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HIGHLANDER HV_U
Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
For safety 
and securityMake sure to read through them
(Main topics: Child seat, theft deterrent system)
Vehicle status 
information and 
indicatorsReading driving-related information
(Main topics: Meters, multi-information display)
Before driving
Opening and closing the doors and windows, 
adjustment before driving
(Main topics: Keys, doors, seats)
Driving
Operations and advice which are necessary for 
driving
(Main topics: Starting hybrid system, refueling)
Interior featuresUsage of the interior features
(Main topics: Air conditioner, storage features)
Maintenance 
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance 
procedures
(Main topics: Interior and exterior, light bulbs)
When trouble 
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction and emergency
(Main topics: 12-volt battery discharge, flat tire)
Vehicle 
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features
(Main topics: Fuel, oil, tire inflation pressure)
For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat 
belt, SRS airbag and headlight aim instructions for 
Canadian owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically 

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 

1283-1. Key information
HIGHLANDER HV_U
3-1.Key information
The following keys are provided 
with the vehicle.Electronic keys
• Operating the smart key system ( P.146)
• Operating the wireless remote  control function ( P.129)
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
■When riding in an aircraft
When bringing an electronic key 
onto an aircraft, make sure you do 
not press any buttons on the elec-
tronic key while inside the aircraft 
cabin. If you are carrying an elec-
tronic key in your bag, etc., ensure 
that the buttons are  not likely to be 
pressed accidentally. Pressing a 
button may cause the electronic key 
to emit radio waves that could inter-
fere with the oper ation of the air-
craft.
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2 
years.
●If the battery becomes low, an 
alarm will sound in the cabin when 
the hybrid system is stopped.
●To reduce key battery depletion  when the electronic key is to not 
be used for long periods of time, 
set the electronic key to the bat-
tery-saving mode. (
P.147)
●As the electronic key always 
receives radio waves, the battery 
will become depleted  even if the 
electronic key is not used. The fol-
lowing symptoms indicate that the 
electronic key battery may be 
depleted. Replace the battery 
when necessary.
• The smart key system or the wire- less remote contro l does not oper-
ate.
• The detection area becomes  smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key sur- face does not turn on.
●To avoid serious deterioration, do 
not leave the electronic key within 
3 ft. (1 m) of the following electri-
cal appliances that produce a 
magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones  and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or  cordless phones
• Table lamps
• Induction cookers
■Replacing the battery
 P.438
■Confirmation of the registered 
key number
The number of keys already regis-
tered to the vehi cle can be con-
firmed. Ask your Toyota dealer for 
details.
■If “A New Key has been Regis-
tered Contact Your Dealer for 
Details” is shown on the 
multi-information display
This message will  be displayed 
each time the driver’s door is 
opened when the doors are 
unlocked from the outside for 
approximately 10 days after a new 
electronic key has been registered.
Keys
The keys 

1303-1. Key information
HIGHLANDER HV_U
*2: If equipped
■Theft deterrent panic mode
When   is pressed for longer 
than about one second, an alarm 
will sound intermittently and the 
vehicle lights will f lash to deter any 
person from trying to break into or 
damage your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, press any button 
on the electronic key.
To take out the mechanical key, 
slide the release button and take 
the key out.
The mechanical key can only be 
inserted in one direction, as the key 
only has grooves on one side. If the 
key cannot be inserted in a lock cyl-
inder, turn it over and re-attempt to 
insert it.
After using the mechanical key, 
store it in the electronic key. Carry 
the mechanical k ey together with 
the electronic key. If the electronic 
key battery is dep leted or the entry 
function does not operate properly, 
you will need the m echanical key. 
(  P.489)
■When required to leave the 
vehicle’s key wi th a parking 
attendant
Lock the glove box as circum-
stances demand. ( P.360)
Remove the mechanical key for 
your own use and p rovide the atten-
dant with the elec tronic key only.
■If you lose your mechanical 
keys
 P.488
■If a wrong key is used
The key cylinder rotates freely, iso-
lated from the internal mechanism.
Using the mechanical key 

