check engine light TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2018 Owners Manual (in English)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS6
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)6-4.  Using the other interior 
features
Other interior features ....... 472
• Sun visors ..................... 472
• Vanity mirrors................ 472
• Conversation mirror ...... 473
• Clock ............................. 473
• Outside temperature display........................... 474
• Power outlets ................ 475
• USB charging ports....... 477
• Rear sunshades............ 479
• Armrest ......................... 480
• Coat hooks.................... 481
• Assist grips ................... 481
• Side table ...................... 482
Garage door opener .......... 483
Safety Connect.................. 490
Compass ........................... 495
7-1.  Maintenance and care Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 500
Cleaning and protecting  the vehicle interior ........... 504 7-2.  Maintenance
Maintenance requirements ................... 507
General  maintenance .................... 510
Emission inspection and  maintenance (I/M) 
programs ......................... 513
7-3.  Do-it-yourself  maintenance
Do-it-yourself service  precautions ...................... 514
Hood .................................. 516
Positioning a  floor jack .......................... 518
Engine compartment ......... 519
Tires................................... 531
Tire inflation pressure ........ 542
Wheels............................... 545
Air conditioning filter .......... 547
Wireless remote  control/electronic key 
battery ............................. 549
Checking and replacing  fuses ................................ 552
Light bulbs ......................... 556
7Maintenance and care 
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15Pictorial index
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)Fuel filler door  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 250
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 250
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 653
Tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 531
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . .  P. 660
Winter tires/tire chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 339
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system  . . . . . . . .  . . .  P. 531
Coping with flat tires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 608
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 516
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 516
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 654
Coping with overheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 644
Warning messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 593
Headlights/daytime running lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 235
Daytime running lights
* /parking lights* . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 235
Front fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 243
Front turn signal lig hts/parking lights
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 233
Stop/tail lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 235
Hill-start assist control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 331
Downhill assist control system
*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 337
License plate lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 235
Back-up lights
Shifting the shift lever to R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 227
Side marker lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 235
Turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  P. 233
6
7
8
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving  
(Replacing method: P. 556, Watts: P. 663)
*: If equipped
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 
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791-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Exhaust gas precautions
Harmful  substance  to  the  human  body  is  included  in  exhaust
gases if inhaled.
WARNING
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause exhaust gases enter the vehicle and  may lead to
an  accident  caused  by  light-headedness,  or  may  lead  to  death  or  a serious
health hazard.
■ Important points while driving
● Keep the back door and glass hatch closed.
● If  you  smell  exhaust  gases  in  the  vehicle  even  when  the  back  do or  and
glass hatch are closed, open the windows and have the vehicle i nspected
at your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
■ When parking
● If  the  vehicle  is  in  a  poorly  ventilated  area  or  a  closed  area,  such  as  a
garage, stop the engine.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time. 
If  such  a  situation  cannot  be  avoided,  park  the  vehicle  in  an  o pen  space
and ensure that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior .
● Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up,  or where it
is  snowing.  If  snowbanks  build  up  around  the  vehicle  while  the  engine  is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
■ Exhaust pipe
The  exhaust  system  needs  to  be  checked  periodically.  If  there  is  a  hole  or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be
sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Toyota dealer. 
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882. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), to indicat e that a
system  check  is  being  performed.  They  will  turn  off  after  the  engine  is
started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in  a system if
a  light  does  not  come  on,  or  turn  off.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer.
*2: If equipped
*3: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction.
*4: This light illuminates on the center panel.
*5: This light flashes to indicate a malfunction. Additionally, it  will turn on if the
system is turned off.
*1
(Canada)
Parking  brake  warning
light ( P. 582) 
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902. Instrument cluster
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
*1: These lights turn on when the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position
(vehicles  without  a  smart  key  system)  or  the  engine  switch  is  turned  to
IGNITION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system), to indicat e that a
system  check  is  being  performed.  They  will  turn  off  after  the  engine  is
started, or after a few seconds. There may be a malfunction in  a system if
a  light  does  not  come  on,  or  turn  off.  Have  the  vehicle  inspected  by  your
Toyota dealer.
*2: If equipped
*3: Refer  to  “NAVIGATION  AND  MULTIMEDIA  SYSTEM  OWNER’S  MAN- UAL”.
*4: This light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
*5: The light comes on when the system is turned off.
*2“PWR MODE” indicator 
(P. 229)*2, 5Stop  &  Start  cancel  indi-
cator ( P. 297)
Snow mode indicator 
( P. 228)
*1, 8
(U.S.A.)
