Page 495 of 712
4957-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct
amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points
Page 556 of 712
5568-1. Essential information
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
■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.
Page 569 of 712

5698-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a 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 probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with 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 system may not activate immediately.
Page 580 of 712

5808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
(AWD models)
Indicates a malfunction in the AWD systemA buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
system cannot be used because the vehicle
speed is lower than approximately 32 mph (50
km/h)
Drive the vehicle at 32 mph (50 km/h) or
higher.
Indicates that the engine was stopped while driv-
ing
A buzzer also sounds.
Operate the steering wheel with more force
than usual.
Indicates that the engine switch is turned off or
turned to ACCESSORY mode and the driver’s
door is opened while the lights are turned on
A buzzer also sounds.
Turn the lights off.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the moon roof or panoramic moon
roof is not fully closed (with the engine switch off,
and the driver’s door open)
A buzzer also sounds.
Close the moon roof or panoramic moon
roof.
(AWD models)
Indicates that the AWD system is not currently
functional
A buzzer also sounds.
Reduce vehicle speed or stop the vehicle in
a safe place until the warnings clear. In this
case, do not stop the engine.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
Page 587 of 712
5878-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
OnceContin-
uous
An attempt was made to lock
either front door by opening a
door and putting the inside lock
button into the lock position,
then closing the door with the
electronic key still inside the
vehicle.
Retrieve the electronic key
from the vehicle and lock
the doors again.
Once
The electronic key has a low
battery.
Replace the electronic key
battery. ( P. 532)
Once
The steering lock could not be
released within 3 seconds of
the engine switch being
pressed.
Press the engine switch
while depressing the brake
pedal and moving the
steering wheel left and
right.
Once
Indicates a malfunction in the
smart key system
Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
Page 689 of 712
689What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
●Is the shift lever in P? (P. 225)
●Is the steering wheel unlocked? ( P. 225)
●Is the battery discharged? (P. 621)
●Did you press the engine switch while firmly depressing the brake pedal?
(P. 228)
●Is the shift lever in P? ( P. 230)
●Is the electronic key anywhere detectable inside the vehicle?
(P. 148)
●Is the steering wheel unlocked? ( P. 231)
●Is the electronic key battery weak or depleted?
In this case, the engine can be started in a temporary way.
(P. 619)
●Is the battery discharged? ( P. 621)
If you think something is wrong
The engine does not start
(vehicles without a smart key system)
The engine does not start
(vehicles with a smart key system)
Page 690 of 712

690What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
●Vehicles without a smart key system:
Is the engine switch in the “ON” position?
If you cannot release the shift lever by depressing the brake pedal with the
engine switch in the “ON” position. (P. 617)
●Vehicles with a smart key system:
Is the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode?
If you cannot release the shift lever by depressing the brake pedal with the
engine switch in IGNITION ON mode. (P. 617)
●Vehicles without a smart key system:
It is locked to prevent theft of the vehicle if the key is pulled from the engine
switch. (P. 226)
●Vehicles with a smart key system:
It is locked automatically to prevent theft of the vehicle. ( P. 231)
●Is the window lock switch pressed?
The power window except for the one at the driver’s seat cannot be oper-
ated if the window lock switch is pressed. (P. 179)
The shift lever cannot be shifted from P even if you depress
the brake pedal
The steering wheel cannot be turned after the engine is
stopped
The windows do not open or close by operating the power
window switches
Page 695 of 712

695Alphabetical index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48A12U)
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ...................................... 298
Function ................................ 298
Warning light ......................... 564
Armrest ..................................... 463
Assist grips .............................. 464
Audio input............................... 342
Audio system ........................... 338 Audio input ............................ 342
AUX port/USB port............................. 342
CD player .............................. 356
iPod....................................... 362
MP3/WMA disc ..................... 356
Optimal use........................... 353
Portable music player ........... 370
Radio .................................... 354
Steering wheel audio switch ................................. 341
USB memory ........................ 366
Automatic High Beam ............. 246
Automatic light control system.................................... 241
Automatic transmission.......... 234 If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 617
S mode ................................. 236
AUX port ................................... 342
Auxiliary boxes ................ 451, 454 Back door ................................ 129
Back-up lights
Replacing light bulb .............. 539
Wattage ................................ 645
Battery ...................................... 511
Battery checking ................... 511
If the vehicle has discharged battery ................................ 621
Preparing and checking before winter ...................... 323
Warning light......................... 563
Bluetooth
®
Audio system ........................ 383
Hands-free system (for cellular phone) ............. 371
Bottle holders .......................... 448
Brake Fluid ...................................... 641
Parking brake ....................... 240
Warning light......................... 563
Brake assist ............................. 298
Break-in tips ............................ 193
Brightness control Instrument panel light control .................................. 96
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) ....... 313 Blind Spot Monitor function............................... 317
Rear Cross Traffic Alert function............................... 320
B