2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER warning light

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
TRACTION CONTROL OFF MODE
If your wheels get stuck in an ditch
when you are driving on a severe off
road and sand, turn off the traction
control system. This system that con-
trols engine performance interferes with
the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on.
The vehicle stability control system is al-
ways activated, even if the traction control
system is turned off. To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch
once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.
“TRAC OFF” indicator light comes on for
a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to “ON”. It will come on again
when you push the “TRAC OFF” switch to
turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The indicator light does not come on
when the ignition key is turned “ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the
ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the
normal driving mode while driving.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle stability control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing.

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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 “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come
on when the “VSC” warning light comes
on even if the “TRAC OFF” 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 “ON”,
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
(fourwheel drive models)

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When the traction control system is oper-
ating, the following conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the
4 wheels. At this time, the slip indica-
tor 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 “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on,
contact your Toyota dealer.
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the traction control system
or the vehicle stability control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing. In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle stability control
system or the traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to “ON” and will go off after
a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the
system does not work. However, as con-
ventional braking operates when applied,
there is no problem to continue your driv-
ing. In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer:
The warning light does not come on
after the ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the
ignition key is turned to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driv-
ing.
Tw o −wheel drive models only—The “TRAC
OFF” indicator light will come on when the
“VSC” warning light comes on even if the
“TRAC OFF” switch is not pushed. The tire pressure warning system is de-
signed to provide warning when tire
inflation pressure is critically low while
the vehicle is moving. The low tire
pressure warning light comes on to in-
form you that such low tire pressure
may hamper driving.
This system is not designed to operate
when the vehicle is stopped. Therefore,
check the tire inflation pressure regularly.
The recommended cold tire inflation pres-
sure, tire size and the vehicle capacity
weight are on the tire and loading informa-
tion label. (For instructions, see “Checking
tire inflation pressure” on page 377 in
Section 7
−2.)
Installed tires should be of the specified
size. They should be of the same size
and construction. If tires other than the
specified size are used, or if tires of dif-
ferent sizes or constructions are mixed,
the tire pressure warning system will not
function properly.
Tire pressure warning system

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LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT
This light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. It goes off
after a few seconds. This indicates that
the tire pressure warning system is func-
tioning properly.
If the low tire pressure warning light
comes on or blinks while driving, do
the following. If the warning light comes on:
1. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level as soon as pos-
sible. (See “Tires” on page 402 in
Section 8.)
2. Push the tire pressure warning sys- tem reset switch for a few seconds
and make sure the warning light
goes off.
If the light remains on after the reset
switch has been pushed, have the tire
pressure warning system checked at your
Toyota dealer.
If you have a flat tire, replace it with the
spare tire. For details, see “If you have
a flat tire” on page 329 in Section 4.
If the warning light blinks slowly (every
0.5 seconds):
The low tire pressure warning system may
be malfunctioning. Contact your Toyota
dealer.
If the warning light blinks rapidly (every
0.25 seconds):
The low tire pressure warning system
needs to be initialized. Reset the system
with the tire pressure warning system re-
set switch. (To reset the system, see
“TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
RESET SWITCH”.) The tire pressure warning system does
not function properly under certain cir-
cumstances. In the following cases, the
low tire pressure warning light may not
come on even if the tire inflation pres-
sure is low, or it may come on when
the tire inflation pressure is actually
normal.
A compact spare tire, snow tires, or
tire chains are used.
The tire inflation pressure is excessive-
ly higher than specified, or tire inflation
pressure suddenly drops due to burst-
ing or other causes.
The vehicle is driven on a slippery
road surface such as rough or frozen
roads.
The vehicle speed is less than 30 km/h
(19 mph) or more than 100 km/h (62
mph), and the driving duration is less
than 5 minutes.
The tires differ in tread pattern or
manufacturer.
The tires are not the specified size.
The tread wear is very different among
the installed tires.
Rapid acceleration/deceleration or
sharp turns is continued.
Towing a trailer.

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The loading is over the limit or imbal-
anced.
Initialization was not performed correct-
ly after replacing or rotating tires or
wheels.
The outside temperature is below 0 C
(32 F) or above 40 C (104 F).
CAUTION
When the tire pressure warning light
comes on, observe the following in-
structions:
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified level as soon as pos-
sible.
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneu-
vering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the
brakes, causing death or serious in-
jury.
Note: The tire pressure monitoring
system on your vehicle will warn you
when one of your tires is significantly
underinflated and when some com-
binations of your tires are significant-
ly underinflated. However, there are
other combinations of significantly
underinflated tires for which your
tire pressure monitoring system may
not warn you. These other combina-
tions are relatively common, account-
ing for approximately half the
instances in which vehicles have sig-
nificantly underinflated tires. For ex-
ample, your system may not warn you
when both tires on the same side or
on the same axle of your vehicle are
significantly underinflated. It is par-
ticularly important, therefore, for you
to check the tire pressure in all of
your tires regularly and maintain
proper pressure.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
RESET SWITCH
The tire pressure warning system need
to be initialized in the following condi-
tions:
When the low tire pressure warning
light blinks every 0.25 seconds
After replacing or rotating tires or
wheels
When initializing the system, the pres-
ent tire condition is stored as a stan-
dard.

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To initialize the system, perform the fol-
lowing:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the parking brake. Stop the en-
gine.
2. Adjust the pressure of all the installed tires to the specified level. (See “Tires”
on page 402 in Section 8.)
3. Turn the ignition key to “ON”. If the low tire pressure warning light
comes on, push the reset switch for a
few seconds and make sure the warn-
ing light goes off.
4. Push and hold the reset switch until the low tire pressure warning light
blinks three times.
Initialization is completed after driving at
the speeds of 30 km/h (19 mph) or over
for more than one hour. If the following
driving conditions are satisfied, initializa-
tion will be completed in about one hour.
The vehicle speed is between 50 km/h
(31 mph) and 100 km/h (62 mph).
The roads are dry, smooth and straight.
The number of passengers is 1 or 2
(including driver).
When initializing the system, make sure
the low tire pressure warning light blinks
three times. If the warning light does not
blink three times, initializing will be failed
and the tire pressure warning system will
not function properly.
Do not push the reset switch without ad-
justing the tire inflation pressure to the
specified level. Otherwise, the low tire
pressure warning light may not come on
even if the tire pressure is low, or it may
come on when the tire inflation pressure
is actually normal.
If you push the reset switch while the
vehicle is moving, initialization is not per-
formed. If the low tire pressure warning light does
not blink when you push and hold the
reset switch, have the low pressure warn-
ing system checked at your Toyota dealer.
When the warning light blinks every 0.25
seconds while driving, you may be unable
to reset the system. In this case, set the
system again according to the above pro-
cedure.

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RESETTING TO A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the “+ RES” direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the
desired speed is attained. While the lever
is held up, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.
RESETTING TO A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the “ − SET” direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held down, the vehicle speed will
gradually decrease.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the “− SET” direction.
Even if you turn off the overdrive switch
with the cruise control on, engine braking
will not be applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the
vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed
with the cruise control lever or depress
the brake pedal. If you use the brake
pedal, cruise control is cancelled. RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the
“+ RES” direction will restore the speed
set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls be-
low about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the “ON
−OFF” switch
to turn the system off and then press it
again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.