key battery TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

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HIGHLANDER_U
Pictorial indexSearch by illustration
For safety
and securityMake sure to read through them
(Main topics: Child seat, theft deterrent system)
Vehicle status
information and
indicatorsReading driving-related information
(Main topics: Meters, multi-information display)
Before driving
Opening and closing the doors and windows,
adjustment before driving
(Main topics: Keys, doors, seats)
Driving
Operations and advice which are necessary for
driving
(Main topics: Starting engine, refueling)
Interior featuresUsage of the interior features
(Main topics: Air conditioner, storage features)
Maintenance
and careCaring for your vehicle and maintenance
procedures
(Main topics: Interior and exterior, light bulbs)
When trouble
arisesWhat to do in case of malfunction and emergency
(Main topics: Battery discharge, flat tire)
Vehicle
specificationsVehicle specifications, customizable features
(Main topics: Fuel, oil, tire inflation pressure)
For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat
belt, SRS airbag and headlight aim instructions for
Canadian owners
IndexSearch by symptom
Search alphabetically

4TABLE OF CONTENTS
HIGHLANDER_U
Emission inspection and mainte-nance (I/M) programs....... 406
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precau-tions ................................. 408
Hood .................................. 410
Positioning a floor jack ....... 411
Engine compartment .......... 412
Tires ................................... 419
Tire inflation pressure......... 431
Wheels ............................... 433
Air conditioning filter ........... 434
Electronic key battery ......... 436
Checking and replacing fuses ......................................... 438
Headlight aim ..................... 440
Light bulbs .......................... 441
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers ........... 450
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .............. 450
If the vehicle is trapped in rising water ................................ 451
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed......................................... 453
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 456
Fuel pump shut off system ......................................... 457
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds .... 458
If a warning message is dis- played .............................. 468
If you have a flat tire ........... 472
If the engine will not start ... 486
If you lose your keys .......... 487If the fuel filler door cannot be
opened ............................. 488
If the electronic key does not operate properly............... 489
If the vehicle battery is dis- charged ............................ 491
If your vehicle overheats .... 495
If the vehicle becomes stuck ......................................... 497
8-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .................................. 500
Fuel information ................. 509
Tire information .................. 511
8-2. Customization Customizable features ....... 521
8-3. Initialization Items to initialize ................ 533
9-1. For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ............................. 536
Seat belt instructions for Cana- dian owners (in French) ... 536
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners (in French)......................................... 538
Headlight aim instructions for Canadian owners (in French)
........
................................. 545
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ......................................... 548
Alphabetical Index.............. 551
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index

1143-1. Key information
HIGHLANDER_U
3-1.Key information
The following keys are provided
with the vehicle.Electronic keys
• Operating the smart key system ( P.133)
• Operating the wireless remote control function ( P. 1 1 5 )
Mechanical keys
Key number plate
■When riding in an aircraft
When bringing an electronic key
onto an aircraft, make sure you do
not press any buttons on the elec-
tronic key while inside the aircraft
cabin. If you are carrying an elec-
tronic key in your bag, etc., ensure
that the buttons are not likely to be
pressed accidentally. Pressing a
button may cause the electronic key
to emit radio waves that could inter-
fere with the oper ation of the air-
craft.
■Electronic key battery depletion
●The standard battery life is 1 to 2
years.
●If the battery becomes low, an
alarm will sound in the cabin when
the engine is stopped.
●To reduce key battery depletion when the electronic key is to not
be used for long periods of time,
set the electronic key to the bat-
tery-saving mode. (
P.135)
●As the electronic key always
receives radio waves, the battery
will become depleted even if the
electronic key is not used. The fol-
lowing symptoms indicate that the
electronic key battery may be
depleted. Replace the battery
when necessary.
• The smart key system or the wire- less remote control does not oper-
ate.
• The detection area becomes smaller.
• The LED indicator on the key sur- face does not turn on.
●To avoid serious deterioration, do
not leave the electronic key within
3 ft. (1 m) of the following electri-
cal appliances that produce a
magnetic field:
•TVs
• Personal computers
• Cellular phones, cordless phones and battery chargers
• Recharging cellular phones or cordless phones
• Table lamps
• Induction cookers
■Replacing the battery
 P.436
■Confirmation of the registered
key number
The number of keys already regis-
tered to the vehicle can be con-
firmed. Ask your Toyota dealer for
details.
■If “A New Key has been Regis-
tered Contact Your Dealer for
Details” is shown on the
multi-information display
This message will be displayed
each time the driver’s door is
opened when the doors are
unlocked from the outside for
approximately 10 days after a new
electronic key has been registered.
Keys
The keys

