
TABLE OF CONTENTS6
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)7-1.  Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 488
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 492
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 495
General maintenance ........ 498
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 502
7-3. Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ..................... 503
Hood.................................. 505
Positioning a floor jack ...... 507
Engine compartment ......... 508
Tires .................................. 520
Tire inflation pressure........ 531
Wheels .............................. 534
Air conditioning filter .......... 536
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 538
Checking and replacing  fuses ............................... 541
Light bulbs ......................... 545 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
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises 

15Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)Fuel filler door  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 259
Refueling method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 259
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 641
Tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 520
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 648
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 326
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system  . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 520
Coping with flat tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 596
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 505
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 505
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 642
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 632
Warning messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 581
Headlights/daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Front fog lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 252
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 239
Stop/tail lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Hill-start assist control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 301
Downhill assist control system
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 307
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 234
Side marker lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving  
(Replacing method: P. 545, Watts: P. 651)
*: If equipped
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 

19Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)Inside lock buttons  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 123
Driving position memory switches
*1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 163
Outside rear view mirror switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 175
Door lock switches  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 123
Power window switches  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 177
Window lock switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 178
Tire pressure warning reset switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 523
PCS OFF switch
*1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 310
*1: If equipped
*2: Refer to “NAVIGATION AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 

872. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in the indicated vehi-
cle’s systems.
Warning lights
*1
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning
light ( P. 569)*1Electric power steering
system warning light
(P. 570)
*1
(Canada)
Brake system warning
light ( P. 569)*1, 2, 3
Pre-collision system
warning light ( P. 570)
*1, 2Charging system warn-
ing light (P. 569)*1
Slip indicator ( P. 570)
*1, 2Low engine oil pressure
warning light (P. 569)*2Open door warning light 
(P. 571)
*1
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator
lamp ( P. 569)Low fuel level warning
light (P. 571)
*1
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator
lamp ( P. 569)Seat belt reminder light
(P. 571)
*1SRS warning light 
(P. 570)*1Master warning light 
(P. 571)
*1
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light 
(P. 570)*1
Tire pressure warning
light ( P. 571)
*1
(Canada)
ABS warning light 
(P. 570) 

2884-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
Conditions in which the function may not operate correctly
In the following situations, the camera sensor may be unable to recognize
lane markers causing the lane departure warning function to operate incor-
rectly. However, this does not indicate a malfunction.
●When driving through an area with no lane markers, such as a tollbooth, a
crossing or before a ticket checkpoint
● When driving on a sharp curve
● When lane markers are extremely narrow or extremely wide
● When the vehicle leans to one side an unusual amount due to a heavy load
or improper tire inflation pressure
● When the following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead is
extremely short
● When the lane markers are yellow (These may be more difficult for the sys-
tem to recognize compared to white markers.)
● When the lane markers are broken, Botts’ dots (raised pavement markers)
or stones
● When the lane markers are on a curb etc.
● When lane markers are obscured or partially obscured by sand, dirt, etc.
● When there are shadows on the road running parallel with lane markers, or
if a shadow covers the lane markers
● When driving on a particularly bright road surface, such as concrete
● When driving on a road surface that is bright due to reflected light
● When driving in a location where the light level changes rapidly, such as the
entrance to or exit from a tunnel
● When sunlight or the headlights of oncoming vehicles are shining directly
into the camera lens
● When driving on roads that are branching or merging
● When driving on a road surface that is wet due to rain, previous rainfall,
standing water, etc.
● When the vehicle experiences strong up-and-down motion such as when
driving on an extremely rough road or on a seam in the pavement
● When headlight brightness at nighttime is reduced due to dirt on the lenses,
or when the headlights are misaligned
● When driving on winding roads or roads that are uneven
● When driving on rough or unpaved roads
■ When changing the tires
Depending on the tires used, sufficient performance may not be maintainable.
■ Warning messages for the LDA system
Warning messages are used to indicate a system malfunction or to inform t\
he
driver of the need for caution while driving. ( P. 584) 

2984-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
The fixed guide lines are very far out of alignment
• The vehicle is tilted (there is a
heavy load on the vehicle, tire
pressure is low due to a tire punc-
ture, etc.)
• The vehicle is used on an incline.If this happens due to these causes,
it does not indicate a malfunction.
Back up while visually checking the
vehicle's surroundings.
The camera position is out of align-
ment.Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■ When using the rear  view monitor system 
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device intended to assist
the driver when backing up. When backing up, be sure to check visually
behind and all around the vehicle before proceeding.
Observe the following precautions to avoid an accident that could result in
death or serious injuries.
● Never depend on the rear view monitor system entirely when backing up.
The image and the position of the guide lines displayed on the screen may
differ from the actual state. 
Use caution, just as you would when backing up any vehicle.
● Be sure to back up slowly, depressing the brake pedal to control vehicle
speed.
● The instructions given are only guidelines.
When and how much to turn the steering wheel will vary according to traf-
fic conditions, road surface conditions, vehicle condition, etc. when park-
ing. It is necessary to be fully aware of this before using the rear view
monitor system. 
● When parking, be sure to check that the parking space will accommodate
your vehicle before maneuvering into it.
● Do not use the rear view monitor system in the following cases:
• On icy or slick road surfaces, or in snow
• When using tire chains or the compact spare tire
• When the back door is not closed completely
• On roads that are not flat or straight, such as curves or slopes.
Likely causeSolution 

3064-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
WARNING
■TRAC may not operat e effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating. 
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control
●Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start assist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered with ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not intended to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC syst ems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfunction. 

3294-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified.
● Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■ Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
● Vehicles with LDA (Lane Departure Alert) system: Do not use LDA (Lane
Departure Alert) system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow  tires from Toyota dealers or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.