2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER check engine

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CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS (except the low fuel level
warning light and low windshield
washer fluid level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back
door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ONº, but do
not start the engine.
All the service reminder indicators ex-
cept the open door warning light should
come on. The ABSº and VSCº warn-
ing lights, low tire pressure warning
light and engine oil replacement re-
minder light go off after a few seconds.
The SRS warning light goes off after
about 6 seconds. (The TRAC OFFº
indicator light, slip indicator light, AIR-
BAG ONº indicator light and AIRBAG
OFFº indicator light also come on and
go off after a few seconds.)
If any service reminder indicator or warn-
ing buzzer does not function as described
above, have it checked by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

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The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of front
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ONº,
the system automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the trac-
tion control system is in the self- check
mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
front wheels. At this time, the slip indi-
cator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your
vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to ONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Traction control system
(two- wheel drive models)

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In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to ONº.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to ONº.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The TRAC OFFº indicator light will come
on when the VSCº warning light comes
on even if the TRAC OFFº switch is not
pushed.The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of 4
wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ONº,
the system automatically turns on.CAUTION
Under certain slippery road condi-
tions, full traction of the vehicle and
power against 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction
control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or
maneuvering conditions which may
cause the vehicle to lose traction
control. In situations where the road
surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with
snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious
speed for the present road condi-
tions.
NORMAL DRIVING MODE
Leave the system on during the ordi-
nary driving so that it can operate
when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the trac-
tion control system is in the self- check
mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
Traction control system
(four- wheel drive models)

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The vehicle stability control system
helps provide comprehensive control of
the systems such as anti- lock brake
system, traction control, engine control,
etc. This system automatically controls
the brakes and engine to help prevent
the vehicle from skidding when corner-
ing on a slippery road surface or oper-
ating steering wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9
mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the sys-
tem is in the self- check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the ve-
hicle stability control system. Even
if the system is operating, it cannot
completely eliminate the possibility
of an accident. Always keep safe
driving in mind, as reckless driving
increases the risk of an accident. If
the slip indicator light blinks, spe-
cial care should be taken while
driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The
size, manufacture, brand and tread
pattern for all 4 tires should be the
same. If you use the tires other
than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle stability control
system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels,
contact your Toyota dealer. (See
Checking and replacing tiresº on
page 388 in Section 7- 2.)
If the vehicle is going to skid during driv-
ing, the slip indicator light blinks and an
alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition key is turned
to ONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
Vehicle stability control
system

Explanation of Maintenance Items
37
Differential Oil
Replace at specified intervals. When performing inspections, check each
component for signs of leakage. If you discover any leakage, have it repaired
by a qualified technician immediately.
Drive Belts
Inspect for cracks, excessive wear and oiliness. Check the belt tension and
adjust if necessary. Replace the belts if they are damaged.
Drive Shaft Boots
Check the drive shaft boots and clamps for cracks, deterioration and damage.
Replace any deteriorated or damaged parts and, if necessary, repack the grease.
Selected models also require periodic inspection of the drive shaft bolt for proper
torque. A qualified technician should perform these operations.
Engine Air Filter
Replace at specified intervals. When performing inspections, check for damage,
excessive wear and oiliness, and replace if necessary.
Engine Coolant
Drain and flush the cooling system and refill with an ethyleneglycol type
coolant. Inspect the radiator, condenser and/or intercooler for leaves, dirt and
insects and clean if necessary. Inspect hoses and connections for corrosion and
leaks. Tighten connections and replace parts as necessary. A qualified technician
should perform these operations. (For further details, refer to “Radiator,
Condenser and Hoses” in the “Vehicle Maintenance and Care” section of the
Owner’s Manual.)
Note:YourToyota is equipped with Genuine Toyota Super LongLife Coolant. The
replacementintervals for engine coolant recommended in this booklet are based
on replacement with Genuine Toyota Super LongLife Coolant or similar high
quality nonsilicate, nonamine, nonborate ethyleneglycol coolant with
longlife hybrid organic acid technology (i.e., a combination of low phosphates
and organic acids). If another type of ethyleneglycol coolant is used, replacementintervals may be different.
Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Replace the oil filter and drain and refill the engine oil at specified intervals.
For recommended oil grade and viscosity, refer to the
Owner’s Manual.

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Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition
cable carry high currents or volt-
ages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.

Add only Toyota Super Long Life
Coolantº or similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based non- silicate,
non- amine, non- nitrite, and non- bo-
rate coolant with long- life hybrid
organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. Toyota Super Long Life
Coolantº is a mixture of 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water (for
the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water (for Canada).

If you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.

Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug holes.

Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.

Do not reuse iridium- tipped spark
plugs by cleaning or regapping.

Do not overfill automatic transmis-
sion fluid and power steering fluid,
or the transmission and power
steering could be damaged.

Do not drive with the air cleaner
filter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.

Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.

When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Front
Rear (two- wheel drive models)
Positioning the jack

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Rear (four- wheel drive models)
When jacking up your vehicle with the
jack, position the jack correctly as
shown in the illustrations.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the
following to reduce the possibility of
personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not put any part of your body
under the vehicle supported by the
jack. Personal injury may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by the
jack.
Stop the vehicle on a level firm
ground, firmly set the parking brake
and put the transmission in Pº.
Block the wheels on the opposite
side of the jack up point if neces-
sary.
Make sure to set the jack properly
in the jack point. Raising the ve-
hicle with jack improperly posi-
tioned will damage the vehicle or
may allow the vehicle to fall off the
jack and cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when
the vehicle is supported by the jack
alone; use vehicle support stands.
Do not raise the vehicle with some-
one in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not
place any objects on top of or un-
derneath the jack.
NOTICE
Make sure to place the jack correctly,
or your vehicle may be damaged.
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform do- it- yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
Toyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equiva-
lent
See page 380 in Section 7- 2 for de-
tails about engine oil selection.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non- silicate, non- amine, non- ni-
trite, and non- borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology.
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for
Canada).
Parts and tools

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DO- IT- YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level380 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level383 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser384 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid384 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid385 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure385 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires388 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires390 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains390 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels392 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions393 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 7- 2