2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID cooling

’06 HIGHLANDER HB_U (L/O 0503)
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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
Traction battery air vents
Air vents are located in the lower part
of the rear seats to cool the traction
battery. If the vents are covered, the
battery will overheat resulting in re-
duced output performance of the hybrid
system.
You may hear a noise of the cooling fans
from the air vents. For vehicle repairs or maintenance, be
sure to consult your Toyota dealer.
If your vehicle is beyond repair, contact
your Toyota dealer for assistance. Do
not attempt to dispose of your vehicle
by yourself.
CAUTION
Your vehicle contains a sealed Nick-
elMetal hydride battery. If disposed
of improperly, it is hazardous to the
environment and there is a risk of
severe burns and electrical shock that
may result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE

Do not put foreign objects over the
air vent. The traction battery may
be overheated and damaged.
 Do not load a large amount of wa-
ter such as an aquarium into the
vehicle. If water spills over the trac-
tion battery, the battery may be
damaged.
 Do not wet the air vent. This may
adversely affect or damage the trac-
tion battery.
 Clean the air vent regularly to pre-
vent the traction battery from over-
heating.

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the engine cooling system as this
may cause the engine to overheat.
The thermostat is designed to con-
trol the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within
the specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an
overheated engine. See “If your ve-
hicle overheats” on page 343 in
Section 4.
The power meter indicates the instanta-
neous output from the hybrid system in
approximate kilowatts.
While the hybrid system is regenerating
energy, the meter indicates negative.
Power meter

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
If the message appears, stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible and check
the engine compartment. For detailed
instructions, see “If your vehicle over-
heats” on page 343.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe
operating conditions, such as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high
speed driving.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in
the cooling system as this may
cause the hybrid system to over-
heat. The thermostat is designed to
control the flow of coolant to keep
the temperature of the engine with-
in the specified operating range.
 Continued driving with the message
displayed could result in the over-
heating of the hybrid system.
(i)
This message is to warn the driver that
the hybrid system is malfunctioning.
If a malfunction of the hybrid system is
detected, the message appears with the
master warning light and warning tone
when the ignition is on.
If the message appears, stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible and contact
a Toyota dealer.
(j)

(All wheel drive models only)
This message is to warn the driver that
the all wheel drive system is malfunc-
tioning.
If a malfunction of all wheel drive system
is detected, the message appears with the
master warning light and warning tone
when the ignition is on.
If the message appears, have the ve-
hicle checked by a Toyota dealer as
soon as possible. (k)
This message is to remind the driver
that the moonroof is open.
If the moonroof is open with the ignition
off, the message appears with the master
warning light and warning tone when the
driver opens the door.
If the message appears, close the
moonroof.
(l)
This message is to warn the driver that
the transmission is not in the “P” posi-
tion when leaving the vehicle.
If the transmission is not in the “P” posi-
tion with the ignition on, the message ap-
pears with the master warning light and
warning tone when the driver ’s door is
opened.
If the message appears, put the trans-
mission in the “P” position.

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
Fan speed selector
Turn the knob to adjust the fan speed—to
the right to increase, to the left to de-
crease.
Temperature selector
Turn the knob to adjust the temperature—
to the right to warm, to the left to cool.
Turning the knob fully counterclockwise
sets the air intake selector to the
RECIRCULATE mode automatically for
quick cooling. To set to the FRESH mode,
press the air intake selector button.
Air flow selector
Turn the knob to select the vents used for
air flow.
1. Panel— Air flows from the instrument
panel vents.
2. Bilevel— Air flows from both the floor
vents and the instrument panel vents.
3. Floor— Air flows mainly from the floor
vents.
4. Floor/Windshield— Air flows mainly
from the floor vents and windshield
vents.
Turning the air flow selector to the
floor/windshield position turns on the
defogging function with the purpose of
clearing the front view. This position allows the air intake to
select FRESH automatically. This is to
clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to
RECIRCULATE mode, press the air in-
take selector button once again.
5. Windshield— Air flows mainly from the
windshield vents.
Turning the air flow selector to the
windshield position turns on the defog-
ging function with the purpose of clear-
ing the front view.
This position allows the air intake to
select FRESH automatically. This is to
clean up the front view more quickly.
It is not possible to select the
RECIRCULATE mode in the windshield
mode if you press the air intake control
button.
For details about air flow selector settings,
see “—Air flow selector settings” de-
scribed blow.

