
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 

781-4. Hybrid system
HIGHLANDER HV_U
When a certain level of impact is 
detected by the impact sensor, 
the emergency shut off system 
blocks the high voltage current 
and stops the fuel pump to mini-
mize the risk of electrocution 
and fuel leakage. If the emer-
gency shut off system activates, your vehicle will not restart. To 
restart the hybrid system, con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
A message is automatically dis-
played when a malfunction 
occurs in the hybrid system or 
an improper operation is 
attempted.
If a warning message is shown 
on the multi-information display, 
read the message and follow the 
instructions. (
P.476)
■If a warning light comes on, a 
warning message  is displayed, 
or the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected
The hybrid system may not start. In 
this case, try to start the system 
again. If the “READY” indicator does 
not come on, contact your Toyota 
dealer.
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery (traction bat-
tery) air intake vent
●Do not place objects that will 
block the air intake vents. The 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
may become limited and be 
damaged.
●Clean the air intake/discharge 
vents regularly to prevent the 
hybrid battery (traction battery) 
to be limited.
●Do not allow liquid or foreign 
material to enter the air intake 
vent as this may cause a short 
circuit and damage the hybrid 
battery (traction battery).
●A filter is inst alled to the air 
intake vent. When the filter 
remains noticeably dirty even 
after cleaning the air intake 
vent, filter cleaning or replace-
ment is recommended. Refer to 
P.441for details on how to clean 
the filters.
Emergency shut off sys-
tem
Hybrid warning message 

3455-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER HV_U
●The windows may fog up if the 
recirculated air mode is used.
■When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up 
by the vehicle is still drawn into the 
vehicle after closing the windows, it 
is recommended that the air intake 
mode be set to outside air mode and 
the fan speed to any setting except 
off.
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the r ecirculated air 
mode temporarily is recom-
mended in preventing dirty air 
from entering the vehicle interior 
and helping to c ool the vehicle 
when the outside  air temperature 
is high.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may 
automatically switch depending on 
the temperature setting or the 
inside temperature.
■Operation of the air condition-
ing system in Eco drive mode
●In Eco drive mode, the air condi-
tioning system is controlled as fol-
lows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine speed and compressor  operation controlled to restrict 
heating/cooling capacity
• Fan speed restr icted when auto-
matic mode is selected
●To improve air co nditioning perfor-
mance, perform the following 
operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.322)
■When the outside temperature 
is low
The dehumidification function may 
not operate even when the “A/C” 
switch is pressed.
■Ventilation and air conditioning 
odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air condi-
tioning system to the outside air 
mode.
●During use, various odors from  inside and outside the vehicle may 
enter into and accumulate in the 
air conditioning system. This may 
then cause odor 
to be emitted 
from the vents.
●To reduce potential odors from 
occurring:
• It is recommended that the air 
conditioning system be set to out-
side air mode prior to turning the 
vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may  be delayed for a short period of 
time immediately after the air con-
ditioning system is started in auto-
matic mode.
●When parking, the system auto-
matically switches to outside air 
mode to encourage better air cir-
culation throughout the vehicle, 
helping to reduce odors that occur 
when starting the vehicle.
■Air conditioning filter
 P.439
■Air conditioning system refrig-
erant
●A label regarding the refrigerant of 
the air conditioning system is 
attached to the h ood at the loca-
tion shown in the  following illustra-
tion.
●The meaning of each symbol on 
the label are as follows:
Caution
Air conditioning sys-
tem 

4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Hybrid battery 
(traction bat-
tery) air intake 
vent (P.441)• Vacuum cleaner, 
etc.
• Phillips screw- driver
Headlight aim 
( P.448)• Phillips-head 
screwdriver
Light bulbs 
( P.449)
• Bulb with same 
number and 
wattage rating as 
original
• Phillips-head  screwdriver
• Flathead screw- driver
• Wrench
Radiator and 
condenser 
(  P.419)
Tire inflation 
pressure 
( P.436)• Tire pressure 
gauge
• Compressed air  source
Washer fluid 
( P.420)
• Water or washer 
fluid containing 
antifreeze (for 
winter use)
• Funnel (used  only for adding 
water or washer 
fluid)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains 
many mechanisms and fluids that 
may move suddenly, become hot, 
or become electrically energized. 
To avoid death or serious injury, 
observe the following precautions.
ItemsParts and tools■When working on the engine 
compartment
●Make sure that the “ACCES-
SORY” or “IGNITION ON” on 
the multi-information display 
and the “READY” indicator are 
both off.
●Be careful not to touch the 
engine, power control unit, radi-
ator, exhaust manifold, etc. right 
after driving as they may be hot. 
Oil and other fluids may also be 
hot.
●Do not leave anything that may 
burn easily, such as paper and 
rags, in the engine compart-
ment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or 
expose an open flame to fuel. 
Fuel fumes are flammable.
■When working near the elec-
tric cooling fan or radiator 
grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON, the 
electric cooling fa n may automati-
cally start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant 
temperature is high. ( P.419)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent 
flying or falling material, fluid 
spray, etc. from getting in your 
eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner 
filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter 
removed may cause excessive 
engine wear due to  dirt in the air. 

