Page 486 of 712

4867-1. Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
Page 492 of 712
4927-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P. 511)
Page 493 of 712
4937-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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 498 of 712

498
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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 containing 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 (OM48E98U)
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 cooling 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 503 of 712
5037-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank
( P. 514)
Fuse boxes ( P. 535)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 505)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 506)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 508) Battery
( P. 5 1 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 510)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 509)
Radiator ( P. 509)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 504 of 712
5047-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FE) engine
Washer fluid tank
( P. 514)
Fuse boxes ( P. 535)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 506)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 505)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 508) Battery
( P. 5 1 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 510)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 509)
Radiator ( P. 509)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 505 of 712
5057-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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