Page 577 of 732
5778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
If you use chains or cables to tie
down your vehicle, the angles
shaded in black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie
downs or the vehicle may be dam-
aged.
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■ When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with the front wheels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the ground.
If the vehicle is towed with the front
wheels contacting the ground, the drive-
train and related parts may be damaged.
AWD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
Page 578 of 732

5788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with a smart key system: Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is off.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle wh en towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■ Recreational towing (beh ind motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to prevent
causing serious damage to the Dynamic
Torque Control AWD system (AWD mod-
els) and transmission. (→P. 217)
Page 579 of 732
5798-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air co nditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the follow ing symptoms, your vehicle proba-
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 580 of 732
5808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Follow the procedure below to restart the engine after the system is
activated.
Vehicles without a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Restart the engine.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode or turn it off.
Restart the engine.
Fuel pump shut off system
To minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls or
when an airbag inflates upon collision, the fuel pump shut off
system stops the supply of fuel to the engine.
NOTICE
■ Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the ground, the fuel system has been
damaged and is in need of repair. Do not restart the engine.
1
2
1
2
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 583 of 732

5838-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
PCS (Pre-Collision System) warning light When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer sounds):
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision system)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
When the warning light flashes (and a buzzer does not
sound):
Indicates that the PCS (Pre-Collision system) is temporar-
ily unavailable, possibly due to either of the following:
• An area around the radar sensor or camera sensor being dirty or covered with condensation, ice, stickers,
etc.
→ Clear the dirt, condensation, ice, stickers, etc.
(→P. 256)
• Radar sensor or camera sensor operational conditions
(such as temperature etc.) being not met
→ Driving is possible in th is case. The PCS (Pre-Colli-
sion System) will be enabled if the operational condi-
tions (such as temperature etc.) are met again.
When the warning light is illuminated:
Either the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system or PCS
(Pre-Collision system) is disabled or both are disabled.
→ To enable the PCS, enable both the VSC system and
PCS. ( →P. 265, 334)
(Amber)
LDA (Lane Departure Alert wit h steering control) indica-
tor The indicator comes on and a warning message is dis-
played to indicate that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control) system is not available temporarily or has
detected a malfunction.
→ P. 592
(Flashes)
Stop & Start cancel indicator*3
Indicates a malfunction in the Stop & Start system
(The Stop & Start cancel indicator will come on when the
system is canceled.: →P. 298)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
Page 584 of 732
5848-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Master warning lightA buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
→ P. 591
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 586)
• Flat tire ( →P. 608)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pressure (including the
full-size spare tire) to the specified level.
The light will turn off af ter a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted, have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
( → P. 587)
→ Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions