Page 325 of 608

3254-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spok es when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
Page 326 of 608

3264-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
hybrid battery, hybrid system or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the
hybrid system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery
stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.
● Water entering the hybrid transaxle will cause deterioration in transmission
quality. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not
be drivable.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the transaxle 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 385 of 608

3856-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers may operate and the wiper
blades may be damaged.
■ When using a high pressure car wash
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they
come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
Page 392 of 608
3926-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
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
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 408)
CoolantIs the coolant at the correct level? (P. 406)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 403)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (P. 407)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 409)
Page 393 of 608
3936-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
6
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the battery connections. (P. 410)
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Hybrid 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. 539)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 539)
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 394 of 608
3946-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
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 397 of 608

397
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
6
Maintenance and care
6-3. 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
12-volt battery
condition
(P. 410)•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 408)• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power
control unit cool-
ant level
(P. 406)
• “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 coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 403)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 434)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(P. 438)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( P. 407)
Tire inflation
pressure
( P. 425)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 409)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 402 of 608
4026-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank (P. 409)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 408)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 404)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 403)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 406) Power control unit coolant
reservoir (
P. 406)
Fuse boxes ( P. 434)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 407)
Power control unit coolant
radiator ( P. 407)
Radiator ( P. 407)1
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