
'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
366
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Your Toyota vehicle has been designed for
fewer maintenance requirements with long-
er service intervals to save both your time
and money. However, each regular mainte-
nance, as well as day- to- day care, is
more important than ever before to ensure
smooth, trouble- free, safe, and economical
drivings.
It is the owner 's responsibility to make
sure the specified maintenance, including
general maintenance service, is performed.
Note that both the new vehicle and emis-
sion control system warranties specify that
proper maintenance and care must be per-
formed. See Owner 's Warranty Informa-
tion Bookletº or Owner 's Manual Supple-
mentº for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those day-
to- day care practices that are important to
your vehicle for proper operation. It is the
owner 's responsibility to ensure that the
general maintenance items are performed
regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done
either by yourself or a qualified technician,
or if you prefer, your Toyota dealer will be
pleased to do them at a nominal cost.Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in
the Scheduled Maintenance Guideº or
Owner 's Manual Supplementº are those
required to be serviced at regular inter-
vals.
For details of your maintenance schedule,
read the Scheduled Maintenance Guideº
or Owner 's Manual Supplementº.
It is recommended that any replacement
parts used for maintenance or for the
repair of the emission control system
be Toyota supplied.
The owner may elect to use non- Toyota
supplied parts for replacement pur-
poses without invalidating the emission
control system warranty. However, use
of replacement parts which are not of
equivalent quality may impair the effec-
tiveness of the emission control sys-
tems.
You may also elect to have mainte-
nance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and system
performed by any automotive repair es-
tablishment or individual without invali-
dating this warranty. See Owner's War-
ranty Information Bookletº or Owner's
Manual Supplementº for complete war-
ranty information.Where to go for service?
Toyota technicians are well- trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information through technical
bulletins, service tips, and in- dealership
training programs. They learn to work on
Toyotas before they work on your vehicle,
rather than while they are working on it.
You can be confident that your Toyota
dealer 's service department performs the
best job to meet the maintenance require-
ments on your vehicleÐreliably and eco-
nomically.
Your copy of the repair order is proof that
all required maintenance has been per-
formed for warranty coverage. If any prob-
lems should arise with your vehicle while
under warranty, your Toyota dealer will
promptly take care of it. Again, be sure
to keep a copy of the repair order for any
service performed on your Toyota.
What about do- it- yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy
to do yourself if you have a little mechani-
cal ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to per-
form them are presented on page 371 in
Section 7.
Maintenance requirements

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
367
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
If you are a skilled do- it- yourself mechan-
ic, the Toyota service manuals are recom-
mended. Please be aware that do- it- your-
self maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See Owner 's Warranty Informa-
tion Bookletº or Owner 's Manual Supple-
mentº for the details.Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any
unusual noise, smell or vibration, you
should investigate the cause or take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer or a quali-
fied service shop immediately. It is recom-
mended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your dealer or
the qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only with ade-
quate ventilation if you run the en-
gine.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be checked
from time to time, e.g. each time when
refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the
tank. See page 399 in Section 7- 3 for
additional information.Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between
the Fº and Lº lines on the see- through
reservoir when the engine is cold. See
page 383 in Section 7- 2 for additional
information.
Radiator, condenser and hoses
Check that the front of the radiator and
condenser are clean and not blocked with
leaves, dirt or insects. See page 384 in
Section 7- 2 for additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Your Toyota has a maintenance free bat-
tery. You do not have to add distilled wa-
ter. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 396 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct.
See page 384 in Section 7- 2 for addition-
al information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the
engine turned off and the vehicle parked
on a level spot. See page 380 in Section
7- 2 for additional information.
General maintenance

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
368
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The
level should be in the HOTº or COLDº
range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 385 in Section 7- 2 for addition-
al information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have
the cause located and corrected immedi-
ately. (See Engine exhaust cautionsº on
page 295 in Section 2.)
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play.
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.Seats
Check that all seat controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. operate
smoothly and that all latches lock securely
in any position. Check that the head re-
straints move up and down smoothly and
that the locks hold securely in any latched
position. For folding- down rear seatbacks,
check that the latches lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or dam-
aged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission Parkº mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in Pº position and all brakes re-
leased.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be performed
from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all side doors and back door
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
369
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge ev-
ery two weeks, or at least once a
month. See page 385 in Section 7- 2
for additional information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts,
damage or excessive wear. See page
388 in Section 7- 2 for additional in-
formation. When checking the tires,
make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the
maintenance schedule. (For sched-
uled maintenance information, please
refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guideº or Owner 's Manual Supple-
mentº.) See page 390 in Section 7- 2
for additional information.Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip- offs that
indicate service is needed. Some impor-
tant clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however, wa-
ter dripping from the air conditioning
after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked im-
mediately.)
Flat- looking tire; excessive tire squeal
when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving
straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension
movement
Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy
feeling brake pedal; pedal almost
touches floor; vehicle pulls to one side
when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually
higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the ve-
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-
rious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
405
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications
Dimensions and weights406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel407 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service specifications407 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 8

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
410
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
Engine compartment
Tires
Ti r e siz eTi r e inf lat ion pr es s ur e
Front Rear
P225/70R16 101S
225/65R17 101S210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30)
210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30)Wheel size
166 1/2 JJ
176 1/ 2 JJ
When driving under the above load condition at sustained high speeds above
160 km/h (100 mph), in countries where such speeds are permitted by- low,
inflate the front and rear tires to the following tire inflation pressure provided
that it does not exceed the maximum cold tire inflation pressure molded
on the tire sidewall.
P225/70R16 101S tires 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm
2
or bar, 35 psi)
225/65R17 101S tires 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2
or bar, 33 psi)
Wheel nut torque, N
´m (kgf´m, ft´lbf):
103 (10.5, 76)
NOTE: For a complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing
wheels), see Checking tire inflation pressureº through Aluminum
wheel precautionsº, pages 385 through 393, in Section 7- 2. Tire size and cold tire inflation pressure:
kPa (kgf/cm
2
or bar, psi)
Fuses

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
415
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS FOR U.S.
OWNERS
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners416 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 9

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409)
1
2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)
OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Overview of instruments and controls
Instrument panel overview2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument cluster overview10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1- 1