I have been following all the thread here regarding the expensive EFB battery, to the point where I purchase a BatteryMinder last year and make sure keep it connected to the battery at lease for 24 hours once a week in the hope I can extend the life of the battery. From what I understand the Highlander control system like to keep the battery undercharged to meat fuel efficiency number at the expense of battery life. All lead acid batteries should be kept a near fully charged state when at rest in ideal conditions.
I know that on other cars the battery management system allows for different battery types.
This week I purchased a 2 day techstream standard account and looked this up on the online Toyota TIS system.
In the repair manual , TOYOTA 2014-2019 Highlander Repair Manual (RM3150U)
under the title : Title: STOP AND START: STOP AND START SYSTEM: REGISTRATION; 2017 - 2019
8. SWITCH BATTERY TYPE
NOTICE:
When the ECM is replaced on a vehicle with a non-specified battery, it is necessary to perform battery type
switching.
(a) Check whether the battery is specified or not specified.
(b) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.
(c) Turn the ignition switch to ON.
HINT:
Do not start the engine.
(d) Turn the Techstream on.
(e) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Data List / Battery Type.
Powertrain > Engine > Data List
HINT:
Check the battery type (Specified/Other) stored by the ECM.
(f) If the battery installed does not match the battery stored by the ECM, switch to the battery type for the
installed battery.
(1) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Utility / Switch Battery Type.
Powertrain > Engine > Utility
I also managed to get a working copy of Techstream and connected it our 2019 Highlander with Stop / Start and the followed the process to see work, I hit cancel at the last screen as I did not want to change the battery type.
![Image]()
The switch type just offers two choices : specified battery or other battery
![Image]()
I find it intriguing that I have not seen this setting mentioned on any of the threads on the topic of EFB to AGM \ battery swap. One would have to monitor the batteries charging behavior to get a baseline then switch to Other battery and see if the charging profile changes ?
Edit : I found the answer the questions about the different battery type here.
![Image]()
So it's clear we can use other battery types than - EFB battery without getting Stop and start malfunctions.
This is information is all found on the Toyota online documentation why can't the dealers technical staff just explain this and offer to change the battery type ?
Other interesting page in the stop start system explain the battery charging goals :
![Image]()
I know that on other cars the battery management system allows for different battery types.
This week I purchased a 2 day techstream standard account and looked this up on the online Toyota TIS system.
In the repair manual , TOYOTA 2014-2019 Highlander Repair Manual (RM3150U)
under the title : Title: STOP AND START: STOP AND START SYSTEM: REGISTRATION; 2017 - 2019
8. SWITCH BATTERY TYPE
NOTICE:
When the ECM is replaced on a vehicle with a non-specified battery, it is necessary to perform battery type
switching.
(a) Check whether the battery is specified or not specified.
(b) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.
(c) Turn the ignition switch to ON.
HINT:
Do not start the engine.
(d) Turn the Techstream on.
(e) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Data List / Battery Type.
Powertrain > Engine > Data List
HINT:
Check the battery type (Specified/Other) stored by the ECM.
(f) If the battery installed does not match the battery stored by the ECM, switch to the battery type for the
installed battery.
(1) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine / Utility / Switch Battery Type.
Powertrain > Engine > Utility
I also managed to get a working copy of Techstream and connected it our 2019 Highlander with Stop / Start and the followed the process to see work, I hit cancel at the last screen as I did not want to change the battery type.
The switch type just offers two choices : specified battery or other battery
I find it intriguing that I have not seen this setting mentioned on any of the threads on the topic of EFB to AGM \ battery swap. One would have to monitor the batteries charging behavior to get a baseline then switch to Other battery and see if the charging profile changes ?
Edit : I found the answer the questions about the different battery type here.
So it's clear we can use other battery types than - EFB battery without getting Stop and start malfunctions.
This is information is all found on the Toyota online documentation why can't the dealers technical staff just explain this and offer to change the battery type ?
Other interesting page in the stop start system explain the battery charging goals :
