
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

2784-5. Using the driving support systems
HIGHLANDER_U• When driving in inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, sno
w or a
sandstorm
• When the vehicle is hit by water, snow, dust, etc. from a vehicle ahead
• When driving through steam or smoke
• When driving in a place where the surrounding brightness changes sud- denly, such as at the entrance or exit of a tunnel
• When a very bright light, such as the sun or the headlights of oncoming
traffic, shines directly into the camera sensor
• When the surrounding area is dim, such as at dawn or dusk, or while at
night or in a tunnel
• After the engine has started the vehicle has not been driven for a certain amount of time
• While making a left/right turn and for a few seconds after mak ing a left/
right turn
• While driving on a curve and for a few seconds after driving o n a curve
• If your vehicle is skidding
• If the wheels are misaligned
• If a wiper blade is blocking the camera sensor
• The vehicle is wobbling.
• The vehicle is being driven at extremely high speeds.
• When driving on a hill
• If the radar sensor or camera sensor is misaligned
● In some situations such as the following, sufficient braking fo rce may not be
obtained, preventing the system from performing properly:
• If the braking functions cannot operate to their full extent, such as when
the brake parts are extremely cold, extremely hot, or wet
• If the vehicle is not properly maintained (brakes or tires are excessively
worn, improper tire inflation pressure, etc.)
• When the vehicle is being driven on a gravel road or other sli ppery sur-
face
• If the front of the vehicle is raised or
lowered

3434-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
■TRAC/VSC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the TRAC/VSC system is operating.
Drive the vehicle carefully in conditions where stability and p ower may be
lost.
■ Hill- start assist control does not operate effectively when
● Do not overly rely on hill-start assist control. Hill-start ass ist control may
not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads covered wit h ice.
● Unlike the parking brake, hill-start assist control is not inte nded to hold the
vehicle stationary for an extended period of time. Do not attempt to use
hill-start assist control to hold the vehicle on an incline, as doing so may
lead to an accident.
■ When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When the TRAC/VSC systems are turned off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the r oad condi-
tions. As these are the systems to help ensure vehicle stabilit y and driving
force, do not turn the TRAC/VSC systems off unless necessary.
Trailer Sway Control is part of the VSC system and will not ope rate if VSC
turned off or experiences a malfunction.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, trea d pattern and
total load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the
recommended tire inflation pressure level.
The ABS, TRAC and VSC systems will not function correctly if di fferent tires
are installed on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replaci ng tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and the suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspensio n will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause a system to malfuncti on.

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

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)

5357-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the dri ver is
warned by a warning light. ( P. 586)
◆Installing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves an d
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pressure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter I D
codes registered by your Toyota dealer. ( P. 537)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-
ing traveling speed or load weight.
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system

5367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe plac e and turn the engine switch to the
“LOCK” position (vehicles with out a smart key system) or off
(vehicles with a sm art key system).
Initialization cannot be perfo rmed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire i nflation
pressure level. ( P. 662)
Make sure to adjust the tire pre ssure to the specified cold tire infla-
tion pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will oper ate
based on this pr essure level.
Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart
key system).
Press and hold the tire pres-
sure warning reset switch
until the tire pressure warn-
ing light blinks slowly 3 times.
Vehicles without a smart key syst em: Wait for a few minutes with
the engine switch in the “ON” position and then turn the engine
switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system : Wait for a few minutes with the
engine switch in IGNITION ON mode and then turn the engine
switch off.
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