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

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
1Before driving
Information on the hybrid system and adjusting and op-
erating features such as door locks, mirrors, and steer-
ing 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............ 442
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............. 445
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..................... 448
General maintenance.......... 450
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................... 453
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ....................... 454
Hood ................................... 458
Positioning a floor jack ........ 460
Engine compartment ........... 462
12-volt battery ..................... 473
Tires .................................... 477
Tire inflation pressure ......... 485
Wheels ................................ 488
Air conditioning filter............ 491
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ........ 494
Checking and replacing fuses ................................. 497
Light bulbs........................... 510 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers............ 520
If your vehicle needs to be towed........................... 521
If you think something is wrong ............................ 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 .......................... 538
If you have a flat tire ........... 539
If the hybrid system will not start ............................ 552
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................... 554
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote control
transmitter ........................ 555
If the electronic key does not operate properly ......... 556
If the 12-volt battery is discharged........................ 558
If your vehicle overheats .... 562
If the vehicle becomes stuck ................................. 566
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ....................... 567
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

9
Tires
●Rotation
● Replacement
● Inflation pressure
● Information
P. 477
P. 539
P. 581
P. 587
: If equipped
Side doors P. 65
Stop/tail and side marker
lights
P. 213
Rear window
wiper
P. 224
Rear window defogger
Glass hatch 
P. 300
P. 79
License plate lights P. 213
Rear turn signal lights P. 193
Back door P. 70
Fuel filler door P. 118

177
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
If the vehicle becomes stuck or bogged
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or
stuck in sand or mud etc. This may damage the drive system components or
propel the vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.
■ If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
Rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■ 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. 544)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain driving torque.
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake ped-
als 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.

206 2-2. Instrument cluster
■Tire inflation pressure
Displays inflation pressure of ea ch tire. There is no correlation
between the order of the display ed values and the tire positions.
If the inflation pressure of any tire drops a certain amount below
the tire inflation pressure value currently memorized in the system,
the displayed values will be highlighted.
It may take a few minutes to display the tire inflation pressure after the
engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without smart key
system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to ON mode (vehicles with
smart key system). It may also take a few minutes to display the tire
inflation pressure after inflation pressure has been adjusted.
If the tire pressure warning light is on or flashing, a message describing
the situation will be displayed.
Setting up the displays
Display the set up screen on the
multi-information display when
the vehicle is stopped.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to display the set up screen.
Select the desired item on the
menu screen.
Press and hold the “DISP” button
to enter the setting mode.
STEP1
STEP2

209
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
●
Setting the contrast
Select “CONTRAST” on the menu screen. Press and hold the
“DISP” button until the display changes. Press the “DISP” button to adjust
the contrast.
+: Strengthen
-: Weaken
After adjusting the contrast, wait 5
seconds to allow the contrast to
be automatically input.
●Returning to the previous screen
Select “RETURN” on the menu screen. Press and hold the “DISP”
button until the display changes.
■ Setting the tire inflation pr essure information display
It is possible to set the tire inflation pressure information display so
that it is displayed when the hy brid system is first turned on.
Select “TIRE MONITOR INFO.” on the menu screen. Press
and hold the “DISP” button until the display changes.
Select “DISPLAY” on the menu screen. Press and hold the
“DISP” button until the display changes. Press the “DISP” button to select
“ON” or “OFF”.
After adjusting the tire monitor
information, wait 5 seconds to
allow the display to be automati-
cally input.
●Returning to the previous screen
Select “RETURN” on the menu screen. Press and hold the “DISP”
button until the display changes.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

232 2-4. Using other driving systems
■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. 210
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.

238 2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■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 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 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 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 VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fit-
ted 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 VDIM, and may cause the system to malfunction.

265
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your 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. (Thi s 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.

268 2-5. Driving information
■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. 581)
● 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, install 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