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2009
Quick Reference Guide
MN 00505-QRG09-HL
Printed in the USA 8/08
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2009
Highlander Seatbelts-Shoulder belt anchor

OVERVIEW
Push up, or squeeze
This Quick Reference Guide is a summary of basic vehicle lock release to lower
operations. It contains brief descriptions of fundamental
operations so you can locate and use the vehicle’s main
equipment quickly and easily.
The Quick Reference Guide is not intended as a substitute for
Doors-Child safety locks
the Owner’s Manual located in your vehicle’s glove box. We
strongly encourage you to review the Owner’s Manual and Rear door
supplementary manuals so you will have a better understanding
of your vehicle’s capabilities and limitations.
Your dealership and the entire staff of Toyota Motor Sales,
U.S.A., Inc. wish you many years of satisfied driving in your
new Highlander. Moving the lever to “LOCK” will allow the door to be opened only from
the outside.
Spare tire & tools

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Tool location
Socket Jack handle Towing eyelet
adapter
Jack

! A word about safe vehicle operations Wrench Jack handle

This Quick Reference Guide is not a full description of Spare tire

Highlander operations. Every Highlander owner should review
the Owner’s Manual that accompanies this vehicle.
Removing the spare tire
Pay special attention to the boxed information highlighted in
color throughout the Owner’s Manual. Each box contains safe (1) (2) (3)
operating instructions to help you avoid injury or equipment
malfunction.

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

All information in this Quick Reference Guide is current at
the time of printing. Toyota reserves the right to make
changes at any time without notice.
(1) Remove the cover under the center deck board to find the spare tire
clamp bolt.
(2) Assemble the jack handle.
(3) Put the socket adapter on the spare tire clamp bolt. Loosen the bolt
by turning it counterclockwise with the jack handle.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for tire changing and jack positioning
procedures.
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INDEX

OVERVIEW Engine maintenance 9

Fuel tank door release and cap 8
Hood release 8
Indicator symbols 4-5

OVERVIEW
Instrument cluster 4
Instrument panel 2-3
Keyless entry1 6
Light control-Instrument panel 9
Smart Key system1,2 7

FEATURES/OPERATIONS Air Conditioning/Heating 20-22

Audio 24-25
Auto lock functions1 11
Automatic Transmission 10
Clock 22
Cruise control 23
Cup holders 27
Door locks 11
Door-Power back 12
Downhill Assist Control system (DAC) 26
Garage door opener (HomeLink®)3 23
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) 27

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Lights1 & turn signals 16
Moonroof 12
Multi-information display2 18
Parking brake 11
Power outlets-12V DC 17
Power outlets-115V AC 17
Rear seat entertainment system 26
Seat adjustments-Front 13
Seat adjustments-Rear 13
Seat heaters 22
Seats-Folding down second row seats 15
Seats-Head restraints 14
Seats-Removing Center-StowTM 14
second row seat
Seats-Stowing third row seats 14
Steering lock release 11
Steering wheel controls 25
Telephone controls (Bluetooth®) 19
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel 12
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Windows-Power 18
Windshield wipers & washers 15
Doors-Child safety locks 29
SAFETY AND
Seatbelts 28
EMERGENCY FEATURES Seatbelts-Shoulder belt anchor 29
Spare tire & tools 29
Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning) System 28
1
Visit your Toyota dealer for information on customizing this feature.
2
Programmable by customer. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for instructions and
more information.
3
HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.
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OVERVIEW

Instrument panel
Steering wheel Automatic Air Conditioning
controls (if equipped)

Steering wheel audio controls1

Steering wheel climate controls1
Multi-information display button1
Voice command button1
Telephone controls1,2
Headlight and turn signal controls/Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light controls1
Wiper and washer controls
Multi-information display1
Audio system or navigation system-integrated audio system1,2
Theft deterrent system/Engine immobilizer indicator1
Emergency flasher button
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator and front passenger
seatbelt reminder lights
Power back door main switch1
“ENGINE START STOP” button (Smart Key)1
VSC/TRAC OFF switch

