
4046-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
The OBD system determines 
that a problem exists some-
where in the emission control 
system. Your vehicle may not 
pass the I/M test and may need 
to be repaired. Contact your 
Toyota dealer to service the 
vehicle.
When the 12-volt battery is 
disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set 
during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving 
habits, the readiness codes may 
not be completely set.
When the fuel tank cap is 
loose
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors
• Do the doors 
operate 
smoothly?
Engine hood
• Does the engine hood lock system 
work properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs of 
fluid leakage 
after the vehicle 
has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire infla-tion pressure 
correct?
• The tires should  not be damaged 
or excessively 
worn.
• Have the tires  been rotated 
according to the 
maintenance 
schedule?
• The wheel nuts  should not be 
loose.
Windshield 
wipers/rear 
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show 
any signs of 
cracking, split-
ting, wear, con-
tamination or 
deformation.
• The wiper blades  should clear the 
windshield/rear 
window without 
streaking or skip-
ping.
Emission inspection 
and maintenance (I/M) 
programs
Some states have vehicle 
emission inspection pro-
grams which include OBD 
(On Board Diagnostics) 
checks. The OBD system 
monitors the operation of 
the emission control sys-
tem.
If the malfunction indica-
tor lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass 
the I/M test in the follow-
ing situations: 

4066-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
6-3.Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself  ser vice 
precautions
If you perform maintenance 
by yourself, be sure to fol-
low the correct procedure 
as given in these sections.
Maintenance
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery 
condition 
( P.416)
•Grease
• Conventional 
wrench (for ter-
minal clamp 
bolts)
Brake fluid 
level ( P.414)
• FMVSS No.116 
DOT 3 or SAE 
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper  towel
• Funnel (used  only for adding 
brake fluid)
Engine/power 
control unit 
coolant level 
( P.413)
• “Toyota Super 
Long Life Cool-
ant” or a similar 
high quality eth-
ylene gly-
col-based 
non-silicate, 
non-amine, 
non-nitrite and 
non-borate cool-
ant with long-life 
hybrid organic 
acid technology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super 
Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed 
with 50% cool-
ant and 50% 
deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super 
Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed 
with 55% cool-
ant and 45% 
deionized water.
• Funnel (used  only for adding 
coolant)
Engine oil level 
( P.410)
• “Toyota Genuine 
Motor Oil” or 
equivalent
• Rag or paper  towel
• Funnel (used  only for adding 
engine oil)
Fuses 
( P.439)• Fuse with same 
amperage rating 
as original
ItemsParts and tools 

4076-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
6
Maintenance and care
Hybrid battery 
(traction bat-
tery) air intake 
vent ( P.435)• Vacuum cleaner, 
etc.
• Phillips screw- driver
Headlight aim 
( P.442)• Phillips-head 
screwdriver
Light bulbs 
( P.443)
• Bulb with same 
number and 
wattage rating as 
original
• Flathead screw- driver
• Wrench
Radiator and 
condenser 
(  P.414)
Tire inflation 
pressure 
( P.430)• Tire pressure 
gauge
• Compressed air  source
Washer fluid 
( P.415)
• Water or washer 
fluid containing 
antifreeze (for 
winter use)
• Funnel (used  only for adding 
water or washer 
fluid)
WA R N I N G
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.
ItemsParts and tools■When working on the engine 
compartment
●Make sure that the “ACCES-
SORY” or “IGNITION ON” on 
the multi-information display 
and the “READY” indicator are 
both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools 
away from the moving fan and 
engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the 
engine, power control unit, radi-
ator, 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 
rags, in the engine compart-
ment.
●Do not smoke, c ause sparks or 
expose an open flame to fuel or 
the battery. Fuel and battery 
fumes are flammable.
■When working near the elec-
tric cooling fan or radiator 
grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON, the 
electric cooling fa n may automati-
cally start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant 
temperature is high. ( P.414)
■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 ai r cleaner filter 
removed may cause excessive 
engine wear due to  dirt in the air. 

4106-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.413)
Fuse boxes ( P.439)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.411)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.411)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.414)
Washer fluid tank ( P.415)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.414)
Radiator ( P.414)
Power control unit coolant reservoir ( P.414)
■12-volt battery
 P. 4 1 6
With the engine at operating 
temperature and turned off, 
check the oil level on the dip-
Engine compar tment
Components
Checking and adding the 
engine oil 

