
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 

932. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U
Warning  lights  inform  the driver of  malfunctions  in  the  indicated  vehi-
cle’s systems.
Warning lights
*1
(U.S.A.)
Brake  system  warning
light ( P. 583)
(Amber)
LDA  (Lane  Departure
Alert  with  steering  con-
trol) indicator 
(P. 585)
*1
(Canada)
Brake  system  warning
light ( P. 583)*1
Slip indicator ( P. 584)
*1
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp (P. 583)Low  fuel  level  warning
light (P. 584)
*1
(Canada)
Malfunction  indicator
lamp ( P. 583)Driver’s  and  front  pas-
senger’s  seat  belt
reminder light ( P. 584)
*1SRS warning light 
(P. 583)*4Rear  seat  seat  belt
reminder lights 
(P. 584)
*1
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light 
(P. 583)*2, 5
Stop  &  Start  cancel  indi-
cator
 (P. 585)
*1
(Canada)
ABS warning light 
(P. 583)*1
Master warning light 
(P. 586)
*1Electric  power  steering
system warning light
(P. 584)*1Tire  pressure  warning
light ( P. 586)
*1, 3PCS  (Pre-Collision  Sys-
tem) warning light 
(P. 585)*1
(U.S.A)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 584) 

502
HIGHLANDER_U
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working  from  top  to  bottom,  liberally  apply  water  to  the  vehicl e
body,  wheel  wells  and  underside  of  the  vehicle  to  remove  any  di rt
and dust.
● Wash  the  vehicle  body  using  a  sponge  or  soft  cloth,  such  as  a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughl y
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If  water  does  not  bead  on  a  clean  surface,  apply  wax  when  the  vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors.
• Turn off the power back door (if equipped).
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle su rface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do  not  allow  the  nozzles  of  the  car  wash  to  come  within  close  p roximity  of
the windows. 
● Before  using  the  car  wash,  check  that  the  fuel  filler  door  on  y our  vehicle  is
closed properly.
Cleaning and prot ecting the vehicle 
exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition: 

5457-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrec t tire inflation pressure may result in th e following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating , have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation p ressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If  your  vehicle  has  been  parked  for  at  least  3  hours  or  has  not  been
driven for more than 1 mile or  1.5 km, you will get an accurate  cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based o nly on its appear-
ance.
●It  is  normal  for  the  tire  inflation  pressure  to  be  higher  after   driving  as
heat  is  generated  in  the  tire.  Do  not  reduce  tire  inflation  pre ssure  after
driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehi cle is
balanced. 

5888-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER_U
■SRS warning light
This  warning  light  system monitors  the  airbag  sensor  assembly,  front  impact
sensors, side impact sensors (front door), side impact sensors  (rear), driver’s
seat  position  sensor,  driver’s  seat  belt  buckle  switch,  front  passenger  occu-
pant classification system (ECU and sensors), “AIR BAG ON” indi cator light,
“AIR  BAG  OFF”  indicator  light,  front  passenger’s  seat  belt  buck le  switch,
driver’s  seat  belt  pretensioner,  front  passenger’s  seat  belt  pr etensioner  and
force limiter, airbags, interconnecting wiring and power source s. (P. 42) 
■ Front  passenger  detection  sensor,  seat  belt  reminder  and  warnin g
buzzer
If  luggage  is  placed  on  the  front  passenger  seat,  the  front  passenger  detec-
tion  sensor  may  cause  the  warning  light  to  flash  and  the  warnin g  buzzer  to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
● Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact  your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■ Electric power steering system wa rning light (warning buzzer)
When  the  battery  charge  becomes  insufficient  or  the  voltage  tem porarily
drops, the electric power steering system warning light may com e on and the
warning buzzer may sound.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate  level. Push-
ing the tire pressur e warning reset switch  will not turn off the tire pressure
warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural caus es such
as  natural  air  leaks  and  tire  inflation  pressure  changes  caused  by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure w ill turn off the
warning light (afte r a few minutes). 

5918-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when  cold  and  inflated  to  the  inflation  pressure  recommended  by the
vehicle  manufacturer  on  the  vehicle  placard  or  tire  inflation  p ressure
label  (tire  and  load  information  label).  (If  your  vehicle  has  t ires  of  a  dif-
ferent size than the size indica ted on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure  label  [tire  and  load  information  label],  you  should  de termine
the proper tire inflation p ressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your  vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure  monitoring  system  (TPMS -tire  pressure  warning  system) that
illuminates a low tire  pressure telltale (tire pressure warning  light) when
one  or  more  of  your  tires  is  significantly  under-inflated.  Acco rdingly,
when  the  low  tire  pressure  telltale  (tire  pressure  warning  ligh t)  illumi-
nates,  you  should  stop  and  check  your  tires  as  soon  as  possible ,  and
inflate  them  to  the  proper  pressure.  Driving  on  a  significantly   under-
inflated  tire  causes  the  tire  to  overheat  and  can  lead  to  tire  failure.
Under-inflation  also  reduces  fuel  efficiency  and  tire  tread  lif e, and may
affect the vehicle’s handl ing and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not  a sub-
stitute for proper tire maintena nce, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain  correct  tire  pressure,  even  if  under-inflation  has  not   reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure  warn-
ing  system)  malfunction  indicato r  to  indicate  when  the  system  is  not
operating  properly. The TPMS  (tire  pressure  warning  system)  mal func-
tion indicator is combined with  the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure
warning  light).  When  the  system  detects  a  malfunction,  the  tell tale  will
flash for approximately one mi nute and then remain continuously  illumi-
nated.  This  sequence  will  continue  upon  subsequent  vehicle  star t-ups
as long as the malfunction exists . When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated,  the  system  may  not  be  able  to  detect  or  signal  low  tir e  pres-
sure as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for  a vari-
ety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or al ternate tires
or  wheels  on  the  vehicle  that  prevent  the TPMS  (tire  pressure  w arning
system)  from  functioning  properly. Always  check  the  TPMS  (tire  pres-
sure  warning  system)  malfunction  telltale  after  replacing  one  or  more
tires  or  wheels  on  your  vehicle  to  ensure  that  the  replacement  or  alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning sys tem) to
continue to function properly. 

6769-1. Specifications
HIGHLANDER_U
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold  tire  inflation  pres-
sure
Tire  pressure  when  the  vehicle  has  been
parked  for  three  hours  or  more,  or  has  not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum  inflation
pressureThe  maximum  cold  inflated  pressure  to  which
a  tire  may  be  inflated,  shown  on  the  sidewall
of the tire
Recommended  infla-
tion pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard  items  which  may  be  replaced)  of  auto-
matic  transmission,  power  steering,  power
brakes,  power  windows,  power  seats,  radio
and  heater,  to  the  extent  that  these  items  are
available  as  factory-installed  equipment
(whether installed or not)
Curb weight
The  weight  of  a  motor  vehicle  with  standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel,  oil  and  coolant,  and  if  so  equipped,  air
conditioning  and  additional  weight  optional
engine
Maximum  loaded  vehi-
cle weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal  occupant
weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants
specified  in  the  second  column  of  Table  1
*
that follows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as speci-
fied in the third column of Table 1
* below