TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

4617-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER HV_U
7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs
to be towed
If towing is necessary, we
recommend having your
vehicle towed by your Toy-
ota dealer or commercial
towing service, using a
wheel-lift type truck or flat-
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system
for all towing, and abide by
all state/provincial and local
laws.
If towing your vehicle with a
wheel-lift type truck from
the front, the vehicle’s rear
wheels and axles must be in
good conditions. (P.463)
If they are damaged, use a
towing dolly or flatbed
truck.
WARNING
Observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so may result in
death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle
with the front wheels raised or
with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed
with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and
related parts may be damaged or
electricity generated by the opera-
tion of the motor may cause a fire
to occur depending on the nature
of the damage or malfunction.
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle
with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed
with the tires contacting the
ground, the drivetrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehi-
cle may fly off the truck, or elec-
tricity generated by the operation
of the motor may cause a fire to
occur depending on the nature of
the damage or malfunction.

4627-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
The following may indicate a
problem with your transmission.
Contact your Toyota dealer or
commercial towing service
before towing.
The hybrid system warning
message is shown on the
multi-information display and
the vehicle does not move.
 The vehicle makes an abnor-
mal sound.
WARNING
■While towing
●When towing using cables or
chains, avoid sudden starts, etc.
which place excessive stress on
the towing eyelets, cables or
chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become
damaged, broken debris may hit
people, and cause serious dam-
age.
●Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the
steering wheel is locked and
cannot be operated.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the
rear when the power switch is
off. The steering lock mecha-
nism is not strong enough to
hold the front wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle,
ensure adequate ground clear-
ance for towing at the opposite
end of the raised vehicle. With-
out adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while
being towed.
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle when towing with a
sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck,
either from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the
vehicle during emergency
towing
Do not secure cables or chains to
the suspension components.
■Recreational towing (behind
motor home, etc.)
Never dinghy tow your vehicle to
prevent causing serious damage
to the Hybrid AWD system (AWD
models) and transmission.
(  P.212)
Situations when it is nec-
essary to contact dealers
before towing

4637-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER HV_U
From the front (2WD models)
Release the parking brake.
Turn automatic mode off. ( P.225)
From the front (AWD models)
Use a towing dolly under the
rear wheels.
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the
front wheels. When using a flat-bed truck to
transport the vehicle, use tire
strapping belts. Refer to the
owner's manual of the flat-bed
truck for the tire strapping
method.
In order to suppress vehicle
movement during transporta-
tion, set the parking brake and
turn the power switch off.
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes.
The vehicle’s wheels, drive train,
axles, steering and brakes must
Towing with a wheel-lift
type truckNOTICE
■Towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck
to prevent body damage.
2WD models
AWD models
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing

4647-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
be in good condition.Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air
conditioning after use is nor-
mal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven
tire wear
 Engine coolant temperature
gauge needle continually
points higher than normal
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when
cornering
 Strange noises related to the
suspension system
 Pinging or other noises
related to the hybrid system
 Engine missing, stumbling or
running roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one If you think something
is wrong
If you notice any of the fol-
lowing symptoms, your
vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

4657-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER HV_U
side when braking
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one
side when driving on a level
road
 Loss of brake effectiveness,
spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

4667-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Brake system warning light
■Brake system warning light
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
If a war ning light tur ns on or a war ning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning
lights comes on or flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but
then goes off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction
in the system. However, if this continues to occur, have the
vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(red)
(Canada)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The regenerative braking system;
 The electronically controlled brake system; or
 The electric parking brake
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
Immediately stop the ve hicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.504)

4677-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Hybrid system overheat warning light*(warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Charging system warning light*
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Malfunction indicator lamp
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates the hybrid system has overheated
Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.505)
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 hybrid system;
 The electronic engine control system; or
 The electronic throttle control system;
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Toyota dealer.

4687-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■SRS warning light
■ABS warning light
■Brake Override System warning light/Drive-Start Control
warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
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.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The ABS; or
 The brake assist system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
When a buzzer sounds:
Brake Override System is malfunctioning;
 Drive-Start Control is operating;
 Drive-Start Control is malfunctioning; or
 Parking Support Brake function (for static objects) (if
equipped) is operating
 Follow the instructions di splayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.
When a buzzer does not sound:
Brake Override System is operating
 Release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake
pedal.

4697-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning
buzzer)
■Low fuel level warning light
■Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warn-
ing buzzer)*
*: Driver’s seat belt warning buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt wa rning buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or
her seat belt is not fastened. Once the power switch is turned to ON, the
buzzer sounds. If the seat belt is st ill unfastened, the buzzer sounds inter-
mittently for a certain period of time after the vehicle reaches a certain
speed.
Front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the front
passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. If the seat belt is unfas-
tened, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period of time after the
vehicle reaches a certain speed.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(red/yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in th e EPS (Electric Power Steer-
ing) system
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer
immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (9.7
L, 2.1 Imp. gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Warns the driver and/or front pa ssenger to fasten their seat
belts
 Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.

4707-2. Steps to take in an emergency
HIGHLANDER HV_U
■Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder light*1 (warning buzzer)*2
*1: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
*2: Rear passengers’ seat belt warning buzzer:
The rear passengers’ seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the rear pas-
senger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. If the seat belt is unfas-
tened, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period of time, after the
seat belt is fastened and unfastened and the vehicle reaches a certain
speed.
■Tire pressure warning light
■LTA indicator* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on th e multi-information display.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Warns the second and/or third seat passengers to fasten
their seat belts. An indicator corresponding to an unfas-
tened second or third seat seat belt will illuminate.
 Fasten the seat belt.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
When the light comes on after blinking for approximately 1
minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
 Natural causes
 Flat tire
 Immediately stop the ve hicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.474)
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(orange)
Indicates a malfunction in the LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
 Follow the instructions di splayed on the multi-infor-
mation display. ( P.270)