
TABLE OF CONTENTS6
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 8-1.  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
7Maintenance and care8When trouble arises 

15Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_UFuel filler door  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 256
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 256
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 655
Tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 533
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . .  P. 662
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 346
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system  . . . . . . . .  . . .  P. 533
Coping with flat tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 610
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 518
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 518
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 656
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 646
Warning messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 595
Headlights/daytime running lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Daytime running lights
* /parking lights* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Front fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 249
Front turn signal lig hts/parking lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 239
Stop/tail lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 338
Downhill assist control system
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 344
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 233
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 241
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 239
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving  
(Replacing method: P. 558, Watts: P. 665)
*: If equipped
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 

791-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful  substance  to  the  human  body  is  included  in  exhaust
gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and  may lead to
an  accident  caused  by  light-headedness,  or  may  lead  to  death  or  a serious
health hazard.
■ Important points while driving
● Keep the back door and glass hatch closed.
● If  you  smell  exhaust  gases  in  the  vehicle  even  when  the  back  do or  and
glass hatch are closed, open the windows and have the vehicle i nspected
at your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■ When parking
● If  the  vehicle  is  in  a  poorly  ventilated  area  or  a  closed  area,  such  as  a
garage, stop the engine.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time. 
If  such  a  situation  cannot  be  avoided,  park  the  vehicle  in  an  o pen  space
and ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior .
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up,  or where it
is  snowing.  If  snowbanks  build  up  around  the  vehicle  while  the  engine  is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
■ Exhaust pipe
The  exhaust  system  needs  to  be  checked  periodically.  If  there  is  a  hole  or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer. 

942. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), to indicat e that a
system  check  is  being  performed.  They  will  turn  off  after  the  engine  is
started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in  a system if
a  light  does  not  come  on,  or  turn  off.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer.
*2: If equipped
*3: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
*4: This light illuminates on the center panel.
*5: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction. Additionally, it  will turn on if the
system is turned off.
*1
(Canada)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 584) 

962. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), to indicat e that a
system  check  is  being  performed.  They  will  turn  off  after  the  engine  is
started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in  a system if
a  light  does  not  come  on,  or  turn  off.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer.
*2: If equipped
*3: Refer  to  “NAVIGATION  AND  MULTIMEDIA  SYSTEM  OWNER’S  MAN- UAL”.
*4: This light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*5: The light comes on when the system is turned off.
*2“PWR MODE” indicator 
(P. 235)*2, 5Stop  &  Start  cancel  indi-
cator ( P. 304)
Snow mode indicator 
( P. 234)
*1, 8
(U.S.A.)
“AIR BAG ON/
OFF”  indicator
(P. 53)
*2
Stop  &  Start  indicator
(P. 304)
*1, 8
(Canada)
“AIR BAG ON/
OFF”  indicator
(P. 53) 

1893-5. Opening and closing the windows
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U■
When the shade do es not close normally
Perform the following procedure:
Stop the vehicle.
Close the moon roof.
Slide the shade switch forward and hold it.
* 
The shade will close then reopen and pause for approximately10  seconds.
Then it will close.
Check  to  make  sure  that  the  shade  is  completely  closed  and  then   release
the switch.
*: If the switch is released at the incorrect time, the procedure will have to be
performed again from the beginning.
If  the  shade  continues  to  close  but  then  reopens  slightly  even  after  perform-
ing the above procedure correctly, have the vehicle inspected b y your Toyota
dealer.
■ Moon roof open warning buzzer
A buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information  display in
the  instrument  cluster  when  the  engine  switch  is  turned  off  and   the  driver’s
door is opened with the moon roof open.
1
2
3
4 

1954-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use  engine  braking  (downshift)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 233)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After  driving  through  a  puddle,  lightly  depress  the  brake  pedal  to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one  side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 

2324-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do  not  leave  the  engine  switch  in ACCESSORY  or  IGNITION  ON  mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is n ot off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,  have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently  than usual,
such  as  the  switch  sticking  slightly,  there  may  be  a  malfunctio n.  Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately.