2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER checking oil

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IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see Checking the engine oil levelº on
page 380 in Section 7- 2.
Your engine is fitted with iridium- tipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridium- tipped spark plugs
and do not adjust gaps for your en-
gine performance and smooth drive-
ability.
The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub- systems. If either sub- system should
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will increase. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power- assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved
vacuum for one or two stopsÐbut no
more!
Iridium- tipped spark plugs Brake system

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In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to
die than a person wearing a seat
belt. Therefore, the driver and all
passengers should fasten their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is mo-
ving.

When driving off- road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle's suspension and
chassis.
NOTICE

If driving through water, such as
when crossing shallow streams,
first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive slowly and avoid
deep water.

Take all necessary safety measures
to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does
not occur.
Water entering the engine air intake
will cause severe engine damage.
Water can wash the grease from
wheel bearings, causing rusting and
premature failure, and may also en-
ter the differentials, transmission
and transfer case, reducing the gear
oil's lubricating qualities.

Sand and mud that has accumulated
in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system com-
ponents.

Always perform a maintenance in-
spection after each day of off- road
driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water.
For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, refer to the Scheduled Main-
tenance Guideº or Owner's Manual
Supplementº.
Make sure your coolant is properly pro-
tected against freezing.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non- silicate, non- amine, non- nitrite,
and non- borate coolant with long- life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant
with long- life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
See Checking the engine coolant levelº
on page 383 in Section 7- 2 for details of
coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A.ÐToyota Super Long Life
Coolantº is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about -35C
(- 31F).
For CanadaÐToyota Super Long Life
Coolantº is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about -42C
(- 44F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Winter driving tips

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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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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

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Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
2AZ- FE engine
Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
3MZ- FE engine
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a correct reading, the vehicle
should be on level ground. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under
the end and wipe it clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level while holding a rag under the
end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
NOTICE

Be careful not to drop engine oil on
the vehicle components.

To avoid drops of the engine oil
falling when you pull out the engine
oil dipstick, make sure to hold a
rag under the dipstick.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick. We recommend that you use
a funnel when adding oil.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
raise the level between low and full on the
dipstick is indicated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand- tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.):
2AZ- FE engine 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
3MZ- FE engine 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
Checking the engine oil level

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CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and
explosive hydrogen gas.

Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.

Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.

Never ingest electrolyte.

Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.

Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES

If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
immediately and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, con-
tinue to apply water with a sponge
or cloth while en route to the medi-
cal office.

If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burning, get medi-
cal attention immediately.

If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.

If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.Hold- down clamp
Terminals Ground cable
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
hold- down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off
with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose,
tighten their clamp nutsÐbut do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold- down clamp only
enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
Checking battery conditionÐ
ÐPrecautionsÐChecking battery exterior

9900X-21
99-4
- MAINTENANCEUNDER HOOD
3784 Author
: Date
:
2005 HIGHLANDER REPAIR MANUAL (RM1144U)
UNDER HOOD
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
1. GENERAL NOTES

Maintenance items may vary from country to country. Check the owner's manual supplement in which
the maintenance schedule is shown.

Every service item in the periodic maintenance schedule must be performed.

Periodic maintenance service must be performed according to whichever interval in the periodic main-
tenance schedule occurs first, the odometer reading (miles) or the time interval (months).

Maintenance service after the last period should be performed at the same interval as before unless
noted.

Failure to do even one of the items can cause the engine to run poorly and/or increase the exhaust
emissions.
2. WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
(a) Check that there is sufficient fluid in the tank.
3. ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
(a) Check that the coolant level is between the LEVEL lines on the see-through reservoir at normal tem-
perature (20°C (68°F)).
4. RADIATOR AND HOSES
(a) Check that the front of the radiator is clean and not blocked by leaves, dirt or bugs.
(b) Check the hoses for cracks, kinks, rot or loose connections.
5. BATTERY ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
(a) Check the indicator.
(b) Check that the electrolyte level of all the battery cells is between the upper and lower level lines on
the case.
6. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
(a) Check that the brake fluid levels are near the upper level line on the see-through reservoirs.
7. ENGINE DRIVE BELT
(a) Check the drive belt for fraying, cracks, wear or oiliness.
8. ENGINE OIL LEVEL
(a) Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off.
9. POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL
(a) Check the level on the dipstick.
(b) The level should be in the ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature.
10. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
(a) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
(b) With the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all the positions from ºPº
to ºLº, and then shift into the ºPº position.
(c) Pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean shop rag. Re-insert the dipstick and check that
the fluid level is in the ºHOTº range.
(d) Perform this check with the fluid at the normal driving temperature (70 to 80°C, 158 to 176°F).
HINT:
Wait until the engine cools down (approx. 30 min.) before checking the fluid level after extended driving at
high speed, in hot weather, in heavy traffic or after pulling a trailer.
11. EXHAUST SYSTEM
(a) Visually inspect for cracks, holes or loose supports.
If any change in the sound of the exhaust or the smell of the exhaust fumes is noticed, locate and correct
the cause.