1163-1. Key information
HIGHLANDER_U
*2: If equipped
■Theft deterrent panic mode
When is pressed for longer
than about one second, an alarm
will sound intermittently and the
vehicle lights will flash to deter any
person from trying to break into or
damage your vehicle.
To stop the alarm, press any button
on the electronic key.
To take out the mechanical key,
slide the release button and take
the key out.
The mechanical key can only be
inserted in one direction, as the key
only has grooves on one side. If the
key cannot be inserted in a lock cyl-
inder, turn it over and re-attempt to
insert it.
After using the mechanical key,
store it in the electronic key. Carry
the mechanical key together with
the electronic key. If the electronic
key battery is depleted or the entry
function does not operate properly,
you will need the mechanical key.
(  P.489)
■When required to leave the
vehicle’s key with a parking
attendant
Lock the glove box as circum-
stances demand. ( P.367)
Remove the mech anical key for
your own use and provide the atten-
dant with the electronic key only.
■If you lose your mechanical
keys
 P.487
■If a wrong key is used
The key cylinder rotates freely, iso-
lated from the internal mechanism.
Using the mechanical key

1193-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER_U
■Conditions affecting the opera-
tion of the smart key system or
wireless remote control
 P. 1 3 5
■If the smart key system or the
wireless remote control does
not operate properly
Use the mechanical key to lock and
unlock the doors. ( P.489)
Replace the key battery with a new
one if it is depleted. ( P.436)
■If the battery is discharged
The doors cannot be locked and
unlocked using the smart key sys-
tem or wireless remote control. Lock
or unlock the doors using the
mechanical key. ( P.489)
■Rear seat reminder function
In order to remind you not to forget
luggage, etc. in the rear seat, when
the engine switch is turned off after
any of the following conditions are
met, a buzzer will sound and a mes-
sage will be displayed on the
multi-information display for approx-
imately 6 seconds.
●The engine is started within 10
minutes after opening and closing
a rear door.
●A rear door has been opened and
closed after the engine was
started.
However, if a rear door is opened
and then closed within approxi-
mately 2 seconds, the rear seat
reminder function may not operate.
The rear seat reminder function
determines that luggage, etc. has
been placed in a rear seat based on
opening and closing of a rear door.
Therefore, depending on the situa-
tion, the rear seat reminder function
may not operate and you may still
forget luggage, etc. in the rear seat,
or it may operate unnecessarily.
The rear seat reminder function can
be enabled/disabled. ( P.521)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.521)
WARNING
■To prevent an accident
Observe the following precautions
while driving the vehicle. Failure
to do so may result in a door
opening and an occupant falling
out, resulting in death or serious
injury.
●Ensure that all doors are prop-
erly closed and locked.
●Do not pull the inside handle of
the doors while driving.
Be especially care ful for the front
doors, as the doors may be
opened even if the inside lock but-
tons are in locked position.
●Set the rear door child-protector
locks when children are seated
in the rear seats.
■When opening or closing a
door
Check the surroundings of the
vehicle such as whether the vehi-
cle is on an incline, whether there
is enough space for a door to
open and whether a strong wind
is blowing. When opening or clos-
ing the door, hold the door handle
tightly to prepare for any unpre-
dictable movement.

