Page 261 of 716
2614-4. Refueling
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Press the opener switch.
Turn the fuel tank cap slowly to
remove it and hang it on the
back of the fuel filler door.
■When the fuel filler door cannot be opened by pressing the inside switch
Opening the fuel tank cap
1
2
Remove the cover inside the luggage
compartment and pull the lever.
Page 262 of 716
2624-4. Refueling
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
After refueling, turn the fuel tank
cap until you hear a click. Once
the cap is released, it will turn
slightly in the opposite direction.
Closing the fuel tank cap
WARNING
■When replacing the fuel tank cap
Do not use anything but a genuine Toyota fuel tank cap designed for your
vehicle. Doing so may cause a fire or other incident which may result in
death or serious injury.
Page 430 of 716

4306-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effec-
tive in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine switch
is turned to “ON” position.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 536
Page 437 of 716

4376-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNI-
TION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 536
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 668)
Page 481 of 716

4816-4. Using the other interior features
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
Stolen Vehicle Location
If your vehicle is stolen, Safety
Connect can work with local author-
ities to assist them in locating a nd recovering the vehicle. After filing
a police report, call the Safety Connect response center at 1-800-
331-4331 and follow the prompts for Safety Connect to initiate this
service.
In addition to assisting law enforcement with recovery of a stolen
vehicle, Safety-Connect-equippe d vehicle location data may, under
certain circumstances, be shared with third parties to locate your
vehicle. Further information is available at Toyota.com.
■Emergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on the road, push the “SOS” button to
reach the Safety Connect respon se center. The answering agent
will determine your vehicle’s location, assess the emergency, and
dispatch the necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-center
agent that you are not experiencing an emergency.
■
Enhanced Roadside Assistance
Enhanced Roadside Assi stance adds GPS data to the already
included warranty-based Toyota roadside service.
Subscribers can press the “SOS” bu tton to reach a Safety Connect
response-center agent, who can help with a wide range of needs,
such as: towing, flat tire, fuel deli very, etc. For a description of the
Enhanced Roadside Assistance se rvices and their limitations,
please see the Safety Connect Terms and Conditions, which are
available at Toyota.com.
Page 488 of 716

488
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors.
• Turn off the power back door (if equipped).
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
Cleaning and prot ecting the vehicle
exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
Page 497 of 716
4977-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( P. 516)
Page 502 of 716

5027-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
● When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Emission inspection an d maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test