2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER engine overheat

250 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.
● 2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine: The towing capacity of 3500 lb. (1500
kg) can only be guaranteed when using a genuine Toyota hitch assembly
or equivalent.
● 3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine: The towing capacity of 5000 lb. (2000 kg) can
only be guaranteed when using a genuine Toyota hitch assembly or equiv-
alent.
● Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.

397
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■
Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp
objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

When trouble arises5
497
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ......... 498
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................ 499
If you think something is wrong ......................... 506
Fuel pump shut off system ........................... 507
Event data recorder ......... 508 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................... 510
If a warning message is displayed (vehicles with
multi-information
display) .......................... 521
If you have a flat tire......... 522
If the engine will not start ................................ 535
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P................. 537
If you lose your keys/wireless remote
control transmitter .......... 538
If the electronic key does not operate properly
(vehicles with smart
key system).................... 539
If the battery is discharged ..................... 541
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 545
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 548

5
When trouble arises
545
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam
subsides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. (
→P. 439)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the
engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine and call your Toyota dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and
inspect the radiator core (radi-
ator) for any leaks.
Engine coolant reservoir
Radiator
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

546 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the engine and radiator are
hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable.
(→P. 558)
Have the vehicle checked at the nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP6

595
Alphabetical index
Child safety
Airbag precautions ............... 135
Battery precautions ...... 450, 544
Child restraint system ........... 146
Child-protectors ...................... 68
How your child should wear
the seat belt ......................... 97
Installing child restraints ....... 151
Moon roof precautions.......... 110
Power window lock switch .... 106
Power window precautions... 107
Removed key battery
precautions ........................ 474
Seat belt extender
precautions .......................... 99
Seat belt precautions.............. 97
Seat heater precautions ....... 397
Child-protectors ........................ 68
Cleaning Exterior ................................. 416
Interior .................................. 419
Seat belts ............................. 420
Clock ................................ 194, 390
Compass .................................. 411
Condenser ............................... 447
Console box............................. 377
Conversation mirror................ 391
Cooling system Engine overheating .............. 545
Cruise control .......................... 211
Cup holders ............................. 379
Curtain shield airbags ............ 128
Customizable features ............ 582 Daytime running light
system ....................................205
Defogger Rear window .........................277
Side mirrors ...........................277
Dimension.................................552
Dinghy towing ..........................252
Display Trip information .....................194
Warning message .................521
Do-it-yourself main tenance.....428
Door courtesy lights Door courtesy lights ..............372
Wattage .................................566
Doors Door glasses .........................106
Door lock .....................33, 54, 66
Side mirrors ...........................103
Downhill assist control system ....................................225
Driver's seat belt reminder light .........................................513
Driving
Break-in tips ..........................165
Correct posture .....................126
Procedures ............................164
Winter driving tips..................238
DVD player ................................318D

596 Alphabetical index
Electric power steering ........... 218
Electronic keyIf your electronic key battery is discharged .......................... 539
Emergency flashers
Switch.................................... 498
Emergency, in case of If the back door opener is
inoperative ............................74
If the electronic key does not operate properly.................. 539
If the engine will not start ...... 535
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P...................... 537
If the vehicle has a discharged battery ................................. 541
If the warning buzzer
sounds... ............................ 510
If the warning light turns on ........................................ 510
If the warning message is displayed............................. 521
If you have a flat tire ............. 522
If you lose your keys/
wireless remote control
transmitter ........................... 538
If you think something is wrong .................................. 506
If your vehicle becomes
stuck ................................... 548
If your vehicle needs to be towed .................................. 499
If your vehicle overheats ....... 545 Engine
Compartment ........................ 437
Engine switch ................ 173, 177
Hood ..................................... 432
How to start the
engine ......................... 173, 177
Identification number............. 553
If the engine will not start ...... 535
Ignition switch ............... 173, 177
Overheating .......................... 545
Engine compartment cover .... 439
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................ 558
Checking ............................... 445
Preparing and checking before winter .................................. 238
Engine coolan t temperature
gauge ...................................... 188
Engine immobilizer system .... 115
Engine oil Capacity ................................ 556
Checking ............................... 440
Preparing and checking before winter .................................. 238
Engine oil maintenance data ......................................... 443
Enhanced vehicle stability control .................................... 218
Enhanced VSC ......................... 218
EPS............................................ 218
Event data recorder ................. 508E

600 Alphabetical index
MaintenanceDo-it-yourself
maintenance ....................... 428
General maintenance ............ 424
Maintenance data.................. 552
Maintenance requirements.... 422
Meter Instrument panel light
control ................................. 189
Meters ................................... 188
Mirrors
Conversation mirror............... 391
Inside rear view mirror........... 101
Side mirror heaters................277
Side mirrors ........................... 103
Vanity mirrors ........................ 389
Moon roof ................................. 108
MP3 disc ................................... 297
Multi-information display .................................... 194 Off-road precautions ............... 228
Odometer .................................. 188
Oil
Engine oil .............................. 440
Opener
Back door ................................ 71
Fuel filler door ....................... 111
Glass hatch ............................. 77
Hood ..................................... 432
Outside rear view mirrors Adjusting and folding............. 103
Outside temperature display .................................... 195
Overhead console.................... 378
Overheating, Engine ................ 545
Parking brake ........................... 186
Parking lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 486
Switch ................................... 203
Wattage................................. 566
Personal/interior lights
Switch ................................... 373
Wattage................................. 566
Power outlet ............................. 392
Power windows ........................ 106MO
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