TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2021 (in English) Service Manual

411-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
●Improperly seated and/or
restrained infants and children
can be killed or seriously injured
by a deploying airbag. An infant
or child who is too small to use
a seat belt should be properly
secured using a child restraint
system. Toyota strongly recom-
mends that all infants and chil-
dren be placed in the rear seats
of the vehicle and properly
restrained. The rear seats are
safer for infants and children
than the front passenger seat.
(
P. 5 0 )
●Do not sit on the edge of the
seat or lean against the dash-
board.
●Do not allow a child to stand in
front of the SRS front passenger
airbag unit or sit on the knees of
a front passenger.
●Do not allow the front seat occu-
pants to hold items on their
knees.
●Do not lean against the door,
the roof side rail or the front,
side and rear pillars.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on
the passenger seat toward the
door or put their head or hands
outside the vehicle.
●Do not attach anything to or
lean anything against areas
such as the dashboard, steering
wheel pad and lower portion of
the instrument panel.
These items can become pro-
jectiles when the SRS driver,
front passenger and knee air-
bags deploy.

421-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
●Do not attach anything to areas
such as a door, windshield, side
windows, front or rear pillar, roof
side rail and assist grip.
●Do not hang coat hangers or
other hard objects on the coat
hooks. All of these items could
become projectiles and may
cause death or serious injury,
should the SRS curtain shield
airbags deploy.
●If a vinyl cover is put on the area
where the SRS knee airbag will
deploy, be sure to remove it.
●Do not use seat accessories
which cover the parts where the
SRS side airbags and SRS seat
cushion airbag inflate as they
may interfere with inflation of
the SRS airbags. Such acces-
sories may prevent the side air-
bags and seat cushion airbag
from activating correctly, disable
the system or cause the side
airbags and seat cushion airbag
to inflate accidentally, resulting
in death or serious injury.
●Do not strike or apply significant
levels of force to the area of the
SRS airbag components or the
front doors. Doing so can cause
the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the compo-
nent parts immediately after the
SRS airbags have deployed
(inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult
after the SRS airbags have
deployed, open a door or win-
dow to allow fresh air in, or
leave the vehicle if it is safe to
do so. Wash off any residue as
soon as possible to prevent skin
irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS air-
bags are stored, such as the
steering wheel pad and front
and rear pillar garnishes, are
damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Toyota
dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as
a cushion, on the front passen-
ger’s seat. Doing so will
disperse the passenger’s
weight, which prevents the sen-
sor from detecting the passen-
ger’s weight properly. As a
result, the SRS front airbags for
the front passenger may not
deploy in the event of a colli-
sion.
■Modification and disposal of
SRS airbag system compo-
nents
Do not dispose of your vehicle or
perform any of the following modi-
fications without consulting your
Toyota dealer. The SRS airbags
may malfunction or deploy
(inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.
●Installation, removal, disassem-
bly and repair of the SRS air-
bags
●Repairs, modifications, removal
or replacement of the steering
wheel, instrument panel, dash-
board, seats or seat upholstery,
front, side and rear pillars, roof
side rails, front door panels,
front door trims or front door
speakers

431-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicles with a 8-inch displaySRS warning light
Driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat belt reminder light
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indica-
tor light
WARNING
●Modifications to the front door
panel (such as making a hole in
it)
●Repairs or modifications of the
front fender, front bumper, or
side of the occupant compart-
ment
●Installation of a grille guard (bull
bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow
plows, winches or roof luggage
carrier
●Modifications to the vehicle’s
suspension system
●Installation of electronic devices
such as mobile two-way radios
and CD players
●Modifications to your vehicle for
a person with a physical disabil-
ity
Front passenger occu-
pant classification
system
Your vehicle is equipped
with a front passenger
occupant classification sys-
tem. This system detects
the conditions of the front
passenger seat and acti-
vates or deactivates the
front passenger airbag and
seat cushion airbag.
System components

441-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indica-
tor light
Vehicles with a 12.3-inch dis-
playSRS warning light
Driver’s and front passen-
ger’s seat belt reminder light
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indica-
tor light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indica-
tor light
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant
classification system precau-
tions
Observe the following precautions
regarding the front passenger
occupant classification system.
Failure to do so may cause death
or serious injury.
●Wear the seat belt properly.
●Make sure the front passenger’s
seat belt plate has not been left
inserted into the buckle before
someone sits in the front pas-
senger seat.
●Make sure the “PASS AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light is not illumi-
nated when using the seat belt
extender for the front passenger
seat. If the “PASS AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated, disconnect the extender
tongue from the seat belt
buckle, and reconnect the seat
belt. Reconnect the seat belt
extender after making sure the
“PASS AIR BAG ON” indicator
light is illuminated. If you use
the seat belt extender while the
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator
light is illuminated, the SRS air-
bags for the front passenger will
not activate, which could cause
death or serious injury in the
event of a collision.
●Do not apply a heavy load to the
front passenger seat or equip-
ment (e.g. seatback pocket).
●Do not put weight on the front
passenger seat by putting your
hands or feet on the front pas-
senger seat seatback from the
rear passenger seat.
●Do not let a rear passenger lift
the front passenger seat with
their feet or press on the seat-
back with their legs.
●Do not put objects under the
front passenger seat.

