
7
1
8 7
6
5
4
3
2
9
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
10
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers .......... 572
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ...................... 573
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................... 575
If you think something is wrong........................... 579
Fuel pump shut off system............................. 580
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ............................ 581
If a warning message is displayed ..................... 591
If you have a flat tire .......... 608
If the engine will not start ........................... 633
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........ 635
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................... 638
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 644
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................ 647 9-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 650
Fuel information ................. 664
Tire information.................. 667
9-2. Customization Customizable features ........................... 680
9-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 692
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 694
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 695
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)................................ 698
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ..................... 708
Alphabetical index ...................... 714
8When trouble arises9Vehicle specifications
10For owners
Index

15Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 250
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 250
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 653
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 531
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 660
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 339
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . . . P. 531
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 608
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 516
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 516
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 654
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 644
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 593
Headlights/daytime running lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 235
Daytime running lights
* /parking lights* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 235
Front fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 243
Front turn signal lights/parking lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
Stop/tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 235
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 331
Downhill assist control system
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 337
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 235
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 227
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 235
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 233
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 556, Watts: P. 663)
*: If equipped
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

1443-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)■
Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak radio waves. In the following situations, the
communication between the electronic key and the vehicle may be affected,
preventing the smart key system, wireless remote control and engine immobi-
lizer system from operating properly. (Ways of coping: →P. 635)
● When the electronic key battery is depleted
● Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise
● When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
● When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
● When other wireless keys (that emit radio waves) are being used nearby
● When carrying the electronic key together with the following devices that
emit radio waves
• Another vehicle’s electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the
rear window
● When the electronic key is placed near a battery charger or electronic
devices

1944-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■ If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( →P. 608)
■ When encounterin g flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models), differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.

339
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
4-6. Driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures. • Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician ins pect the condition of the battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Al ways drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter

3464-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
● Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.

5097-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemic als known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands
after handling. ( →P. 527)

5107-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E017U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner’s Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (→P. 527)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( →P. 526)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level?
(→P. 524)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? ( →P. 521)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (→P. 525)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (→P. 530)