2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER emergency towing

5
When trouble arises
479
5-1. Essential information
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet(s). This should only be attempted on hard surfaced
roads for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
Towing eyelet
■Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch to
ACC (engine off) or ON (engine running).
CAUTION
■ Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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When trouble arises
499
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack handle
Adapter
socket Towing eyelet
Jack handle
Wrench
Spare tire
Jack

506 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Firmly tighten each nut two or
three times in the order shown in
the illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
Stowing the flat tire, jack and all toolsRemove the center wheel orna-
ment by pushing from the
reverse side.
Put the flat tire on the ground
with the outer side facing up and
install the holding bracket.
Be careful not to lose the wheel
ornament.
Turn the spare tire clamp bolt clockwise with a jack handle
and adapter socket until you hear a click.
Stow the jack and all tools.
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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When trouble arises
509
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the compact spare tire is attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following sys-
tems may not operate correctly:
●ABS & Brake assist
●VSC
●TRAC
●Cruise control system
●Navigation system (if equipped)
Also, not only can be following system not be utilized fully, it may actually
negatively effect the drive-train components:
(4WD models)
●4WD system
NOTICE
■Do not drive the vehicle with a flat tire.
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair.
■Be careful when driving over bumps with the compact spare tire
installed on the vehicle.
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the compact spare tire
compared to when drivin g with standard tires. Be careful when driving
over uneven road surfaces.
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving
performance.
■When stowing the flat tire
●Ensure that there is no object caught between the tire and the vehicle
underbody.
●Tighten the spare tire clamp bolt to hold the spare wheel carrier by the
hook securely.

524 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear, to avoid striki ng other vehicles, objects or persons.
The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes
free. Use extreme caution.
■ When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
● If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.

569
Alphabetical index
Off-road precautions............... 214
Odometer ................................. 177
Oil
Engine oil.............................. 421
Opener
Back door ............................... 68
Fuel filler door....................... 106
Glass hatch ............................ 73
Hood ..................................... 414
Outside rear view mirrors Adjusting and folding .............. 99
Outside temperature display ................................... 184
Overhead console ................... 360
Overheating, Engine ............... 520
Parking brake .......................... 176
Parking lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 466
Switch ................................... 192
Wattage ................................ 538
Personal/interior lights
Switch ................................... 356
Wattage ................................ 538
Power outlet............................. 375
Power windows ....................... 101
Radiator.................................... 428
Radio ........................................ 268
Rear automatic air
conditioning system ............. 258
Rear manual air conditioning system ................................... 255
Rear seat Adjustment ............................. 78
Folding down second seatback............................... 80
Folding down third seatback............................... 82
Removing the second center seat ........................... 83 Stowing the second
center seat ............................83
Rear seat entertainment system ....................................295
Rear turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs .............466
Wattage .................................538
Rear view mirror
Compass ...............................393
Rear view monitor system ......203
Rear window defogger ............261
Rear window wiper ..................199
Replacing Fuses ....................................455
Key battery ............................452
Light bulbs .............................466
Tires ......................................499
Reporting safety defects for U.S.A. owners ........................560
Seat belts Adjusting the seat belt .............90
Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) ....................................91
Child restraint system
installation ...........................144
Cleaning and maintaining the seat belts ......................402
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ....................................91
How to wear your seat belt......90
How your child should wear
the seat belt ..........................93
Pregnant women, proper seat
belt use .................................92
Reminder light .......................492
Seat belt extenders .................93
Seat belt pretensioners ...........91O
P
R
S

571
Alphabetical index
Tire information
Glossary ............................... 548
Size ...................................... 545
Tire identification number ..... 544
Uniform tire quality
grading ............................... 546
Tires Chains .................................. 224
Checking .............................. 433
If you have a flat tire ............. 499
Inflation pressure .................. 443
Information ........................... 542
Replacing ............................. 499
Rotating tires ........................ 433
Size ...................................... 534
Snow tires............................. 224
Tire pressure warning
system........................ 433, 492
Tools......................................... 499
Total load capacity .................. 223
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 238
Emergency towing ................ 479
Trailer towing ........................ 228
Traction control (TRAC) ......... 209
TRAC (Traction control) ......... 209
Trip information....................... 183
Trip meter................................. 177
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 466
Switch ................................... 175
Wattage ................................ 538
Valet key..................................... 30
Vanity lights Vanity lights .......................... 372
Wattage ................................ 538
Vanity mirrors .......................... 372
Vehicle identification number................................... 527 Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................489
Open door .............................492
Seat belt reminder .................492
Warning lights
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..................................490
Brake assist system ..............490
Brake system ........................489
Charging system .... ...............490
Electric power steering
system ................................490
Electronic engine control system ................................490
Engine oil pressure ...............490
Malfunction indicator lamp ....490
Master warning light ..............492
Open door .............................492
Pretensioners ........................490
Seat belt reminder light .........492
SRS airbags ..........................490
Tire pressure warning light ....492
Warning messages ..................498
Washer
Checking ...............................432
Preparing and checking before winter .......................224
Switch............................197, 199
Washing and waxing ...............398
Weight
Cargo capacity ......................219
Load limits .............................223
Weight ...................................526
Wheels ......................................447
Window glasses ......................101
Window lock switch .................101
V
W