2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER oil temperature

455
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with
clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
● Do not touch the engine compartment when the electric cooling fan is
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 “ENGINE START STOP” switch is OFF.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the elec-
tric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on
and/or the coolant temperature is high. Be sure the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is OFF when working near the electric cooling fan or radia-
tor grille.

466 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

576 6-1. Specifications
Lubrication system (2.7 L 4-cylinder [1AR-FE] engine)
*: The engine oil capacity is a reference quantity to be used when exchanging.
Warm up and turn off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes, and check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy
the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20
SAE 5W-20 or 0W-20 engine oil
may be used. However, SAE
0W-20 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
●The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows
cold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier
starting of the engine in cold weather.
● The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when
the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a
higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high
speeds, or under extreme load conditions.
Oil capacity
(Drain and refill 
reference*) Without filter
With filter 4.2 qt. (4.0 L, 3.5 Imp. qt.)
4.6 qt. (4.4 L, 3.9 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature

578 6-1. Specifications
Lubrication system (3.5 L V6 [2GR-FE] engine)■ Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Toyota vehicle. Use
Toyota approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy
the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20
SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available,
SAE 5W-20 oil may be used.
However, it must be replaced
with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil
change.
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
●The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows
cold startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier
starting of the engine in cold weather.
● The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when
the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a
higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high
speeds, or under extreme load conditions.
Oil capacity
(Drain and refill 
reference) Without filter
With filter 6.0 qt. (5.7 L, 5.0 Imp. qt.)
6.4 qt. (6.1 L, 5.4 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature

596 6-1. Specifications
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressure The maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, s hown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended infla-
tion pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of auto-
matic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio
and heater, to the extent that these items are
available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded vehi-
cle weight The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight

627
Alphabetical index
Electric power steering........... 223
Electronic key
If your electronic key battery is discharged .......... 558
Emergency flashers
Switch ................................... 518
Emergency, in case of If a warning message is
displayed ............................ 539
If the back door opener is inoperative ........................... 63
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........... 558
If the engine will not start...... 554
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ..................... 556
If the vehicle has a
discharged battery ............. 560
If the warning buzzer sounds... ........................... 528
If the warning light turns on ....................................... 528
If you have a flat tire ............ 540
If you lose your keys/
wireless remote control
transmitter .......................... 557
If you think something is wrong ................................. 526
If your vehicle becomes
stuck................................... 567
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ......................... 569
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................. 519
If your vehicle overheats ...... 564 Engine
Compartment ........................463
Engine switch ................170, 174
Hood......................................457
How to start the
engine .........................170, 174
Identification number .............573
If the engine will not start ......554
Ignition switch................170, 174
Overheating...........................564
Engine compartment cover.....465
Engine coolant
Capacity ................................580
Checking ...............................469
Preparing and checking before winter .......................243
Engine coolan t temperature
gauge ......................................185
Engine immobilizer system.....113
Engine oil Capacity ................................576
Checking ...............................466
Preparing and checking before winter .......................243
Enhanced vehicle stability control ....................................223
Enhanced VSC .........................223
EPS ............................................223
Event data recorder ...................26E

629
Alphabetical index
Jack
Positioning a floor jack ......... 459
Vehicle-equipped jack .......... 540
Jack handle.............................. 540
Keyless entry ............................. 48
Keys Electronic key ......................... 32
Engine switch ............... 170, 174
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........... 558
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter .......................... 557
Ignition switch ............... 170, 174
Key number ............................ 32
Keyless entry .......................... 48
Keys ....................................... 32
Mechanical key....................... 32
Wireless remote control key ....................................... 48
License plate lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 510
Wattage ................................ 586
Light bulbs Replacing ............................. 510
Wattage ................................ 586
Lights Door courtesy lights.............. 396
Emergency flasher switch .... 518
Fog light switch..................... 206
Hazard light switch ............... 518
Headlight switch ................... 200
Interior light switch........ 397, 398
Outer foot lights .................... 396
Personal light switch............. 397
Replacing light bulbs ............ 510
Turn signal lever ................... 182
Vanity lights .......................... 413
Wattage ................................ 586
Load capacity .......................... 242 Lock steering column ......172, 175
Luggage cover .........................425
Maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance .......................453
General maintenance ............449
Maintenance data..................572
Maintenance requirements....446
Maintenance data .....................447
Meter
Instrument panel light control .................................186
Meters ...................................185
Mirrors Conversation mirror...............415
Inside rear view mirror.............95
Side mirror heaters................289
Side mirrors .............................98
Vanity mirrors ........................413
Moon roof .................................104
MP3 disc ...................................312
Multi-information display ....................................191
Noise from under vehicle ..........24
Odometer ..................................185
Off-road precautions ...............233
Oil Engine oil ..............................466
Opener
Back door ................................60
Fuel filler door .......................109
Glass hatch .............................70
Hood......................................457
Outside rear view mirrors Adjusting and folding ...............98
Outside temperature display ....................................191
Overhead console ....................402
Overheating, Engine ................564J
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