Page 408 of 608
4086-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)■
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 ty
pe 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 455 of 608
4557-1. Essential information
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort
required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle
speed as much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system,
press and hold the power
switch for 2 consecutive sec-
onds or more, or press it briefly
3 times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way, st op the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or
more, or press briefly 3 times or
more
4
WARNING
■ If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel
heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid
system.
5
Page 460 of 608
4607-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
●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 hybrid system
● 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
Page 461 of 608
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.
Page 462 of 608
4627-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
SRS warning lightIndicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
(Flashes)
Pre-collision system warning light*3, 4
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System)
The warning light will operate as follows, even when the
system is not malfunctioning:
• The light will flash quickly when the system is operating.
(P. 300)
• The light will turn on when the pre-collision system is disabled. ( P. 301)
• The light will turn on when the VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled. ( P. 297)
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily be used. ( P. 481)
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC or the TRAC
system is
operating.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 464 of 608
4647-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: P. 476
*2: Vehicles with monochrome display
*3: Vehicles with color display
*4: If equipped
*5: Open door warning buzzer:P. 472
*6: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the power switch is turned to ON mode, the
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20
km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 25
seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the
seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20
more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger
that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the\
vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfas-
tened after 25 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 10 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 20 more seconds.
Page 467 of 608
4677-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extrem ely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavie r than usual when operating, hold
firmly and operate using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with th e spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
Page 471 of 608
4717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Warning message and warning buzzer list
Warning messageDetails/Actions
Color display only
(If equipped)
Indicates that:
• There is a high possibility of a frontal collision;or
• The pre-collision braking function is operating
A buzzer also sounds.
Slow the vehicle by applying the brakes.
Indicates that the hybrid system was stopped
with the shift lever not in P
A buzzer also sounds.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Indicates that the hybrid system was stopped
while driving
A buzzer also sounds.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place such as the
shoulder of a road.
Color display only
(If equipped)
Indicates that your vehicle is nearing the vehicle
ahead (in vehicle-to-vehicle distance mode)
A buzzer also sounds.
Slow the vehicle by applying the brakes.
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
