Page 239 of 732
2394-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The right hand signals will flash 3
times.
Lane change to the left (move
the lever partway and release
it)
The left hand signals will flash 3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned
out.
■ Customization
The number of times the turn signals flash during a lane change can be
changed. (Customizable feature P. 690)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4
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2524-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_U
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Dripping prevention wiper sweep (vehicles with rain-sensing win dshield
wipers)
After performing a washing and wiping operation several times, the wipers
operate one more time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, this final wiper operation will not be performed while driving.
■ Effects of vehicle speed on wip er operation (vehicles with rain-sensing
windshield wipers)
Even when the wipers are not in “AUTO” mode, wiper operation va ries
depending on vehicle speed when the washer is being used (delay until drip
prevention wiper sweep occurs).
■ Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the engine switch is
in IGNITION ON mode, the wiper will operate once to show that “ AUTO”
mode is activated.
● When the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in “AUTO”
mode, the wipers will operate once to indicate that the sensor sensitivity is
enhanced.
● If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194 F (90 C) or higher, or 5 F
(-15 C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, o perate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washe r fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir. ● The raindrop sensor judges the amount
of raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.
Page 255 of 732
2554-3. Operating the lights and wipers
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
■The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when
●Vehicles without a smart key system:
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
● The glass hatch is closed.
■ If no washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzle is not blocked if there is washer fluid in the
washer fluid reservoir.
NOTICE
■ When the rear window is dry
Do not use the wiper, as it may damage the rear window.
■ When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not operate the switch continually as the washer fluid pump may over-
heat.
■ When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Toyota dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle w ill be damaged.
Page 345 of 732

3454-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U●
In the following situations, the indicator flashes to alert the driver, but the
system will operate:
• The shift lever is in N.
• The “DAC” switch is turned off while the system is operating. The system will gradually ceases operation. The indicator will flash during
operation, and then go off when the system is fully off.
■ Downhill assist control system operation sound
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engin e is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound do es not indicate
that a malfunction has occurred in downhill assist control syst em.
● Either of the following conditions may occur when the downhill assist control
system is operating. None of these are indicators that a malfun ction has
occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
■ If the slip indicator comes on
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota dealer.
WARNING
■When using downhill assist control system
Do not rely overmuch on the downhill assist control system. Thi s function
does not extend the vehicle’s performance limitations. Always t horoughly
check the road conditions, and drive safely.
■ The system may not operate on the following surfaces, which may lead
to an accident causing death or serious injury
● Slippery surfaces such as wet or muddy roads
● Icy surface
● Unpaved roads
■ Do not shift the shift lever to R while driving forward, or to D while driv-
ing backward.
Doing so may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to an acciden t causing
death or serious injury.
In addition, excessive stress will be applied to the automatic transmission,
possibly resulting in damage.
Page 353 of 732

3534-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
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 d amage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deteriorat ion in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibrati on, 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 firmn ess. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
● Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around bra ke
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-r oad driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or wat er. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Main tenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Page 501 of 732
501
7Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 502
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 506
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 509
General maintenance........ 512
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs......................... 515
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 516
Hood ................................. 518
Positioning a floor jack ...... 520
Engine compartment ......... 521
Tires .................................. 533
Tire inflation pressure ....... 544
Wheels .............................. 547
Air conditioning filter.......... 549
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 551
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 554
Light bulbs......................... 558
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5127-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
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 “Own er’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 s ervice shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. (P. 529)
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 528)
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level?
(P. 526)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? ( P. 523)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (P. 527)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 532)
Page 514 of 732
5147-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflati on pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces- sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/
rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilati on before per-
forming maintenance checks.