1333-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
3
Before driving
■Conditions affect ing the opera-
tion of the smart key system or 
wireless remo te control
 P. 1 4 7
■If the smart key system or the 
wireless remote  control does 
not operate properly
Use the mechanical key to lock and 
unlock the doors. ( P.489)
Replace the key battery with a new 
one if it is depleted. ( P.438)
■If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged
The doors cannot be locked and 
unlocked using the smart key sys-
tem or wireless remote control. Lock 
or unlock the doors using the 
mechanical key. ( P.489)
■Rear seat reminder function
In order to remind you not to forget 
luggage, etc. in the rear seat, when 
the power switch is turned off after 
any of the following  conditions are 
met, a buzzer will sound and  a mes-
sage will be displayed on the 
multi-information di splay for approx-
imately 6 seconds.
●The hybrid system is started 
within 10 minutes  after opening 
and closing a rear door.
●A rear door has been opened and 
closed after the hybrid system 
was started.
However, if a rear door is opened 
and then closed  within approxi-
mately 2 seconds , the rear seat 
reminder function may not operate.
The rear seat reminder function 
determines that luggage, etc. has 
been placed in a rear seat based on 
opening and closing of a rear door. 
Therefore, depending on the situa-
tion, the rear seat  reminder function 
may not operate and you may still 
forget luggage, etc. in the rear seat, 
or it may operate unnecessarily.
The rear seat reminder function can 
be enabled/disabled. ( P.526)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.526)
WA R N I N G
■To prevent an accident
Observe the following precautions 
while driving the vehicle. Failure 
to do so may result in a door 
opening and an occupant falling 
out, resulting in death or serious 
injury.
●Ensure that all doors are prop-
erly closed and locked.
●Do not pull the  inside handle of 
the doors while driving.
Be especially careful for the front 
doors, as the doors may be 
opened even if the inside lock but-
tons are in locked position.
●Set the rear door child-protector 
locks when children are seated 
in the rear seats.
■When opening or closing a 
door
Check the surroundings of the 
vehicle such as wh ether the vehi-
cle is on an incline, whether there 
is enough space for a door to 
open and whether a strong wind 
is blowing. When opening or clos-
ing the door, hold the door handle 
tightly to prepare for any unpre-
dictable movement. 

1413-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
3
Before driving
station, large display, airport or 
other facility that  generates strong 
radio waves or electrical noise.
●When a large amount of water is 
applied to the rear bumper, such 
as when the vehicle is being 
washed or in heavy rain.
●When mud, snow, ice, etc. is 
attached to the rear bumper.
●When the vehicle has been 
parked for a while near objects 
that may move and contact the 
rear bumper, such as plants.
●When an accessory is installed to 
the rear bumper.
If an accessory has been installed, 
turn the kick sensor operation set-
ting off. ( P.526)
■Preventing unintentional opera-
tion of the Hands Free Power 
Back Door (if equipped)
When an electronic key is in the 
operation detection area, the Hands 
Free Power Back Door may operate 
unintentionally, so be careful in the 
following situations:
●When a large amount of water is 
applied to the rear bumper, such 
as when the vehicle is being 
washed or in heavy rain.
●When dirt is wiped  off the rear 
bumper.
●When a small animal or small 
object, such as a ball, moves 
under the rear bumper.
●When an object is moved from 
under the rear bumper.
●If someone is swinging their legs 
while sitting on the rear bumper.
●If the legs or another part of some-
one’s body contacts the rear 
bumper while passi ng by the vehi-
cle.
●When the vehicle is parked near 
an electrical noise source which 
affects the sensitivity of the Hands 
Free Power Back Door, such as a 
pay parking spot , gas station,  electrically heated road, or fluo-
rescent light.
●When the vehicle is near a TV 
tower, electric pow
er plant, radio 
station, large display, airport or 
other facility that generates strong 
radio waves or electrical noise.
●When the vehicle is parked in a 
place where objects such as 
plants are near the rear bumper.
●When luggage, etc. is set in or 
removed from the luggage com-
partment from outside of the vehi-
cle.
●If accessories or a vehicle cover is 
installed/removed near the rear 
bumper.
●When snow attached to the inner 
side of the rear bumper melts.
To prevent unintentional operation, 
turn the kick sensor operation set-
ting off. ( P.526)
■When reconnecting the 12-volt 
battery
To enable the power back door to 
operate properly, close the back 
door manually.
■Customization
Some functions can be customized. 
(  P.526) 