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Manual Air Conditioning Vehicles without

OVERVIEW
navigation system

Vehicles with
navigation system

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning) System

Cruise control
Ignition (standard key)
Tilt and telescopic steering lock release
Power back door button1
Instrument panel light control
115V AC Power outlet ON/OFF switch1
Windshield wiper de-icer switch1
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Power rearview mirror control

Outside rearview mirror1/Rear window defogger button
Air Conditioning controls

1 If equipped
2 For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System
Owner’s Manual.”

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OVERVIEW

Instrument cluster

Tachometer
Engine coolant temperature
Service indicator and reminder
Fuel gauge
Speedometer
Trip meter reset knob
Automatic Transmission shift position indicator
Odometer and two trip meters/Automatic Transmission shift range
display

Indicator symbols
For details, refer to “Indicators and warning lights,” Section 2-2, 2009
Owner’s Manual.
Brake system warning1
Driver seatbelt reminder
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Front passenger seatbelt reminder
(alarm will sound if speed is over 12 mph)
Charging system warning1
Front passenger occupant classification or front passenger airbag
ON/OFF indicator1
Low engine oil pressure warning1

Malfunction/Check Engine indicator1

1 If indicator does not turn off within a few seconds of starting engine, there may
be a malfunction. Have vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

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Engine oil replacement reminder1

Low fuel level warning

OVERVIEW
Open door warning

Airbag SRS warning1

Master warning

Automatic Transmission fluid temperature warning1

Low Tire Pressure Warning1

Electric power steering system warning1

Low windshield washer fluid level warning1

Theft deterrent/Engine immobilizer system indicator

Headlight low/high beam indicator

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Turn signal indicator

Tail light indicator

Front fog light indicator

Slip indicator/Hill-start Assist Control indicator/Downhill Assist
Control indicator1
Vehicle Stability Control OFF indicator1

SNOW indicator

Cruise control indicator2

Downhill Assist Control indicator1

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Anti-lock Brake System warning1

Traction control OFF indicator1

2 If this light flashes, refer to “Cruise control,” Section 2-4, 2009 Owner’s Manual.

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OVERVIEW

Keyless entry
Locking operation
Without Smart Key system With Smart Key system

With power back door Without power back door Push

Unlocking operation
Without Smart Key system With Smart Key system

With power back door Without power back door

Push ONCE: Driver door
TWICE: All doors
NOTE: If a door is not opened within 30 seconds of unlocking, all doors will
relock for safety.

Glass hatch operation Power back door operation

(if equipped) (if equipped)
Without Smart Key With Smart Key
system system

With power back Without power

door back door

Push and hold Push and hold

Panic button

Push and hold

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Smart Key system (if equipped)

Start function
Green indicator ON

OVERVIEW
Depress Push
Carrying brake pedal

NOTE: Gear shift lever must be in Park and brake pedal depressed.
Power (without starting engine)
Without depressing the brake pedal, pressing the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch will change the operation mode in succession from:

ACC Accessories such as the radio will operate.

ON Power ON; the engine not running.

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
OFF All systems OFF.

Locking operation Unlocking operation

Front door lock Front door unlock*

Push
Grasp

Carry remote to lock/unlock Carry remote to lock/unlock

Glass hatch unlock Back door lock/unlock

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Lock
Push

Unlock
Push Push
Carry remote to lock/unlock Carry remote to lock/unlock
* Driver door unlocking function can be programmed to unlock driver door
only, or all doors. Grasping passenger door handle will unlock all doors.
NOTE: Doors may also be locked/unlocked using remote.
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OVERVIEW

Fuel tank door release and cap

Pull Turn

Store

NOTE: Tighten until one click is

heard. If the cap is not tightened
enough, Check Engine “ ”
indicator may illuminate.

