Page 530 of 732

5307-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
After recharging/reconnecting the battery (vehicles with a smar t key sys-
tem)
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initial ize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
● Unlocking the doors using the smart key system may not be possi ble imme-
diately  after  reconnecting  the  battery.  If  this  happens,  use  the  wireless
remote control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
● Start the engine with the engine switch  in ACCESSORY mode. The  engine
may  not  start  with  the  engine  switch  turned  off.  However,  the  e ngine  will
operate normally from the second attempt.
● The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the batte ry is discon-
nected  and  reconnected,  the  vehicle  will  return  the  engine  swit ch  mode  to
the status it was in before the battery was disconnected. Make  sure to turn
off  the  engine  before  disconnecting  the  battery. Take  extra  car e  when  con-
necting  the  battery  if  the  engine  switch mode  prior  to  the  batt ery  being  dis-
connected is unknown.
If  the  system  will  not  start  even  after  multiple  attempts,  contact  your  Toyota
dealer.
WARNING
■ Chemicals in the battery
Batteries  contain  poisonous  and  corrosive  sulfuric  acid  and  may   produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the ri sk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working  on or near the
battery:
● Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tool s.
● Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
● Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
● Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
● Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
● Keep children away from the battery.
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5317-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always  charge  the  battery  in  an  open  area.  Do  not  charge  the  ba ttery  in  a
garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.
■ How to recharge the battery
Only  perform  a  slow  charge  (5  A  or  less).  The  battery  may  explo de  if
charged at a quicker rate.
■ Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
● If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush  your  eyes  with  clean  water  for  at  least  15  minutes  and  ge t  immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water wit h a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
● If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning,  get medical
attention immediately.
● If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
● If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink  a  large  quantity  of  water  or  milk.  Get  emergency  medical  attention
immediately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never  recharge  the  battery  while  the  engine  is  operating. Also,  be sure all
accessories are turned off. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 532 of 732
5327-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
If any washer does not work or the
warning  message  appears  on  the
multi-information  display,  the
washer  tank  may  be  empty.  Add
washer fluid.
Washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do  not  add  washer  fluid  when  the  engine  is  hot  or  running  as  wa sher  fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine, e tc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid ot her than washer fluid 
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer f luid. 
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle's painted surfaces,  as well as
damaging the pump leading to problems of the washer fluid not s praying.
■ Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary. 
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 534 of 732
5347-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
Do  not  fail  to  initialize  the  tire  pressure  warning  system  afte r  tire  rota-
tion.
To equalize tire wear and extend  tire life, Toyota recommends that tire
rotation is carried ou t at the same interval as tire inspection .
Tire rotation
Vehicles  with  compact  spare
tireVehicles  with  full-size  spare
tire
FrontFront 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 535 of 732

5357-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire  pressure  warning  valves  and   transmitters  to  detect  low  tire  infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. 
If  the  tire  pressure  drops  below  a  predetermined  level,  the  dri ver  is
warned by a warning light. ( P. 586)
◆Installing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
When  replacing  tires  or  wheels,  tire  pressure  warning  valves  an d
transmitters must also be installed.
When  new  tire  pressure  warning  valves  and  transmitters  are
installed,  new  ID  codes  must  be  registered  in  the  tire  pressure
warning  computer  and  the  tire  pressure  warning  system  must  be
initialized.  Have  tire  pressure  warning  valve  and  transmitter  I D
codes registered by  your Toyota dealer. ( P. 537)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system  must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-
ing traveling speed  or load weight.
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set  as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system 
         
        
        
     
        
