Page 526 of 732

5267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid ty
pe and prepare the necessary item.
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
Brake fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemClean funnel
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.
Page 581 of 732

5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
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
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
(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.
SRS warning light
Indicates 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.
Page 582 of 732

5828-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
→ Release the parking brake.
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.
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system;
• The Trailer Sway Control;
• The hill-start assist control system; or
• The downhill assist control system
*3
The light will flash when the VSC, TRAC or Trailer Sway
Control
system is operating.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
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.
Driver’s and front passenger’ s seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*4
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.
Rear seat seat belt reminder lights (warning buzzer)*5
Warns the second and/or third seat passengers to fasten
their seat belts. An indicator corresponding to an unfas-
tened second or third seat seat belt will illuminate.
→ Fasten the seat belt.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 585 of 732

5858-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
*1: Brake system warning buzzer: When there is a possible problem that couldaffect braking performance, the warning light will come on and a warning
buzzer will sound.
*2: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer: →P. 594
*3: If equipped
*4: 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 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the
buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 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 24 seconds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 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 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 6 seconds.
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different
tone for 90 more seconds.
*5: Rear seat seat belt buzzer:
The second and third passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the sec-
ond and third passengers that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds for 6 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in
a different tone for 24 more seconds.
Page 588 of 732

5888-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer. The vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the
ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or
serious injury.
■ When the electric power steerin g system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light co mes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have the flat tire
repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
Page 601 of 732

6018-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance according to the
driven distance on the maintenance schedule*
should be performed soon.
Comes on approximately 4500 miles (7200 km)
after the message has been reset.
→If necessary, perform maintenance.
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that all maintenance is required to cor-
respond to the driven distance on the mainte-
nance schedule*.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles (8000 km)
after the message has been reset.
(The indicator will not work properly unless the
message has been reset.)
→Perform the necessary maintenance.
Please reset the message after the mainte-
nance is performed ( →P. 508)
Indicates that the Automatic High Beam switch is
pressed while the headlights are in low beam.
→Turn the high beam on and press the Auto-
matic High Beam switch again.
Indicates that, since the VSC (Vehicle Stability
Control) system was turned off, the pre-collision
brake system operation is stopped
→Turn the VSC on. ( →P. 334)
Indicates that the pre-collision system is tempo-
rarily unavailable
→ Please wait until the system returns. If the
message does not disappear, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer immedi-
ately.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
Page 634 of 732

6348-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
●One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( →P. 638)
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system.
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if repair
procedures are unknown.
When the engine does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the engine if the engine switch is functioning
normally:
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the engine switch for about 15 seconds while
depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be started using the above steps, the system
may be malfunctioning. Have the ve hicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and head-
lights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
Emergency start function (vehicles with a smart key system)
1
2
3
4
Page 711 of 732

711What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
●The auto power off function will be operated if the vehicle is left in ACCES-
SORY or IGNITION ON mode (the engine is not running) for a period of
time. (→P. 223)
●The seat belt reminder light is flashing
Are the driver and the passengers wearing the seat belts? ( →P. 582)
●The parking brake indicator is on
Is the parking brake released? (→P. 234)
Depending on the situation, other types of warning buzzer may also sound.
( →P. 581, 591)
●Did anyone inside the vehicle open a door during setting the alarm?
The sensor detects it and the alarm sounds. ( →P. 82)
Vehicles without a smart key system:
To stop the alarm, turn the engine switch to the “ON” position or start the
engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
To stop the alarm, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode or start the
engine.
The engine switch is tu rned off automatically
(vehicles with a smart key system)
A warning buzzer sounds during driving
An alarm is activated and the horn sounds
(vehicles with an alarm)