“AIR BAG ON/
OFF”  indicator
(P. 53)
*2
Stop  &  Start  indicator
(P. 297)
*1, 8
(Canada)
“AIR BAG ON/
OFF”  indicator
(P. 53) 
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1833-5. Opening and closing the windows
3
Operation of each component
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)■
When the shade do es not close normally
Perform the following procedure:
Stop the vehicle.
Close the moon roof.
Slide the shade switch forward and hold it.
* 
The shade will close then reopen and pause for approximately10  seconds.
Then it will close.
Check  to  make  sure  that  the  shade  is  completely  closed  and  then   release
the switch.
*: If the switch is released at the incorrect time, the procedure will have to be
performed again from the beginning.
If  the  shade  continues  to  close  but  then  reopens  slightly  even  after  perform-
ing the above procedure correctly, have the vehicle inspected b y your Toyota
dealer.
■ Moon roof open warning buzzer
A buzzer sounds and a message is shown on the multi-information  display in
the  instrument  cluster  when  the  engine  switch  is  turned  off  and   the  driver’s
door is opened with the moon roof open.
1
2
3
4 
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1894-1. Before driving
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
WARNING
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When driving the vehicle
● Use  engine  braking  (downshift)  to  maintain  a  safe  speed  when  driving
down a steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat  and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 227)
● Do not adjust the positions of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of  their body
are not outside the vehicle.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal sp eed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicl e has high-
speed  capability  tires.  Driving  over  85  mph  (140  km/h)  may  resu lt  in  tire
failure,  loss  of  control  and  possible  injury.  Be  sure  to  consult  a  tire  dealer
to  determine  whether  the  tires  on  your  vehicle  are  high-speed  c apability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
● Sudden  braking,  acceleration  and  steering  may  cause  tire  slippa ge  and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle.
● Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes  in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid.
● After  driving  through  a  puddle,  lightly  depress  the  brake  pedal  to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads m ay prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one  side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected. 
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2264-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
● Do  not  leave  the  engine  switch  in ACCESSORY  or  IGNITION  ON  mode
for long periods of time without the engine running.
● If “ACCESSORY” or “IGNITION ON” is displayed on the multi-infor mation
display while the engine is not running, the engine switch is n ot off. Exit the
vehicle after turning the engine switch off.
● Do not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position ot her than P. If
the engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the engi ne switch will
not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If t he vehi-
cle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
■ When starting the engine
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,  have your vehi-
cle checked by your Toyota dealer immediately.
■ Symptoms indicating a malf unction with the engine switch
If the engine switch seems to be operating somewhat differently  than usual,
such  as  the  switch  sticking  slightly,  there  may  be  a  malfunctio n.  Contact
your Toyota dealer immediately. 
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2334-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
Right turn
Lane change to the right (move
the  lever  partway  and  release
it)
The  right  hand  signals  will  flash  3
times.
Lane  change  to  the  left  (move
the  lever  partway  and  release
it)
The  left  hand  signals  will  flash  3
times.
Left turn
■Turn signals can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ If the indicator flashes faster than usual
Check  that  a  light  bulb  in  the  front  or  rear  turn  signal  lights   has  not  burned
out.
■ Customization
The  number  of  times  the  turn  signals  flash  during  a  lane  change   can  be
changed. (Customizable feature  P. 688)
Turn signal lever
Operating instructions
1
2
3
4 
Page 246 of 732
2464-3. Operating the lights and wipers
HIGHLANDER_U (OM0E031U)
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ Dripping prevention wiper sweep (vehicles with rain-sensing win dshield
wipers)
After  performing  a  washing  and  wiping  operation  several  times,  the  wipers
operate one more time after a short delay to prevent dripping.
However, this final wiper operation will not be performed while  driving.
■ Effects  of  vehicle  speed  on  wip er  operation  (vehicles  with  rain-sensing
windshield wipers)
Even  when  the  wipers  are  not  in  “AUTO”  mode,  wiper  operation  va ries
depending on vehicle speed when the washer is being used (delay  until drip
prevention wiper sweep occurs).
■ Raindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
●If the wiper switch is turned to the “AUTO” position while the  engine switch is
in  IGNITION  ON  mode,  the  wiper  will  operate  once  to  show  that  “ AUTO”
mode is activated.
● When  the  sensor  sensitivity  ring  is  turned  toward  high  while  in “AUTO”
mode,  the  wipers  will  operate  once  to  indicate  that  the  sensor  sensitivity  is
enhanced.
● If  the  temperature  of  the  raindrop  sensor  is  194 F  (90 C)  or  higher,  or  5 F
(-15 C)  or  lower,  automatic  operation  may  not  occur.  In  this  case,  o perate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■ If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles  are not  blocked if there is  washe r  fluid in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir. ● The  raindrop  sensor  judges  the  amount
of raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.