flat tire TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2012 XU40 / 2.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks,
mirrors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior
featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other
interior features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-
yourself maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat
tire, or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt
and SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this
manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 440
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 443
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 446
General maintenance.......... 449
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 452
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 453
Hood ................................... 457
Positioning a floor jack ........ 459
Engine compartment ........... 463
Tires .................................... 478
Tire inflation pressure ......... 487
Wheels ................................ 490
Air conditioning filter............ 493
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ........ 496
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 499
Light bulbs........................... 510 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 518
If your vehicle needs to be towed........................... 519
If you think something is wrong ............................ 526
Fuel pump shut off system .............................. 527
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .......................... 528
If a warning message is displayed .......................... 539
If you have a flat tire ........... 540
If the engine will not start.... 554
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 556
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter ........................ 557
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 558
If the battery is discharged........................ 560
If your vehicle overheats .... 564
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

9
Tires
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 478
P. 540
P. 584
P. 590
: If equipped
Back door P. 60
Side doors P. 54
Stop/tail and rear side
marker lights
P. 200
Rear window wiper P. 212
Rear window defogger
Glass hatch 
P. 289
P. 70
License plate lights P. 200
Rear turn signal lights P. 182
Fuel filler door P. 109

168 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 545)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving. If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator
pedal depressed, driving torque may be restrained.
● Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals together to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■ When parking the vehicle
Always put the shift lever in P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed.
■ Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
● When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

221
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
■Smear effect
■ Flicker effect
When the camera is used under fluorescent light, sodium lights, or mercury
lights etc., the lights and the illuminated areas may appear to flicker.
■ Setting the rear view monitor system display
P. 197
CAUTION
■ When using the rear view monito r system, observe the following pre-
cautions to avoid an accident that coul d result in death or serious inju-
ries.
● Never depend solely on the monitor system when reversing.
● Always check visually and with the mirrors to confirm your intended path is
clear.
● Use your own eyes to confirm the vehicle’s surroundings, as the displayed
image may become faint or dark, and moving images will be distorted, or
not entirely visible when the outside temperature is low. When backing up,
be sure to check behind and all around the vehicle visually and with the
mirrors before proceeding.
● Depicted distances between objects and flat surfaces differ from actual
distances.
● Do not use the system if the back door is open.
If a bright light, such as sunlight
reflected off the vehicle body, is picked
up by the camera, a smear effect* char-
acteristic to the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect A phenomenon that
occurs when a bright light is picked
up by the camera; when transmitted
by the camera, the light source
appears to have a vertical streak
above and below it.

227
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating may exceed that of nor-
mal conditions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle's stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situ-
ations.
● When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
● When driving with tire chains
● When driving over bumps in the road
● When driving over roads with potholes or uneven roads
■ TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■ When the Enhanced VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may
cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■ When TRAC and Enhanced VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condi-
tions. As these are systems to help ensure vehicle stability and driving force,
do not turn off TRAC and Enhanced VSC unless necessary.
■ Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total
load capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the appro-
priate tire pressure level.
The ABS and Enhanced VSC systems will not function correctly if different
tires are fitted on the vehicle.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information when replacing tires or
wheels.
■ Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect
the driving assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

256 2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. Help to avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
● Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
● Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner’s man ual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combin ation (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the vehicle-
trailer connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer jack-
knifing and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet
or slippery surfaces.

259
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 584)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trai\
ler.
● The vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched.
Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball

Maintenance and care4
439
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior......... 440
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.......... 443
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 446
General maintenance....... 449
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 452 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 453
Hood ................................ 457
Positioning a floor jack ..... 459
Engine compartment ........ 463
Tires ................................. 478
Tire inflation pressure ...... 487
Wheels ............................. 490
Air conditioning filter......... 493
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ..... 496
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 499
Light bulbs........................ 510

451
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Door • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after park-
ing?
Tire • Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.