4th‑gen Toyota Highlander (2019–2022): maintenance checklist and timing

This summary condenses the speaker’s recommended maintenance items, where to find them under the hood, and concrete service intervals for owners of fourth‑generation Toyota Highlander models (2019 through 2022). The speaker uses a 2021 Toyota Highlander with just over 16,000 miles as a running example and offers mileage‑ and time‑based rules of thumb.

Where to look under the hood (driver‑side orientation): brake fluid reservoir by the driver fender; relay/fuse/electrical panel and the engine electronic control near the starting battery; main starting battery and air filter housing just forward of the battery; main coolant cap and passenger‑side coolant overflow reservoir (marked 'full cold'/'full hot'); engine oil dipstick and oil fill. The engine cover is held by four pins and pops on/off by lining pin locators.

Service items and intervals (verbatim quantities and names):

• Starting battery: per speaker, batteries now commonly last about 'three to four years' (older expectations of six years are rare). Recommendation: have the battery tested at ~'three years' and replace outright after 'four years'. Weak batteries accelerate alternator and starter wear (speaker cites a 'car care nut' video and explains increased alternator load and slower starter‑solenoid engagement burning contacts).
• Engine air filter: change approximately 'once a year' (based on average U.S. driving ~'15,000 miles a year').
• Cabin air filter: change 'once a year'; aftermarket allergen filters are available if you suffer allergies.
• Brake fluid: change every 'two years' (speaker emphasizes brake fluid is hygroscopic; moisture causes corrosion and poor pedal feel; merely replacing reservoir fluid without flushing the entire system is insufficient).
• Coolant: fourth‑gen Highlanders use the 'pink coolant' rated for 'five years or a hundred thousand miles'. If your mileage is low (e.g., 45–60,000 after three years) you likely can wait; if nearer '100,000 miles', flush and replace.
• Transmission: Toyota (owner's manual/website) recommends transmission fluid service at '60,000 miles'. The speaker advises servicing even if you are well past that (e.g., '120,000 miles') so long as the transmission is performing normally; if shifting problems exist, diagnose before fluid service.

Final note: the speaker will link Toyota’s online maintenance schedule in the video description so owners can select year/engine and see Toyota’s recommended intervals.