2020 Toyota Highlander maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.4L turbocharged inline-4 (265 hp — new for 2020 3rd-gen redesign; replaces 2.7L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder) or 3.5L V6 (295 hp) or 2.5L Atkinson-cycle hybrid inline-4 + dual electric motors (240 hp system — Hybrid models)LLELE AWDMSRP $34,600

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16 full synthetic (3.5L V6: Toyota-approved 0W-16 or 0W-20 synthetic; 2.4L turbo: 0W-20 full synthetic required due to turbo thermal stress; 2.5L Hybrid: 0W-16 full synthetic); Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or equivalent meeting ILSAC GF-6A is required Inspect tire pressure Inspect all fluid levels Hybrid only: inspect high-voltage battery cooling system inlet for blockage (located under rear seats)
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16 or 0W-20 full synthetic per engine variant Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors — Hybrid models: regenerative braking reduces rotor usage but rotors are still prone to rust from infrequent mechanical brake use; inspect rotor surface condition Inspect all fluid levels: coolant (pink Toyota Super Long Life Coolant), brake fluid, washer fluid Inspect cabin air filter
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium (3.5L V6: factory interval 120,000 mi per Toyota; 2.4T: inspect at 30k; 2.5L Hybrid: inspect iridium plugs; do not replace at 30k unless fouled) Inspect Toyota WS (World Standard) automatic transmission fluid — 8-speed 8AT on 3.5L V6; inspect color (should be pink-red); Toyota WS is marketed as lifetime but most technicians recommend replacement by 60k-90k Inspect rear differential fluid — AWD models (Torsen-type limited-slip rear diff on non-hybrid; fluid is 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic) Inspect brake fluid condition Inspect all coolant hoses — Toyota SLLC (pink) system	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6: Toyota recommends 120k for iridium, but 60k replacement is advised for owners who tow or do extended idling; 2.4L turbo: replace iridium plugs at 60k (turbo combustion heat accelerates electrode erosion); 2.5L Hybrid: replace iridium plugs at 60k (Atkinson-cycle operation is lighter on plugs but still warrants 60k replacement) Replace Toyota WS automatic transmission fluid — ATF World Standard (Aisin TT-20B transmission; do NOT use Dexron or generic ATF — Toyota WS spec only; red tube Toyota WS fluid); Hybrid models: transaxle uses Toyota WS as well Replace rear differential fluid — AWD models: 75W-90 GL-5 synthetic (conventional V6 AWD); Hybrid AWD uses electric rear motor — inspect rear electric drive unit oil Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Inspect coolant — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink SLLC); factory first change at 100k/10 years; inspect at 60k Inspect serpentine belt Hybrid only: inspect inverter coolant reservoir level and condition (separate loop from engine coolant; Toyota genuine inverter coolant; first change at 100k)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6 iridium (second change for those who replaced at 60k; first factory-spec change for owners following 120k interval — consider replacing now at 90k if towing has been frequent); 2.4T iridium second set; 2.5L Hybrid iridium second set Replace Toyota WS transmission fluid (second interval if changed at 60k) Replace rear differential fluid (AWD models) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 full flush Inspect serpentine belt — replace if worn Inspect all coolant hoses and thermostat Inspect wheel bearings front and rear (sealed hub assemblies) Hybrid only: inspect high-voltage battery for fault codes P3000-P3099 range; inspect 12V auxiliary battery (the 12V battery in hybrids charges differently and often fails earlier than in non-hybrids) Inspect all suspension components: struts, lower control arms, sway bar links	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-16/0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 3.5L V6 iridium (factory 120k interval; second set if previously replaced at 60k; plugs are partially obstructed by upper intake manifold on rear bank — budget 3-4 hours labor at a shop) Replace coolant — Toyota Super Long Life Coolant flush and refill (pink SLLC; second change for vehicles past 100k first-change milestone) Replace serpentine drive belt Replace Toyota WS automatic transmission fluid Replace rear differential fluid (AWD models) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Hybrid only: replace inverter coolant (separate Toyota genuine inverter coolant loop; typically first scheduled change at 100k — perform now if not done) Hybrid only: inspect 12V auxiliary battery condition — replace if over 5 years old or failing load test Full brake system overhaul inspection: pads, rotors (inspect for groove depth from rusting on Hybrid rear rotors — rust grooving is a known issue), calipers, brake lines Inspect fuel injectors — direct injection 2.4T and port injection 3.5L V6 (3.5L is port+direct dual injection — D-4ST — which greatly reduces carbon buildup vs pure direct injection) Inspect timing chain condition via oil consumption and misfires (3.5L V6 2GR-FKS uses timing chain — no scheduled replacement; inspect for stretch-related codes)	View →

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.