2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER winter tires

243
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Observe the following according to the driving conditions.
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of th e climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumu lated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow
that may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the
brakes.

483
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tire s, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the or iginally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 243)
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tire pressure warning sy stem with the tire inflation pressure
adjusted to the specified level.
■If you push the tire pressure warning reset switch accidentally
If initialization is performed, adjust t he tire inflation pressure to the speci-
fied level and initialize the tire pressure warning system again.

485
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents. Failure to do so
may cause damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different ma kes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently constructed ti res (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
●Do not tow the vehicle with the spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push the tire pressure warnin g reset switch without first adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the spec ified level. Otherwise, the tire pres-
sure warning light may not come on ev en if the tire inflation pressure is
low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.

632 Alphabetical index
TiresChains ................................... 243
Checking ............................... 478
If you have a flat tire .............. 540
Inflation pressure................... 487
Information ............................ 590
Replacing .............................. 540
Rotating tires ......................... 478
Size ....................................... 584
Snow tires ............................. 243
Tire pressure warning
system ........................ 478, 531
Tools ......................................... 540
Total load capacity................... 242
Towing Dinghy towing........................ 265
Emergency towing................. 520
Trailer towing......................... 247
Traction control........................ 223
TRAC ......................................... 223
Trip information ....................... 191
Trip meter ................................. 185
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 510
Switch.................................... 182
Wattage ................................. 586
Valet key .....................................32
Vanity lights Vanity lights ........................... 413
Wattage ................................. 586
Vanity mirrors........................... 413
Vehicle identification number ................................... 573
Vehicle stability control........... 223
VSC............................................ 223
Warning buzzers Brake system ........................ 528
Open door ............................. 531
Seat belt reminder ................. 531 Warning lights
Anti-lock brake system .......... 529
Brake assist system .............. 529
Brake system ........................ 528
Charging system .... ............... 529
Electric power steering system ................................ 529
Electronic engine control
system ................................ 529
Engine oil pressure ............... 529
Malfunction indicator lamp .... 529
Master warning light .............. 531
Open door ............................. 531
Pretensioners ........................ 529
Seat belt reminder light ......... 531
SRS airbags .......................... 529
Tire pressure warning light.... 531
Warning messages .................. 539
Washer Checking ............................... 477
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 243
Switch ........................... 208, 212
Washing and waxing ............... 440
Weight Cargo capacity ...................... 238
Load limits ............................. 242
Weight ................................... 572
Wheels ...................................... 490
Window glasses ...................... 101
Window lock switch................. 101
Windows
Power windows ..................... 101
Rear window defogger .......... 289
Washer.......................... 208, 212
Windshield wiper de-icer ........ 291
Windshield wipers ................... 208
Wireless remote control key Replacing the battery ............ 496
Wireless remote control key.... 48
WMA disc.................................. 312
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