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4766-4. Using the other interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
When the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the red indi-
cator light comes on for 2 seconds then turns off. Afterward, the green
indicator light comes on, indicating that the service is active.
The following indicator light patterns indicate specific system usage
conditions:
●Green indicator light on = Active service
● Green indicator light flashing = Safety Connect call in process
● Red indicator light (except at vehicle start-up) = System malfunction
(contact your Toyota dealer)
● No indicator light (off) = Safety Connect service not active
■Automatic Collision Notification
In case of either airbag deployment or severe rear-end collision, the
system is designed to automatically call the response center. The
responding agent receives the vehicle’s location and attempts to
speak with the vehicle occupants to assess the level of emergency.
If the occupants are unable to communicate, the agent automati-
cally treats the call as an emergency, contacts the nearest emer-
gency services provider to describe the situation, and requests that
assistance be sent to the location.
Safety Connect LED light Indicators
Safety Connect services
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 498 of 712

498
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition
(P. 511)•Warm water• Baking soda• Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 510)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant
level ( P. 508)
• “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
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 505)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 535)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(P. 539)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser (
P. 509)
Tire inflation
pressure
( P. 525)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 514)• Water or washer fluid c ontaining antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 499 of 712

4997-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
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 and 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.
■ When working near the electric co oling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 509)
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 509)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your 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.
Page 524 of 712

5247-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled
correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. (P. 516)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s
wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of eac h tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
Page 527 of 712
5277-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions
may occur and result in an accident causing death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and
cause air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost,
replace them as soon as possible.
Page 530 of 712
5307-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch off.
Open the glove box. Slide off
the damper.
Push in the glove box on the
vehicle’s outer side to discon-
nect the claws. Then pull out
the glove box and disconnect
the lower claws.
Pull down the cover.
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency.
Removal method
1
2
3
4
Page 531 of 712
5317-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Remove the filter cover.
Remove the air conditioning fil-
ter and replace it with a new
one.
The “UP” marks shown on the fil-
ter should be pointing up.
■ Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenanc e information, please refer to the
“Schedule maintenance guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
5
6
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the
system.