
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 

2004-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■When parking the vehicle
Always  set  the  parking  brake  and  shift  the  shift  lever  to  P.  Failure  to  do  so
may  cause  the  vehicle  to  move  or  the  vehicle  may  accelerate  sud denly  if
the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
● Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and ho ld it there for
an extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps on the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc. 
■ If you get a flat tire while driving 
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly  and  gradually  depress  the  brake  pedal to  slow  down  the  vehi-
cle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
● The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 610)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. D oing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle i s flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following:
● Brake function
● Changes  in  quantity  and  quality  of  oil  and  fluid  used  for  the  e ngine,  tran-
saxle, transfer (AWD models),  differential (AWD models), etc.
● Lubricant  condition  for  the  propeller  shaft  (AWD  models),  beari ngs  and
suspension joints (where possible), and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc. 

346
HIGHLANDER_U
4-6. Driving tips
●Use  fluids  that  are  appropriate  t o  the  prevailing  outside  tempera-
tures.  • Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set  of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Winter driving tips
Carry  out  the  necessary  preparations  and  inspections  before
driving  the  vehicle  in  winter. Always  drive  the  vehicle  in  a  ma n-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions. 
Preparation for winter 

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”. 

5117-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■If your vehicle is no t properly maintained
Improper  maintenance  could  result  in  serious  damage  to  the  vehi cle  and
possible death or serious injury.
■ Handling of the battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of  automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause  cancer  and  birth  defects  and  other  reproductive  harm.  Wor k  in  a
well ventilated area.
● Oils,  fuels  and  fluids  contained  in  vehicles  as  well  as  waste  produced  by
component  wear  contain  or  emit  chemicals  known  to  the  State  of  Califor-
nia  to  cause  cancer  and  birth  defects  or  other  reproductive  har m. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● Battery  posts,  terminals  and  related  accessories  contain  lead  a nd  lead
compounds  which  are  known  to  cause  brain  damage.  Wash  your  hand s
after handling. ( P. 529) 

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) 

516
HIGHLANDER_U
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) 

5177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
The  engine  compartment  contains  many  mechanisms  and  fluids  that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
● Keep  hands,  clothing  and  tools  away  from  the  moving  fans  and  en gine
drive belt.
● Be  careful  not  to  touch  the  engine,  radiator,  exhaust  manifold,  etc.  right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also  be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do  not  smoke,  cause  sparks  or  expose  an  open  flame  to  fuel  or  t he  bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains  poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric  cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system: 
Be sure the engine switch is off. 
With  the  engine  switch  in  the  “ON”  position,  the  electric  cooli ng  fans  may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 527)
Vehicles with a smart key system: 
Be sure the engine switch is off. 
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 527)
■ Safety glasses
Wear  safety  glasses  to  prevent  flying  or  falling  material,  fluid  spray,  etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive  engine wear
due to dirt in the air.