engine oil TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2021 (in English) User Guide

4026-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
6-2.Maintenance
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine
Toyota parts be used for repairs to
ensure performance of each sys-
tem. If non-Toyota parts are used in
replacement or if a repair shop other
than a Toyota dealer performs
repairs, confirm the warranty cover-
age.
■Allow inspection and repairs to
be performed by a Toyota
dealer
●Toyota technicians are
well-trained specialists and are
kept up to date with the latest ser-
vice information. They are well
informed about the operation of all
systems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It
proves that the maintenance that
has been performed is under war-
ranty coverage. If any problem
should arise while your vehicle is
under warranty, your Toyota
dealer will promptly take care of it.
General maintenance should be
performed on a daily basis. This
can be done by yourself or by a
Toyota dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should
be performed at specified inter-
vals according to the mainte-
nance schedule.
For details about maintenance
items and schedules, refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Maintenance require-
ments
To ensure safe and econom-
ical driving, day-to-day care
and regular maintenance
are essential. It is the
owner’s responsibility to
perform regular checks.
Toyota recommends the fol-
lowing maintenance:
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly
maintained
Improper maintenance could
result in serious damage to the
vehicle and possible death or seri-
ous injury.
■Handling of the battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and a wide variety
of automobile components con-
tain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects and
other reproductive harm. Work
in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained
in vehicles as well as waste pro-
duced by component wear con-
tain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Avoid
exposure and wash any
affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds which are
known to cause brain damage.
Wash your hands after han-
dling. ( P.416)
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance

4046-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_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 engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure
that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance
checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connec-
tions. ( P.416)
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at
the correct level?
( P.416)
Engine coolant
Is the engine cool-
ant at the correct
level? ( P.415)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at
the correct level?
( P.412)
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.416)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
( P.418)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator
pedal
• The accelerator
pedal should
move smoothly
(without uneven
pedal effort or
catching).
Automatic
transmission
“Park” mecha-
nism
• When parked on a slope and the
shift lever is in P,
is the vehicle
securely
stopped?
ItemsCheck points

4086-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_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
Battery condi-
tion (P.416)
• Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for ter-
minal clamp
bolts)
Brake fluid
level ( P.416)
• FMVSS No.116
DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
Engine cool-
ant level
( P.415)
• “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.412)
• “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses
( P.438)• Fuse with same
amperage rating
as original
ItemsParts and tools

4096-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Headlight aim
( P.440)• Phillips-head
screwdriver
Light bulbs
( P.441)
• Bulb with same
number and
wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screw- driver
• Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(  P.416)

Tire inflation
pressure
( P.431)• Tire pressure
gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P.418)
• 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.
■When working on the engine
compartment
●Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from the moving fan and
engine drive belt.
ItemsParts and tools●Be careful not to touch the
engine, radiator, exhaust mani-
fold, 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 or
the battery. Fuel and battery
fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when
working on the battery. It con-
tains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
■When working near the elec-
tric cooling fan or radiator
grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine 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.416)
■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.

4126-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Engine coolant reservoir (P.415)
Fuse boxes ( P.438)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.413)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.412)
Battery ( P.416)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.416)
Washer fluid tank ( P.418)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.416)
Radiator ( P.416)
With the engine at operating
temperature and turned off,
check the oil level on the dip- stick.
■Checking the engine oil
1 Park the vehicle on level
ground. After warming up the
engine and turning it off, wait
Engine compar tment
Components
Checking and adding the
engine oil

4136-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
more than 5 minutes for the
oil to drain back into the bot-
tom 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.
6Wipe 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.502
 Oil quantity (Low  Full)
1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 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
be consumed while driving. In the
following situations, oil consump-
tion may increase, and engine oil
may need to be re filled in between
oil maintenance intervals.

4146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
●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
■If the 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 neutral detergent.
Do not use an organic solvent such
as brake cleaner.
■After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintenance data
should be reset. Perform the follow-
ing procedures:
4.2-inch display
1 Press or of the meter
control switch to select .
2 Press or of the meter
control switch, select and
then press and hold .
3 Press or of the meter
control switch, se lect “Oil Mainte-
nance” and then press .
4 Select “Yes” and press .
5 A message will be displayed on
the multi-information display
when the reset procedure has
been completed.
7-inch display
1 Press or of the meter
control switch to select . 2
Press or of the meter
control switch, select and
then press and hold .
3 Press or of the meter
control switch, select “Oil Mainte-
nance” and then press .
4 Select “Yes” and press .
5 A message will be displayed on
the multi-information display
when the reset procedure has
been completed.
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.

4156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
The coolant level is satisfactory
if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir
when the engine 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.495)
■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 coolant reservoir cap, 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.
NOTICE
■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.
Checking the coolant
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant
reservoir cap 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.

4597-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
■Charging system warning light
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Malfunction indicator lamp
■SRS warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The electronic engine control system;
 The electronic throttle control system; or
 The electronic automatic transmission control system
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
 The front passenger occupant classification system; or
 The seat belt pretensioner system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.

4697-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
The warning lights and warning buzzers operate as follows depend-
ing on the content of the message. If a message indicates the need
for inspection by a dealer, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer immediately.
*: A buzzer sounds the first time a message is shown on the multi-informa- tion display.
■Warning messages
The warning messages explained
below may differ from the actual
messages according to operation
conditions and vehicle specifica-
tions.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not
be heard due to being in a noisy
location or audio sound.
■If “Engine Oil Level Low Add or
Replace” is displayed
The engine oil level is low. Check
the level of the engine oil, and add if
necessary.
This message may appear if the
vehicle is stopped on a slope. Move
the vehicle to a level surface and
check to see if the message disap-
pears.
Messages and warnings
Warning lightWarning
buzzer
*Warning
-Sounds
 Indicates an important situation, such as
when a system relate d to driving is mal-
functioning or that danger may result if
the correction procedure is not per-
formed
 Indicates a situation, such as when dam-
age to the vehicle or danger may result
Comes on or
flashesSounds
Indicates an important situation, such as
when the systems shown on the
multi-information disp lay may be malfunc-
tioning
-Does not sound
 Indicates a condition, such as malfunc-
tion of electrical components, their condi-
tion, or indicates the need for
maintenance
 Indicates a situation, such as when an
operation has been performed incor-
rectly, or indicates how to perform an
operation correctly