2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER weight

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
642003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
Improperly seated and/or restrained
infants and children can be killed
or seriously injured by the deploy-
ing airbags. An infant or child who
is too small to use a seat belt
should be properly secured using a
child restraint system. Toyota
strongly recommends that all in-
fants and children be placed in the
rear seat of the vehicle and proper-
ly restrained. The rear seat is the
safest for infants and children. For
instructions concerning the installa-
tion of a child restraint system, see
“Child restraint” on page 66 in this
section.
Do not allow a child to lean his/her
head or any part of his/her body
against the front door or the area
of the seat from which the side air-
bag deploys even if he/she is
seated in the child restraint system.
It is dangerous if the side airbag
inflates, and the impact could cause
death or serious injury to the child.
For instructions concerning the
installation of a child restraint sys-
tem, see “Child restraint” on page
66 in this section.
Do not lean against the front door
when the vehicle is in use, since
the side airbag inflates with consid-
erable speed and force. Otherwise,
you may be killed or be seriously
injured. Special care should be tak-
en especially when you have a
small child in the vehicle.
Sit up straight and well back in the
seat, distributing your weight evenly
in the seat. Do not apply excessive
weight to the outer side of the front
seats on vehicles with side airbags.
Do not attach a cup holder or any
other device or object on or around
the door. When the side airbag in-
flates, the cup holder or any other
device or object will be thrown with
great force or the side airbag may
not activate correctly, resulting in
death or serious injury. Likewise,
the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their
arms or on their knees.

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1072003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition key is in the “ON” posi-
tion.
When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position even after the parking brake
is released.
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Toyota dealer in the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion key is in the “ON” position.
The light does not come on even if the
ignition key is turned on with the park-
ing brake released. A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will become longer. De-
press the brake pedal firmly and
bring the vehicle to an immediate
stop.
The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the “ABS”
warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to “ON” or
“START”, the reminder light flashes and
buzzer sounds if the driver ’s seat belt is
not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the
belt, the light keeps flashing and the
buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger ’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light reminds you to buckle up the
front passenger ’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to “ON” or
“START”, the reminder light flashes if a
passenger sits in the front passenger seat
and does not fasten the seat belt. Howev-
er, if a front passenger uses an additional
seat cushion, the light may not flash even
when the seat belt is not buckled up.
If luggage load is placed on the front
passenger seat, depending on its weight
and how it is placed on the seat, builtin
sensors in the seat cushion may detect
the pressure, causing the reminder light to
keep flashing.

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1802003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
3. In order to fix the cross rails to the
appropriate length, turn the upper
knobs clockwise after tightening all
of the side knobs.
CAUTION
Make sure the cross rails are fixed
securely by pushing forward and rear-
ward them. Failure to do so may
cause an unexpected accident or se-
vere injury in the event of emergency
braking or a collision.
Follow the manufacture’s instructions and
precautions when installing the attach-
ments or their equivalent.
CAUTION
When you load cargo on the roof lug-
gage carrier, observe the following:
Place the cargo so that its weight
is distributed evenly between the
front and rear axles.
If loading long or wide cargo, never
exceed the vehicle overall length or
width. (See “Dimensions and
weight” on page 286 in Section 8
for information on your vehicle
overall length and width.)
Before driving, make sure the cargo
is securely fastened on the roof
luggage carrier.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneu-
vers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to
failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
If driving for a long distance, on
rough roads, or at high speeds,
stop the vehicle now and then dur-
ing the trip to make sure the cargo
remains in its place.
Do not exceed 45 kg (100 lb.) cargo
weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
When loading the luggages, be careful
not to scratch the surface of the
moon roof.

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1952003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary. When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the luggage
compartment when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain bal-
ance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything in the lug-
gage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or pack-
ages low, as close to the floor as
possible.
Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage compartment. It is not de-
signed for passengers. They should
ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise,
they are much more likely suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event
of sudden braking or a collision.
Do not place anything on the flat-
tened seat, or it may slide forward
during braking.
Do not place anything on the lug-
gage cover. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure
people in the vehicle during sudden
braking or an accident. Secure all
items in a safe place.
Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver’s field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turn-
ing, and impair the driver’s control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.
Do not put objects in the container
which can shift, roll out or be
thrown out in the event of sudden
stops or accidents. Objects which
come out of the container can
create a safety hazard due to inter-
ference with pedal operation or
driver distraction.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators
Luggage stowage pr
ecautions

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
1962003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the
vehicle capacity weight specified on
page 286 in Section 8.
Some Toyotas are equipped with a lim-
itedslip differential. If one rear wheel be-
gins to spin, the limitedslip differential is
designed to aid traction by automatically
transmitting driving force to the other rear
wheel. If you are not sure whether your
vehicle is equipped with one, you can ask
your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same
size, construction and load capacity
as the original tires on your Toyota
because damage to the limitedslip
differential could possibly occur with
another tire type.
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
Limitedslip differential Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification
number

’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)
2082003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-
ent weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though
the vehicle may be physically capa-
ble of towing a higher weight, the
operator must determine the maxi-
mum weight rating of the particular
hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailerhitch. Exceeding
the maximum weight rating set by
the trailer hitch manufacturer can
cause an accident resulting in seri-
ous personal injuries.
The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross ve-
hicle weight is the sum of weights
of the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer
tongue load. It also includes the
weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed
on the Certification Label.
Tongue load
Total trailer weight 
100 = 9 to 11%
Total trailer weight Tongue load
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the total trailer
weight, not exceed the following.
Vehicles with 2AZFE engine136 kg (300 lb.)
Vehicles with 1MZFE engine
158 kg (350 lb.)
Never load the trailer with more
weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.

’03 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0208)
2092003 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’02 Prod. (OM48441U)
HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you
should consult with your Toyota dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the
hitch manufacturer and the one which
conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
The hitch must be bolted securely to
the vehicle frame and installed accord-
ing to the hitch manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing the trail-
er hitch whenever you are not towing
a trailer to reduce the possib ility of
additional damage caused by the hitch
if your vehicle is struck from behind.
After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to
prevent entry of pollutants such as ex-
haust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Do not use axlemounted hitches as
they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires.
1 Trailer ball load rating
2 Ball diameter
3 Shank length
4 Shank diameter
TRAILER BALL
Follow these easy steps to properly deter-
mine the correct trailer ball for your ap-
plication:
1. Determine the correct trailer ball size for the trailer coupler. Most couplers
are stamped with the required trailer
ball size. The sizes you will most likely
find stamped on the coupler are:
Trailer class
Typical trailer ball size
III2—5/16 in.
II2 in.
I1—7/8 in.
2. Select the appropriate trailer ball to match or exceed the gross trailer
weight rating of the trailer. The trailer
ball load rating should be printed on
the top of the ball.
3. When mounted in the ball mount, the threaded ball shank must protrude be-
yond the bottom of the lock washer
and nut at least 2 threads. The trailer
ball shank must be matched to the ball
mount hole diameter size.