1343-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_U
■Effective range (areas within
which the electronic key is
detected)When locking or unlocking the
doors
The system can be operated when
the electronic key is within about 2.3
ft. (0.7 m) of an outside front door
handle and back door. (Only the
doors detecting the key can be
operated.)
When starting the engine or
changing engine switch modes
The system can be operated when
the electronic key is inside the vehi-
cle.
■Alarms and warning messages
A combination of exterior and inte-
rior alarms as well as warning mes-
sages shown on the
multi-information di splay are used to
prevent theft of the vehicle and acci-
dents resulting from erroneous
operation. Take appropriate mea-
sures in response to any warning
message on the multi-information
display. ( P.468)
When only an alarm sounds, cir-
cumstances and correction proce-
dures are as follows.
●When an exterior alarm sounds
once for 5 seconds
●When an interior alarm sounds
continuously
■Battery-saving function
The battery-saving function will be
activated in order to prevent the
electronic key battery and the vehi-
cle battery from being discharged
while the vehicle is not operated for
a long time.
●In the following situations, the
smart key system may take some
time to unlock the doors.
• The electronic key has been left in
an area of approximately 6 ft. (2
m) of the outside of the vehicle for
10 minutes or longer.
• The smart key system has not been used for 5 days or longer.
●If the smart key system has not
been used for 14 days or longer,
the doors cannot be unlocked at
any doors except the driver’s door.
In this case, take hold of the
driver’s door handle, or use the
SituationCorrection
procedure
An attempt was
made to lock the
vehicle while a door
was open.Close all of
the doors
and lock the
doors again.
SituationCorrection procedure
The engine switch
was turned to ACC
while the driver’s
door was open (or
the driver’s door was
opened while the
engine switch was in
ACC).
Turn the
engine
switch off
and close
the driver’s
door.
The engine switch
was turned off while
the driver’s door was
open.Close the
driver’s
door.

1353-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
3
Before driving
HIGHLANDER_Uwireless remote control or the
mechanical key, to unlock the
doors.
■Turning an electronic key to
battery-saving mode
When battery-saving mode is set,
battery depletion is minimized by
stopping the electronic key from
receiving radio waves.
Press twice while pressing and
holding . Confirm that the elec-
tronic key indicator flashes 4 times.
While the battery-saving mode is
set, the smart key system cannot be
used. To cancel t he function, press
any of the electronic key buttons.
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart key system uses weak
radio waves. In the following situa-
tions, the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle
may be affected, preventing the
smart key system, wireless remote
control and engine immobilizer sys-
tem from operating properly. (Ways
of coping: P.489)
●When the electronic key battery is
depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power
plant, gas station, radio station,
large display, airport or other facil-
ity that generates strong radio
waves or electrical noise
●When the electronic key is in con-
tact with, or is covered by the fol-
lowing metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have alumi- num foil inside • Metallic wallets or bags
•Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When other wireless keys (that
emit radio waves) are being used
nearby
●When carrying the electronic key
together with the following devices
that emit radio waves
• Portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication devices
• Another electronic key or a wire- less key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal
digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
●If window tint with a metallic con-
tent or metallic objects are
attached to the rear window
●When the electronic key is placed
near a battery charger or elec-
tronic devices
●When the vehicle is parked in a
pay parking spot where radio
waves are emitted
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is
within the effective range (detec-
tion areas), the system may not
operate properly in the following
cases:
• The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door han-
dle, near the ground, or in a high
place when the doors are locked
or unlocked.
• The electronic key is on the instru-
ment panel, luggage compart-
ment, floor, or in the door pockets
or glove box when the engine is
started or engine switch modes
are changed.
●Do not leave the electronic key on
top of the instrument panel or near
the door pockets when exiting the
vehicle. Depending on the radio
wave reception conditions, it may
be detected by the antenna out-

1363-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors
HIGHLANDER_Uside the cabin and the door will
become lockable from the outside,
possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.
●As long as the electronic key is
within the effective range, the
doors may be locked or unlocked
by anyone. However, only the
doors detecting the electronic key
can be used to unlock the vehicle.
●Even if the electronic key is not
inside the vehicle, it may be possi-
ble to start the engine if the elec-
tronic key is near the window.
●The doors may unlock or lock if a
large amount of water splashes on
the door handle, such as in the
rain or in a car wash when the
electronic key is within the effec-
tive range. (The doors will auto-
matically be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the
doors are not opened and closed.)
●If the wireless remote control is
used to lock the doors when the
electronic key is near the vehicle,
there is a possibility that the door
may not be unlocked by the entry
function. (Use the wireless remote
control to unlock the doors.)
●Touching the door lock or unlock
sensor while wearing gloves may
prevent lock or unlock operation.
●When the lock operation is per-
formed using the lock sensor, rec-
ognition signals will be shown up
to two consecutive times. After
this, no recognition signals will be
given.
●If the door handle becomes wet
while the electronic key is within
the effective range, the door may
lock and unlock repeatedly. In that
case, follow the fo
llowing correc-
tion procedures to wash the vehi-
cle:
• Place the electronic key in a loca- tion 6 ft. (2 m) or more away from
the vehicle. (Take care to ensure
that the key is not stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to bat- tery-saving mode to disable the
smart key system. (
P.135)
●If the electronic key is inside the
vehicle and a door handle
becomes wet during a car wash, a
message may be shown on the
multi-information display and a
buzzer will sound outside the vehi-
cle. To turn off the alarm, lock all
the doors.
●The lock sensor may not work
properly if it co mes into contact
with ice, snow, mud, etc. Clean
the lock sensor and attempt to
operate it again, or use the lock
sensor on the lower part of the
door handle.
●A sudden handle operation or a
handle operation immediately
after entering the effective range
may prevent the doors from being
unlocked. Touch the door unlock
sensor and check that the doors
are unlocked before pulling the
door handle again.
●If there is another electronic key in
the detection area, it may take
slightly longer to unlock the doors
after the door handle is gripped.
■When the vehicle is not driven
for extended periods
●To prevent theft of the vehicle, do
not leave the electronic key within
6 ft. (2 m) of the vehicle.
●The smart key system can be
deactivated in advance. ( P.521)
●Setting the electronic key to bat-
tery-saving mode helps to reduce
key battery depletion. ( P.135)
■To operate the system properly
Make sure to carry the electronic
key when operating the system. Do
not get the electronic key too close
to the vehicle when operating the
system from the outside of the vehi-
cle.
Depending on the position and hold-
ing condition of the electronic key,
the key may not be detected cor-

