Page 503 of 732

5037-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers may operate and the wiper
blades may be damaged.
■ When using a high pressure car wash
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they
come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
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.
Page 574 of 732
5748-1. Essential information
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Never attempt to remove the key, as
doing so will lock the steering wheel.
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 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 594 of 732
5948-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
(If equipped)
Indicates that an intuitive parking assist-sensor is
dirty or covered with iceA buzzer also sounds.
→ Clean the sensor.
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric
Power Steering) system
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that the vehicle is being driven at 3 mph (5
km/h) or more with the parking brake still engaged
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Release the parking brake.
Indicates that the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control) system has determined that the
driver does not have their hands on the steering
wheel while the steering control function is on
If the system continues to determine that the
driver does not have his hands on the steering
wheel, comes on and a buzzer also
sounds.
→ Firmly hold the steering wheel.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.) (Canada) (Flashes)
Page 599 of 732

5998-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
Indicates a malfunction in the Stop & Start systemA buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspect ed by your Toyota
dealer.
Indicates that the engine was stopped while driv-
ing A buzzer also sounds.
→ Operate the steering wheel with more force
than usual.
Indicates that the engine switch is turned off or
turned to ACCESSORY mode and the driver’s
door is opened while the lights are turned on
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Turn the lights off.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the moon roof or panoramic moon
roof is not fully closed (with the engine switch off,
and the driver’s door open)
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Close the moon roof or panoramic moon
roof.
(AWD models)
Indicates that the AWD system is not currently
functional
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Reduce vehicle speed or stop the vehicle in
a safe place until the warnings clear. In this
case, do not stop the engine.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
Page 605 of 732
6058-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
OnceContin-
uous
An attempt was made to lock
either front door by opening a
door and putting the inside lock
button into the lock position,
then closing the door with the
electronic key still inside the
vehicle.
→Retrieve the electronic key
from the vehicle and lock
the doors again.
Once⎯
The electronic key has a low
battery.
→Replace the electronic key
battery. ( →P. 549)
Once⎯
The steering lock could not be
released within 3 seconds of
the engine switch being
pressed.
→Press the engine switch
while depressing the brake
pedal and moving the
steering wheel left and
right.
Once⎯
Indicates a malfunction in the
smart key system
→Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
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(Flashes)