TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

4216-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
The 12-volt battery is located in
the right-hand side of luggage
compartment.
Open the deck board.
Disengage the 8 claws and pull
the side deck board to remove
it.
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the
hybrid system is hot or operating
as washer fluid contains alcohol
and may catch fire if spilled on the
engine, etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other
than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine
antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on
the vehicle’s painted surfaces, as
well as damaging the pump lead-
ing to problems of the washer
fluid not spraying.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as
necessary.
Refer to the freezing tempera-
tures listed on the label of the
washer fluid bottle.
12-volt batter y
Location
Before removing the
12-volt battery cover
Removing the 12-volt bat-
tery cover

4226-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Make sure that the 12-volt bat-
tery terminals are not corroded
and that there are no loose con-
nections, cracks, or loose
clamps.Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt bat-
tery produces hydrogen gas which
is flammable and explosive. There-
fore, observe the following precau-
tions before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt bat-
tery installed on the vehicle, be
sure to disconnect the ground
cable.
●Make sure the power switch on
the charger is off when connecting
and disconnecting the charger
cables to the 12-volt battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting
the 12-volt battery
The hybrid system may not start.
Follow the procedure below to ini-
tialize the system.
1 Shift the shift lever to P.
2 Open and close any of the doors.
3 Restart the hybrid system.
●Unlocking the doors using the
smart key system may not be pos-
sible immediately after reconnect-
ing the 12-volt battery. If this
happens, use the wireless remote
control or the mechanical key to
lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the hybrid system with the
power switch in ACC. The hybrid
system may not start with the
power switch turned off. However,
the hybrid system will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●The power switch mode is
recorded by the vehicle. If the
12-volt battery is reconnected, the
vehicle will return the power
switch mode to the status it was in
before the 12-volt battery was dis-
connected. Make sure to turn off
the power before disconnect the
12-volt battery. Take extra care
when connecting the 12-volt bat-
tery if the power switch mode prior
to discharge is unknown.
If the system will no t start even after
multiple attempts at all the methods
above, contact your Toyota dealer.
Exterior
WARNING
■Chemicals in the 12-volt bat-
tery
The 12-volt battery contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid
and may produce hydrogen gas
which is flammable and explosive.
To reduce the risk of death or seri-
ous injury, take the following pre-
cautions while working on or near
the 12-volt battery:

4236-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
WARNING
●Do not cause sparks by touch-
ing the 12-volt battery terminals
with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match
near the 12-volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin
and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electro-
lyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses
when working near the 12-volt
battery.
●Keep children away from the
12-volt battery.
■Where to safely charge the
12-volt battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery
in an open area. Do not charge
the 12-volt battery in a garage or
closed room where there is insuf-
ficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the 12-volt
battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A
or less). The 12-volt battery may
explode if charged at a quicker
rate.
■Emergency measures regard-
ing electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean
water for at least 15 minutes
and get immediate medical
attention. If possible, continue
to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the near-
est medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thor-
oughly. If you feel pain or burn-
ing, get medical attention
immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your
clothes
It can soak through clothing on
to your skin. Immediately take
off the clothing and follow the
procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow elec-
trolyte
Drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Get emergency medical
attention immediately.
■When replacing the 12-volt
battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for
this vehicle. Failure to do so may
cause gas (hydrogen) to enter the
passenger compartment, causing
a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt
battery, contact your Toyota
dealer.
■When handling the 12-volt
battery
P. 5 0 2
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt
battery
Never recharge the 12-volt bat-
tery while the hybrid system is
operating. Also, be sure all acces-
sories are turned off.

4246-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Check if the treadwear indica-
tors are showing on the tires.
Also check the tires for uneven
wear, such as excessive wear
on one side of the tread.
Check the spare tire condition
and pressure if not rotated.New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators
is shown by a “TWI” or “ ” mark, etc., molded into the sidewall of
each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear
indicators are showing on a tire.
■When to replace your vehicle’s
tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are
showing on a tire.
●You have tire damage such as
cuts, splits, cracks deep enough
to expose the fabric, and bulges
indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or can-
not be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other
damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your
Toyota dealer.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician
even if it has seldom or never been
used or damage is not obvious.
■Proper storage of the spare tire
As an improperly stored spare tire
may cause damage to the wire
cable that holds it, check that the
spare tire is stored properly on a
daily basis.
●If the stored spare tire appears to
be slanted or rattles while driving,
the spare tire may not be properly
stored. Store the spare tire again
by performing the following tire
change procedure correctly:
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in
accordance with mainte-
nance schedules and tread-
wear.
Checking tires

