Toyota 2003 HIGHLANDER User manual

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Foreword
Welcome to the growing group of value−conscious people who drive Toyotas. We are proud of the advanced engineering and
quality construction of each vehicle we build.
This Owner’s Manual explains the operation of your new Toyota. Please read it thoroughly and have all the occupants
follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe and trouble−free motoring. For
important information about this manual and your Toyota, read the following pages carefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Toyota dealer knows your vehicle best and is interested in your complete
satisfaction. He will provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Toyota dealer near you, or you need emergency assistance for any reason, please call the following number:
!U.S. OWNERS: Toyota Customer Assistance Center Toll−free: 1−800−331−4331
!CANADIAN OWNERS: Toyota Canada Customer Interaction Centre Tol l −free: 1−888−TOYOTA−8 (1−888−869−6828)
Please leave this Owner’s Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However, because of Toyota’s policy of
continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment, including options. Therefore, you may
find some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
©2002 TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Toyota
Motor Corporation.

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Important information about this manual
Safety and vehicle damage warnings
Throughout this manual, you will see safety and vehicle dam-
age warnings. You must follow these warnings carefully to
avoid possible injury or damage.
The types of warnings, what they look like, and how they are
used in this manual are explained as follows:
CAUTION
This is a warning against anything which may cause
injury to people if the warning is ignored. You are
informed about what you must or must not do in
order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself and
others.
NOTICE
This is a warning against anything which may cause
damage to the vehicle or its equipment if the warning
is ignored. You are informed about what you must or
must not do in order to avoid or reduce the risk of
damage to your vehicle and its equipment.
Safety symbol
When you see the safety symbol
shown above, it means: “Do not...”;
“Do not do this”; or “Do not let this
happen”.

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Important information about your Toyota
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota limited
warranties:
!New vehicle warranty
!Emission control systems warranty
!Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement”.
Your responsibility for
maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance is performed. Section 6 gives
details of these maintenance requirements. Also included
in Section 6 is general maintenance. For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Toyota
A wide variety of non−genuine spare parts and accessories
for Toyota vehicles are currently available in the market.
You should know that Toyota does not warrant these prod-
ucts and is not responsible for their performance, repair, or
replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or
adverse effect they may have on, your Toyota vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non−genuine
Toyota products. Modification with non−genuine Toyota
products could affect its performance, safety or durability,
and may even violate governmental regulations. In addi-
tion, damage or performance problems resulting from the
modification may not be covered under warranty.

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Spark ignition system of your
Toyota
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference−Causing Equipment
Standard.
Installation of a mobile
two−way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two−way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, cruise control system, anti−lock brake system,
traction control system, vehicle skid control system, SRS
airbag system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure
to check with your Toyota dealer for precautionary mea-
sures or special instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Toy ot a c on tai n e xpl os iv e c he mi c a l s. I f the veh i cl e i s
scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as they
are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to
have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt preten-
sioner removed and disposed of by the qualified service
shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your
vehicle.

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On−pavement and off−road
driving tips
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class. Utility ve-
hicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger car because it is
designed for off−road use also. In addition, this vehicle
has a higher ground clearance and center of gravity than
that of an ordinary passenger car. This vehicle design fea-
ture causes this type of vehicle to be more likely to rol-
lover. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control, accidents or vehicle rollover causing death
or serious injury. Be sure to read “Off−road vehicle precau-
tions” on page 184 in Section 2 and “Off−road driving pre-
cautions” on page 204 in Section 3.

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Overview of instruments and controls
Instrument panel overview 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument cluster overview 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1− 1

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1. Side defroster outlets
2. Instrument cluster
3. Garage door opener
4. Center vents
5. Electric moon roof switch and personal
light
6. Auxiliary boxes
7. Side vents
8. Power door lock switches
9. Power window switches
10. Glove box
11. Automatic transmission selector lever
12. Rear ashtray
13. Cup holder
14. Container
15. Front ashtray
16. Hood lock release lever
17. Parking brake pedal
18. Window lock switch
Instrument panel overview
!Vehicles with rear console

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1. Side defroster outlets
2. Instrument cluster
3. Garage door opener
4. Center vents
5. Electric moon roof switch and personal
light
6. Auxiliary boxes
7. Side vents
8. Power door lock switches
9. Power window switches
10. Glove box
11. Automatic transmission selector lever
12. Ashtray
13. Cup holders
14. Hood lock release lever
15. Parking brake pedal
16. Window lock switch
!Vehicles without rear console

