Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 50

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4-1. Before driving

● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may over-

heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85

°F [30°C]) when driving

up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. 
(

→P. 644)

● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s

wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:

Apply the brakes and keep them applied.

Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle’s and
trailer’s wheels.

When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.

Apply the parking brake firmly.

Shift into P and turn off the engine.

● When restarting after parking on a slope:

With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.

Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.

Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.

Have someone retrieve the blocks.

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4-1. Before driving

4

Drivin

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Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height

■

Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:

●

Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (

→P. 660)

●

Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommen-
dation.

●

All trailer lights work as required by law.

●

All lights work each time you connect 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/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for tow-
ing purposes.

No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.

Coupler

Trailer ball

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4-1. Before driving

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Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota rec-
ommends 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 vehicle at a speed
of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.

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Maintenance

●

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)

●

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 control trailer swaying by turning the steering wheel.

• Begin releasing the accelerator pedal immediately but very gradually 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 occupants 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 overloaded 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 combination. Drive at a
lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases.

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4-1. Before driving

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WARNING

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Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance
with the trailer’s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability
and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing
a trailer.

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To avoid accident or injury

●

Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.

●

If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (900 kg), a sway control device
with sufficient capacity is required.

●

If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2200 kg), a weight distributing
hitch with sufficient capacity is required.

●

Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.

●

Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit or the
speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’s manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in cross
winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certain speed, slow
down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the speed of
which you experience the instability.

●

Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.

●

Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or slippery sur-
faces.

●

Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.

●

Do not use dynamic radar cruise control when towing.

●

Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.