2021 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID battery

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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 ..................................414
Positioning a floor jack ....... 415
Engine compartment .......... 416
12-volt battery .................... 421
Tires ................................... 424
Tire inflation pressure......... 436
Wheels ............................... 438
Air conditioning filter ........... 439
Cleaning the hybrid battery (trac- tion battery) air intake vents
and filter ........................... 441
Electronic key battery ......... 444
Checking and replacing fuses ......................................... 446
Headlight aim ..................... 448
Light bulbs .......................... 449
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ........... 458
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .............. 458
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water ................................ 459
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed......................................... 461
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 464
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds .... 466
If a warning message is dis- played .............................. 476
If you have a flat tire ........... 481
If the hybrid system will not start ......................................... 493
If you lose your keys .......... 495
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened ............................. 495
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............... 496If the 12-volt battery is dis-
charged ............................ 498
If your vehicle overheats .... 504
If the vehicle becomes stuck ......................................... 507
8-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .................................. 510
Fuel information ................. 518
Tire information .................. 520
8-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 530
8-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 542
9-1. For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ............................. 544
Seat belt instructions for Cana- dian owners (in French) ... 544
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners (in French)......................................... 546
Headlight aim instructions for Canadian owners (in French)......................................... 553
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ......................................... 55
6
Alphab etical Index

..............559
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index

721-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U
electric motor (traction motor) is
used.
When the shift lever is in N, the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
is not being charged.
*: When the hybrid battery (traction battery) requires charging or the
engine is warming up, etc., the
gasoline engine will not automati-
cally stop. ( P. 7 2 )
■During normal driving
The gasoline engine is predomi-
nantly used. The electric motor
(traction motor) charges the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
as necessary.
■When accelerating sharply
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed heavily, the power of
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) is added to that of the gas-
oline engine via the electric
motor (traction motor).
■When braking (regenera-
tive braking)
The wheels operate the electric
motor (traction motor) as a
power generator, and the hybrid
battery (traction battery) is
charged.
■Regenerative braking
In the following si tuations, kinetic
energy is converted to electric
energy and deceleration force can
be obtained in conjunction with the
recharging of the hybrid battery
(traction battery).
●The accelerator pedal is released
while driving with the shift lever in D or S.
●The brake pedal
is depressed
while driving with t he shift lever in
D or S.
■EV indicator
The EV indicator comes on when
the vehicle is driven using only the
electric motor (traction motor) or the
gasoline engine is stopped.
■Conditions in which the gaso-
line engine may not stop
The gasoline engine starts and
stops automatically. However, it may
not stop automatic ally in the follow-
ing conditions:
●During gasoline engine warm-up
●During hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) charging
●When the temperature of the
hybrid battery (traction battery) is
high or low
●When the heater is switched on
Depending on the circumstances,
the gasoline engine may also not
stop automatically in other situa-
tions.
■Charging the hybrid battery
(traction battery)
As the gasoline engine charges the
hybrid battery (trac tion battery), the
battery does not need to be charged
from an outside source. However, if
the vehicle is left parked for a long
time the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) will slowly dis charge. For this
reason, be sure to drive the vehicle
at least once every few months for
at least 30 minutes or 10 miles (16
km). If the hybrid battery (traction
battery) becomes fully discharged

