2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER fuel consumption

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1662003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
Air conditioning system on—
Air conditioning system off—
The multiinformation display indicates
the following information.
1. Outside temperature
2. Average vehicle speed
3. Average fuel consumption
4. Instantaneous fuel consumption
5. Driving time
6. Air conditioning system on—The air conditioned temperature is displayed.
Air conditioning system off—The air
conditioned temperature is not dis-
played.
Every time you push the “INFO” button,
the display toggles through this informa-
tion.
The displayed values in the multiinforma-
tion display indicate general driving condi-
tions. Accuracy varies with driving habits
and road conditions.
You can adjust the air conditioned temper-
ature while the multiinformation is operat-
ing. 5 seconds has been passed after ad-
justing the temperature or pushing “INFO”
button, the display will be back to the
multiinformation display. 1. Outside temperature
(“OUTSIDE TEMP”)
The outside temperature display indi-
cates the outside air temperature.
The displayed temperature ranges from
22 F (30 C) up to 122 F (50 C).
If there is some abnormality in the con-
nection of the outside air temperature sen-
sor, “ F” (“ C”) will appear on the
display. If “ F” (“ C”) appears on the
display, contact your Toyota dealer.
There may be a case that “ F” (“ C”)
appears momentarily when the ignition is
quickly turned to “ON”. It is normal if it
goes out soon.
2. Average vehicle speed (“AVG MPH” or “AVG km/h”)
Average vehicle speed is calculated and
displayed based on total driving dis-
tance and total driving time with the
engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10
seconds.
To reset the calculation, push the “INFO”
button for more than 1 second.
Multiinformation display

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1672003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
3. Average fuel consumption
(“AVG MPG” or “AVG L/100 km”)
Average fuel consumption is calculated
and displayed based on total driving
distance and total fuel consumption
with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10
seconds.
To reset the calculations, push the “INFO”
button for more than 1 second.
4. Instantaneous fuel consumption (“MPG” or “L/100 km”)
The instantaneous fuel consumption is
calculated and displayed based on dis-
tance and fuel consumption for 1 sec-
onds with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 2
seconds.
Note that an accurate figure may not be
shown in the following cases.
When the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running, the display will indicate
the extremely high fuel consumption.
When the vehicle is driving down a
long slope, applying the engine brake,
the display will indicate the extremely
low fuel consumption. The calculation is reset when the ignition
switch is turned off.
5. Driving time (“E/T”)
The elapsed time after the engine starts
is displayed.
When the engine is started, driving time
is counted from 0:00. Up to 11:59 (11
hours, 59 minutes) can be displayed.
When the driving time exceeds 11:59, the
counter returns to 0:00.
The calculation is reset when the ignition
switch is turned off.
The digital clock indicates the time.
The key must be in the “ACC” or “ON”
position.
To reset the hour: Push the “H” button.
To reset the minutes: Push the “M” button.
If the electrical power source has been
disconnected from the clock, the time dis-
play will automatically be set to 1:00 (one
o’clock).
Clock

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1832003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Offroad vehicle precautions 184
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Breakin period 185
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Fuel 185
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Fuel pump shut off system 187
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Operation in foreign countries 188
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Threeway catalytic converter 188
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Engine exhaust cautions 189
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Facts about engine oil consumption 190
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Iridiumtipped spark plugs 191
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Brake system 191
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 195
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Luggage stowage precautions 195
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Limitedslip differential 196
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Your Toyota’s identification 196
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Theft prevention labels 198
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Suspension and chassis 198
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Types of tires 198
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SECTION 2

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1902003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions.
Keep the back door closed while
driving. An open or unsealed back
door may cause exhaust gases to
be drawn into the vehicle.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the back door closed.
Have the cause immediately located
and corrected.
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in main-
taining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a pis-
ton moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by highspeed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
Facts about engine oil
consumption

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
2072003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passengerandload carrying vehicle. Tow-
ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durab ility
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your
safety and the safety of others, you must
not overload your vehicle or trailer. Toyota
warranties do not apply to damage or
malfunction caused by towing a trailer for
commercial purposes. Ask your local
Toyota dealer for further details before
towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to con-
sult your Toyota dealer for further in-
formation on additional requirements
such as a towing kit, etc.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, build-
ing supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.CAUTION
The total trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo load) must
not exceed the following. Exceeding
this weight is dangerous.
Vehicles with 2AZFE engine1360 kg (3000 lb.)
Vehicles with 1MZFE engine
1585 kg (3500 lb.)
The gross combination weight (sum
of your vehicle weight plus its load
and the total trailer weight) must
not exceed the following.
Vehicles with 2AZFE engine3845 kg (8485 lb.)
Vehicles with 1MZFE engine 3620 kg (7985 lb.)
Trailer towing

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
2132003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blo cks.CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or
the posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Because insta-
bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle
trailer combination usually in-
creases as the speed increases, ex-
ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may
cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.
Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
267 in Section 72 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Keep the automatic transmission
overdrive turned on when engine
braking is not required. Driving with
the overdrive off will reduce the fuel
economy. (For details, see “Automatic
transmission” on page 115 in Section
16.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
2142003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
Avoid long engine idling. If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
Avoid engine lugging or overrev-
ving. Use a gear position suitable for
the road on which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down. Stopandgo driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal. This causes premature wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-
ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corro-
sion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in
top shape. A dirty air cleaner, improp-
er valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease,brakes not adjusted, etc. all
lower engine performance and contrib-
ute to poor fuel economy. For longer
life of all parts and lower operating
costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle
receives more frequent maintenance.
(For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manu-
al Supplement”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast
down hills. Your power steering and
brake booster will not function with-
out the engine running. Also, the
emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is run-
ning.