Page 558 of 716

5587-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
Replacing the following bulbs
If any of the lights listed below
has burnt out, have it replaced by
your Toyota dealer.
● Side turn signal lights
● Daytime running lights (LED type)
● High mounted stoplight
● Outer foot lights (if equipped)
■LED light bulbs
The side turn signal lights, daytime running lights (LED type), high mounted
stoplight and outer foot lights (if equipped) consist of a number of LEDs. If
any of the LEDs burns out, take your vehicle to your Toyota dealer to have the
light replaced.
■ Condensation build-up on the inside of the lens
Temporary condensation build-up on the inside of the headlight lens does not
indicate a malfunction.
Contact your Toyota dealer for more information in the following situations:
●Large drops of water have built up on the inside of the lens.
● Water has built up inside the headlight.
■ When replacing light bulbs
P. 544
WARNING
■Replacing light bulbs
●Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after
turning off the lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
● Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth
to avoid getting moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
● Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so
may result in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This
may damage the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
■ To prevent damage or fire
Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
Page 559 of 716
559
8When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 560
If your vehicle has to be stopped
in an emergency ............. 561
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 563
If you think something is wrong .......................... 567
Fuel pump shut off system ............................ 568
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 569
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 578
If you have a flat tire.......... 596
If the engine will not start ........................... 621
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............. 623
If the electronic key does not operate properly ....... 624
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 627
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 632
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................... 635
Page 562 of 716
5628-1. Essential information
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
●Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
Page 565 of 716
5658-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with the front wheels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed with the front
wheels contacting the ground, the driv-
etrain and related parts may be dam-
aged.
AWD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
Page 569 of 716

5698-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
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 (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released the system is operating normally.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
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 electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Page 570 of 716

5708-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
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. 309)
• The light will turn on when the pre-collision system is disabled. ( P. 310)
• The light will turn on when the VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system is disabled. ( P. 304)
• The light will flash when the system cannot temporarily be used. ( P. 589)
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;
• The hill-start assist control system; or
• The downhill assist control system
*4
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 571 of 716

5718-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*2, 5
Indicates that one or more of the doors, the back door or
the glass hatch
*4 is not fully closed
Check that all the doors, the back door and the glass
hatch
*4 are closed.
Low fuel level warning light Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.9 gal.
(10.7 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*6
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (war ning buzzer) turn off.
Master warning light
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
P. 578
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 573)
• Flat tire ( P. 596)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure (including the
full-size spare tire) to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
( P. 574)
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 572 of 716

5728-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: P. 583
*2: Vehicles with monochrome display
*3: Vehicles with color display
*4: If equipped
*5: Open door warning buzzer:P. 580
*6: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
Vehicles without a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds
to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position, 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.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to
alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not fastened. Once the engine
switch is turned to IGNITION 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 unfas-
tened, 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.