564		7

5

		TABLE OF CONTENTS	Index
		If the vehicle becomes
		stuck.................................	567
		If your vehicle has to
		be stopped in an
		emergency .......................	569
6		Vehicle specifications
6-1.		Specifications
		Maintenance data
		(fuel, oil level, etc.) ...........	572
		Fuel information .................	587
		Tire information ..................	590
6-2.		Customization
		Customizable features .......	602
6-3.		Initialization
		Items to initialize.................	606
7		For owners
		Reporting safety defects
		for U.S. owners ................	608
		Seat belt instructions
		for Canadian owners
		(in French)........................	609
		SRS airbag instructions
		for Canadian owners
		(in French)........................	611

Index
Abbreviation list ........................	622
Alphabetical index ....................	624
What to do if... .......................... 633

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

7

Pictorial index Exterior

Headlights (low beam)

P. 200

Pole antenna P. 344

Hood P. 457

		Windshield wipers					P. 208
				Moon roof
							P. 104
					Outside rear view
					mirrors
							P. 98

Parking, front side marker and front turn signal lights

P. 182, 200

Fog lights P. 206

Headlights (high beam) and daytime running lights

P. 200

8

Rear window defogger

P. 289

Glass hatch

Back door

P. 60

P. 70

Side doors

P. 54

Rear window wiper

P. 212

License

plate lights

Tires

P. 200

Rear turn signal lights

P. 182

Rotation

●

P. 478

Replacement

P. 540

●

Stop/tail and rear side

●

P. 584

Inflation pressure

marker lights

●

P. 200

P. 590

Information

Fuel filler door

P. 109

: If equipped

9

Pictorial index			Interior
	Front seats		P. 74	Console box	P. 401
Seat belts	P. 88			Bottle holders	P. 407
Head restraints		P. 85		SRS driver airbag
Power window switches		P. 101		P. 123
Rear seats		P. 77		SRS driver knee
				airbag P. 123
	C

Cup holders				SRS front passenger
		P. 403
Armrests				airbag	P. 123
		P. 422

SRS side airbags P. 123

10

A
			Cup holders P. 403
			Cup holders	P. 403
Shift lever	P. 177
Shift lock
override button
P. 556
			Power outlet P. 416
“DAC” switch*1		P. 230	“SNOW” switch P. 178
			*1: 4WD models
				11

Pictorial index	Interior
B
	Inside door lock button	P. 55
	Window lock switch		P. 101
Power window switches P. 101
	Door lock switch	P. 55
12

C
Vanity mirrors	P. 413
Sun visors	P. 412
Garage door opener switches					P. 429
Moon roof switches			P. 104
Personal/interior lights			P. 397
		Rear seat entertainment system , *2
				Interior light		P. 398
				Personal/interior lights				P. 397
					Interior light		P. 398
	SRS curtain shield airbags						P. 123
Overhead console		P. 402
Conversation mirror		P. 415
Compass	P. 435
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror				P. 95
	: If equipped
	*2: Refer to “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
								13

Pictorial index	Interior
D
Rear air
conditioning
system		Cup holders	P. 403
P. 283, 286
Console box		P. 401
14

E
Auxiliary box	P. 408
Side table	P. 410
Cup holders	P. 403
	: If equipped
	15

P. 94

Pictorial index

Instrument panel

Engine (ignition) switch

(vehicles with smart key system)

P. 170

Rear view monitor system

Windshield wiper and

P. 219

Multi-information display

washer switch

P. 208

P. 191

Clock

Rear window wiper and

P. 414

washer switch

P. 212

Power back door

Fog light switch

main switch

P. 206

Headlight switch

P. 200

P. 62

Turn signal lever

P. 182

Glove box

Gauges and

P. 400

meters

P. 185

Horn

P. 184

Tire pressure warning reset switch P. 480 Floor mat P. 423

Tilt and telescopic steering lock release lever

Parking brake pedal		P. 183
Hood release lever
		P. 457

Fuel filler door opener P. 109

Auxiliary box P. 408

16

A
			Instrument panel light control dial	P. 186
Windshield wiper de-icer			Power back door switch
switch	P. 291		P. 60
Outside rear view			Enhanced VSC/TRAC off switch		P. 224
mirror switches		P. 98
			: If equipped
					17

Pictorial index	Instrument panel
B
Audio remote control switches P. 341
Climate remote control switches			P. 292
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles		“DISP” switch		P. 192
without smart key system)
P. 174
		Cruise control switch
Telephone switch , *2	P. 368	P. 215
	Talk switch , *2		P. 368
18

C
Vehicles without navigation system
		Audio system
		P. 293
Security indicator P. 113, 116
	Emergency flasher switch	P. 518
Vehicles with navigation system
		Rear view
		monitor/navigation
		system*2
Security indicator	P. 113, 116
	Emergency flasher switch	P. 518
	: If equipped
	*2: Refer to “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
		19

