2006 Toyota Highlander Owners Manual - Page 343

'06 HIGHLANDER HB_U (L/O 0503) Winter driving tips z Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the traction battery, hybrid system or other components does not occur. Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid system. Water entering the interior may cause the traction battery stowed under the rear seats to short circuit. Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature failure, and may also enter the transaxle case, reducing the gear oil's lubricating qualities. z Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components. z Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off −road driving that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the "Scheduled Maintenance Guide" or "Owner's Manual Supplement". Make sure your coolant is properly protected against freezing. Only use "Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" or similar high quality ethylene glycol based non−silicate, non−amine, non−nitrite, and non−borate coolant with long−life hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant with long−life hybrid organic acid technology is a combination of low phosphates and organic acids.) See "Checking the coolant level" on page 388 in Section 7−2 for details of coolant type selection. For the U.S.A.-"Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant provides protection down to about −35_C ( −31_F). For Canada-"Toyota Super Long Life Coolant" is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. This coolant provides protection down to about −42_C ( −44_F). Check the status of the traction battery. See page 4 for the status of the traction battery. If the traction battery is discharged, the hybrid system will not start up. Check the condition of the auxiliary battery and cables. Cold temperatures lower the performance of the auxiliary 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 auxiliary battery. Your Toyota dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the charge level. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See page 386 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. NOTICE Do not use plain water alone. 330 2006 HIGHLANDER (Hybrid) from Mar. '05 Prod. (OM48530U)