Page 330 of 712

3304-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
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 494 of 712
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.
Page 495 of 712
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
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 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 510 of 712

5107-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.
■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
Brake fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemClean funnel
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.