Hood release

Pull Pull up latch and

raise hood

Engage support rod

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Light control-Instrument panel

OVERVIEW
+
Brightness
control

Engine maintenance

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Windshield washer fluid tank

Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil level dipstick
Engine coolant reservoir
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Note: Regularly scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, will

help extend the life of your vehicle and maintain performance.
Please refer to the “Owner’s Warranty Information Booklet,”
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement.”

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Automatic Transmission

Park*
Reverse
“D”
Neutral
Drive
“S” mode “S”

* The ignition switch must be “ON” and the brake pedal depressed to shift
from Park.
“S” (Sequential) mode
Shift the shift lever to “S” position from “D” position.

Floor shift type:

+: Upshift (push and release)
-: Downshift (pull and release)

Downshifting increases power going uphill, or provides engine braking

downhill. For best fuel economy during normal driving conditions, always
drive with the shift lever in the “D” position.

Snow mode

Push

The snow mode prevents sudden acceleration on slippery surfaces. Use in

snowy or icey road conditions.

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Auto lock functions

Automatic door locks can be programmed to operate in two different
modes, or turned OFF.

OVERVIEW
-Doors lock when shifting from Park.
-Doors unlock when shifting into Park.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

Steering lock release

Smart Key system Without Smart Key system

Turn
Turn Turn

Push Push

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Door locks

Unlock
Lock SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Parking brake

Set: Depress
Release: Depress again

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Tilt and telescopic steering wheel

Angle

Length

Lock release lever

Hold wheel, push lever down, set angle and length, and return lever.
Note: Do not attempt to adjust while the vehicle is in motion.

Moonroof (if equipped)

Sliding operation Tilting operation
Open
Tilt

Close Close
Recommended driving position
to minimize wind noise.

Door-Power back (if equipped)

Instrument panel Back door (close only)

Push
Push and hold Open: Push and hold
Close: Push and hold again
NOTE: If battery is disconnected, the power back door needs to be
reinitialized. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

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Seat adjustments-Front
Manual seat Power seat

OVERVIEW
Seat position (forward/backward)
Seat cushion angle
Height crank (driver side only)
Seatback angle
Seat position, cushion angle and height
Driver seat leg support (if equipped)
Lumbar support (driver side only)

Seat adjustments-Rear

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Second row seat
Without third seat With third seat

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Seat position (forward/backward)

Seatback angle
Third seat access lever
Seatback release
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Seats-Head restraints
Front Rear

Height Angle (if equipped)

Lock release button Lock release button

Seats-Removing Center-StowTM
second row seat
(1) (2) (3)

(4) (5)

(1) Remove the second row console from the front center console box.
(2) Lower the center head restraint.
(3) Pull the strap, then fold down the seatback.
(4) Pull the lever behind the second center seat and lift the rear of the
seat to remove.
(5) Stow the seat in the front center console box.
NOTE: The second-row console can now be installed between the second
row seats.
Seats-Stowing third row seats
(if equipped)

Pull
Fold down

Pull

Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

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Seats-Folding down second row seats

(if equipped)

OVERVIEW
From outside

Left side/center remote seat release

Right side remote seat release

(1) Pull up
From inside

(2) Fold down

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Windshield wipers & washers
Front
Single wipe
Adjust frequency*

Interval wipe
* Intermittent windshield
wiper frequency adjustment Slow
Rotate to increase/decrease
Pull to wash and wipe Fast
wipe frequency.
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Rear

Wash and wipe

Wipe
Interval wipe
Wash and wipe

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Lights & turn signals

Headlights
With DRL OFF switch Without DRL OFF switch

Auto
Headlights Headlights
Parking lights Parking lights
Auto
DRL OFF

Low beam High beam flasher

High beam

-Daytime Running Light system (DRL) (if equipped) Automatically turns

on the turn signal lights at a reduced intensity.
-Automatic light cut off system Automatically turns lights off after a
delay of 30 seconds.

Front fog lights (if equipped)

Turn

Front fog lights come on only when the headlights are on low beam.

