
4TABLE OF CONTENTS
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Hood ..................................408
Positioning a floor jack ....... 409
Engine compartment .......... 410
12-volt battery .................... 416
Tires ................................... 418
Tire inflation pressure......... 430
Wheels ............................... 432
Air conditioning filter ........... 433
Cleaning the hybrid battery (trac- tion battery) air intake vents 
and filter ........................... 435
Electronic key battery ......... 438
Checking and replacing fuses ......................................... 439
Headlight aim ..................... 442
Light bulbs .......................... 443
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ........... 452
If your vehicle has to be stopped  in an emergency .............. 452
If the vehicle is trapped in rising  water ................................ 453
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed......................................... 455
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 458
If a warning light turns on or a  warning buzzer sounds .... 460
If a warning message is dis- played .............................. 470
If you have a flat tire ........... 474
If the hybrid system will not start ......................................... 486
If you lose your keys .......... 488
If the fuel filler door cannot be  opened ............................. 488
If the electronic key does not  operate properly ............... 489If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged ............................ 491
If your vehicle overheats .... 497
If the vehicle becomes stuck ......................................... 500
8-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .................................. 504
Fuel information ................. 514
Tire information .................. 516
8-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 526
8-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 538
9-1. For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ............................. 540
Seat belt instructions for Cana- dian owners (in French) ... 540
SRS airbag instructions for  Canadian owners (in French)......................................... 542
Headlight aim instructions for  Canadian owners (in French)......................................... 549
What to do if... (Troubleshooting)  ......................................... 55
2
Alphab
 etical Index.............. 555
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index 

13Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Precautions for winter seas on.............................................. P.327
To prevent freezing (windshiel d wiper de-icer) ..................... P.338
Precautions for car wash
*.................................................... P.395
Fuel filler door ............................................... ..................... P.240
Refueling method ............................................... .................. P.240
Fuel type/fuel tan k capacity ................................... .............. P.507
Tires.......................................................... ........................... P.418
Tire size/inflation pressure ................................... ........ P.418, 511
Winter tires/tire chains ....................................... .................. P.327
Checking/rotation/tire pressur e warning system ..................P.418
Coping with flat tires......................................... .................... P.474
Hood ........................................................... ......................... P.408
Opening ............................................................................... P.408
Engine oil ..................................................... ........................ P.508
Coping with overheating ...................................................... P.497
Warning messages ............................................... ............... P.470
Headlights..................................................... ...................... P.229
Parking lights ................................................. .................... P.229
Front turn signal lights ....................................... ............... P.223
Parking lights
*/daytime running lights............................. P.229
Front side marker lights ....................................... ............. P.229
Front fog lights ............................................... .................... P.235
Stop/tail lights ............................................... ..................... P.229
Tail lights.................................................... ......................... P.229
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to  R ................................................... P.220
License plate lights........................................... ................. P.229
Rear turn signal lights ........................................ ............... P.223
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P.443, Watts: P.512) 

912-1. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER HV_U
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
• When the outside temperature  has changed su ddenly (at the 
entrance/exit of a garage, tunnel, 
etc.)
●When “--” or “E” is displayed, the 
system may be malfunctioning. 
Take your vehicle to your Toyota 
dealer.
■Liquid crystal display
Small spots or light spots may 
appear on the display. This phenom-
enon is characteristi c of liquid crys-
tal displays, and there is no problem 
continuing to use the display.
■Customization
The meters can be customized on   of the multi-info rmation display. 
(  P.100, 110)
■Display items
 Odometer
Displays the total  distance the vehi-
cle has been driven.
 Trip meter A/trip meter B
Displays the distance the vehicle 
has been driven since the meter 
was last reset. Trip meters A and B 
can be used to record and display 
different distances independently.
■Changing the display
Each time the “ODO TRIP” 
switch is pressed, the displayed 
item will be changed. When the 
trip meter is displayed, pressing 
and holding the switch will reset 
the trip meter.
WA R N I N G
■The information display at 
low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to 
warm up before u sing the liquid 
crystal informat ion display. At 
extremely low temperatures, the 
information display monitor may 
respond slowly, and display 
changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag 
between the driver’s shifting and 
the new gear number appearing 
on the display. This lag could 
cause the driver to downshift 
again, causing rapid and exces-
sive engine braking and possibly 
an accident resulting in death or 
injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the 
engine and its components
●Do not let the i ndicator needle 
of the tachomete r enter the red 
zone, which indicates the maxi-
mum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating 
if the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge is in the red zone 
(H). In this case, immediately 
stop the vehicle in a safe place, 
and check the engine after it 
has cooled completely. 
(  P.497)
Odometer and trip meter 
display 

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. 

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. 