1473-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER HV_U
3
Before driving
●When an interior alarm sounds 
continuously
■Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be 
activated in order to prevent the 
electronic key battery and the 
12-volt battery from being dis-
charged while the vehicle is not 
operated for a long time.
●In the following situations, the 
smart key system may take some 
time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in 
an area of approximately 6 ft. (2 
m) of the outside of the vehicle for 
10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not  been used for 5 days or longer.
●If the smart key system has not 
been used for 14 days or longer, 
the doors canno t be unlocked at 
any doors except the driver’s door. 
In this case, take hold of the 
driver’s door handle, or use the  wireless remote c
ontrol or the 
mechanical key, to unlock the 
doors.
■Turning an electronic key to 
battery-saving mode
When battery-saving mode is set, 
battery depletion is minimized by 
stopping the electronic key from 
receiving radio waves.
Press   twice while pressing and 
holding  . Confirm that the elec-
tronic key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is 
set, the smart key system cannot be 
used. To cancel the function, press 
any of the electronic key buttons.
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak 
radio waves. In the following situa-
tions, the communication between 
the electronic key  and the vehicle 
may be affected, preventing the 
smart key system, wireless remote 
control and immobilizer system from 
operating proper ly. (Ways of cop-
ing: P.489)
●When the electronic key battery is 
depleted
●Near a TV tower,  electric power 
plant, gas station, radio station, 
large display, airpo rt or other facil-
ity that generates strong radio 
waves or electrical noise
●When the electronic key is in con-
tact with, or is c overed by the fol-
lowing metallic objects
• Cards to which  aluminum foil is 
attached
• Cigarette boxes that have alumi- num foil inside
SituationCorrection 
procedure
An attempt was 
made to lock the 
vehicle while a door 
was open.Close all of 
the doors 
and lock the 
doors again.
SituationCorrection procedure
The power switch 
was turned to ACC 
while the driver’s 
door was open (or 
the driver’s door was 
opened while the 
power switch was in 
ACC).
Turn the 
power 
switch off 
and close 
the driver’s 
door.
The power switch 
was turned off while 
the driver’s door was 
open.Close the 
driver’s 
door. 

1483-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER HV_U• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When other wireless keys (that 
emit radio waves) are being used 
nearby
●When carrying the electronic key 
together with the following devices 
that emit radio waves
• Portable radio, cellular phone,  cordless phone or other wireless 
communication devices
• Another electronic key or a wire- less key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal 
digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
●If window tint with a metallic con-
tent or metallic objects are 
attached to the rear window
●When the electronic key is placed 
near a battery charger or elec-
tronic devices
●When the vehicle is parked in a 
pay parking spot where radio 
waves are emitted
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is 
within the effective range (detec-
tion areas), the system may not 
operate properly in the following 
cases:
• The electronic key is too close to  the window or outside door han-
dle, near the ground, or in a high 
place when the doors are locked 
or unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instru-
ment panel, luggage compart-
ment, floor, or in the door pockets 
or glove box when the hybrid sys-
tem is started or power switch 
modes are changed.
●Do not leave the electronic key on 
top of the instrument panel or near 
the door pockets when exiting the 
vehicle. Depending on the radio 
wave reception conditions, it may 
be detected by the antenna out- side the cabin and the door will 
become lockable from the outside, 
possibly trapping the electronic 
key inside the vehicle.
●As long as the electronic key is 
within the effective range, the 
doors may be locked or unlocked 
by anyone. However, only the 
doors detecting the electronic key 
can be used to unlock the vehicle.
●Even if the electro
nic key is not 
inside the vehicle, it may be possi-
ble to start the hybrid system if the 
electronic key is near the window.
●The doors may unlock or lock if a 
large amount of water splashes on 
the door handle, such as in the 
rain or in a car  wash when the 
electronic key is within the effec-
tive range. (The  doors will auto-
matically be locked after 
approximately 60 seconds if the 
doors are not opened and closed.)
●If the wireless remote control is 
used to lock the doors when the 
electronic key is near the vehicle, 
there is a possib ility that the door 
may not be unlocked by the entry 
function. (Use the wireless remote 
control to unlock the doors.)
●Touching the door lock or unlock 
sensor while wearing gloves may 
prevent lock or unlock operation.
●When the lock operation is per-
formed using the lock sensor, rec-
ognition signals will be shown up 
to two consecutive times. After 
this, no recognition signals will be 
given.
●If the door handle becomes wet 
while the electronic key is within 
the effective range, the door may 
lock and unlock repeatedly. In that 
case, follow the  following correc-
tion procedures to wash the vehi-
cle:
• Place the electronic key in a loca- tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from 
the vehicle. (Take care to ensure 
that the key is not stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to bat-