Toyota Highlander maintenance schedule

The Toyota Highlander maintenance schedule is built on visits every 5,000 miles or 6 months. On the 2023–2024 Highlander with the 2.4L turbo, Toyota’s guides call for an oil and filter change every 10,000 miles or 12 months, a tire rotation every 5,000 miles, both air filters every 30,000 miles, spark plugs every 40,000 miles, and the first coolant change at 100,000 miles. Older V6 and hybrid Highlanders follow their own guides.

Published November 13, 2026 · Sources · Share

On this page (7 sections)

The Highlander reminder light

Every Highlander since 2008 has a distance-based reminder. On 2008–2013 models, an oil replacement light flashes about 4,500 miles after an oil change and stays on after about 5,000 miles. From 2014, a “maintenance required” light or message comes on about 5,000 miles after it is reset. The reminder doesn’t count months, so a Highlander that is driven little can be due by the calendar first. How to clear it: Toyota maintenance light reset. Toyota’s schedule in general: Toyota maintenance schedule.

Highlander maintenance by generation

Toyota’s guides for the 2008–2022 Highlander and for the hybrid were not available from Toyota for this page, so those generations show only the reminder system. The 4th-generation chart is from the 2023 and 2024 guides for the 2.4L turbo.

4th generation (2020–2026)

Reminder system: Maintenance Required message on the multi-information display: comes on about 5,000 miles after it is reset.17 Oil changes: Check your owner’s manual.

Toyota Highlander 4th generation: service intervals
ServiceWhen
Tire rotation (2.4L turbo)every 5,000 miles35
Engine oil and filter (2.4L turbo)every 10,000 miles or 12 months; every 5,000 miles or 6 months if driven mostly on dirt or dusty roads35
Engine air filter (2.4L turbo)replace every 30,000 miles or 36 months35
Cabin air filter (2.4L turbo)replace every 30,000 miles or 36 months35
Spark plugs (2.4L turbo)replace every 40,000 miles35
Engine coolant and intercooler coolant (2.4L turbo)first at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months35
Brake fluid (2.4L turbo)check level and condition at each visit; no set replacement interval in the guide35

3rd generation (2014–2019)

Reminder system: Maintenance required reminder light: comes on about 5,000 miles after it is reset.9 Oil changes: Check your owner’s manual.

2nd generation (2008–2013)

Reminder system: Engine oil replacement reminder light: flashes about 4,500 miles after an oil change and stays on after about 5,000 miles.2 Oil changes: Check your owner’s manual.

The 2.4L turbo schedule

Two items on the 2.4-liter turbo, which replaced the V6 for 2023, are easy to miss. Its spark plugs are replaced every 40,000 miles, and it has a separate intercooler coolant (it cools the air coming from the turbo) that is changed on the same schedule as the engine coolant: first at 100,000 miles or 120 months, then every 50,000 miles or 60 months.

The guide also lists inspections, not replacements, for the brake fluid (level and condition at each visit), the brake pads and discs, and, on AWD models, the rear differential and transfer case oil.

Older Highlanders and the hybrid

For a 2008–2022 V6, a 2.7L 4-cylinder, or any Highlander Hybrid, use the Warranty & Maintenance Guide that came with the vehicle, or the guide for your year in the Owners section of toyota.com. Keep the booklet with your receipts.

New Highlanders include ToyotaCare, which covers normal factory scheduled maintenance for a set time: ToyotaCare.

Normal or severe use?

Toyota’s extra list for “special operating conditions” applies only if most of your driving is like this. In the 2024 guide, driving mostly on dirt or dusty roads moves the oil change to every 5,000 miles or 6 months and adds air filter checks. Towing, a roof carrier, or heavy loads add replacement of the rear differential and transfer case oil (AWD) every 15,000 miles. Read normal vs severe maintenance to decide which list fits you.

FAQ

How often does a Highlander need service?

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. On the 2023–2024 2.4L turbo, the oil and filter are changed every other visit: 10,000 miles or 12 months.

When do Highlander spark plugs need changing?

Every 40,000 miles on the 2023–2024 2.4L turbo, according to Toyota’s guides. For a V6 or hybrid, check the guide for your year.

Does the Highlander Hybrid need different maintenance?

Yes, partly. It uses a different oil (0W-16 from 2020), and Toyota publishes a separate guide for it. Use the hybrid’s own Warranty & Maintenance Guide.

Do I have to service my Highlander at a Toyota dealer?

No. ToyotaCare visits are at Toyota dealers, but a qualified independent shop can do scheduled maintenance. Keep the receipts; see maintenance and your warranty.

Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota Motor North America. Toyota, Highlander, and ToyotaCare are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles and programs.

Sources

  1. 2008 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48690U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  2. 2010 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48B60U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  3. 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48A63U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  4. 2011 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48A73U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  5. 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48A67U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  6. Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48A09U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  7. 2013 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48A38U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  8. 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48A24U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  9. 2014 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48A12U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  10. 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48D74U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  11. Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48F09U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  12. 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48F12U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  13. Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E017U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  14. Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E047U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  15. Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E018U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  16. Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E048U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  17. 2020 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E108U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  18. 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E110U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  19. 2022 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E137U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  20. 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E138U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  21. 2023 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E055U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  22. 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E056U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  23. 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E195U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  24. 2025 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E144U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  25. 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E260U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  26. Toyota USA Newsroom: Toyota Highlander Adds New Options on Base Grade Models For 2010 (checked November 13, 2026)
  27. Toyota USA Newsroom: Toyota Highlander Crossover Gets Major Revision for 2011 (checked November 13, 2026)
  28. Toyota USA Newsroom: 2026 Toyota Highlander Gets Standard All Wheel Drive Across the Lineup (checked November 13, 2026)
  29. 2021 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E142U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  30. 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E143U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  31. 2024 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM0E194U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  32. 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48852U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  33. 2009 Toyota Highlander Owner's Manual (OM48853U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  34. 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM48837U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  35. 2024 Toyota Highlander Warranty & Maintenance Guide (2.4L turbo) (checked November 13, 2026)
  36. 2023 Toyota Highlander Warranty & Maintenance Guide (2.4L turbo) (checked November 13, 2026)