4416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Remove the dust from the air 
intake vent with a vacuum 
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to only use a vacuum to 
suck out dust and clogs. Attempting 
to blow out dust and clogs using an 
airgun, etc. may push it into the air 
intake vent. (P.443)
If dust and clogs cannot be com-
pletely removed with the air 
intake vent cover installed, 
remove the cover and clean the 
filter.
1 Turn the power switch off.
2 Remove the air intake vent 
cover.
Pull the cover as shown in the illus-
tration to disengage the 6 claws, 
starting from the  claw in the upper 
right corner and pull the cover 
toward the front of  the vehicle to 
remove it.
3 Remove the air intake vent 
filter.
Disengage the claw to remove the 
filter from the rear scuff plate.
Cleaning the hybrid 
batter y (traction bat-
ter y) air intake vents 
and filter
To prevent the fuel economy 
from being affected, visually 
inspect the hybrid battery 
(traction battery) air intake 
vents periodically for dust 
and clogs. If it is dusty or 
clogged or if “Maintenance 
Required for Traction Bat-
tery Cooling Parts See 
Owner’s Manual” is shown 
on the multi-information 
display, clean the air intake 
vent using the following 
procedures:
Cleaning the air intake 
vents
If dust and clogs cannot 
be completely removed 

4426-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
4Remove the dust and clogs 
from the filter using a vacuum 
cleaner, etc.
Make sure to also remove the dust 
and clogs from the inside of the air 
intake vent cover.
5Reinstall the filter to the 
cover.
Engage the 3 claw to install the fil-
ter.
Make sure that t he filter is not 
crooked or deformed when install-
ing it.
6 Install the air intake vent 
cover.
I ns er t t he  t ab  o f th e co ve r a s sh ow n 
in the illustrati on and push the  cover to enga
ge the 6 claws.
■Scheduled maintenance of the 
air intake vent is necessary 
when
In some situations such as when the 
vehicle is used frequently or in 
heavy traffic or dusty areas, the air 
intake vent may need to be cleaned 
more regularly. For d etails, refer to 
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide”.
■Cleaning the air intake vent
●Dust in the air intake vent may 
interfere with the  cooling of the 
hybrid battery (trac tion battery). If 
charging/discharging of the hybrid 
battery (traction battery) becomes 
limited, the distance that the vehi-
cle can be driven using the electric 
motor (traction  motor) may be 
reduced and the fuel economy 
may be reduced. Inspect and 
clean the air intake vent periodi-
cally.
●Improper handling of the air intake 
vent cover and filt er may result in 
damage to them. If you have any 
concerns about cleaning the filter, 
contact your Toyota dealer.
■If “Maintenance Required for 
Traction Battery Cooling Parts 
See Owner’s Manual” is shown 
on the multi-information display
●If this warning message is shown 
on the multi-information display, 
remove the air intake vent cover 
and clean the filter. ( P.441)
●After cleaning the air intake vent, 
start the hybrid system and check  

559Alphabetical Index
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Alphabetical Index
A
A/C ........................................... 342Air conditioning filter ............. 439
Automatic air conditioning sys-tem ..................................... 342
Eco air conditioning mode .... 349
Front seat concentrated airflow  mode (S-FLOW) ................. 351
Rear automatic air conditioning  system ................................ 354
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ............................................... 325Warning light ........................ 468
ACA (Active Cornering Assist) ............................................... 325
Active Cornering Assist (ACA) ............................................... 325
Adaptive Front-lighting System  (AFS)...................................... 231
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting  System) ................................. 231
AHB (Automatic High Beam) . 232
Air conditioning filter ............. 439
Air conditioning system ........ 342 Air conditioning filter ............. 439
Automatic air conditioning sys-tem ..................................... 342
Eco air conditioning mode .... 349
Front seat concentrated airflow  mode (S-FLOW) ................. 351
Rear automatic air conditioning  system ................................ 354
Airbags Airbag operating conditions.... 36
Airbag precautions for your child............................................. 39
Correct driving posture ........... 25
Curtain shield airbag operating  conditions ............................. 37
Curtain shield airbag precautions ............................................. 39 Front passenger occupant clas-
sification system ...................43
General airbag precautions ....39
Locations of airbags ...............34
Modification and disposal of air- bags......................................42
Side airbag operating conditions .............................................37
Side airbag precautions..........39
Side and curtain shield airbags  operating conditions .............37
Side and curtain shield airbags  precautions ...........................39
SRS airbags ...........................34
SRS warning light .................468
Alarm .........................................81 Warning buzzer ....................466
Anchor brackets ... ..............52, 62
Antennas (smart key system)146
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ...............................................325Warning light.........................468
Approach warning ..................278
Armrest ......... ......................... ..382
Assist grips .............................382
Audio system-linked display .96,  106
Automatic air conditioning sys- tem .........................................342Eco air conditioning mode ....349
Automatic headlight leveling  system ...................................230
Automatic High Beam ............232
Automatic light control system ...............................................230
Auxiliary boxes ...............368, 373
Average fuel economy .....94, 102
Average vehicle speed .....96, 106
AWD Control .....................97, 106
B
Back door ................................135