--- title: "2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Maintenance Schedule" description: "The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander covering every service through 120,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/service-schedule" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander Factory Maintenance Schedule The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander covering every service through 120,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it. ## 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander maintenance schedule (High confidence) ### 5,000 miles / 6 months - Rotate tires - Visual inspection of brakes, fluid levels, wipers - Top off fluids ### 10,000 miles / 12 months - Replace engine oil and filter (0W-20 synthetic) - All 5,000-mile items ### 15,000 miles / 18 months - 5,000-mile items - Inspect ball joints, dust covers, steering linkage, exhaust ### 30,000 miles / 36 months - Replace engine air filter - Replace cabin air filter - Inspect drive belts, brake lines, fuel system - Inspect automatic transmission for leaks ### 60,000 miles / 72 months - Repeat 30,000-mile services - Inspect drive shaft boots and steering gear ### 100,000 miles / 120 months - Replace engine coolant (Super Long Life; then every 50,000 mi) - Inspect water pump ### 120,000 miles / 144 months - Replace iridium spark plugs Note: Severe service (frequent trips under 5 mi, dusty roads, heavy idling, towing) halves the oil interval to 5,000 mi / 6 months. ## Which Toyota Highlander model years does this cover? These service schedule 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 service schedule: common questions ### How often does a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander need servicing? The first scheduled visit is at 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, and the pattern repeats from there. ### What is due at 30,000 miles on a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? Replace engine air filter; Replace cabin air filter; Inspect drive belts, brake lines, fuel system; Inspect automatic transmission for leaks. ### What is due at 60,000 miles on a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? Repeat 30,000-mile services; Inspect drive shaft boots and steering gear. ### What is due at 100,000 miles on a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? Replace engine coolant (Super Long Life; then every 50,000 mi); Inspect water pump. ### Does severe service change the schedule for a 2012-2013 Toyota Highlander? Severe service (frequent trips under 5 mi, dusty roads, heavy idling, towing) halves the oil interval to 5,000 mi / 6 months. ## 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 service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2020-2025/service-schedule) - [2014-2019 Toyota Highlander service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2014-2019/service-schedule) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/service-schedule). ## 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) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/toyota/highlander/2012-2013/fluids) - [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.