2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For US ownersReporting safety defects for US owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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1-1. Key information .................. 30Keys ..................................... 30
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors ............. 32
Smart key system................. 32
Wireless remote control ....... 53
Side doors ............................ 64
Back door ............................. 68
Glass hatch .......................... 73
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel) ................. 75
Front seats ........................... 75
Rear seats ............................ 78
Head restraints ..................... 87
Seat belts ............................. 90
Steering wheel ..................... 96
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror .................................. 97
Outside rear view mirrors ..... 99
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and
moon roof ....................... 101
Power windows .................. 101
Moon roof ........................... 103
1-5. Refueling ........................... 106 Opening the fuel tank cap ................................... 106 1-6. Theft deterrent
system ............................. 110
Engine immobilizer system .............................. 110
Alarm .................................. 116
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)............................. 119
1-7. Safety information ............ 120 Correct driving posture ....... 120
SRS airbags ....................... 122
Front passenger occupant classification system ......... 134
Child restraint systems ....... 140
Installing child restraints ..... 144
2-1. Driving procedures........... 156 Driving the vehicle .............. 156
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles with smart key
system) ............................. 164
Engine (ignition) switch (vehicles without smart
key system) ...................... 168
Automatic Transmission ..... 171
Turn signal lever ................. 175
Parking brake ..................... 176
2-2. Instrument cluster ............ 177 Gauges and meters ............ 177
Indicators and warning lights ................................. 179
Multi-information display ..... 183
1Before driving
2When driving

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2-3. Operating the lights and wipers .............................. 192
Headlight switch .................. 192
Fog light switch ................... 196
Windshield wipers and washer .............................. 197
Rear window wiper and washer .............................. 199
2-4. Using other driving systems ........................... 200
Cruise control ...................... 200
Rear view monitor system (vehicles with
multi-information
display) ............................. 203
Downhill Assist Control system
(4WD models only) ........... 207
Driving assist systems ........ 209
2-5. Driving information ........... 214 Off-road precautions ........... 214
Cargo and luggage ............. 219
Vehicle load limits ............... 223
Winter driving tips ............... 224
Trailer towing ...................... 228
Dinghy towing ..................... 238 3-1. Using the air
conditioning system
and defogger .................. 242
Front manual air conditioning system.......... 242
Front automatic air conditioning system.......... 247
Rear manual air conditioning system.......... 255
Rear automatic air conditioning system.......... 258
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ......................... 261
Windshield wiper de-icer .............................. 263
Using the steering wheel climate remote control
switches ........................... 264
3-2. Using the audio system ............................. 265
Audio system (without navigation system) ........... 265
Using the radio ................... 268
Using the CD player ........... 274
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ....................... 281
Optimal use of the audio system .............................. 288
Using the AUX adapter....... 291
Using the steering wheel audio switches.................. 293
3Interior features

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
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3-3. Using the rear audio system ............................. 295
Rear seat entertainment system features ................ 295
Using the DVD player (DVD video)...................... 302
Using the DVD player (video CD) ........................ 310
Using the DVD player (audio CD/CD text) ........... 312
Using the DVD player (MP3 discs) ...................... 313
Using the video mode ........ 315
Changing the initial setting .............................. 317
3-4. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)......... 324
Hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
features ............................ 324
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ........... 328
Making a phone call ........... 336
Setting a cellular phone...... 340
Security and system setup ................................ 345
Using the phone book ........ 348
3-5. Using the interior lights ............................... 355
Interior lights list ................. 355
• Personal/interior light main switch ...................... 356
• Personal/interior lights...... 356
• Interior light ...................... 357 3-6. Using the storage
features ........................... 358
List of storage features ....... 358
• Glove box ......................... 359
• Console box ..................... 359
• Overhead console ............ 360
• Cup holders ...................... 362
• Bottle holders ................... 366
• Auxiliary boxes ................. 367
• Side table ......................... 369
3-7. Other interior features...... 371 Sun visors ........................... 371
Vanity mirror ....................... 372
Clock (vehicles without multi-information
display) ............................. 373
Conversation mirror ............ 374
Power outlet........................ 375
Seat heaters ....................... 378
Armrests ............................. 380
Floor mat ............................ 381
Luggage compartment features ............................ 382
Garage door opener ........... 388
Compass ............................ 393
4-1. Maintenance and care .................................. 398
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior ........... 398
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............ 401
4Maintenance and care

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4-2. Maintenance ...................... 404Maintenance requirements ..................... 404
General maintenance.......... 406
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 409
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance .................... 410
Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 410
Hood ................................... 414
Positioning a floor jack ........ 416
Engine compartment ........... 419
Tires .................................... 433
Tire inflation pressure ......... 443
Wheels ................................ 447
Air conditioning filter............ 449
Key battery .......................... 452
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 455
Light bulbs........................... 466
5-1. Essential information ....... 478 If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 478
If you think something is wrong ............................ 485
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 486
Event data recorder ............ 487 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency ...................... 489
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 489
If a warning message is displayed (vehicles with
multi-information
display) ............................. 498
If you have a flat tire ........... 499
If the engine will not start .................................. 510
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 512
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter ........................ 513
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with smart
key system) ...................... 514
If the battery is discharged........................ 516
If your vehicle overheats ......................... 520
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 523
6-1. Specifications ................... 526 Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ........... 526
Fuel information.................. 539
Tire information .................. 542
6-2. Customization................... 554 Customizable features........ 554
5When trouble arises
6Vehicle specifications

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
6-3. Initialization ...................... 557Items to initialize................. 557
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................ 560
Abbreviation list........................ 562
Alphabetical index .................... 564
What to do if... .......................... 573
7For US owners
Index

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5
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7

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Headlights P. 192
Pictorial indexExterior
Fog lights  P. 196
Parking and side markerlights
P. 192
Hood P. 414
Windshield wipers P. 197
Moon roof  P. 103
Outside rear view
mirrors
P. 99
Front turn signal lights P. 175