TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

4116-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_UThe malfunction indicator lamp
comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD sys-
tem will not be cleared unless
the vehicle is driven 40 or more
times.
Contact your Toyota dealer to
prepare the vehicle for re-test-
ing.
When the malfunction
indicator lamp still
remains on after several
driving trips
If your vehicle does not
pass the I/M test

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

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 fan 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.

4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
1Pull the hood lock release
lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2Pull up the auxiliary catch
lever and lift the hood.
3 Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the support rod into the
slot.
Hood
Opening the hood
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed
and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly,
it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident,
which may result in death or seri-
ous injury.
■After installing the support
rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the
hood securely preventing it from
falling down onto your head or
body.
NOTICE
■When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod
to its clip before closing the hood.
Closing the hood with the support
rod not clipped could cause the
hood to bend.

4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Front
■RearPositioning a floor
jack
When using a floor jack, fol-
low the instructions in the
manual provided with the
jack and perform the opera-
tion safely.
When raising your vehicle
with a floor jack, position
the jack correctly. Improper
placement may damage
your vehicle or cause injury.
Location of the jack point

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

4176-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
stick.
■Checking the engine oil
1 Park the vehicle on level
ground. After warming up the
engine and turning off the
hybrid system, wait more
than 5 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2 Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
3 Wipe the dipstick clean.
4 Reinsert the dipstick fully.
5 Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out and
check the oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may differ depending on the type of vehicle or
engine.
6
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert
it fully.
■Checking the oil type and
preparing the item needed
Make sure to check the oil type
and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
 Engine oil selection
P.512
 Oil quantity (Low  Full)
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
 Item
Clean funnel
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
1 Remove the oil filler cap by
turning it counterclockwise.
2 Add engine oil slowly, check-
ing the dipstick.
3 Install the oil filler cap by
turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will

4186-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_Ube consumed while driving. In the
following situations, oil consump-
tion may increase, and engine oil
may need to be refilled 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
or decelerating
frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for
a long time, or when 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 and 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 reach 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% coolant 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

4206-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
denser and clear away any for-
eign objects. If either of the
above parts is extremely dirty or
you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle
inspected by your Toyota dealer.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid
type and prepare the necessary
item.
 Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 brake fluid
SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 brake fluid
Item
Clean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture
from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid
can cause a dangerous loss of brak-
ing efficiency. Use only newly
opened brake fluid.
If any washer does not work or
the warning message appears
on the multi-information display,
the washer tank may be empty.
Add washer fluid.
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is
hot
Do not touch the radiator or con-
denser as they may be hot and
cause serious injuries, such as
burns.
Checking and adding the
brake fluid
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm
your hands and eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in
your eyes, flush the affected area
with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort,
see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level
to go down slightly as the brake
pads wear out or when the fluid
level in the accu mulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, there may be a serious
problem.
Washer fluid