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5367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe plac e and turn the engine switch to  the
“LOCK”  position  (vehicles  with out a smart key system) or off
(vehicles with a sm art key system).
Initialization cannot be perfo rmed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire i nflation
pressure level. ( P. 662)
Make  sure  to  adjust  the  tire  pre ssure  to  the  specified  cold  tire infla-
tion  pressure  level.  The  tire  pressure  warning  system  will  oper ate
based on this pr essure level.
Turn  the  engine  switch  to  the  “ON”  position  (vehicles  without  a
smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart
key system). 
Press  and  hold  the  tire  pres-
sure  warning  reset  switch
until  the  tire  pressure  warn-
ing light blinks slowly 3 times.
Vehicles without a smart key syst em: Wait for a few minutes with
the  engine  switch  in  the  “ON”  position  and  then  turn  the  engine
switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system : Wait for a few minutes with the
engine  switch  in  IGNITION  ON  mode  and  then  turn  the  engine
switch off.
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5377-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
◆Registering ID codes
The tire pressure  warning  valve and  transmitter  is equipped  with  a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve an d
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the  ID code
registered by your  Toyota dealer.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators  are showing on a tire.
●You  have  tire  damage  such  as  cuts,  splits,  cracks  deep  enough  t o
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or c annot be properly repaired due  to the size
or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult  with your Toyota dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire press ure warning valve and transmitt er is not reg-
istered, the tire pressure warni ng system will not work properly.  A f t e r   d r i v -
ing  for  about  20  minutes,  the  tire  pressure  warning  light  blink s  for  1
minute and stays on to indi cate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must  be checked by a qualified techni cian even
if it has seldom or never been u sed or damage is not obvious.
■Proper storage of the spare tire
As  an  improperly  stored  spare  tire  may  cause  damage  to  the  wire   cable
that holds it, check that the s pare tire is stored properly on  a daily basis.
• If  the  spare  tire  is  slanted,  the  hoist  assembly  may  be  stuck  in  the
wheel opening. If the spare tire rattles while driving, it may  not be fully
raised.  Lower  the  spare  tire  to  the  ground  and  make  sure  that  t he
hoist assembly is perpendicular to the wheel opening.
• Raise the tire slowly and steadily until a click is heard and  the  jack
handle skips.
• If  the  spare  tire  cannot  be  lowered,  the  wire  cable  may  be  sev ered.
Have the vehicle inspected  at your Toyota dealer.
●If  the  stored  spare  tire  is  slanted  or
causes  a  rattle  while  driving,  properly
store the spare tire by following the tire
change procedure correctly ( P.   6 1 0 ) . 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 538 of 732

5387-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The  tire  pressure  warning  system  does  not  replace  routine  tire 
inflation
pressure  checks.  Make  sure  to  chec k  tire  inflation  pressure  as part  of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.1 0 of the
replacement  tire  is  greater  than   1/2  of  the  Gross  Axle  Weight  R atings
(GAWR) of either the front axle  or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to hi ghway
driving under dry conditions. Si nce summer tires do not have th e same
traction  performance  as  snow  tires,  summer  tires  are  inadequate  for
driving  on  snow-covered  or  icy  ro ads.  For  driving  on  snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When  install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
●All season tires
All  season  tires  are  designed  to  provide  better  traction  in  sno w  and  to
be  adequate  for  driving  in  most  winter  conditions  as  well  as  fo r  use
year-round.  All  season  tires,  however,  do  not  have  adequate  tra ction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Al so, all
season  tires  fall  short  in  acceleration  and  handling  performanc e  com-
pared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For  driving  on  snow-covered  roads  or  icy  roads,  we  recommend  us ing
snow  tires.  If  you  need  snow  tires,  select  tires  of  the  same  si ze,  con-
struction  and  load  capacity  as  t he  originally  installed  tires. Since  your
vehicle  has  radial  tires  as  original  equipment,  make  sure  your  snow
tires  also  have  radial  construct ion.  Do  not  install  studded  tires  without
first  checking  local  regulations  for  possible  restrictions.  Sno w  tires
should be install ed on all wheels. ( P. 346)
■If the tread on snow tires wea rs down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost. For  the  GAWR,  see  the  Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the tire,
see  the  load  limit  at  maximum  cold  tire
inflation  pressure  mentioned  on  the
sidewall of the tire. ( P.   6 6 9 )