Page 193 of 572

1934-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
WA R N I N G
●Always check that all passen-
gers’ arms, heads or other parts 
of their body are not outside the 
vehicle.
●AWD models: This is not an 
AWD vehicle designed for 
off-road driving. Proceed with all 
due caution if it becomes 
unavoidable to drive off-road.
●Do not drive across a river or 
through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/elec-
tronic components to short cir-
cuit, damage the hybrid system 
or cause other serious damage 
to the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the 
speed limit. Even if the legal 
speed limit permits it, do not 
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) 
unless your vehicle has 
high-speed capabilit y tires. Driv-
ing over 85 mp h (140 km/h) 
may result in tire failure, loss of 
control and possible injury. Be 
sure to consult a tire dealer to 
determine whether the tires on 
your vehicle are high-speed 
capability tires or not before 
driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery 
road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration 
and steering may cause tire 
slippage and reduce your ability 
to control the vehicle.
●Sudden acceleration, engine 
braking due to shifting, or 
changes in engine speed could 
cause the vehicle to skid.
●After driving through a puddle, 
lightly depress the brake pedal 
to make sure t hat the brakes 
are functioning properly. Wet 
brake pads may prevent the 
brakes from functioning prop-
erly. If the brakes on only one 
side are wet and not functioning 
properly, steering control may 
be affected.
■When shifting the shift lever
●Do not let the vehicle roll back-
ward while a fo rward driving 
position is selected, or roll for-
ward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may result in an acci-
dent or damage to the vehicle.
●Do not shift the sh ift lever to P 
while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the sh ift lever to R 
while the vehicle is moving for-
ward.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to a 
driving position while the vehicle 
is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the trans-
mission and may result in a loss 
of vehicle control.
●Shifting the shift lever to N while 
the vehicle is moving will disen-
gage the hybrid system. Engine 
braking is not a vailable when N 
is selected.
●Be careful not to shift the shift 
lever with the accelerator pedal 
depressed. Shifting the shift 
lever to any position other than 
P or N may lead to unexpected 
rapid acceleration of the vehicle 
that may cause an accident and 
result in death or serious injury. 
     
        
        Page 194 of 572

1944-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
WA R N I N G
■If you hear a squealing or 
scraping noise (brake pad 
wear limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and 
replaced by your Toyota dealer as 
soon as possible.
Rotor damage may result if the 
pads are not replaced when 
needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle 
when the wear lim its of the brake 
pads and/or those of the brake 
discs are exceeded.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not depress t he accelerator 
pedal unnecessarily.
If the shift lever is in any posi-
tion other than P or N, the vehi-
cle may accelerate suddenly 
and unexpectedly, causing an 
accident.
●In order to prev ent accidents 
due to the vehicle rolling away, 
always keep depressing the 
brake pedal while stopped with 
the “READY” indicator is illumi-
nated, and appl y the parking 
brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an 
incline, in order to prevent acci-
dents caused by the vehicle roll-
ing forward or backward, always 
depress the brake pedal and 
securely apply the parking 
brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the 
engine.
Running the engine at high 
speed while the vehicle is 
stopped may cause the exhaust 
system to overheat, which could 
result in a fire if combustible 
material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave gla sses, cigarette 
lighters, spray cans, or soft 
drink cans in the vehicle when it 
is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the fol-
lowing:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette  lighter or spray  can, and may 
lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the  vehicle may cause the plastic 
lenses and plastic material of 
glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture,  causing the contents to spray 
over the interior of the vehicle, 
and may also cause a short cir-
cuit in the vehicl e’s electrical 
components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in 
the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter 
is in a place such as the glove 
box or on the floor, it may be lit 
accidentally when luggage is 
loaded or the se at is adjusted, 
causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to 
the windshield or windows. Do 
not place containers such as air 
fresheners on the instrument 
panel or dashboard. Adhesive 
discs or containers may act as 
lenses, causing a fire in the 
vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window 
open if the curved glass is 
coated with a metallized film 
such as a silver-colored one. 
Reflected sunlight may cause 
the glass to act a s a lens, caus-
ing a fire. 
     
        
        Page 415 of 572

4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
6
Maintenance and care
opened brake fluid.
If any washer does not work or 
the warning message appears 
on the multi-information display, 
the washer tank may be empty. 
Add washer fluid.
WA R N I N G
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm 
your hands and eyes and damage 
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in 
your eyes, flush t he affected area 
with clean water immediately.
If you still experien ce discomfort, 
see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level 
to go down slightly as the brake 
pads wear out or when the fluid 
level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent 
refilling, there ma y be a serious 
problem.
Washer fluid
WA R N I N G
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the 
hybrid system is hot or operating 
as washer fluid contains alcohol 
and may catch fire if spilled on the 
engine, etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other 
than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine 
antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on 
the vehicle’s painted surfaces, as 
well as damaging the pump lead-
ing to problems of the washer 
fluid not spraying.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as 
necessary.
Refer to the freezing tempera-
tures listed on the label of the 
washer fluid bottle.