4116-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
6
Maintenance and care
stick.
■Checking the engine oil
1 Park the vehicle on level 
ground. After warming up the 
engine and turning off the 
hybrid system, wait more 
than 5 minutes for the oil to 
drain back into the bottom of 
the engine.
2 Holding a rag under the end, 
pull the dipstick out.
3 Wipe the dipstick clean.
4 Reinsert the dipstick fully.
5 Holding a rag under the end, 
pull the dipstick out and 
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may differ  depending on the type of vehicle or 
engine.
6
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert 
it fully.
■Checking the oil type and 
preparing the item needed
Make sure to check the oil type 
and prepare the items needed 
before adding oil.
 Engine oil selection
P.508
 Oil quantity (Low   Full)
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
 Item
Clean funnel
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near 
the low level mark, add engine 
oil of the same type as that 
already in the engine.
1 Remove the oil filler cap by 
turning it counterclockwise.
2 Add engine oil slowly, check-
ing the dipstick.
3 Install the oil filler cap by 
turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will  

4126-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_Ube consumed while driving. In the 
following situatio
ns, oil consump-
tion may increase, and engine oil 
may need to be refilled in between 
oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for 
example directly after purchasing 
the vehicle or after replacing the 
engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inap-
propriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine 
speeds or with  a heavy load, 
when towing, or when driving 
while accelerating o r decelerating 
frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for 
a long time, or wh en driving fre-
quently through heavy traffic
■After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintenance data 
should be reset. Perform the follow-
ing procedures:
4.2-inch display
1 Press   or   of the meter 
control switch to select  .
2 Press   or   of the meter 
control switch, select   and 
then press and hold   .
3 Press   or   of the meter 
control switch, se lect “Oil Mainte-
nance” and then press  .
4 Select “Yes” and press  .
5 A message will be displayed on 
the multi-information display 
when the reset procedure has 
been completed.
7-inch display
1 Press   or   of the meter 
control switch to select  .
2 Press   or   of the meter 
control switch, select   and 
then press and hold   . 3
Press   or   of the meter 
control switch, select “Oil Mainte-
nance” and then press   .
4 Select “Yes” and press  .
5 A message will be displayed on 
the multi-inform ation display 
when the reset procedure has 
been completed.
WA R N I N G
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains poten-
tially harmful contaminants 
which may cause skin disorders 
such as inflammation and skin 
cancer, so care 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 o il and filters 
only in a safe and acceptable 
manner. Do not dispose of used 
oil and filters in h ousehold trash, 
in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Toyota dealer, service 
station or auto  parts store for 
information concerning recy-
cling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil 
within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine 
damage
Check the oil le vel 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. 

4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
6
Maintenance and care
■Engine coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory 
if it is between the “FULL” and 
“LOW” lines on the reservoir 
when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
I f t he  le ve l is on  o r be low  th e  “L O W ” 
line, add coolant up to the “FULL” 
line. ( P.497)
■Power control unit coolant 
reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory 
if it is between the “FULL” and 
“LOW” lines on the reservoir 
when the hybrid system is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” 
line, add coolant  up to the “FULL” 
line. ( P.497)
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life 
Coolant” or a similar high quality 
ethylene glycol ba sed non-silicate, 
non-amine, non-nitrite, and 
non-borate coolant with long-life 
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is 
a mixture of 50% c oolant and 50% 
deionized water. (Minimum tem-
perature: -31°F [-35°C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is 
a mixture of 55% c oolant and 45% 
deionized water. (Minimum tem-
perature: -44°F [-42°C])
For more details about coolant, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
●Check the oil le vel on the dip-
stick every time you refill the 
vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap 
is properly tightened.
■If oil is spilled on the engine 
cover
To prevent the engine cover from 
being damaged, remove any 
engine oil from the engine cover 
as soon as possi ble using a neu-
tral detergent. Do not use an 
organic solvent such as brake 
cleaner.
Checking the coolant 

4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■If the coolant level drops within 
a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, 
engine/power control unit coolant 
reservoir caps, drain cock and water 
pump.
If you cannot find  a leak, have your 
Toyota dealer test the cap and 
check for leaks in the cooling sys-
tem.
Check the radiator and con-
denser and clear away any for-
eign objects. If either of the 
above parts is extremely dirty or 
you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle  inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be 
between the “MAX” and “MIN” 
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid 
type and prepare the necessary 
item.
 Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 
3 brake fluid
Item
Clean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture 
from the air
Excess moisture in  the brake fluid 
can cause a dangerous loss of brak-
ing efficiency. Use only newly 
WA R N I N G
■When the hybrid system is 
hot
Do not remove the engine/power 
control unit coolant reservoir caps 
and radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under 
pressure and may spray hot cool-
ant if the cap is removed, causing 
serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor 
straight antifreeze. The correct 
mixture of water and antifreeze 
must be used to provide proper 
lubrication, corrosion protection 
and cooling. Be sure to read the 
antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to 
prevent it from d amaging parts or 
paint.
Checking the radiator and 
condenser
WA R N I N G
■When the hybrid system is 
hot
Do not touch the radiator or con-
denser as they may be hot and 
cause serious injuries, such as 
burns.
Checking and adding the 
brake fluid