Page 563 of 712

5638-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
If a warning light turns on or a warning
buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights
comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then
goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the
system. However, if this continues to occur, have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Charging system warning light*2
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Low engine oil pressure warning light (warning
buzzer)
*2
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Page 566 of 712

5668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: P. 577
*2: Vehicles with monochrome display
*3: Vehicles with color display
*4: If equipped
*5: Open door warning buzzer:P. 574
*6: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If
the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once.
If the seat belt is still unfastened after 25 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the buzzer sounds for 6 seconds.
If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds
once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 25 seconds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfas-
tened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the\
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 25 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
Page 577 of 712
5778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Monochrome display
Color display
(If equipped)
Indicates that an intuitive parking assist-sensor is
dirty or covered with iceA buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor.
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric
Power Steering) system
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that the vehicle is being driven at 3 mph (5
km/h) or more with the parking brake still engaged
A buzzer also sounds.
Release the parking brake.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.) (Canada) (Flashes)
Page 590 of 712
5908-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers. ( P. 554)
If you have a flat tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be
replaced with the spare tire.
For details about tires: P. 5 1 5
WARNING
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a fl at tire can damage the tire and the
wheel beyond repair, which could result in an accident.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 611 of 712

6118-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
WARNING
■When using the compact spare tire (vehicles with a compact spare
tire)
●Remember that the compact spare tire provided is specifically
designed for use with your vehicle. Do not use your compact spare tire
on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one compact spare tires simultaneously.
●Replace the compact spare tire with a standard tire as soon as possi-
ble.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shift-
ing operations that cause sudden engine braking.
■When the compact spare tire is attached (vehicles with a compact
spare tire)
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following sys-
tems may not operate correctly:
Also, not only can the following system not be utilized fully, but it may
even negatively affect the drive-train components:
• AWD system (if equipped)
• ABS & Brake assist
• VSC
•TRAC
• Cruise control (if equipped)
• Dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped)
• Pre-Collision System (if equipped)
• EPS • Automatic High Beam (if
equipped)
• LDA (Lane Departure Alert) (if equipped)
• Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
• Navigation system (if equipped)
Page 616 of 712

6168-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
●One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 621)
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system.
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if repair
procedures are unknown.
When the engine does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the engine if the engine switch is functioning
normally:
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the engine switch for about 15 seconds while
depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be started using the above steps, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the v ehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
The starter motor does not turn ov er, the interior lights and head-
lights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
Emergency start function (vehicles with a smart key system)
1
2
3
4
Page 617 of 712
6178-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Set the parking brake.
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the
“ACC” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to
ACCESSORY mode.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flathead
screwdriver or equivalent tool.
To prevent damage to the cover,
cover the tip of the screwdriver with
a rag.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted while
the button is pressed.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
If the shift lever cannot be sh ifted with your foot on the brake
pedal, there may be a problem with the shift lock system (a sys-
tem to prevent accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted:
1
2
3
4
5
Page 629 of 712
6298-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front wheels.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the front wheels
to help provide traction.
Restart the engine.
AWD models: Activate all-wheel drive lock mode. ( P. 297)
Shift the shift lever to D or R and release the parking brake. Then,
while exercising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.
■ When it is difficult to free the vehicle
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Press to turn off TRAC.
1
2
3
4
5
6