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4897-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco- hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the wi ndshield (vehicles with LDA [Lane
Departure Alert] and Automatic High Beam)
Be careful not to touch the camera sensor ( P. 251, 280).
If the camera is accidentally scratched or hit, LDA and Automatic High
Beam may not operate properly or may cause a malfunction.
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window and the rear quarter windows
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window and the rear quarter
windows, as this may cause damage to the rear window defogger heater
wires or antenna. Use a cloth dampened with lukewarm water to gently
wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in strokes running parallel to the
heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.
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7-2. Maintenance
General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This can
be done by yourself or by a Toyota dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
You can perform some maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty
coverage.
The use of Toyota Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer to the separate “Owner’s War-
ranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and reg-
ular maintenance are essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to
perform regular checks. Toyota recommends the following main-
tenance:
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance
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4917-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repairs to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or if
a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
■ Reset the maintenance data (U.S.A. only)
After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the maintenance data.
To reset the data, follow the procedure described below:
Using the trip meter
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position with the trip meter A reading shown.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off with the trip
meter A reading shown.
Vehicles without a smart key system: While pressing the trip meter reset
button ( P. 95), turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (do not start the
engine, reset mode will be canceled).
Vehicles with a smart key system: While pressing the trip meter reset but-
ton ( P. 95), turn the engine switch to the IGNITION ON mode (do not start
the engine, otherwise the reset mode will be canceled).
Continue to press and hold the button until the trip meter displays “000000”.
Using the multi-information display (vehicles with color display)
While the engine is running, switch the multi-information display to the “Set-
tings” screen. ( P. 94)
Select “Maintenance System” on the “Settings” screen.
Select “Yes” on the “Maintenance System” screen.
“Initialization Completed” will be displayed on the multi-information display
when the reset procedure has been completed.
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about the operations
of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty cove rage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take
care of it.
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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)
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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)
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4947-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( P. 641)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 641)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
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4957-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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 correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points
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4967-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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.