Owner guide · Chicago Northside Toyota · Chicago, IL
Toyota Highlander Battery Guide
Where the Highlander Hybrid's 12-volt battery is, which replacement it needs, how to jump start it and how to check the voltage, plus the battery specs for the 2024 gas Highlander, from Toyota's owner's manuals, read November 10, 2026.
Cargo areaHybrid: right-hand side
LN2Hybrid case size, 55Ah / 345A
LN32024 gas case size, 603A
12.0 V+Hybrid open voltage at 68°F
What battery does a Toyota Highlander use?
Toyota's Highlander Hybrid owner's manual puts the 12-volt battery in the right-hand side of the luggage compartment and calls for an LN2 case size, 55Ah or greater (20HR) and 345A or greater (CCA), Central Degassing type with a handle. The 2024 gas Highlander manual lists an LN3 case size with 603A or greater CCA: 70Ah or greater without Stop & Start, or 65Ah or greater with it.
Highlander Hybrid 12-volt battery specifications
| Item | Owner's manual says |
|---|---|
| Location | Right-hand side of the luggage compartment |
| Replacement case size | Same as the previous battery (LN2) |
| 20-hour rate capacity (20HR) | Equivalent (55Ah) or greater |
| Performance rating (CCA) | Equivalent (345A) or greater |
| Battery type | Central Degassing type (European Regulations), with a handle |
| Open voltage at 68°F (20°C) | 12.0 V or higher (turn the power switch off and turn on the high beam headlights for 30 seconds) |
| Charging rate | 5 A max. |
| Jump starting point | Exclusive jump starting terminal under the hood (open the fuse box cover, then the terminal cover) |
From Toyota's Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E260U), pages 404, 480-484 and 496, read November 10, 2026. The manual does not print a model year; check the manual that came with your vehicle.
Gas Highlander battery (2024 manual)
| Item | 2024 Highlander owner's manual says |
|---|---|
| Case size | Same as the previous battery (LN3) |
| Without Stop & Start system | 20HR equivalent (70Ah) or greater; CCA equivalent (603A) or greater |
| With Stop & Start system | 20HR equivalent (65Ah) or greater; CCA equivalent (603A) or greater; a genuine battery designed for the Stop & Start system or one with equivalent specifications |
| Battery type | Central Degassing type (European Regulations) |
| Jump starting | After opening the hood, the positive cable goes to the positive (+) battery terminal on your vehicle |
| After jump starting (Stop & Start) | Disable the Stop & Start system so the battery can be charged |
From Toyota's 2024 Highlander Owner's Manual (Short Version) (OM0E232U), pages 377-380, read November 10, 2026. The manual warns that with an unsupported battery, Stop & Start functions may be restricted, battery performance may decrease and the engine may not restart.
Where the Highlander Hybrid battery is
The manual says the Highlander Hybrid's 12-volt battery is located in the right-hand side of the luggage compartment, not under the hood. To reach it, open the deck board, then disengage the 8 claws and pull the side deck board to remove it. The manual says to make sure the battery terminals are not corroded and that there are no loose connections, cracks or loose clamps.
Under the hood, inside the fuse box cover, is the exclusive jump starting terminal used to charge the 12-volt battery from another vehicle in an emergency.
The battery discharges gradually even when the vehicle is not in use, through natural discharge and the draining effects of certain electrical appliances, and the manual notes it recharges automatically while the hybrid system is operating. To help prevent discharge, it says to turn off the headlights and the audio system while the hybrid system is off, and to turn off unnecessary electrical components when driving at low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic.
How to jump start a Highlander Hybrid
If the 12-volt battery is discharged, the manual says you can jump start the vehicle with jumper (or booster) cables and a second vehicle with a 12-volt battery, or call your Toyota dealer or a qualified repair shop. In short:
- Confirm that the electronic key is being carried. On vehicles with an alarm, the alarm may activate and the doors may lock when the cables are connected.
- Open the hood and the fuse box cover.
- Open the exclusive jump starting terminal cover.
- Connect a positive cable clamp to the exclusive jump starting terminal on your vehicle and the other end to the positive (+) terminal on the second vehicle. Connect a negative cable clamp to the negative (-) terminal on the second vehicle and the other end to the metallic point shown in the manual.
- Start the engine of the second vehicle, increase its engine speed slightly and hold it there for about 5 minutes to recharge your 12-volt battery.
- Open and close any of the doors of your vehicle with the power switch OFF.
- Keeping the second vehicle's engine speed up, start the hybrid system by turning the power switch to ON.
- Make sure the READY indicator comes on. If it does not, contact your Toyota dealer.
- Once the hybrid system has started, remove the cables in the exact reverse order from which they were connected.
- Close the exclusive jump starting terminal cover and reinstall the fuse box cover.
The manual says to have the vehicle inspected at your Toyota dealer as soon as possible once the hybrid system starts. It also says the hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting, the jump starting terminal cannot be used to jump start another vehicle, and the cables must not become entangled in the cooling fan or belt. To avoid igniting gas from the battery, make sure each cable is on the correct terminal, keep the other end of the cable on the + terminal away from other parts and metal surfaces such as brackets or unpainted metal, never let the + and - clamps touch, and keep smoking, matches, lighters and open flame away from the battery.
Checking and charging the battery
From the Highlander Hybrid owner's manual:
Check the voltage
Turn the power switch off and turn on the high beam headlights for 30 seconds before checking. The open voltage should be 12.0 V or higher at 68°F (20°C).
