
TABLE OF CONTENTS6
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 490
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 494
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 497
General maintenance ........ 500
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 503
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 504
Hood.................................. 506
Positioning a floor jack ...... 508
Engine compartment ......... 509
12-volt battery ................... 517
Tires .................................. 522
Tire inflation pressure........ 532
Wheels .............................. 535
Air conditioning filter .......... 537
Electronic key battery ........ 539
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 ............................... 562
If you think something is wrong............................... 566
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................. 567
If a warning message is displayed ......................... 577
If you have a flat tire .......... 597
If the hybrid system will not start ..................... 621
If the electronic key does not operate
properly ........................... 623
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ....................... 626
If your vehicle overheats......................... 631
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................ 635
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises

17Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 256
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 256
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 641
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 522
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 646
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 337
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . . . P. 522
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 597
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 506
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 506
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 642
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 631
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 579
Headlights/daytime running lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Daytime running lights
*/parking lights*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Front fog lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 249
Front turn signal lights/parking lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 239
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 329
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 241
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 239
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 545, Watts: P. 649)
*: If equipped
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

2794-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or a
sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud- denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming
traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at night or in a tunnel
• After the hybrid system has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after making a left/
right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving on a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking force may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other slippery sur- face
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered

3334-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
WARNING
■TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and power may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
● 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.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not operate if VSC
turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ 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.

3364-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
◆Checking tire inflation pressure
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure frequently. Improper
tire inflation pressure can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause larg e amounts of friction, their use on
dry roads can lead to poor fuel economy. Use tires that are appro-
priate for the season.
◆Luggage
Carrying heavy luggage will lead to poor fuel economy. Avoid carry-
ing unnecessary luggage. Installing a large roof rack will also cause
poor fuel economy.
◆Warming up before driving
Since the gasoline engine starts up and cuts out automatically
when cold, warming up the engine is unnecessary. Moreover, fre-
quently driving short distances wi ll cause the engine to repeatedly
warm up, which can lead to excess fuel consumption.

489
7Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 490
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 494
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 497
General maintenance........ 500
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs......................... 503
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 504
Hood ................................. 506
Positioning a floor jack ...... 508
Engine compartment ......... 509
12-volt battery ................... 517
Tires .................................. 522
Tire inflation pressure ....... 532
Wheels .............................. 535
Air conditioning filter.......... 537
Electronic key battery........ 539
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 541
Light bulbs......................... 545

5027-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/ rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

504
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F12U)
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service 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. 517)•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 515)• 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. 513)
• “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. 510)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 541)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 545)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( →P. 514)⎯
Tire inflation
pressure
(→ P. 532)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→ P. 516)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)