2005 Toyota Highlander Owners Manual - Page 322

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409) Dinghy towing Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Section 7−3 tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the level of charge. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See page 380 in Section 7 −2 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Toyota dealer-they will be pleased to help. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de−icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from freezing. Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution. This product is available at your Toyota dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how much to mix with water. NOTICE Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may damage your vehicle's paint. Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into "P" and block the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emergency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, etc. Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome. NOTICE Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground. This may cause serious damage to your vehicle. 322 2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)