Page 512 of 732
5127-2. Maintenance
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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) 
     
        
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516
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself  ser vice precautions
If  you  perform  maintenance  by  yourself,  be  sure  to  follow  the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition
(  P.   5 2 9 )• Warm water• Baking soda• Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P.   5 2 8 )• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine  coolant
level ( P. 526)
• “Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  or  a  similar  high
quality  ethylene  glycol-based  non-silicate,  non-
amine,  non-nitrite  and  non-borate  coolant  with  long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
For U.S.A.:
“Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  is  pre-mixed  with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  is  pre-mixed  with
55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)
Engine oil level
(  P.   5 2 3 )• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 554)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
( P.   5 5 8 )
• Bulb  with  same  number  and  wattage  rating  as  origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver• Wrench
Radiator  and  con-
denser (
P. 527)
Tire  inflation
pressure 
(  P. 544)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid 
( P.   5 3 2 )• Water  or  washer  fluid  containing  antifreeze  (for  win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid) 
     
        
        Page 521 of 732
5217-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U■
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank
( P.   5 3 2 )
Fuse boxes ( P.   5 5 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.   5 2 3 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P.   5 2 4 )
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.   5 2 6 ) Battery
( P. 529)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 528)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 527)
Radiator ( P. 527)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
     
        
        Page 522 of 732
5227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
Washer fluid tank
( P.   5 3 2 )
Fuse boxes ( P.   5 5 4 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P.   5 2 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.   5 2 3 )
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.   5 2 6 ) Battery
( P. 529)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 528)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 527)
Radiator ( P. 527)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
     
        
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5267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” a nd “LOW”
lines on the reservoir wh en the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If  the  level  is  on  or  below  the
“LOW”  line,  add  coolant  up  to  the
“FULL” line.
■ Coolant selection
Only  use  “Toyota Super  Long  Life Coolant”  or a  similar  high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-bora te coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually  check  the  radiator,  hoses,  engine  coolant  reservoir  ca ps,  drain  cock
and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap  and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3 
     
        
        Page 581 of 732
5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises  related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss  of  brake  effectiveness,  spongy  feeling,  pedal  almost  touch es
the floor
If  you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly  needs  adjustment  or  repair.  Contact  your  Toyota  dealer  as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms 
     
        
        Page 646 of 732
6468-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U
●The  needle  of  the  engine  coolant  temperature  gauge  ( P.   9 8 )
enters the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced. ( For
example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out f rom under the hood.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition ing sys-
tem, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam: 
Carefully lift the hood after the steam  subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After  the  engine  has  cooled
down  sufficiently,  inspect  the
hoses  and  radiator  core  (radia-
tor) for any leaks. Radiator
Cooling fans
If  a  large  amount  of  coolant
leaks,  immediately  contact  your
Toyota dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory
if  it  is  between  the  “FULL”  and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Radiator cap
If  your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that  your vehicle is overheating.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2
4
1
2
3
4