451-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
WARNING
●Do not recline the front passen-
ger seatback so far that it
touches a rear seat. This may
cause the “PASS AIR BAG
OFF” indicator light to be illumi-
nated, which indicates that the
SRS airbags for the front pas-
senger will not activate in the
event of a severe accident. If
the seatback touches the rear
seat, return the seatback to a
position where it does not touch
the rear seat. Keep the front
passenger seatback as upright
as possible when the vehicle is
moving. Reclining the seatback
excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt
system.
●If an adult sits in the front pas-
senger seat, the “PASS AIR
BAG ON” indicator light is illumi-
nated. If the “PASS AIR BAG
OFF” indicator is illuminated,
ask the passenger to sit up
straight, well back in the seat,
feet on the floor, and with the
seat belt worn correctly. If the
“PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator
still remains illuminated, either
ask the passenger to move to
the rear seat, or if that is not
possible, move the front pas-
senger seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install
a forward-facing child restraint
system on the front passenger
seat, install the child restraint
system on the front passenger
seat in the proper order.
(
P. 5 2 )
●Do not modify or remove the
front seats.
●Do not kick the front passenger
seat or subject it to severe
impact. Otherwise, the SRS
warning light may come on to
indicate a malfunction of the
front passenger occupant clas-
sification system. In this case,
contact your Toyota dealer
immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed
on the rear seat should not con-
tact the front seatbacks.
●Do not use a seat accessory,
such as a cushion and seat
cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
●Do not modify or replace the
upholstery of the front seat.

461-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U
■Adult*1
■Child*4
■Child restraint system with infant*5
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification system
Indicator/warning light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG ON”
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagActivated
Front passenger seat cushion air- bagActivated*2 or
deactivated
*3
Indicator/warning light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG OFF” or “PASS
AIR BAG ON”
*4
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated or
activated
*4
Front passenger seat cushion air- bagDeactivated or
activated
*4, 2
Indicator/warning light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG
OFF”
*6
SRS warning lightOff
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder lightOff*2 or flashing*3
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedFront passenger seat cushion air- bag

471-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
■Unoccupied
■There is a malfunction in the system
*1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may not recognize
him/her as an adult depending on his/her physique and posture.
*2: In the event the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.
*3: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*4: For some children, child in seat, child in booster seat or child in convert-
ible seat, the system may not rec ognize him/her as a child. Factors
which may affect this can be the physique or posture.
*5: Never install a rear-facing child rest raint system on the front passenger
seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be installed on
the front passenger seat w hen it is unavoidable. (P.50)
*6: In case the indicator light is not illu minated, consult this manual on how
to install the child restraint system properly. ( P. 5 2 )
Indicator/warning
light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG OFF”
SRS warning light
OffDriver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedSeat cushion airbag in the front passenger side
Indicator/warning light
“PASS AIR BAG ON” and “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“PASS AIR BAG OFF”
SRS warning lightOn
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder lightOff
Devices
Front passenger airbag
DeactivatedFront passenger seat cushion air- bag

481-1. For safe use
HIGHLANDER_U
Exhaust gas precau-
tions
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 closed.
●If you smell exhaust gases in
the vehicle even when the back
door is closed, open the win-
dows and have the vehicle
inspected at your Toyota dealer
as soon as possible.
■When parking
●If the vehicle is in a poorly venti-
lated area or a closed area,
such as a garage, stop the
engine.
●Do not leave the vehicle with
the engine running for a long
time.
If such a situation cannot be
avoided, park the vehicle in an
open 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 snow-
banks build up around the vehi-
cle 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 corro-
sion, damage to a joint or abnor-
mal exhaust noise, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected and
repaired by your Toyota dealer.

491-2. Child safety
1
For safety and security
HIGHLANDER_U
1-2.Child safety
Riding with children
Observe the following pre-
cautions when children are
in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system
appropriate for the child,
until the child becomes
large enough to properly
wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
It is recommended that chil-
dren sit in the rear seats to
avoid accidental contact
with the shift lever, wiper
switch, etc.
 Use the rear door child-pro-
tector lock or the window
lock switch to avoid children
opening the door while driv-
ing or operating the power
window accidentally.
( P.120, 169)
 Do not let small children
operate equipment which
may catch or pinch body
parts, such as the power
window, hood, back door,
seats etc.
WARNING
■When children are in the vehi-
cle
Never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, and never allow
children to have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the
vehicle or shift the vehicle into
neutral. There is also a danger
that children ma y injure them-
selves by playing with the win-
dows, the moon roof or panoramic
moon roof, or other features of the
vehicle. In addition, heat build-up
or extremely cold temperatures
inside the vehicle can be fatal to
children.

501-2. Child safety
HIGHLANDER_U
Points to remember: P.50
Child restraint system: P.52
When using a child restraint sys-
tem: P.53
Child restraint system installa-
tion method
• Fixed with a seat belt: P.55
• Fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor: P.60
• Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap): P.62 The laws of all 50 states of the
U.S.A. as well as Canada now
require the use of child restraint
systems.

Prioritize and observe the
warnings, as well as the laws
and regulations for child
restraint systems.
 Use a child restraint system
until the child becomes large
enough to properly wear the
vehicle’s seat belt.
 Choose a child restraint sys-
tem that suits your vehicle
and is appropriate to the age
and size of the child.
Child restraint sys-
tems
Before installing a child
restraint system in the vehi-
cle, there are precautions
that need to be observed,
different types of child
restraint systems, as well as
installation methods, etc.,
written in this manual.
Use a child restraint system
when riding with a small
child that cannot properly
use a seat belt. For the
child’s safety, install the
child restraint system to a
second seat. Be sure to fol-
low the installation method
that is in the operation man-
ual enclosed with the
restraint system.
Table of contents
Points to remember
WARNING
■When a child is riding
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may result in
death or serious injury.
●For effective protection in auto-
mobile accidents and sudden
stops, a child must be properly
restrained, using a seat belt or
child restraint system which is
correctly installe d. For installa-
tion details, refer to the opera-
tion manual enclosed with the
child restraint system. General
installation instruction is pro-
vided in this manual.