Turn signals
Right turn

Lane change

Lane change

Left turn

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Power outlets-12V DC
Instrument panel (with seat heater) Instrument panel (without seat heater)

OVERVIEW
Center console Luggage compartment

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Key/Engine switch must be in the “ACC” or “ON” position to be used.

Power outlets-115V AC (if equipped)

ON/OFF switch Beside second row seat SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Key/Engine switch must be in the “ON” position to be used.

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Multi-information display (if equipped)

Push “DISP” to change information in the following:

(1) Average gas mileage after refueling
(2) Current gas mileage
(3) Miles left on remaining fuel
(4) Driving distance from engine start
(5) Average gas mileage
(6) Average gas mileage history
Push and hold “DISP” to set up the displays and the rearview
monitor displays.

Windows-Power
Driver side
Window lock
switch
Up

Down

Automatic operation (Driver’s window only) Push the switch completely

down or pull it completely up and release to fully open or close. To stop
window midway, lightly push the switch in the opposite direction.
Window lock switch Deactivates all passenger windows. Driver’s window
remains operable.

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Telephone controls (Bluetooth®)

(if equipped)
Audio unit Microphone

OVERVIEW
Steering wheel telephone controls

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Volume

Voice command
button
End call

Start call
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Bluetooth® technology allows dialing or receipt of calls without taking

hands from the steering wheel or using a cable to connect the telephone
and the system.
Refer to “Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone),” Section 3-4 in
the Owner’s Manual for more details.

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Air Conditioning/Heating
Front manual Air Conditioning

Fan speed
Outside rearview mirror (if equipped)/Rear window defogger
Temperature selector
Fresh or recirculated cabin air
Airflow vent
In “ ” or “ ” mode, use fresh air (“ ” indicator OFF) to
reduce window fogging.
Air Conditioning ON/OFF
Use fresh air to quickly cool interior, then change to recirculate for
cooler air.
Use for quick cooling. MAX A/C changes air intake to recirculate.
Rear Air Conditioning ON/OFF

Rear manual Air Conditioning (if equipped)

Airflow vent
Temperature selector
Fan speed

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Front automatic Air Conditioning

With rear Air Conditioning Without rear Air
Conditioning

OVERVIEW
FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Automatic climate control ON
Adjusting the temperature setting will cause the airflow vents, air
intake and fan to adjust automatically.
Windshield airflow/defogger
Rear Air Conditioning ON/OFF
Fan speed
Outside rearview mirror (if equipped)/Rear window defogger
Fresh or recirculated cabin air
Temperature selector (front passenger side)
Air Conditioning ON/OFF
“DUAL” button
Indicator ON: Separate temperature settings for driver, front
passenger and rear passengers.
Indicator OFF: Synchronize temperature settings for driver and all
passengers.
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Temperature selector (rear passenger)

Airflow vent
In “ ” or “ ” mode, use fresh air (“ ” indicator OFF) to
reduce window fogging.
Climate control OFF
Temperature selector (driver side)

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Rear automatic Air Conditioning (if equipped)

Fan speed
Temperature selector
Airflow vent
Automatic climate control ON
Climate control OFF

Seat heaters (if equipped)

Driver’s seat

Turn
Push Push

Front passenger’s seat

Push knob to pop the controller out. Turn clockwise for heater.

Clock
Without multi-information display With multi-information display
H-Hour set
M-Minute set

With multi-information display Press and hold “DISP” button. Select

“CLOCK” on menu screen. Adjust as indicated on screen.

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Cruise control
Turning system ON/OFF

OVERVIEW
System ON/OFF

Functions

Increase speed Resume2

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
Cancel1

Set
Decrease speed
1 The set speed may also be cancelled by depressing the brake pedal.
2 The set speed may be resumed once vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph.

