Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 158

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency

● The needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge (→P. 92)

enters the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced. (For
example, the vehicle speed does not increase.)

● Steam comes out from under the hood.

Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air conditioning sys-
tem, and then stop the engine.

If you see steam: 
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.

If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.

After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.

Radiator

Cooling fans

If a large amount of coolant
leaks, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer.

The coolant level is satisfactory
if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir.

Reservoir

“FULL”

“LOW”

Radiator cap

If your vehicle overheats

The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.

Correction procedures

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Add coolant if necessary.

Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.

Start the engine and turn the air conditioning system on to check
that the radiator cooling fans operate and to check for coolant leaks
from the radiator or hoses.

The fans operate when the air conditioning system is turned on immedi-
ately after a cold start. Confirm that the fans are operating by checking the
fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the air condition-
ing system on and off repeatedly. (The fans may not operate in freezing
temperatures.)

If the fans are not operating: 
Stop the engine immediately and contact your Toyota dealer.

If the fans are operating: 
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.

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WARNING

■

When inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precautions. 
Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.

●

If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot.

●

Keep hands and clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from
the fans and belts.

●

Do not loosen the radiator cap and the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine and radiator are hot.

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency

NOTICE

■

When adding engine coolant
Add coolant slowly after the engine has cooled down sufficiently. Adding
cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly can cause damage to the engine.

■

To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:

●

Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).

●

Do not use any coolant additive.

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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency

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Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.

Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the front wheels.

Place wood, stones or some other material under the front wheels
to help provide traction.

Restart the engine.

AWD models: Activate all-wheel drive lock mode. (

→P. 330)

Shift the shift lever to D or R and release the parking brake. Then,
while exercising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.

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When it is difficult to free the vehicle

If the vehicle becomes stuck

Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:

Press 

 to turn off TRAC.

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