2024-1. Before driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●All trailer lights work as required 
by law.
●All lights work each time you con-
nect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper 
height for the coupler on the 
trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is 
hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not 
level, and check for improper 
tongue weight, overloading, worn 
suspension, or other possible 
causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely 
loaded.
●The rear view mirrors conform to 
all applicable federal, state/provin-
cial or local regu lations. If they do 
not, install rear  view mirrors 
appropriate for towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped 
with any new power train compo-
nents (such as an engine, hybrid 
transmission, rear differential or 
wheel bearing), Toyota recommends 
that you do not tow  a trailer until the 
vehicle has been 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 vehi-
cle 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 f requent mainte-
nance due to the additional load. 
(See “Scheduled Maintenance 
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Sup-
plement”.)
●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 contr ol trailer sway-
ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator  pedal immediately but very gradu-
ally 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 occu- pants 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 over-
loaded 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 combina-
tion. Drive at a lower speed to pre-
vent instability. Remember that 
swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer 
increases as speed increases. 

3254-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
4-6.Driving tips
When using Eco drive mode, the 
torque corresponding to the 
accelerator pedal depression 
amount can be generated more 
smoothly than it is in normal 
conditions. In addition, the oper-
ation of the air conditioning sys-
tem (heating/cooling) will be 
minimized, improving the fuel 
economy. ( P.316)
Eco-friendly driving is possible 
by keeping the Hybrid System 
Indicator within the Eco area. 
( P. 9 0 )
Shift the shift lever to D when 
stopped at a traffic light, or driv-
ing in heavy traffic, etc. Shift the 
shift lever to P when parking. 
When using N, there is no posi-
tive effect on fuel consumption. 
In N, the gasoline engine oper-
ates but electricity cannot be 
generated. Also, when using the 
air conditioning system, etc., the  hybrid battery (traction battery) 
power is consumed.
Drive your vehicle smoothly. 
Avoid abrupt acceleration and 
deceleration. Gradual accel-
eration and deceleration will 
make more effective use of 
the electric motor (traction 
motor) without having to use 
gasoline engine power.
 Avoid repeated acceleration. 
Repeated acceleration con-
sumes hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) power, resulting 
in poor fuel consumption. Bat-
tery power can be restored by 
driving with the accelerator 
pedal slightly released.
Make sure to operate the brakes 
gently and in a timely manner. A 
greater amount of electrical 
energy can be regenerated 
when slowing down.
Repeated acceleration and 
deceleration, as well as long 
waits at traffic lights, will lead to 
bad fuel economy. Check traffic 
reports before leaving and avoid 
delays as much as possible. 
When driving in a traffic jam, 
Hybrid vehicle driving 
tips
For economical and ecolog-
ical driving, pay attention to 
the following points:
Using Eco drive mode
Use of Hybrid System 
Indicator
Shift lever operation
Accelerator pedal/brake 
pedal operation
When braking
Delays 

3264-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER HV_U
gently release the brake pedal 
to allow the vehicle to move for-
ward slightly while avoiding 
overuse of the accelerator 
pedal. Doing so can help control 
excessive gasoline consump-
tion.
Control and maintain the vehicle 
at a constant speed. Before 
stopping at a toll booth or simi-
lar, allow plenty of time to 
release the accelerator and gen-
tly apply the brakes. A greater 
amount of electrical energy can 
be regenerated when slowing 
down.
Use the air conditioning only 
when necessary. Doing so can 
help reduce excessive gasoline 
consumption.
In summer: When the ambient 
temperature is high, use the 
recirculated air mode. Doing so 
will help to reduce the burden on 
the air conditioning system and 
reduce fuel consumption as 
well.
In winter: Because the gasoline 
engine will not automatically cut 
out until it and the interior of the 
vehicle are warm, it will con-
sume fuel. Also, fuel consump-
tion can be improved by 
avoiding overuse of the heater.Make sure to check the tire infla-
tion pressure frequently. 
Improper tire inflation pressure 
can cause poor fuel economy.
Also, as snow tires can cause 
large amounts of friction, their 
use on dry roads can lead to 
poor fuel economy. Use tires 
that are appropriate for the sea-
son.
Carrying heavy luggage will lead 
to poor fuel economy. Avoid car-
rying unnecessary luggage. 
Installing a large roof rack will 
also cause poor fuel economy.
Since the gasoline engine starts 
up and cuts out automatically 
when cold, warming up the 
engine is unnecessary. More-
over, frequently driving short 
distances will cause the engine 
to repeatedly warm up, which 
can lead to excess fuel con-
sumption.
Highway driving
Air conditioning
Checking tire inflation 
pressure
Luggage
Warming up before driv-
ing