What does the snow button do on a 2012 Toyota Highlander?

"Snow mode" in the Toyota Highlander is a godsend, especially if You live in a chillier climate. In the case of the 2012 and similar model years, the functionality is really simple yet at the same time brilliant; it optimizes Your driving procedures for poor driving conditions, in order to maximize grip on the road and reduce the chances of sliding and having an accident. First, snow mode will start You off in second gear, so there's not as much torque moving You from a standstill to initial motion. This gives You more traction on poor roads. It also adjusts Your computer's shift points ever so slightly, so You won't rev as much; the Highlander will upshift before hitting such high RPMs.