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5297-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
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Check the battery as follows:
■Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■ Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sur e to disconnect
the ground cable.
● Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connectin g and dis-
connecting the charger cables to the battery.
Battery
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5307-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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
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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.
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5517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
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●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
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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.
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5537-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
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■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.
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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
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574
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8-1. Essential information
Press the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash.
To turn them off, press the switch
once again.
■Emergency flashers
If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the en gine is not
operating, the battery may discharge.
Emergency flashers
The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the
vehicle has to be stopped on the road due to a breakdown, etc.