2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Brakes

263
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
death or serious personal injuries.
■ When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable fed-
eral and state/provincial regulations.
● If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers wi th brakes that conform to all appli-
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
● Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi-
cle’s braking effectiveness.
● Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.

450 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism • Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes • Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

520 5-1. Essential information
Emergency towingIf 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 eyelets
■Emergency towin g procedure
Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Vehicles without smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine run-
ning) position.
Vehicles with smart key system:
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY (engine
off) or IGNITION ON (engine running) mode.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
521
5-1. Essential information
Installing a towing eyelet
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
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. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
● If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2

5
When trouble arises
537
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is pr obable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pre ssure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's hand ling and stopping ability.

558
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the electronic key does not operate properly (vehicles with smart key system)
Locking and unlocking the doors, and mechanical key linked functions
Using the mechanical key (P. 33)
in order to perform the following
operations:
Locks all doors
Unlocks all doors
Turning the key rearward unlocks
the driver’s door. Turning the key
once again unlocks the other
doors.
Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes and starting the engine
Shift the shift lever to P and apply the brakes. Touch the Toyota emblem side of
the electronic key to the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
If any of the doors is opened and
closed while the key is being
touched to the switch, an alarm
will sound to indicate that the start
function cannot detect the elec-
tronic key.
If communication between the electronic key and vehicle is inter-
rupted (P. 40) or the electronic key cannot be used because the
battery is depleted, the smart key system and wireless remote con-
trol cannot be used. In such cases, the doors can be opened or the
engine can be started by following the procedure below.
STEP1
STEP2

570 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
●Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem: Stop the engine by press-
ing and holding the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch for 3
consecutive seconds or more.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more
STEP4
STEP5

583
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Transfer (4WD models)
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N,
50 kgf) while the engine is running
*
2: Parking brake pedal travel when depress ed with a force of 67 lbf (300 N, 31
kgf)
Steering
Oil capacity 1.0 qt. (0.9 L, 0.8 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL-5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove 0
F (-18 C): SAE 90
Below 0 F (-18 C): SAE 80W or 80W-90
Pedal clearance*13.3 in. (84.4 mm) Min.
Pedal free play 0.08  0.12 in. (2  3 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lining wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal travel*28 10 clicks
Fluid type SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)