Garage door opener (HomeLink®)*

(if equipped)
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Garage door openers manufactured under license from HomeLink®* can

be programmed to operate garage doors, estate gates, security lighting, etc.
Refer to “Garage door opener,” Section 3-7 in the Owner’s Manual for
more details.
For programming assistance, contact the Toyota Customer Experience
Center at 1-800-331-4331, or visit [Link]
* HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Audio
Type 1 Preset buttons - functions in other
modes indicated above number

Eject CD Mute
Station/CD View CD
track scan text

Push to turn Push to

ON/OFF Seek station/ Push to skip adjust tone
CD track select Mode up/down folder and & balance
radio category type
Type 2 additional functions

Load CD(s)

AM/Satellite Radio

Type 3 (with JBL speakers and Bluetooth® function)

CD PLAYER
To scan tracks on a disc Push and hold “SCAN.” Push again to hold
selection.
CD changer (Types 2 and 3 only)
-To load one disc Push “LOAD” and insert one disc.
-To load multiple discs Push and hold “LOAD” until you hear a beep.
Insert one disc. Shutter will close and then re-open for next disc.
To select a file (MP3/WMA only) Turn “[Link].”
To select a folder (MP3/WMA only) Push either side of “FOLDER.”
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RADIO
To preset stations Tune in the desired station and hold down a preset
button (1-6) until you hear a beep. Push desired preset button (1-6) to

OVERVIEW
select.
To scan stations Push and hold “SCAN” to scan preset stations. Push again
to hold selection.
AUX audio jack
Without seat heater With seat heater

By inserting a mini plug into the AUX audio jack, you can listen to music

FEATURES/OPERATIONS
from a portable audio device through the vehicle’s speaker system while
in AUX mode.

Steering wheel controls (if equipped)

Audio control A/C control

Temperature
Volume control selector
A/C OFF Auto A/C
ON
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

v
“v ”
-In radio mode Push to select a preset station; push and hold to seek
the next strong station.
-In CD mode Push to skip up or down to next/previous track.
“MODE”
Push to turn audio ON and select an audio mode. Push and hold to turn
the audio system OFF.

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FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Rear seat entertainment system

(if equipped)

Remote control
DVD player
Headphone volume control and headphone jacks
DVD screen
115V AC Power outlet ON/OFF switch
Front audio system
A/V input adapter
115V AC Power outlet
Wireless headphones

Downhill Assist Control system (DAC)

(if equipped)

Slip indicator blinking, DAC indicator

DAC indicator blinking = DAC not engaged solid = DAC engaged
DAC helps the vehicle to descend steep hills while maintaining a low speed
without brake pedal operation. Press the “DAC” button (system will
engage only when shifter is in S1 or R mode). Pressing the button again
will turn system off.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.
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Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

OVERVIEW
Brake
pedal

HAC helps prevent rolling backwards on an incline. To engage, push

further down on brake pedal while at a complete stop until a beep sounds
and slip indicator illuminates. HAC holds for approximately 2 seconds after
releasing brake pedal.
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for more details.

Cup holders
Front

FEATURES/OPERATIONS

Console box Rear

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES

Side table

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SAFETY AND
EMERGENCY FEATURES
Seatbelts

Take up slack

Too high

Keep as low on
hips as possible

If belt is fully extended, then retracted even slightly, it cannot be

re-extended beyond that point, unless fully retracted again. This feature
is used to help hold child restraint systems securely.
To find more information about seatbelts, and how to install a child
restraint system, refer to the Owner's Manual.

Tire Pressure Monitoring (warning)

System

System reset initialization

1. Push and hold “ SET” button
until the indicator blinks 3 times.
2. Wait a few minutes to allow
initialization to complete.

After adjusting tire pressures, or after tires have been rotated or

replaced, turn the ignition switch to “ON” and press and hold the
“ SET” button until indicator blinks three times. Let the vehicle sit for
a few minutes to allow initialization to complete.
Refer to the load label on the door jamb or the Owner’s Manual for tire
inflation specifications.
If the tire pressure indicator flashes for more than 60 seconds and then
remains on, take the vehicle to your local Toyota dealer.
Note: The warning light may come on due to temperature changes or
changes in tire pressure from natural air leakage. If the system has not
been initialized recently, setting the tire pressures to factory
specifications should turn off the light.

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