If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds.... Toyota Highlander

5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...

Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.

The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your

Toyota dealer.

Warning light

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Warning light/Details

Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*

• Low brake fluid

• Malfunction in the brake system

This light also comes on when the parking brake is not released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully released, the system is operating normally.

*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:

A buzzer sounds to indicate that the parking brake is still engaged (with the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Stop the vehicle immediately.

The following warnings indicate the possibility of damage to the vehicle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.

Warning light Warning light/Details

Charging system warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.

Low engine oil pressure warning light (vehicles without multi-information display)

Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.

Have the vehicle inspected immediately.

Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.

Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.

Warning light Warning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)

Malfunction indicator lamp

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The electronic engine control system;

• The electronic throttle control system;

• The electronic automatic transmission control system.

SRS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:

• The SRS airbag system;

• The front passenger occupant classification system; or

• The seat belt pretensioner system.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Warning light

(U.S.A.)

Warning light/Details

ABS warning light

Indicates a malfunction in:

• ABS; or

• The brake assist system.

(Canada)

Electric power steering warning light

Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system.

■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving

First check the following:

● Is the fuel empty?

If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.

● Is the fuel tank cap loose?

If it is, tighten it securely.

The light will go off after taking several driving trips.

If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Follow the correction procedures.

After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem, check that the warning light turns off.

Warning light Warning light/Details

Open door warning light

(warning buzzer)

*1

Indicates that a door is not fully closed.

Low fuel level warning light

Indicates that remaining fuel is about 2.2 gal. (8.3

L, 1.8 lmp. gal.) or less

Driver’s seat belt reminder light

(warning buzzer)

*2

Warns the driver to fasten his/her seat belt.

*3

*4

(On the center panel)

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

(warning buzzer)

*2

Warns the front passenger to fasten his or her seat belt.

Automatic transmission fluid temperature warning light (vehicles without multi-information display)

Indicates that the automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high.

Correction procedure

Check that all doors are closed.

Refuel the vehicle.

Fasten the seat belt.

Fasten the seat belt.

Stop the vehicle in a safe place and shift the shift lever to “P”.

If the light does not go off, contact your Toyota dealer.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

Warning light

(U.S.A.)

Warning light/Details

Low washer fluid warning light (vehicles without multi-information display)

Low level of washer fluid

Engine oil replacement reminder light (vehicles without multi-information display)

Illuminates for about 3 seconds and then flashes for about 12 seconds: Indicates that the engine oil is scheduled to be changed.

Comes on and remains:

Indicates that the engine oil should be changed.

Tire pressure warning light

When the light comes on:

Low tire inflation pressure.

When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:

Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system.

Master warning light

(vehicles with multi-information display)

A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to indicate that the master warning system has detected a malfunction.

Correction procedure

Fill the tank.

Check and change the engine oil if necessary.

Check and change the engine oil.

Adjust the tire inflation pressure.

Have the system checked by your Toyota dealer.

→ P. 501

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

*1

: Open door warning buzzer:

The open door warning buzzer sounds to alert one or more of the doors is not fully closed (with the vehicle having reached a speed of 3 mph [5 km/h]).

*2

: Driver's and front passenger’s seat belt reminders:

The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminders sound to alert the driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. These buzzers sound for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a speed of at least 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.

*3

: Vehicles without navigation system

*4

: Vehicles with navigation system

■ Key reminder buzzer (vehicles without smart key system)

The buzzer indicates that the key has not been removed with the engine off and the driver’s door opened.

■ Open moon roof reminder buzzer (vehicles with multi-information display)

The buzzer indicates that the moon roof is not fully closed with the engine off and the driver’s door opened.

■ Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder

● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.

● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the warning light may not operate properly.

■ Engine oil replacement reminder light (U.S.A. ⎯ vehicles without multiinformation display)

The engine oil replacement reminder light will come on and flash at approximately 4500 miles (7200 km) after an oil change. When the distance driven after an oil change exceeds approximately 5000 miles (8000 km), the light will come on and remain on.

■ Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)

Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( →

P. 424)

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

■ When the tire pressure warning light comes on

Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.

Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire pressure warning light.

■ The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes

The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).

■ When a tire is replaced with a spare tire

Without compact spare tire

The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire, the tire pressure warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning light will turn off after a few minutes.

With compact spare tire

The compact spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire.

Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning light will turn off after a few minutes.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

■ If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative

The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:

(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)

● If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used.

● If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.

● If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm

2

or bar) or higher.

The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:

(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)

● If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby.

● If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.

● If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.

● If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or wheel housings.

● If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used. (Even if you use Toyota wheels, the tire pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)

● If tire chains are used.

Vehicles without compact spare tire

● If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal reception.

● If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is put in the trunk.

■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently

If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is turned ON, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

CAUTION

■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on

Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.

● Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.

● If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.

If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.

● Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.

■ If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur

The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

■ Maintenance of the tires

Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.

Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency

CAUTION

Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light).

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light). When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.

TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) to continue to function properly.

NOTICE

■ Precaution when installing a different tire

When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.

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