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.
1
2
3
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 607 of 732
6078-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
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. 551)
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)
(Flashes)
(Flashes)
Page 635 of 732

6358-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
● The engine may be flooded.
Try to restart the engine again following correct starting proc edures.
( P. 224, 227)
● There may be a malf unction in the engine immobilizer system.
( P. 86)
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 640)
● The battery terminal connecti ons may be loose or corroded.
The engine starting system may be malfunctioning due to an elec trical
problem such as electronic key battery depletion or a blown fus e.
However, an interim measure is a vailable to start the engine.
( P. 636)
If the engine will not star t
If the engine will not start eve n though correct starting proce -
dures are being followed ( P. 224, 227), consider each of the fol-
lowing points:
The engine will not start even t hough the starter motor operates
normally.
The starter motor turns over slowly, the interior lights and he ad-
lights are dim, or the horn does not sound or sounds at a low
volume.
The starter motor does not turn over (vehicles with a smart key
system)
Page 636 of 732

6368-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U
One of the following may be the cause of the problem:
● One or both of the battery t erminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 640)
● There may be a malfunction i n the steering lock system.
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, o r if repair
procedures are unknown.
When the engine does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the engine if the engine switch is fun ctioning
normally:
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY mode.
Press and hold the engine switch for about 15 seconds while
depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be start ed using the above steps, the sy stem
may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyot a
dealer.
The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and h ead-
lights do not turn on, o r the horn does not sound.
Emergency start function (vehicles with a smart key system)
1
2
3
4
Page 637 of 732

6378-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
Use the mechanical key (P. 1 1 6 )
in order to perform the following
operations:
Locks all the doors
Models available with one
touch opening/closing on the
front side windows:
Closes the front side windows
and moon roof
*1 (turn and
hold)
*2 ( P. 180, 183)
Models available with one touch opening/closing on all side win -
dows:
Closes all side windows and moon roof
*1 (turn and hold)*2
( P. 180, 183)
Unlocks the door
Turning the key rearward unlocks the driver’s door. Turning the key once
again within 5 seconds unlocks the other doors.
Models available with one touch opening/closing on the front si de
windows:
Opens the front side windows and moon roof
*1 (turn and hold)*2
( P. 180, 183)
Models available with one touch opening/closing on all side win -
dows:
Opens all side windows and moon roof
*1 (turn and hold)*2
( P. 180, 183)
*1: If equipped
*2: This setting must be customized at your Toyota dealer.
If the electronic key does not operate prop-
erly (vehicles with a smar t key system)
If communication between the electronic key and vehicle is
interrupted ( P. 150) or the electronic key cannot be used
because the battery is depleted, the smart key system and wire-
less remote control cannot be used. In such cases, the doors
can be opened and the engine c an be started by following the
procedure below.
Locking and unlocking the door s and key linked functions
1
2
3
4