Page 551 of 732
5517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
●Flathead screwdriver
● Small flathead screwdriver
● Lithium  battery  CR2016  (vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system),  o r
CR2032 (vehicles with a smart key system)
Vehicles without a smart key system
Remove the cover.
To  prevent  damage  to  the  key,
cover the tip of the flathead screw-
driver with a rag.
To  prevent  the  buttons  from  being
disassembled,  face  the  button  sur-
face downward.
Remove the module.
Wireless remote control/electronic key 
batter y
Replace the battery with a n ew one if it is depleted.
You will need the following items:
Replacing the battery
1
2 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 552 of 732
5527-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Open  the  case  cover  using  a
coin  protected  with  tape  etc.
and  remove  the  depleted  bat-
tery  using  a  small  flathead
screwdriver.
Insert  a  new  battery  with  the  “+”
terminal facing up.
Vehicles with a smart key system
Take out the mechanical key.
Remove the cover.
To  prevent  damage  to  the  key,
cover the tip of the flathead screw-
driver with a rag.
Remove the depleted battery.
Insert  a  new  battery  with  the  “+”
terminal facing up.
3
1
2
3 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 553 of 732

5537-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
■Use a CR2016 (vehicles without  a smart key system) or CR2032 (v ehicles
with a smart key system) lithium battery
● Batteries can be purchased at your Toyota dealer, local electri cal appliance
shops or camera stores.
● Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manu-
facturer.
● Dispose of used batteries according to local laws.
■ If the key battery is depleted 
The following symptoms may occur:
●The  smart  key  system  (if  equipped)  and  wireless  remote  control  will  not
function properly.
● The operational range will be reduced.
WARNING
■Removed battery a nd other parts
These parts are small and if swallowed by a child, they can cause choking.
Keep  away  from  children.  Failure  to  do  so  could  result  in  death  or  serious
injury.
NOTICE
■ For normal operation after replacing the battery
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents:
● Always work with dry hands.
Moisture may cause the battery to rust.
● Do not touch or move any other component inside the remote cont rol.
● Do not bend either of the battery terminals. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 554 of 732
5547-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicles without a smart key system: 
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: 
Turn the engine switch off.
Open the fuse box cover. 
Engine compartment (type A fuse box)
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
Engine compartment (type B fuse box)
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
Checking and replacing fuses
If  any  of  the  electrical  components  do  not  operate,  a  fuse  may
have blown. If this happens, che ck and replace the fuses as nec-
essary.
1
2 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 573 of 732
573
8When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U8-1.  Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 574
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an 
emergency ...................... 575
8-2.  Steps to take in an  emergency
If your vehicle needs  to be towed ..................... 577
If you think something  is wrong .......................... 581
Fuel pump shut off  system ............................ 582
If a warning light turns  on or a warning buzzer 
sounds ............................ 583
If a warning message  is displayed ..................... 593
If you have a flat tire.......... 610
If the engine will not  start ................................. 635
If the electronic key  does not operate 
properly ........................... 637
If the vehicle battery  is discharged ................... 640
If your vehicle  overheats ........................ 646
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ............................... 649 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 575 of 732

5758-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do  not  pump  the  brake  pedal  repeatedly  as  this  will  increase  th e  effort
required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehi cle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cann ot be shifted to N
Keep  depressing  the  brake  pedal  with  both  feet  to  reduce  vehicl e
speed as much as possible.
Vehicles  without  a  smart  key
system:  Stop  the  engine  by
turning the engine switch to the
“ACC” position.
Vehicles  with  a  smart  key  sys-
tem:  To  stop  the  engine,  press
and hold the engine switch for 2
consecutive  seconds  or  more,
or press it briefly 3 times or
more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a s afe place by the road.
If  your vehicle has to be stopped in an 
emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop
the vehicle in the normal way, st op the vehicle using the follow-
ing procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
4
Press and hold for 2 seconds or 
more, or press briefly 3 times or 
more
Q
R 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 576 of 732
5768-1. Essential information
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■If the engine has to be tu rned off while driving
● Power  assist  for  the  brakes  and  steering  wheel  will  be  lost,  ma king  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 580 of 732

5808-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U
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 fro m 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  when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re ar.
■ Recreational towing (behind 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. 223)