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior. Heating
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speed— Any setting except “OFF”
Temperature— To w a r d s WARM
(red zone)
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air flow—FLOOR
Air conditioning—OFF
For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been
warmed.
Press the “A/C” button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.
Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speed— Any setting except “OFF”
Temperature— To w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air flow—PANEL
Air conditioning—ON
For quick cooling, select recirculated
air for a few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
Fan speed— Any setting except “OFF”
Temperature— To w a r d s COLD
(blue zone)
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air flow—PANEL
Air conditioning—OFF

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
“AUTO” button
For automatic operation of the air condi-
tioning, press the “AUTO” button. An indi-
cator light will illuminate to show that the
automatic operation mode has been se-
lected.
In the automatic operation mode, the air
conditioning selects the most suitable fan
speed, air flow, air intake and on −off of
the air conditioning according to the tem-
perature.
When you turn the temperature selector
knob to maximum cooling, “LO” will ap-
pear on the display and the air intake
mode will be automatically changed to RE-
CIRCULATE.
You may use manual controls if you want
to select your own settings.
Fan speed selector
Turn the knob to adjust the fan speed—to
the right to increase, to the left to de-
crease.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to adjust the fan speed unless you desire
another fan speed mode. Temperature selector
Turn the knob to adjust the temperature—
to the right to warm, to the left to cool.
“OFF” button
Push the button to turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
“MODE” button (air flow selector)
Push the “MODE” button to select the
vents used for air flow.
In automatic operation, you do not have
to select the air flow unless you desire
another air flow mode.
1. Panel— Air flows from the instrument
panel vents.
2. Bilevel— Air flows from both the floor
vents and the instrument panel vents.
3. Floor— Air flows mainly from the floor
vents.
4. Floor/Windshield— Air flows mainly
from the floor vents and windshield
vents.

’06 HIGHLANDER HB_U (L/O 0503)
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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty
conditions, it is recommended that the
air intake selector be temporarily set to
RECIRCULATE, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside
air and dust from entering the vehicle
interior. Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation—
Press in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature— To the desired
temperature
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air conditioning—OFF
For manual operation—
Fan speed— To the desired fan speed
Temperature— To w a r d s WARM
(to the right)
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air flow—FLOOR
Air conditioning—OFF
For quick heating, select recirculated
air for a few minutes. To keep the
windows from fogging, select fresh af-
ter the vehicle interior has been
warmed.
Press the “A/C” button on for dehumidi-
fied heating.
Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat
the vehicle interior while defrosting or
defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation—
Press in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature— To the desired
temperature
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air conditioning—ON
For manual operation—
Fan speed— To the desired fan speed
Temperature— To w a r d s COLD
(to the left)
Air intake—FRESH (outside air)
Air flow—PANEL
Air conditioning—ON
For quick cooling, turn the temperature
selector knob fully towards COLD and
change the air intake selector mode to
RECIRCULATE.

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2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. ’05 Prod. (OM48530U)
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the hybrid system in a
garage or other enclosed areas ex-
cept to drive the vehicle in or out.
In enclosed areas, exhaust gases
cannot escape, making this a partic-
ularly dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the hybrid sys-
tem on. If it is unavoidable, howev-
er, make sure to park the vehicle in
an unclosed area and adjust the
heating or cooling system to force
outside air into the vehicle.
Keep the back door closed while
driving. An open or unsealed back
door may cause exhaust gases to
be drawn into the vehicle.
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.
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.
Engine exhaust cautions Facts about engine oil
consumption