Slow charge only
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or less); the manual says the battery may explode if charged at a quicker rate. Never recharge it while the hybrid system is operating, and turn off all accessories.
Charge in the open
Recharging produces flammable, explosive hydrogen gas. Always charge in an open area, not a garage or closed room without enough ventilation. If the battery is still in the vehicle, disconnect the ground cable, and keep the charger's power switch off while connecting and disconnecting its cables.
After reconnecting
The hybrid system may not start. The manual's fix: shift to P, open and close any of the doors, and restart the hybrid system. The smart key may not unlock the doors right away, so use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key. Information stored in the ECU is cleared, some systems may need initialization, and the power back door must be initialized.
From Toyota's Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E260U), read November 10, 2026. After recharging, the manual says to have the 12-volt battery inspected at your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. It also says to wear safety glasses, avoid sparks from tools touching the terminals, not lean over the battery and keep children away from it.
Replacing the Highlander Hybrid battery
The manual's replacement requirements: a Central Degassing type 12-volt battery (European Regulations) with the same case size as the previous one (LN2), a 20-hour rate capacity (20HR) of 55Ah or greater and a performance rating (CCA) of 345A or greater, with a handle; without a handle, removal is more difficult.
If the sizes differ, the battery cannot be properly secured. If the 20-hour rate capacity is low, the battery may discharge even if the vehicle is not used for only a short time, and the hybrid system may not be able to start. The manual also says to use a 12-volt battery designed for this vehicle; otherwise hydrogen gas may enter the passenger compartment and cause a fire or explosion.
After replacing, the manual says to firmly attach the exhaust hose and the exhaust hole plug to the new battery's exhaust hole; if they are not properly installed, hydrogen gas may leak into the vehicle interior and could ignite and explode. When removing the battery terminals, always remove the negative (-) terminal first, and do not disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the body side, because it may touch the positive (+) terminal and cause a short. Removing the terminals clears information stored in the ECU, so the manual says to contact your Toyota dealer before removing them and for information on battery replacement.
Chicago Northside Toyota service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Chicago Northside Toyota's website, November 11, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Toyota Highlander battery FAQ
Where is the 12-volt battery on a Highlander Hybrid?
Toyota's Highlander Hybrid owner's manual says the 12-volt battery is located in the right-hand side of the luggage compartment. To reach it, open the deck board, then remove the side deck board by disengaging its 8 claws. For jump starting, the manual uses an exclusive jump starting terminal under the hood, inside the fuse box cover.
What size battery does a Highlander Hybrid need?
The manual says to use a Central Degassing type 12-volt battery (European Regulations) with the same case size as the previous one (LN2), a 20-hour rate capacity (20HR) of 55Ah or greater and a performance rating (CCA) of 345A or greater, with a handle.
What battery does a gas Highlander use?
Toyota's 2024 Highlander owner's manual (short version) lists an LN3 case size. Without the Stop & Start system: 70Ah or greater (20HR) and 603A or greater (CCA). With the Stop & Start system: 65Ah or greater and 603A or greater, and the manual calls for a genuine battery designed for Stop & Start or one with equivalent specifications.
How do I jump start a Highlander Hybrid?
With jumper cables and a second vehicle with a 12-volt battery: confirm the electronic key is being carried, open the hood, the fuse box cover and the exclusive jump starting terminal cover, and connect the cables to that terminal and to the metallic point the manual shows. Run the second vehicle's engine slightly faster for about 5 minutes, open and close any door with the power switch OFF, then start the hybrid system by turning the power switch to ON and make sure the READY indicator comes on.
Can a Highlander Hybrid jump start another car?
No. The manual says the exclusive jump starting terminal is for charging the 12-volt battery from another vehicle in an emergency and cannot be used to jump start another vehicle. It also says the hybrid system cannot be started by push-starting.
What voltage should a Highlander Hybrid battery have?
The manual lists an open voltage of 12.0 V or higher at 68°F (20°C), checked after turning the power switch off and turning on the high beam headlights for 30 seconds. Its charging rate is 5 A max., and the manual says to only perform a slow charge (5 A or less).
Can Chicago Northside Toyota replace my Highlander battery?
Yes. The manual says to contact your Toyota dealer for 12-volt battery replacement. Our service team at 6042 N. Western Ave. in Chicago can test the battery and fit the right one for your Highlander. See the service hours above or schedule online.
Highlander battery weak or flat?
Bring it to Chicago Northside Toyota, 6042 N. Western Ave. in Chicago. Our service team can test the 12-volt battery and replace it with the right one for your Highlander.
Sources
Battery location, jump start steps, charging and voltage figures and replacement requirements are from Toyota's Highlander owner's manuals, read November 10, 2026. Your own owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle. Address and hours are from Chicago Northside Toyota's own website. Photo is illustrative.
- Highlander Hybrid Owner's Manual (OM0E260U): 12-volt battery location, cover and recharging precautions (pp. 404-406), jump starting, discharge and replacement requirements (pp. 480-485), electrical system specifications (p. 496), Toyota, read November 10, 2026
- 2024 Highlander Owner's Manual (Short Version) (OM0E232U): jump starting and battery replacement requirements (pp. 377-380), Toyota, read November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours, Chicago Northside Toyota, November 11, 2026
