2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER towing capacity

220 2-5. Driving information
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are
riding in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 1200 lb. (544
kg), the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
1200 lb. - 366 lb. = 834 lb. (544 kg -166 kg = 378 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more pa ssengers with the combined weight of
388 lb. (176 kg) get on , the available cargo and luggage load will be
reduced as follows:
834 lb. - 388 lb. = 446 lb. (378 kg - 176 kg = 202 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.

223
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 443)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 1200 lb. (544 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo
and luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 or 7 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3 or 5)
Seating capacity means the maxi mum number of occupants whose
estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■ Towing capacity
Without towing package: 2000 lb. (900 kg)
With towing package: 5000 lb. (2000 kg)
Towing capacity means the maximu m gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus its cargo weight) that your vehicle is able to tow.
■Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight
and the number of occupants.

229
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Weight limits
Confirm that the gross trailer weig ht, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load are all within the limits.
lb. (kg)
● The gross trailer weight must never exceed towing capacity
described in the table above.
●The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indi-
cated the Certification Label.
● The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated the Certifica-
tion Label.
Towing capacity
Without towing package 2000(900)
With towing package5000(2000)

230 2-5. Driving information
Towing related term
Towing related termMeaning
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) The maximum allowable gross vehicle
weight. The gross vehicle weight is the
total weight of the vehicle. When towing
a trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle
weight (including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment installed on
the vehicle) and the tongue load.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) The maximum allowable gross axle
weight. The gross axle weight is the load
placed on each axle (front and rear).
Gross trailer weight The sum of the trailer weight and the
weight of the cargo in the trailer
Towing capacity The maximum allowable gross trailer
weight. Towing capacity is calculated
considering the base vehicle with neces-
sary vehicle equipment and occupants.
Additional optional equipment, passen-
gers and cargo in the vehicle will reduce
the towing capacity, gross trailer weight
include the trailer, cargo and necessary
equipment for towing.
Tongue load The load placed on the trailer hitch ball

231
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer tongue load
● A recommended tongue load varies in accordance with the types
of trailers or towing as described below.
● In order to ensure the recommended values shown below, the
trailer must be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
The trailer cargo load should be di stributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the gross trailer weight, not exceeding the following.
Without towing package: 200 lb. (90 kg)
With towing package: 500 lb. (200 kg)
(Tongue load / Gross trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%)
If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lbs. (900 kg), it is necessary
to use a sway control device with sufficient capacity.
The gross trailer weight and tongue l oad can be measured with plat-
form scales found at a highway weighing station, building supply
company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Gross trailer weight
Tongue load

236 2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Trailer towing precautions
●Follow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
● Exceeding the towing capacity, GVWR or GAWR can cause an accident
resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
■ To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which-
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combina-
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
● Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
● Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About
60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining
40% in the rear.
● Do not use cruise control when you are towing.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Do not tow the vehicle with the compact spare tire installed.
■ Hitches
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
● Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement.
● The towing capacity of 5000 lb can only be guaranteed when using a gen-
uine Toyota hitch assembly or equivalent.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
● Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
● Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent
entry of any substances into the vehicle.

526
6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weights
*: GVM condition
Overall length188.4 in. (4785 mm)
Overall width75.2 in. (1910 mm)
Overall height Without roof rails
68.1 in. (1730 mm)
With roof rails
69.3 in. (1760 mm)
Wheelbase
109.8 in. (2790 mm)
Front tread 64.0 in. (1625 mm)
64.2 in. (1630 mm)*
Rear tread
2WD models64.2 in. (1630 mm)
64.8 in. (1645 mm)*
4WD models64.0 in. (1625 mm)
64.6 in. (1640 mm)*
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupant + luggage) 1200 lb. (544 kg)
Towing
capacity
(Trailer
weight +
cargo)Without tow-
ing package2000 lb. (900 kg)
With towing
package5000 lb. (2000 kg)

529
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Lubrication system
Oil capacity
Drain and refill (Refer-
ence)
Without filter
With filter 6.0 qt. (5.7 L, 5.0 Imp.qt.)
6.4 qt. (6.1 L, 5.4 Imp.qt.)
Oil grade
ILSAC multi-grade engine oil
Recommended oil
viscosity Use Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil” or equivalent to satisfy the grade and vis-
cosity shown below.
Vehicles without towing package
Vehicles with towing packageOutside temperature
Outside temperature