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1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger’s seat belt reminder
light
6. Rear window defogger switch
7. Air conditioning controls
8. Car audio
9. Cigarette lighter (vehicles with rear
console) or power outlet (vehicles
without rear console)
10. Snow mode button
11. Seat heater switches
12. Power outlet (vehicles with rear
console) or cigarette lighter (vehicles
without rear console)
13. Ignition switch
14. Cruise control switch
15. Tilt steering lock release lever
16. Traction control system off switch
(two−wheel drive models)
17. Outside rear view mirror defogger and
windshield wiper de−icer switch
!Vehicles with manual air conditioning controls

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18. Theft deterrent system/Engine
immobiliser system indicator light
19. Power rear view mirror control switches

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1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger’s seat belt reminder
light
6. Air conditioning controls and
multi−information display
7. Rear window defogger switch
8. Car audio
9. Cigarette lighter (vehicles with rear
console) or power outlet (vehicles
without rear console)
10. Snow mode button
11. Seat heater switches
12. Power outlet (vehicles with rear
console) or cigarette lighter (vehicles
without rear console)
13. Ignition switch
14. Cruise control switch
15. Tilt steering lock release lever
16. Traction control system off switch
(two−wheel drive models)
!Vehicles with automatic air conditioning controls

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17. Outside rear view mirror defogger and
windshield wiper de−icer switches
18. Theft deterrent system/Engine
immobiliser system indicator light
19. Power rear view mirror control switches

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1. Tachometer
2. Service reminder indicators and
indicator lights
3. Speedometer
4. Fuel gauge
5. Low fuel level warning light
6. Engine coolant temperature gauge
7. Trip meter reset knob
8. Odometer and two trip meters
9. Instrument panel light control knob
Instrument cluster overview

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Brake system warning light∗1
Discharge warning light∗1
Low engine oil pressure warning light∗1
Malfunction indicator lamp∗1
SRS warning light∗1
Driver’s seat belt reminder light∗1Open door warning light∗1
Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning
light∗1
or
Low windshield washer fluid level warning light∗1
or
Vehicle skid control system warning light∗1
Traction control system off indicator light
Anti−lock brake system warning light∗1
or
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light∗1
Indicator symbols on the instrument panel

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∗1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 105 in Section 1−5.
∗2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 125 in
Section 1−6.
Cruise control indicator light∗2
Overdrive−off indicator light
Slip indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Snow mode indicator light

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Keys and Doors
Keys 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine immobiliser system 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Side doors 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power windows 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back door 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft deterrent system 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel tank cap 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electric moon roof 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 1− 2

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Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of keys.
1. Master keys—These keys work in ev-
ery lock.
2. Sub key—This key will not work in the
glove box.
To protect items locked in the glove box
when using valet parking, leave the sub
key with the attendant.
Since the side doors can be locked with-
out a key, you should always carry a
spare key in case you accidentally lock
your keys inside the vehicle.
KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.
We recommend writing down the key num-
ber and storing it in a safe place.
Your vehicle is supplied with two kinds
of keys.
1. Master keys (black)—These keys work
in every lock. Your Toyota dealer will
need one of them to make a new key
with built−in transponder chip.
2. Sub key (gray)—This key will not work
in the glove box.
Keys (without engine
immobiliser system)
Keys (with engine immobiliser
system)

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A transponder chip for engine immobiliser
system has been placed in the head of
the master and sub keys. These chips are
needed to enable the system to function
correctly, so be careful not to lose these
keys. If you make your own duplicate key,
you will not be able to cancel the system
or start the engine.
To protect things locked in the glove box
when you have your vehicle parked, leave
the sub key with the attendant.
Since the side doors can be locked with-
out a key, you should always carry a
spare key in case you accidentally lock
your keys inside the vehicle. NOTICE
When using a key containing a trans-
ponder chip, observe the following
precautions:
!When starting the engine, do not
use the key with a key ring resting
on the key grip and do not press
the key ring against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts.
!When starting the engine, do not
use the key with other transponder
keys around (including keys of oth-
er vehicles) and do not press other
key plates against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start,
or may stop soon after it starts. If
this happens, remove the key once
and then insert it again after taking
off other transponder keys (includ-
ing keys of other vehicles) from the
ring or while gripping or covering
them with your hand to start the
engine.

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!Do not bend the key grip.
!Do not cover the key grip with any
material that cuts off electromagnet-
ic waves.
!Do not knock the key hard against
other objects.
!Do not leave the key exposed to
high temperatures for a long period,
such as on the dashboard and hood
under the direct sunlight.
!Do not put the key in water or
wash it in an ultrasonic washer.
!Do not use the key with electromag-
netic materials. KEY NUMBER PLATE
Your key number is shown on the plate.
Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you
need additional keys, duplicates can be
made by a Toyota dealer using the key
number.
We recommend you to write down the key
number and keep it in safe place.