P. 289

Pictorial index Instrument panel

D

Vehicles with a front manual air conditioning system

Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger Air conditioning switch /rear window defogger switch system P. 268

Vehicles with a front automatic air conditioning system

Air conditioning

Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger

switch /rear window defogger switch

system

P. 289

P. 275

20

E
Vehicles without seat heater
AUX port	P. 339		Power outlet			P. 416
AUX port/USB port
P. 320, 327, 339		Auxiliary box	P. 408
Vehicles with seat heater
AUX port/USB port			Power outlet		P. 416
P. 320, 327, 339
		Seat heater knobs		P. 420
						: If equipped
						21

Pictorial index	Luggage compartment
A/V input port , *2
Power outlet		Power outlet	P. 416
P. 416		Luggage cover		P. 425
A
	Auxiliary box	P. 424
	Cargo hooks	P. 424
	Grocery bag hooks P. 424
22

A
Power back door switch	P. 61
Back door strap		P. 60
: If equipped
*2: Refer to “Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
		23

For your information

Main Owner’s Manual

Please note that this manual covers all models and all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.

All specifications provided in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of the Toyota policy of continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Depending on specifications, the vehicle shown in the illustrations may differ from your vehicle in terms of equipment.

Noise from under vehicle after turning off the engine

Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

Accessories, spare parts and modification of your Toyota

A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for Toyota vehicles are currently available on the market. You should know that these parts are not covered by Toyota warranty and that Toyota is not responsible for their performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.

This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Toyota products. Modification with non-genuine Toyota products may affect performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from the modification may not be covered under warranty.

24

Installation of a mobile two-way radio system

The installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as:

●Multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system ●Cruise control system

●Anti-lock brake system ●SRS airbag system

●Seat belt pretensioner system

Be sure to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special instructions regarding installation of a mobile two-way radio system.

Scrapping of your Toyota

The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Toyota dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

Perchlorate Material

Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These components may include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote control batteries.

25

Vehicle Control and Operation Data Recording

Your Toyota is equipped with sophisticated computers that record certain information about your vehicle’s operation, such as:

•Engine speed

•Accelerator status

•Brake status

•Vehicle speed

•Shift position

The data recorded varies according to the grade level and options the vehicle is equipped with. The computers do not record conversations, sound or pictures.

● Data usage

Toyota may use the data recorded in these computers to diagnose malfunctions, conduct research and development, and improve quality.

Toyota will not disclose the recorded data to a third party except:

•With the consent of the vehicle owner or with the consent of the lessee if the vehicle is leased

•In response to an official request by the police, a court of law or a government agency

•For research purposes where the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or vehicle owner

26

● Event data recorder

Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of your vehicle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal vehicle performance.

Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is an event data recorder (EDR) that records data in a crash or near crash event.

The SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a crash or near crash event, this device may record the following information:

•Engine speed

•Whether the brake pedal was depressed or not

•Vehicle speed

•To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed

•The transmission shift position

•Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not

•Driver’s seat position

•SRS airbag deployment data

•SRS airbag system diagnostic data

•Front passenger’s occupant classification

The information above is intended to be used for the purpose of improving vehicle safety performance. Unlike general data recorders, the EDR does not record sound data such as conversation between passengers.

● Disclosure of the EDR data

Toyota will not disclose the data recorded in an EDR to a third party except when:

•An agreement from the vehicle’s owner (or the leasing company for a leased vehicle) is obtained

•Officially requested to by the police or other authorities

•Necessary, for use as a defense for Toyota in a lawsuit

•Ordered to by a court of law

However, if necessary, Toyota will:

•Use the data for research on Toyota vehicle safety performance

•Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without disclosing details of the vehicle owner, and that only when deemed necessary

•Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identification information to a non-Toyota organization for research purposes

27

CAUTION

■General precautions while driving

Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influence of alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehicle. Alcohol and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and reduce coordination, which could lead to an accident that could result in death or serious injury.

Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other drivers or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.

Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that distracts the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or reading can result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you, your occupants or others.

■General precaution regarding children’s safety

Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or use the key.

Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

28

Symbols used throughout this manual

Cautions & Notices

CAUTION

This is a warning against anything which may cause death or injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others.

NOTICE

This is a warning against anything which may cause damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the warning is ignored. You are informed about what you must or must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of damage to your Toyota and its equipment.

Symbols used in illustrations

Safety symbol

The symbol of a circle with a slash through it means “Do not”, “Do not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”.

Arrows indicating operations

Indicates the action (pushing, turning, etc.) used to operate switches and other devices.

Indicates the outcome of an operation (e.g. a lid opens).

29

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