
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 

4466-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
■Fogging up of the windows
●The  windows  will  easily  fog  up  when  the  humidity  in  the  vehicle  is  high.
Turning   on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog  the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn   off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effec-
tive  in  preventing  outside  air  from  entering  the  vehicle  interi or.  During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also  cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated  air  mode  may  automatically  switch  dependin g  on  the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air co ndition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the  air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the en gine switch
is turned to “ON” position.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing   .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the out side air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle m ay enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then ca use odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring: 
It  is  recommended  that  the  air  conditioning  system  be  set  to  ou tside  air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 549 

4536-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U■
When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24 C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
● In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the  air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the en gine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key sy stem) or IGNI-
TION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing  .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the out side air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle m ay enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then ca use odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring: 
• It  is  recommended  that  the  air  conditioning  system  be  set  to  o utside  air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The  start  timing  of  the  blower  may  be  delayed  for  a  short  peri od  of  time
immediately  after  the  air  conditioning  system  is  started  in  aut omatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 549
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features  P. 682) 

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 

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. 
![TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019  Owners Manual (in English) 5257-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U■
If the oil is spilled on the engine cover (vehicles with 3.5 L  V6 [2GR-FKS]
engine)
To  prevent  the  engine  cover  from  be TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2019  Owners Manual (in English) 5257-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U■
If the oil is spilled on the engine cover (vehicles with 3.5 L  V6 [2GR-FKS]
engine)
To  prevent  the  engine  cover  from  be](/manual-img/14/42547/w960_42547-524.png)
5257-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U■
If the oil is spilled on the engine cover (vehicles with 3.5 L  V6 [2GR-FKS]
engine)
To  prevent  the  engine  cover  from  being  damaged,  remove  any  engi ne  oil
from the engine cover as soon as possible using a neutral deter gent. Do not
use an organic solvent such as brake cleaner.
WARNING
■ Used engine oil
● Used  engine  oil  contains  potentially  harmful  contaminants  which  may
cause  skin  disorders  such  as  inflammation  and  skin  cancer,  so  c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose  of  used  oil  and  filters  only  in  a  safe  and  acceptable  manner.  Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewe rs or onto the
ground. 
Call  your Toyota  dealer,  service  station  or  auto  parts  store  fo r  information
concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened. 

5497-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicles without a smart key system: 
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system: 
Turn the engine switch off.
Open  the  glove  box.  Slide  off
the damper.
Push  in  the  glove  box  on  the
vehicle’s  outer  side  to  discon-
nect  the  claws.  Then  pull  out
the  glove  box  and  disconnect
the lower claws.
Pull down the cover.
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency.
Removal method
1
2
3
4 

5507-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Remove the filter cover.
Remove  the  air  conditioning  fil-
ter  and  replace  it  with  a  new
one.
The “UP”  marks  shown  on  the  fil-
ter should be pointing up.
■ Checking interval
Inspect  and  replace  the  air  conditioning  filter  according  to  th e  maintenance
schedule.  In  dusty  areas  or  areas  with  heavy  traffic  flow,  earl y  replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please  refer to the
“Schedule maintenance guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the ven ts decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if nece ssary.
■ Air conditioning filter with deodorizing function
The use of air fresheners may significantly reduce the life spa n of the deodor-
izing effect.
When an air conditioning odor comes out continuously, replace t he air condi-
tioning filter.
5
6
NOTICE
■ When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause da mage to the
system.