2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID coolant reservoir

457
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
●
Do not touch the engine compartment when the electric cooling fans are
operating.
Vehicles without smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep
rotating for about 3 minutes even after the engine switch is turned to the
“LOCK” position.
With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant
temperature is high. Be sure the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position
when working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille.
Vehicles with smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep rotating
for about 3 minutes even after the “POWER” switch is OFF.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temper-
ature is high. Be sure the “POWER” switch is OFF when working near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille.
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
■ If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious pro\
blem.

462
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compar tment
Washer fluid tank (P. 472)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 471)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 465)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 464)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 467)Power control unit coolant
reservoir ( P. 468)
Fuse boxes ( P. 497)
Power control unit coolant
radiator ( P. 470)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 470)
Engine coolant radiator ( P. 470)

467
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold.
Engine coolant reservoir Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

468 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Power control unit coolant reservoirReservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, coolant reservoir cap, drain cock and
water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap opening pres-
sure and check for leaks in the cooling system.
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Enabled: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.

469
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or paint.

5
When trouble arises
563
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
After the hybrid system has
cooled down, check the engine
coolant level and inspect the
cooling system for leaks.
If the engine compartment cover
needs to be removed. (
P. 463)
Engine coolant reservoir
Radiator
If necessary, add engine coolant
up to the “FULL” line.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is unavail-
able. ( P. 577)
STEP4
STEP5

5
When trouble arises
565
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Have the vehicle inspected at your
nearest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Overheating
The following symptoms may occur when your vehicle is overheating:
●Hybrid system output decreases.
● Steam comes from the engine area.
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.
● With a hybrid vehicle, there are times when the gasoline engine automati-
cally starts to run or the cooling fans suddenly start to operate. Do not
touch or approach the rotating parts of the belt or fans. Doing so may lead
to fingers, clothes or tools getting caught, resulting in an accidental injury.
● Do not loosen the coolant reservoir cap while the hybrid system and radia-
tor are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control unit coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/power
control unit coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.