2024-2. Driving procedures
HIGHLANDER_U
4-2.Driving procedures
1Check that the parking brake
is set.
2 Check that the shift lever is in
P.
3 Firmly depress the brake
pedal.
and a message will be dis-
played on the multi-information dis-
play.
If it is not displayed, the engine
cannot be started.
4 Press the engine switch
shortly and firmly.
When operating the engine switch,
one short, firm press is enough. It is
not necessary to press and hold the
switch.
The engine will crank until it starts
or for up to 30 se conds, whichever
is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is completely
started.
The engine can be started from any engine switch mode.
■If the engine does not start
●The engine immobilizer system
may not have been deactivated.
(
 P. 7 1 )
Contact your Toyota dealer.
●If a message related to start-up is
shown on the multi-information
display, read the message and fol-
low the instructions.
■If the battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started using
the smart key system. Refer to
P.491to restart the engine.
■Electronic key battery depletion
 P. 1 1 4
■Conditions affecting operation
 P.135
■Note for the entry function
 P.135
■Steering lock function
●After turning the engine switch off
and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be
locked due to the steering lock
function. Operating the engine
switch again automatically can-
cels the steering lock.
●When the steering lock cannot be
released, “Push Engine Switch
while Turning Steering Wheel in
Either Direction” will be displayed
on the multi-info rmation display.
Check that the shift lever is in P.
Press the engine switch shortly
and firmly while turning the steer-
Engine (ignition)
switch
Performing the following
operations when carrying
the electronic key on your
person starts the engine or
changes engine switch
modes.
Starting the engine

2034-2. Driving procedures
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_Uing wheel left and right.
●To prevent the steering lock motor
from overheating, operation of the
motor may be suspended if the
engine is turned on and off repeat-
edly in a short period of time. In
this case, refrain from operating
the engine switch. After about 10
seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
■Electronic key battery
 P. 4 3 6
■Operation of the engine switch
●If the switch is not pressed shortly
and firmly, the engine switch
mode may not change or the
engine may not start.
●If attempting to restart the engine
immediately after turning the
engine switch off, the engine may
not start in some cases. After turn-
ing the engine switch off, please
wait a few seconds before restart-
ing the engine.
■Customization
If the smart key system has been
deactivated in a customized setting,
refer to P.489.
1 Stop the vehicle completely.
2 Set the parking brake
( P.211), and shift the shift
lever to P.
Check the parking brake indicator
is illuminated.
3 Press the engine switch.
The engine will stop, and the meter
display will be extinguished.
4Release the brake pedal and
check that “ACCESSORY” or
“IGNITION ON” is not shown
WARNING
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sit-
ting in the driver’s seat. Do not
depress the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine under
any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the
vehicle is moving, do not lock or
open the doors until the vehicle
reaches a safe and complete
stop. Activation of the steering
lock in this circumstance may lead
to an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
NOTICE
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have
your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer immediately.
■Symptoms indicating a mal-
function 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
malfunction. Contact your Toyota
dealer immediately.
Stopping the engine