
HIGHLANDER_U
Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
1For safety 
and securityMake sure to read through them
2Instrument 
clusterHow to read the gauges and meters, the variety of 
warning lights and indicators, etc.
3
Operation of 
each 
componentOpening and closing the doors and windows, 
adjustment before driving, etc.
4DrivingOperations and advice which are necessary for 
driving
5Audio systemOperating the audio system
6Interior featuresUsage of the interior features, etc.
7Maintenance 
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance 
procedures
8When trouble 
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction or emergency
9Vehicle 
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features, etc.
10For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat 
belt and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian 
owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically 

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 

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9-1.  SpecificationsMaintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .......... 652
Fuel information ................ 666
Tire information ................. 669
9-2.  Customization Customizable features ...... 682
9-3.  Initialization Items to initialize................ 694
Reporting safety defects  for U.S. owners ........................ 696
Seat belt instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French) ............................... 697
SRS airbag instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French) ............................... 700
What to do if...  (Troubleshooting) .................... 710
Alphabetical index...................... 716
9Vehicle specifications
10For owners
Index 

871-3. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
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■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type engine immobilizer syst em.
■ Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic ob ject
● If  the  key  is  in  close  proximity  to  or  touching  a  key  to  the  security  system
(key with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
■ Certification for the  engine immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
FCC ID: MOZRI-42BTY  FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-3
This  device  complies  with  part  15  of  the  FCC  Rules.  Operation  is  subject  to
the  following  two  conditions:  (1) This  device  may  not  cause  har mful  interfer-
ence;  and  (2)  This  device  must  accept  any  interference  received,  including
interference that may cause undesired operation. 
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party re sponsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equip ment. 
For vehicles sold in Canada
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSSs.  Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may  not cause inter-
ference; and (2) This device must accept any interference, incl uding interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le  présent  appareil  est  conforme  aux  CNR  d'lndustrie  Canada  app licables
aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est auto risée aux deux
conditions suivantes: (1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de br ouillage; (2) l'util-
isateur  de  l'appareil  doit  accepter  tout  brouillage  radioélectr ique  subi,  même
si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionn ement.
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates correctly
Do  not  modify  or  remove  the  system.  If  modified  or  removed,  the   proper
operation of the system cannot be guaranteed. 

891-3. Theft deterrent system
1
For safety and security
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Do one of the following to deactivate or stop the alarms:
● Unlock the doors.
● Vehicles without a smart key sys tem: Turn the engine switch to the
“ACC” or “ON” position, or star t the engine. (The alarm will be  deac-
tivated or stopped after a few seconds.)
● Vehicles  with  a  smart  key  system:  Turn  the  engine  switch  to
ACCESSORY  or  IGNITION  ON  mode,  or  start  the  engine.  (The
alarm will be deactivated or s topped after a few seconds.)
● Open  the  glass  hatch  (if  equipped)  using  the  entry  function  (ve hi-
cles with smart key system).
■ System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■ Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft , make sure of
the following:
● Nobody is in the vehicle.
● The windows and the following openings are closed before the al arm is set.
• The glass hatch (if equipped)
• The moon roof (if equipped)
• The panoramic moon roof (if equipped)
● No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
Deactivating or stopping the alarm 

1052. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
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Select   using the meter control switches.
Select an item and then set it with the center button.
■LDA (Lane Departure Alert with steering control) settings
P.   6 8 5
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) settings
P.   6 8 5
■BSM (Blind Spot Monitor)  settings (if equipped)
Select to activate/deactivate t he BSM (Blind Spot Monitor). 
(  P. 686)
■Power mode (driving mode ) settings (if equipped)
Select to activate/deactivate the power mode. ( P. 686)
■Stop & Start system se ttings (if equipped)
The length of time the Stop & St art system will operate when the “A/
C” switch of the air conditioni ng system is on can be set to 2  differ-
ent levels. ( P.   6 8 6 )
■Meter settings
● Language
Select to change the l anguage on the display.
● Units
Select to change the unit of me asure for fuel consumption.
● Maintenance syst em (for U.S.A.)
Select  to  reset  the  maintenance  data  after  the  required  mainte-
nance is performed. (
P.   5 1 0 )
● Eco Driving Indicator Light
Select to activate/deactivate the  Eco Driving Indicator Light. 
(
P. 108)
●  switch settings
You  can  register  1  screen  as  the  top  screen.  To  register,  press
and hold   while the desired screen is displayed.
● Drive information 1 through 3
Select  to  select  up  to  2  items  that  will  be  displayed  on  a  Driv e
information screen, up to 3 Dri ve information screens can be set.
Settings display
1
2 

2204-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U■
Break-in schedule
If  your  vehicle  is  new  or  equipped  with  any  new  power  train  com ponents
(such  as  an  engine,  transmission,  differential  or  wheel  bearing ),  Toyota  rec-
ommends  that  you  do  not  tow  a  trailer  until  the  vehicle  has  bee n  driven  for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After  the  vehicle  has  been  driven  for  over  500  miles  (800  km),  you  can  start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the veh icle at a speed
of  less  than  50  mph  (80  km/h)  when  towing  a  trailer,  and  avoid  full  throttle
acceleration.
■ Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent m aintenance due
to  the  additional  load.  (See  “Scheduled  Maintenance  Guide”  or  “ Owner’s
Manual Supplement”.)
● Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after  approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■ If trailer sway occurs
One  or  more  factors  (crosswinds,  passing  vehicles,  rough  roads,   etc.)  can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing  instability.
● If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel. Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer swaying by turning the steering w heel.
• Begin  releasing  the  accelerator  pedal  immediately  but  very  gra dually  to
reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not apply vehicle brakes.
If  you  make  no  extreme  correction  with  the  steering  or  brakes,  your  vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control  can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)
● After the trailer swaying has stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is  beyond  the  limit  of  your  particular  vehicle-trailer  combinat ion.  Drive  at  a
lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer increases as speed increases. 

3534-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
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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”.