4256-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U1
If the spare tire is slanted, the
hoist assembly ma y be stuck in
the wheel opening. If the spare
tire rattles while driving, it may
not be fully raised. Lower the
spare tire to the ground and
make sure that the hoist assem-
bly is perpendicular to the wheel
opening.
2 Raise the tire slowly and steadily
until a click is heard and the jack
handle skips.
If the spare tire cannot be lowered,
the wire cable may be severed.
Have the vehicle inspected at your
Toyota dealer.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by
dividing the maximum load by 1.10
of the replacement tire is greater
than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR) of either the front
axle or the rear axle, whichever is
greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label.
For the maximum load of the tire,
see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on
the sidewall of the tire. ( P.520)
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed perfor-
mance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Since
summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires,
summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or icy
roads. For driving on snow-covered
roads or icy roads, the use of snow
tires is recommended. When install-
ing snow tires, be sure to replace all
four tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to pro-
vide better traction in snow and to
be adequate for driving in most win-
ter conditions as well as for use
year-round. All season tires, how-
ever, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow
tires in heavy or loose snow. Also,
all season tires fall short in accelera-
tion and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway
driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads
or icy roads, we recommend using
snow tires. If you need snow tires,
select tires of the same size, con-
struction and load capacity as the
originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original
equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction.
Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels.
(  P.333)
■If the tread on snow tires wears
down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as
snow tires is lost.

4266-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.Front
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
Do not fail to initia lize the tire pres-
sure warning system after tire rota-
tion.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
tire pressure warning system
that uses tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters to detect
low tire inflation pressure before
serious problems arise.
 The tire pressure detected by
the tire pressure warning sys-
tem can be displayed on the
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing
tires
Observe the following precautions
to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause dam-
age to parts of the drive train as
well as dangerous handling char-
acteristics, which may lead to an
accident resulting in death or seri-
ous injury.
●Do not mix tires of different
makes, models or tread pat-
terns.
Also, do not mix tires of remark-
ably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than
those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently con-
structed tires (radial, bias-belted
or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season
and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been
used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not
know how they were used previ-
ously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a
compact spare tire installed.
NOTICE
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving
on roads with loose surfaces or
potholes.
These conditions may cause
losses in tire inflation pressure,
reducing the cushioning ability of
the tires. In addition, driving on
rough roads may cause damage
to the tires themselves, as well as
the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressure of
each tire becomes low while
driving
Do not continue driving, or your
tires and/or wheels may be
ruined.
Tire rotation
Tire pressure warning
system

4276-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
multi-information display.
(P.92, 101)
The illustration used is intended as
an example, and may differ from
the image that is actually displayed
on the multi-information display.
4.2-inch display
7-inch display
If the tire pressure drops
below a predetermined level,
the driver is warned by a
screen display and a warning
light. ( P.470)
The illustration used is intended as
an example, and may differ from
the image that is actually displayed
on the multi-information display.
4.2-inch display
7-inch display
■Routine tire inflation pressure
checks
The tire pressure warning system
does not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to
check tire inflation pressure as part
of your routine of daily vehicle
checks.
■Situations in which the tire
pressure warning system may
not operate properly
●In the following cases, the tire
pressure warning system may not
operate properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are
used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original
Equipment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains, etc. are equipped.
• An auxiliary-sup ported run-flat tire
is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on

4286-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_Uthe vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is
extremely higher than the speci-
fied level.
• If wheel without the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter is
used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure
warning computer.
●Performance may be affected in
the following situations.
• 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 carrying a portable radio,
cellular phone, cordless phone or
other wireless communication
device
●If tire position information is not
correctly displayed due to the
radio wave conditions, the display
may be corrected by driving and
changing the radio wave condi-
tions.
●When the vehicle is parked, the
time taken for the warning to start
or go off could be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure
declines rapidly for example when
a tire has burst, the warning may
not function.
■Warning performanc e of the tire
pressure warning system
The warning of the tire pressure
warning system will change in
accordance with the conditions
under which it was initialized. For
this reason, the system may give a
warning even if the tire pressure
does not reach a low enough level,
or if the pressure is higher than the
pressure that was adjusted to when
the system was initialized.

4296-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Tire pressure warning system certification
When replacing tires or wheels,
tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be
installed.Installing tire pressure
warning valves and trans-
mitters

4306-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER HV_U
When new tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be
registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must
be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valves and transmitter
ID codes registered by your Toy-
ota dealer. (P.433)
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pressure warning
system will not work properly. After
driving for about 20 minutes, the tire
pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute and stays on to indicate a
system malfunction.
■The tire pressure warning
system must be initialized
in the following circum-
stances:
 When the tire inflation pres-
sure is changed such as
when changing traveling
speed.
 When the tire inflation pres-
sure is changed such as
when the tire size is changed.
 When rotating the tires.
 After registering the ID codes.
( P.433)
When the tire pressure warning
system is initialized, the current
tire inflation pressure is set as
the benchmark pressure.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires,
wheels, tire pressure warn-
ing valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the
wheels, tires or the tire pressure
warning valves and transmit-
ters, contact your Toyota dealer
as the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters may be
damaged if not handled cor-
rectly.
●Make sure to in stall the tire
valve caps. If the tire valve caps
are not installed, water could
enter the tire pressure warning
valves and the tire pressure
warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps,
do not use tire valve caps other
than those specified. The cap
may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire
pressure warning valves and
transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid
sealants, the tire pressure warn-
ing valve and transmitter may not
operate properly. If a liquid seal-
ant is used, contact your Toyota
dealer or other qualified service
shop as soon as possible. Make
sure to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter
when replacing the tire. ( P.429)
Initializing the tire pres-
sure warning system