
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.