4126-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
Installing the 12-volt battery cover
Install the clamp cover.
Install the 12-volt battery
cover.
Install the side deck board.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to dis-
connect the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and dis-
connecting the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.
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4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
6
Maintenance and care
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery
●The hybrid system may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the
system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the hybrid system.
● Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possible imme-
diately after reconnecting the 12-volt battery. If this happens, use the wire-
less remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
● Start the hybrid system with the power switch in ACCESSORY mode. The
hybrid system may not start with the power switch turned off. However, the
hybrid system will operate normally from the second attempt.
● The power switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the 12-volt battery is
disconnected and reconnected, the vehicle will return the power switch
mode to the status it was in before the 12-volt battery was disconnected.
Make sure to turn off the power switch before disconnecting the 12-volt bat-
tery. Take extra care when connecting the 12-volt battery if the power switch
mode prior to the battery being disconnected is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your Toyota
dealer.
WARNING
■ Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may
produce hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk
of death or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or
near the 12-volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 12-volt battery terminals with tools.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the 12-volt battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the 12-volt battery.
● Keep children away from the 12-volt battery.
■ Where to safely charge the 12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an open area. Do not charge the 12-
volt battery in a garage or closed room where there is not sufficient ventila-
tion.
■ How to recharge th e 12-volt battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less). The 12-volt battery may explode if
charged at a quicker rate.
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4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
● If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
● If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
● If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■ When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for the vehicle. Failure to do so may cause
gas (hydrogen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or
explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while the hybrid system is operating.
Also, be sure all accessories are turned off.
4617-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
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 in red (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Brake system warning light in yellow
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The regenerative braking system; or
• The electronically controlled brake system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
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 hybrid system;
• The electronic engine control system; or
• The electronic throttle control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
4777-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Color display only
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is
too highA buzzer also sounds.
P. 525
Color display onlyIndicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging
system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Toyota dealer. Continuing
to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Color display only
(If equipped)
Indicates that the radar sensor is dirty or covered
with ice A buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor.
Color display only
(If equipped)
Indicates that the dynamic radar cruise control
system is unable to judge vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance
A buzzer also sounds.
Turn off snow mode.
If the windshield wipers are on, turn them
off or set them to a mode other than
“AUTO” (if equipped) or high speed wiper
operation.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
system is suspended (The camera sensor tem-
perature is higher than the operation temperature
range)
A buzzer also sounds.
Restart the LDA after driving for a while.
(If equipped)
Indicates that a Blind Spot Monitor sensor or the
surrounding area on the bumper is dirty or cov-
ered with ice
A buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor and its surrounding area
on the bumper.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
5227-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Once the hybrid system has started, remove the jumper cables in
the exact reverse order from which they were connected.
Close the exclusive jump starting terminal cover, and reinstall the
fuse box cover to its original position.
When installing, first hook the fuse box cover onto the two rear tabs.
Once the hybrid system starts, have the vehicle inspected at your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■ Starting the hybrid system when th e 12-volt battery is discharged
The hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is running
at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic.
■ When recharging or repl acing the 12-volt battery
● In some cases, it may not be possible to unlock the doors using the smart
key system when the 12-volt battery is discharged. Use the wireless remote
control or the mechanical key to lock or unlock the doors.
● The hybrid system may not start on the first attempt after the 12-volt battery
has recharged but will start normally after the second attempt. This is not a
malfunction.
● The power switch mode is memorized by the vehicle. When the 12-volt bat-
tery is reconnected, the system will return to the mode it was in before the
12-volt battery was discharged. Before disconnecting the 12-volt battery,
turn the power switch off.
If you are unsure what mode the power switch was in before the 12-volt bat-
tery discharged, be especially careful when reconnecting the 12-volt battery.
● The power back door must be initialized. ( P. 571)
■ Charging the 12-volt battery
The electricity stored in the 12-volt battery will discharge gradually even when
the vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of
certain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the 12-volt
battery may discharge, and the hybrid system may be unable to start. (The
12-volt battery recharges automatically while the hybrid system is operating.)
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5237-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■Avoiding 12-volt battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the 12-volt battery:
●Make sure each jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that
it is not unintentionally in contact with any other than the intended terminal.
● Do not allow the other end of the jumper cable connected to the “+” termi-
nal to come into contact with any other parts or metal surfaces in the area,
such as brackets or unpainted metal.
● Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come into contact
with each other.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the 12-volt battery.
■ 12-volt battery precautions
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte,
while related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following
precautions when handling the 12-volt battery:
●When working with the 12-volt battery, always wear safety glasses and
take care not to allow any 12-volt battery fluids (acid) to come into contact
with skin, clothing or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the 12-volt battery.
● In the event that 12-volt battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or
eyes, immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical
attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the 12-volt battery support, termi-
nals, and other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the 12-volt battery.
■ After recharging the 12-volt battery
Have the 12-volt battery inspected at your Toyota dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
If the 12-volt battery is deteriorating, continued use may cause the 12-volt
battery to emit a malodorous gas, which may be detrimental to the health of
passengers.
■ When replacing the 12-volt battery
P. 414
5388-1. Specifications
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Cooling system
Capacity (reference)
Gasoline engine
Power control unit14.3 qt. (13.5 L, 11.9 Imp. qt.)
2.0 qt. (1.9 L, 1.7 Imp. qt.)
Coolant typeUse either of the following.
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based
non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and
non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Ignition system
Spark plug
MakeDENSO FK20HR11
Gap0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■ Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust the spark plug gap.
Electrical system
12-volt battery
Open voltage at 68 F
(20 C): 12.6 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2
12.4 V Half charged
11 . 8
12.0 V Discharged
(Voltage is checked 20 minutes after the hybrid
system and all lights are turned off.)
Charging rates5 A max.