
3274-6. Driving tips
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4
Driving
 Use fluids that are appropriate 
to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
Have a service technician 
inspect the condition of the 
12-volt battery.
 Have the vehicle fitted with 
four snow tires or purchase a 
set of tire chains for the front 
tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same 
size and brand,  and that chains 
match the size of the tires.
Perform the following according 
to the driving conditions:
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary 
preparations and inspec-
tions before driving the 
vehicle in winter. Always 
drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the pre-
vailing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
WA R N I N G
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions 
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so m ay result in a 
loss of vehicle control and cause 
death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended 
level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 
mph (120 km/h), regardless of 
the type of snow tires being 
used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just 
some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions 
to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the 
vehicle being unable to be driven 
safely, and may cause death or 
serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the 
speed limit specifi ed for the tire 
chains being used, or 30 mph 
(50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving  on bumpy road 
surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, 
abrupt steering, sudden brak-
ing and shifting operations that 
cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before 
entering a curve to ensure that 
vehicle control is maintained.
●Do not use the LTA (Lane Trac-
ing Assist) system.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow 
tires
Request repairs or replacement of 
snow tires from Toyota dealers or 
legitimate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and 
attachment of snow tires affects 
the operation of the tire pressure 
warning valves and transmitters.
Before driving the vehicle 

4026-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
General maintenance
Listed below are the general 
maintenance items that 
should be performed at the 
intervals specified in the 
“Owner’s Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet” or “Owner’s 
Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It 
is recommended that any 
problem you notice should 
be brought to the attention 
of your Toyota dealer or 
qualified service shop for 
advice.
WA R N I N G
■If the hybrid system is operat-
ing
Turn the hybrid system off and 
ensure that there is adequate 
ventilation before performing 
maintenance checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at 
the correct level? 
(  P.414)
Engine/power 
control unit 
coolant
Is the 
engine/power con-
trol unit coolant at 
the correct level? 
( P.413)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at 
the correct level? 
( P.410)
Exhaust sys-
temThere should not 
be any fumes or 
strange sounds.
Radiator/con-
denser
The radiator and 
condenser should 
be free from for-
eign objects. 
( P.414)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient 
washer fluid? 
( P.415)
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the connec-
tions. ( P.416)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator 
pedal
• The accelerator 
pedal should 
move smoothly 
(without uneven 
pedal effort or 
catching).
Hybrid trans-
mission “Park” 
mechanism
• When parked on a slope and the 
shift lever is in P, 
is the vehicle 
securely 
stopped?
ItemsCheck points 

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 

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 

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 

4607-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Brake system warning light
■Brake system warning light
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminat es on the multi-information display.
If  a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer 
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning 
lights comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but  
then goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction  
in the system. However, if this continues to occur, have the 
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(red)
(Canada)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The regenerative braking system;
 The electronically contr olled brake system; or
 The electric parking brake
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer 
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.497) 

4977-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
7
When trouble arises
If the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge enters the red 
zone or “Engine Coolant 
Temp High Stop in a Safe 
Place See Owner’s Manual” 
is shown on the multi-informa-
tion display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe 
place and turn off the air con-
ditioning system, and then 
stop the hybrid system.
2 If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after  the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
3 After the hybrid system has 
cooled down sufficiently, 
inspect the hoses and radia-
tor core (radiator) for any 
leaks.
If a large amount of coolant leaks, 
immediately contact your Toyota 
dealer.
Radiator
Cooling fan
4 The coolant level is satisfac-
tory if it is between the 
“FULL” and “LOW” lines on 
the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Radiator cap
If  your vehicle over-
heats
The following may indicate 
that your vehicle is over-
heating.
The needle of the engine 
coolant temperature gauge 
( P.89) enters the red zone 
or a loss of hybrid system 
power is experienced. (For 
example, the vehicle speed 
does not increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High 
Stop in a Safe Place See 
Owner’s Manual” or “Hybrid 
System Overheated Output 
Power Reduced” is shown 
on the multi-information dis-
play.
 Steam comes out from 
under the hood.
Correction procedures