2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID stop start

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 442
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 445
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 448
General maintenance.......... 450
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 453
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 454
Hood ................................... 458
Positioning a floor jack ........ 460
Engine compartment ........... 462
12-volt battery ..................... 473
Tires .................................... 477
Tire inflation pressure ......... 485
Wheels ................................ 488
Air conditioning filter............ 491
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ........ 494
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 497
Light bulbs........................... 510 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 520
If your vehicle needs to be towed........................... 521
If you think something is wrong ............................ 527
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 528
If a warning message is displayed .......................... 538
If you have a flat tire ........... 539
If the hybrid system will not start ............................ 552
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 554
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter ........................ 555
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 556
If the 12-volt battery is discharged........................ 558
If your vehicle overheats .... 562
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 566
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 567
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

32
1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid system
Your vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. It has characteristics different from
conventional vehicles. Be sure you are closely familiar with the char-
acteristics of your vehicle, and operate with care.
The hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and an electric
motor (traction motor) according to driving conditions, improving
fuel efficiency and reducing exhaust emissions.
Gasoline engine
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
■ When stopped/during start-off
The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle is stopped. During
start-off, the electric motor (tra ction motor) drives the vehicle. At
slow speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the engine
is stopped and the motor is used.

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
■
Regenerative braking
The motor generator converts kinetic energy to electric energy when:
●The accelerator pedal is released.
● The brake pedal is depressed with the shift lever in D or R.
■ Conditions in which the gasoline engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and stops automatically. However, it may not stop
automatically in the following conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
● During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging
● During low or high hybrid battery (traction battery) temperature
● When the heater is switched on
■ Charging the hybrid battery (traction battery)
●As the gasoline engine charges the hybrid battery (traction battery), the
battery does not need to be charged from an outside source. However, if
the vehicle is left parked for a long time the hybrid battery will slowly dis-
charge. For this reason, be sure to drive the vehicle at least once every
several months for at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16 km). If the hybrid
battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to jump-start the
vehicle with the 12-volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predominantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the hybrid battery as necessary.
■ When accelerating sharply
The power of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is added via
electric motor (traction motor) to that of the gasoline engine.
■ When braking (regenerative braking)
The electric motor (traction mo tor) charges the hybrid battery
(traction battery).

34 1-1. Hybrid system
●If the shift lever is in N, the hybrid battery (traction battery) will not be
charged. When driving in heavy traffic, operate the vehicle with the shift
lever in D to avoid discharging the battery.
● To help prevent the 12-volt battery from becoming discharged, drive the
vehicle at least once a month, and operate the accessories only when
the “READY” indicator is on. When parking the vehicle, make sure the
doors is closed and all lights are turned off.
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
P. 560
■ After the 12-volt battery has di scharged or has been changed or
removed
The gasoline engine may not stop even if the vehicle is running on the hybrid
battery (traction battery). If this continues for a few days, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■ Sounds and vibrations specific to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sounds or vibration even though the vehicle is able
to move. Always shift the shift lever to P when parked.
The following sounds or vibrations may occur when the hybrid system is
operating, and are not a malfunction:
●Motor sounds may be heard from the engine compartment.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid battery (traction battery) under the
rear seat when the hybrid system starts or stops.
● Sounds from the hybrid system may be heard when the back door is
open.
● Sounds may be heard from the hybrid transmission when the engine is
started or stopped, or while the engine is idling.
● Engine sounds may be heard when accelerating sharply.
● Sounds may be heard due to regenerative braking when the brake pedal
is depressed or accelerator is loosened.
● Vibration may be felt when the gasoline engine starts or stops.
● Cooling fan sounds may be heard from the air intake vents under the rear
seat.

36 1-1. Hybrid system
■Hybrid battery air vents
There are air intake vents under
the second seats to cool the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
If the vents become blocked, the
hybrid battery may overheat,
leading to a reduction in hybrid
battery output.
Emergency shut off system
The emergency shut off system blocks off the high voltage current
and stops the fuel pump to minimize the risk of electrocution and fuel
leakage when a certain level of impact is detected by the impact sen-
sor. If the emergency shut off syste m activates, your vehicle will not
restart. To restart the hybrid system, contact your Toyota dealer.
Energy monitor/consumption screen
You can view the status of your
hybrid system on the multi-infor-
mation display (P. 37) and the
navigation system screen ( P.
37, 39). The following images
are examples only, and may vary
slightly from actual conditions.

40 1-1. Hybrid system
Hybrid warning messageA message is automatically displayed when a malfunction occurs in
the hybrid system or an impr oper operation is attempted.
If a warning message is shown
on the multi-information display,
read the message and follow the
instructions. ( P. 538)
■If a warning light comes on or a wa rning message is displayed, or the
12-volt battery is disconnected
The hybrid system may not start. In that case, try to start the system again. If
the “READY” indicator does not come on, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ When refueling, the fuel filler door may take a few moments to open
As part of emission system operation, it may take up to 10 seconds for the
fuel filler door to automatically rel ease after the opener switch is pressed.
Before refueling is possible, a message will be shown on the multi-informa-
tion display. ( P. 1 1 8 )
■ Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel the vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the low fuel
level warning light ( P. 531) go off. If there is only a small amount of fuel,
the hybrid system may not be able to start. (The minimum amount of fuel to
add to make the low fuel level warning light go out is about 2.5 gal. [9.8 L,
2.1 Imp. gal.], when the vehicle is on a level surface. This value may vary
when the vehicle is on a slope.)
■ If the master warning light comes on when the shift lever is in R
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and shift the shift lever out of R
to display the message.

46
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
Smart key system
: If equipped
The following operations can be performed simply by carrying the
electronic key on your person, for example in your pocket.
(The driver should always carry the electronic key.)
Locks and unlocks the doors ( P. 4 7 )
Starts and stops the hybrid system ( P. 179)
Opens the glass hatch ( P. 48)
Locks and unlocks the doors ( P. 4 7 )
Electronic key
Electronic key
Electronic key
Electronic key

53
1-3. Opening, closing and locking the doors
1
Before driving
■
Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 years. (The battery becomes depleted
even if the electronic key is not used.) If the smart key system or the
wireless remote control function does not operate, or the detection area
becomes smaller, the battery may be depleted. Replace the battery when
necessary. ( P. 495)
● If the battery becomes low, an alarm will sound in the cabin when the
hybrid system stops. (P. 54)
● To avoid serious deterioration, do not leave the electronic key within 3 ft.
(1 m) of the following electrical appliances that produce a magnetic field.
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Table lamps
■ To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic key when operating the system. Do not get
the electronic key too close to the vehicle when operating the system from
the outside of the vehicle.
Depending on the position and holding condition of the electronic key, the
key may not be detected correctly and the system may not operate properly.
(The alarm may go off accidentally, or the door lock prevention may not func-
tion.)
■ Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not operate properly in the following cases.
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle,
near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or
unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instrument panel, luggage cover, floor or in the glove box when the hybrid system is started or “POWER” switch
modes are changed.
● Do not leave the electronic key on top of the instrument panel or near the
door pockets when exiting the vehicle. Depending on the radio wave
reception conditions, it may be detected by the antenna outside the cabin
and the door will become lockable from the outside, possibly trapping the
electronic key inside the vehicle.