731-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_Uand you are unable to start the
hybrid system, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■Charging the 1
2-volt battery
 P. 4 9 8
■After the 12-volt battery has dis-
charged or when the terminal
has been removed and installed
during exchange, etc.
The gasoline engine may not stop
even if the vehicle is being driven by
the hybrid battery (traction battery).
If this continues for a few days, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
■Sounds and vibrations specific
to a hybrid vehicle
There may be no engine sound or
vibration even though the vehicle is
able to move with the “READY” indi-
cator is illuminated. For safety, apply
the parking brake and make sure to
shift the shift lever to P when
parked.
The following sounds or vibrations
may occur when the hybrid system
is operating and are not a malfunc-
tion:
●Motor sounds may be heard from
the engine compartment.
●Sounds may be heard from the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
under the rear seats when the
hybrid system starts or stops.
●Relay operating sounds such as a
snap or soft clank will be emitted
from the hybrid battery (traction
battery), under the rear seats,
when the hybrid system is started
or stopped.
●Sounds from the hybrid system
may be heard when the back door
is open.
●Sounds may be heard from the
transmission when the gasoline
engine starts or stops, when driv-
ing at low speeds, or during idling.
●Engine sounds may be heard
when accelerating sharply.
●Sounds may be heard due to
regenerative braking when the
brake pedal is depressed or as
the accelerator pedal is released.
●Vibration may be felt when the
gasoline engine starts or stops.
●Cooling fan sounds may be heard
from the air intake vents under the
rear seats.
■Maintenance, repair, recycling,
and disposal
Contact your Toyota dealer regard-
ing maintenance, repair, recycling
and disposal. Do n ot dispose of the
vehicle yourself.
When driving with the gasoline
engine stopped, a sound, which
changes in accordance with the
driving speed, will be played in
order to warn people nearby of
the vehicle’s approach. The
sound will stop when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately
22 mph (35 km/h).
■Acoustic vehicle alerting sys-
tem
In the following cases, the acoustic
vehicle alerting system may be diffi-
cult for surrounding people to hear.
●In very noisy areas
●In the wind or the rain
Also, as the acoustic vehicle alerting
system is installed on the front of the
vehicle, it may be more difficult to
hear from the rear of the vehicle
compared to the front.
Acoustic vehicle alerting
system

741-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■If “Proximity Notification Sys-
tem Malfunction Visit Your
Dealer” is displayed on the
multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your
Toyota dealer.
*: This function can only be used in
the mainland U.S.A. It cannot be
used in other states and territo-
ries, including Alaska and Hawaii.
This system operates based on
the driving situation and traffic
information to enhance fuel
economy.
For details about Predictive effi-
cient drive, refer to “NAVIGA-
TION AND MULTIMEDIA
SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL”.
■Predictive deceleration support
●When the vehicle approaches to
predictive deceleration support
points registered in the navigation
system, the zone of Eco accelera-
tion ( ) of the ECO Accelerator
Guidance ( P.103) on the
multi-information display will be
turned off to encourage the driver
to reduce excessive acceleration.
Example: 7-inch display
●The engine braki ng force will be
increased according to the driving
conditions to more efficiently
charge the hybrid battery (traction
battery) after the accelerator pedal
is released.
■Predictive SOC control
The following types of control are
performed based on data such as
road and traffic information during
route guidance by the navigation
system to help ensure that the vehi-
cle efficiently uses electricity.
●When there is a long downhill
slope along the r oute, the system
reduces the hybrid battery (trac-
tion battery) leve l before reaching
the slope to help ensure charging
capacity for regenerative braking
while traveling downhill.
●When traffic congestion is pre-
dicted along the route, the system
helps ensure a certain battery
level before reaching congested
roads to reduce the frequency of
starting the engin e to charge the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
due to low battery levels.
Predictive efficient drive
(vehicles with a naviga-
tion system)
*

751-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_UThe illustration is an example for
explanation and may differ from the actual
item.
Warning label
Service plug
High voltage cables (orange)
Power control unit
Hybrid battery (traction battery)
Rear electric motor (traction motor)
*
Front electric motor (traction motor)
Air conditioning compressor
*: AWD models only
■Running out of fuel
When the vehicle has run out of fuel
and the hybrid system cannot be
started, refuel th e vehicle with at least enough gasoline to make the
low fuel level warning light (
P.469)
go off. If there is only a small
amount of fuel, the hybrid system
may not be able to start. (The stan-
dard amount of fuel is about 2.9 gal.
Hybrid system precautions
Take care when handling the hybrid system, as it is a high
voltage system (about 650 V at maximum) as well as contains
parts that become extremely hot when the hybrid system is
operating. Obey the warning labels attached to the vehicle.
System components

