Page 17 of 712

17Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 240
Applying/releasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 240
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 324
Warning buzzer/message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 572
Turn signal lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 239
Headlight switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Headlights/tail lights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Front fog lights
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 252
Wiper and washer switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 253, 255
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 253, 255
Adding washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 514
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 582
Emergency flasher switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 554
Hood lock release lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 500
Tilt and telescopic steering lock release lever . . . . . . . . . . P. 172
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 172
Manual air conditioning system
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 422
Automatic air conditioning system
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 428
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 422, 428
Rear window defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 424, 430
Audio system
*1, 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 338
Navigation system
*1, 3
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 457
Power back door main switch
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 132
Fuel filler door opener switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 259
*1: If equipped
*2: For Entune Audio Plus, refer to “Navigation and Multimedia System Owner’s Manual”.
*3: Refer to “Navigation and Multimedia System Owner’s Manual”.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Page 200 of 712

2004-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is
accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 590)
■ When encounterin g flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.
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 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.
Page 561 of 712
5618-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the follow ing symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms