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3304-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Page 483 of 712
483
7Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 484
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 487
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 490
General maintenance........ 493
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 497
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 498
Hood ................................. 500
Positioning a floor jack ...... 502
Engine compartment ......... 503
Tires .................................. 515
Tire inflation pressure ....... 525
Wheels .............................. 528
Air conditioning filter.......... 530
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 532
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 535
Light bulbs......................... 539
Page 493 of 712
4937-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (P. 511)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 510)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level?
(P. 508)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? ( P. 505)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. ( P. 509)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 514)
Page 496 of 712
4967-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/
rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
Page 505 of 712
5057-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, 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. Low
Normal
Excessive
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE)
engine3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
3
4
5
1
2
3
6
Page 506 of 712

5067-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE)
engine3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Engine oil selection P. 636
Oil quantity
(Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
1
2
3
Page 507 of 712

5077-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
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.
Page 508 of 712

5087-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a 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% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3