3334-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER HV_U
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
WARNING
■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
4086-2. 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.
WARNING
■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.420)
Engine/power
control unit
coolant
Is the
engine/power con-
trol unit coolant at
the correct level?
( P.418)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at
the correct level?
( P.416)
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.419)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
( P.420)
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the connec-
tions. ( P.421)
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
4126-3. 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.421)
•Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for ter-
minal clamp
bolts)
Brake fluid
level ( P.420)
• 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.418)
• “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.416)
• “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses
( P.446)• Fuse with same
amperage rating
as original
ItemsParts and tools
4166-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.418)
Fuse boxes ( P.446)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.417)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.417)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.420)
Washer fluid tank ( P.420)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.419)
Radiator ( P.419)
Power control unit coolant reservoir ( P.419)
■12-volt battery
P. 4 2 1
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
4186-3. 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 ref illed 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
■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.
WARNING
■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 oil and filters
only in a safe an d acceptable
manner. Do not dispose of used
oil and filters in household 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 rea ch 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.
●Check the oil level 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 possible using a neu-
tral detergent. Do not use an
organic solvent such as brake
cleaner.
Checking the coolant
4196-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL”
line. (P.504)
■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.504)
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” or a similar high quality
ethylene glycol based 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% coolant 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.
■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-
WARNING
■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 damaging parts or
paint.
Checking the radiator and
condenser
4667-2. 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.504)
4807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_Uare shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, it may indicate a mal-
function. Immediat
ely stop the
vehicle and contact your Toyota
dealer.
• “Braking Power Low Stop in a
Safe Place See Owner's Manual”
• “Oil Pressure Low Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual”
• “Charging System Malfunction Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's
Manual”
• “Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Manual”
• “Shift to P See Owner's Manual”
●If any of the following messages
are shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, the vehicle may have
run out of fuel. Stop the vehicle in
a safe place and, if the fuel level is
low, refuel the vehicle.
• “Hybrid System Stopped”
• “Engine Stopped”
●If any of the following messages
are shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, it may indicate a mal-
function. Have the vehicle
inspected by you r Toyota dealer
immediately.
• “Hybrid System Malfunction”
• “Check Engine”
• “Hybrid Battery System Malfunc- tion”
• “Accelerator System Malfunction”
• “Smart Key System Malfunction
See Owner's Manual”
●If any of the following messages
are shown on the multi-informa-
tion display, follow the instruc-
tions.
• “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in a Safe Place See Owner's Man-
ual” ( P.504)
• “Maintenance Required for Trac- tion Battery Cooling Parts See
Owner's Manual” ( P.441)
NOTICE
■If “High Power Consumption
Partial Limit on AC/Heater
Operation” is displayed fre-
quently
There is a possible malfunction
relating to the charging system or
the 12-volt battery may be deteri-
orating. Have the vehicle
inspected by you r Toyota dealer.