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5017-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
When using a car wash (vehicles with a smart key system)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the ef\
fective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
●Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle
while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( →P. 143)
■ Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical clean-
ers.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
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5087-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Toyota parts be used for repairs to ensure
performance of each system. If non-Toyota parts are used in replacement or if
a repair shop other than a Toyota dealer performs repairs, confirm the war-
ranty coverage.
■ Resetting the message indicating maintenance is required (U.S.A. only)
After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the message.
To reset the message, follow the procedure described below:
Using the trip meter
Vehicles without a smart key system: Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK”
position with the trip meter A reading shown.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Turn the engine switch off with the trip
meter A reading shown.
Vehicles without a smart key system: While pressing the trip meter reset
button ( →P. 93), turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (do not start the
engine, reset mode will be canceled).
Vehicles with a smart key system: While pressing the trip meter reset but-
ton ( →P. 93), turn the engine switch to the IGNITION ON mode (do not start
the engine, otherwise the reset mode will be canceled).
Continue to press and hold the button until the trip meter displays “000000”.
Using the multi-information display
While the engine is running, switch the multi-information display to .
( →P. 99)
Select “Maintenance System” on of the multi-information display.
Select “Yes” on the “Maintenance System” screen.
“Initialization Completed” will be displayed on the multi-information display
when the reset procedure has been completed.
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Toyota dealer
●Toyota technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with
the latest service information. They are well informed about the operations
of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty cove rage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your Toyota dealer will promptly take
care of it.
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Page 511 of 732

5117-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-
ance from the floor? ( →P. 659)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( →P. 659)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
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5127-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
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 engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.
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5167-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch lever
and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by inserting
the support rod into the slot.
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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5177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
■ After installing the su pport rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely preventing it from falling
down onto your head or body.
NOTICE
■ When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod not clipped could cause the hood to bend.
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5227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil. Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, c hecking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or
when driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE)
engine3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
Engine oil selection →P. 654
Oil quantity
(Low → Full)
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
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Page 528 of 732

5287-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
After recharging/reconnecting the ba ttery (vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem)
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
● Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possible imme-
diately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wireless
remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
● Start the engine with the engine switch in ACCESSORY mode. The engine
may not start with the engine switch turned off. However, the engine will
operate normally from the second attempt.
● The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the battery is discon-
nected and reconnected, the vehicle will return the engine switch mode to
the status it was in before the battery was disconnected. Make sure to turn
off the engine before disconnecting the battery. Take extra care when con-
necting the battery if the engine switch mode prior to the battery being dis-
connected is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your Toyota
dealer.
WARNING
■ Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the
battery:
● Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
● Keep children away from the battery.
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