--- title: "2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Toyota WS ATF. 2.7L: U760E 6-speed, total fill ~6.9 qt (6.5 L); V6: 5-speed automatic, total fill ~9.3-9.5 qt (8.8-9.0 L); Hybrid eCVT transaxle: ~4.9 qt (4.6 L). No dipstick, level set by overflow check.. Coolant: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink, pre-mixed). 2.7L: ~7.3-10.4 qt (6.9-9.8 L) depending on AC/tow config; V6: ~9.3-12.4 qt (8.8-11.7 L); Hybrid: ~14.3 qt engine loop + 2.4 qt inverter loop. First change 100k mi, then every 50k.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/fluids" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Toyota WS ATF. 2.7L: U760E 6-speed, total fill ~6.9 qt (6.5 L); V6: 5-speed automatic, total fill ~9.3-9.5 qt (8.8-9.0 L); Hybrid eCVT transaxle: ~4.9 qt (4.6 L). No dipstick, level set by overflow check.. Coolant: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink, pre-mixed). 2.7L: ~7.3-10.4 qt (6.9-9.8 L) depending on AC/tow config; V6: ~9.3-12.4 qt (8.8-11.7 L); Hybrid: ~14.3 qt engine loop + 2.4 qt inverter loop. First change 100k mi, then every 50k.. ## 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander fluid guide (High confidence) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink, pre-mixed). 2.7L: ~7.3-10.4 qt (6.9-9.8 L) depending on AC/tow config; V6: ~9.3-12.4 qt (8.8-11.7 L); Hybrid: ~14.3 qt engine loop + 2.4 qt inverter loop. First change 100k mi, then every 50k. | | Transmission | Toyota WS ATF. 2.7L: U760E 6-speed, total fill ~6.9 qt (6.5 L); V6: 5-speed automatic, total fill ~9.3-9.5 qt (8.8-9.0 L); Hybrid eCVT transaxle: ~4.9 qt (4.6 L). No dipstick, level set by overflow check. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid | | Power steering | None (electric power steering) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Toyota Highlander model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Toyota Highlander built from 2012 through 2013, the XU40 (2nd generation, final years), mid-size 3-row crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Highlander](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012) - [2013 Highlander](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2013) ## What changed during the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Carryover of the 2011 facelift (revised fascia, PSX26W fog lamps). Towing: 5,000 lbs V6 with factory tow prep (3,500 without), 1,500 lbs 2.7L, 3,500 lbs hybrid | | 2013 | Final XU40 year; subject of the 14V-148 second-row seat recall | ## 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander take? Toyota WS ATF. 2.7L: U760E 6-speed, total fill ~6.9 qt (6.5 L); V6: 5-speed automatic, total fill ~9.3-9.5 qt (8.8-9.0 L); Hybrid eCVT transaxle: ~4.9 qt (4.6 L). No dipstick, level set by overflow check.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander use? Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (pink, pre-mixed). 2.7L: ~7.3-10.4 qt (6.9-9.8 L) depending on AC/tow config; V6: ~9.3-12.4 qt (8.8-11.7 L); Hybrid: ~14.3 qt engine loop + 2.4 qt inverter loop. First change 100k mi, then every 50k.. ### What brake fluid does a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander take? DOT 3 brake fluid. ## Sources - [Toyota technical data, Highlander XU40 fluids & capacities (toyota-club.net)](https://toyota-club.net/files/techdata/ttx/highlander_40u.htm) - [Toyota TrueStart battery application chart (toyotapartsandservice.com)](https://www.toyotapartsandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/03_Batteries2022_hi.pdf) - [Toyota Genuine spark plug application chart (toyotapartsandservice.com)](https://www.toyotapartsandservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/09_SparkPlugs2022_hi.pdf) - [NHTSA recall 14V-148, second row seat lock](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=14V148000) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Toyota Highlander placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/toyota/highlander/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Highlander EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Toyota_Highlander.shtml) - [XenonPro, 2011-2013 Highlander bulb size chart](https://www.xenonpro.com/blogs/home/2011-to-2013-toyota-highlander-headlight-bulb-sizes) - [AutoZone, 2013 Highlander wiper blade fitment (26/20)](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/toyota/highlander/2013) ## Other Toyota Highlander generations - [2020-2025 Toyota Highlander fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2020-2025/fluids) - [2014-2019 Toyota Highlander fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2014-2019/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/fluids). ## More for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.