761-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U[11.05 L, 2.4 Imp. gal.], when the
vehicle is on a level surface. This
value may vary whe
n the vehicle is
on a slope. Add extra fuel when the
vehicle is inclined.)
■Electromagnetic waves
●High voltage parts and cables on
hybrid vehicles incorporate elec-
tromagnetic shielding, and there-
fore emit approximately the same
amount of electromagnetic waves
as conventional gasoline pow-
ered vehicles or home electronic
appliances.
●Your vehicle may cause sound
interference in some third
party-produced radio parts.
■Hybrid battery (tr action battery)
The hybrid battery (traction battery)
has a limited service life. The lifes-
pan of the hybrid battery (traction
battery) can change in accordance
with driving style and driving condi-
tions.
WARNING
■High voltage precautions
This vehicle has high voltage DC
and AC systems as well as a
12-volt system. DC and AC high
voltage is very dangerous and
can cause severe burns and elec-
tric shock that may result in death
or serious injury.
●Never touch, disassemble,
remove or replace the high volt-
age parts, cables or their con-
nectors.
●The hybrid system will become
hot after starting as the system
uses high voltage. Be careful of
both the high voltage and the
high temperature, and always
obey the warning labels
attached to the vehicle.
●Never try to open the service
plug access hole located under
the rear seat. The service plug
is used only when the vehicle is
serviced and is subject to high
voltage.
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions
to reduce the risk of death or seri-
ous injury:
●Pull your vehicle off the road,
shift the shift le ver to P, apply
the parking brake, and turn the
hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage
parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed
inside or outside your vehicle,
an electric shock may occur.
Never touch exposed electric
wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not
touch the fluid as it may be
strong alkaline electrolyte from
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery). If it comes into contact
with your skin or eyes, wash it
off immediately with a large
amount of water or, if possible,
boric acid solution. Seek imme-
diate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid
vehicle, leave the vehicle as
soon as possible. Never use a
fire extinguisher that is not
meant for electric fires. Using
even a small amount of water
may be dangerous.

771-4. Hybrid system
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER HV_U
There are air intake vents under
each side of the rear seatback
for the purpose of cooling the
hybrid battery (traction battery).
If the vent is blocked,
charging/discharging of the
hybrid battery (traction battery)
may become limited.
WARNING
●If your vehicle needs to be
towed, do so with all four
wheels raised. If the wheels
connected to the electric motor
(traction motor) are on the
ground when towing, the motor
may continue to generate elec-
tricity. This may cause a fire.
(  P.461)
●Carefully inspect the ground
under the vehicle. If you find
that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, the fuel system may
have been damaged. Leave the
vehicle as soon as possible.
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery)
●Never resell, hand over or mod-
ify the hybrid battery. To prevent
accidents, hybrid batteries that
have been removed from a dis-
posed vehicle are collected
through your Toyota dealer. Do
not dispose of the battery your-
self.
Unless the battery is properly col-
lected, the following may occur,
resulting in dea th or serious
injury:
• The hybrid battery may be ille- gally disposed of or dumped,
and it is hazardous to the envi-
ronment or someone may touch
a high voltage part, resulting in
an electric shock.
• The hybrid battery is intended to be used exclusively with your
hybrid vehicle. If the hybrid bat-
tery is used outside of your
vehicle or modified in any way,
accidents such as electric
shock, heat generation, smoke
generation, an explosion and
electrolyte leakage may occur.
When reselling or handing over
your vehicle, the possibility of an
accident is extremely high
because the person receiving the
vehicle may not be aware of these
dangers.
●If your vehicle is disposed of
without the hybrid battery hav-
ing been removed, there is a
danger of serious electric shock
if high voltage parts, cables and
their connectors are touched. In
the event that your vehicle must
be disposed of, the hybrid bat-
tery must be disposed of by
your Toyota dealer or a qualified
service shop. If the hybrid bat-
tery is not disposed of properly,
it may cause electric shock that
can result in dea th or serious
injury.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vents
Do not carry large amounts of
water such as water cooler bottles
in the vehicle. If water spills onto
the hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery), the battery may be dam-
aged. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer.
Hybrid battery (traction
battery) air intake vent