2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Owners Manual

3295-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)
This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.
Press the switch to turn the sys-
tem on/off.
The indicator comes on when
the windshield wiper de-icer is
on.
The windshield de-icer will auto-
matically turn off after a period
of time.
■
Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
■Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-
lets
Front center outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
Air outlets

3305-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
Front side outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
Closes the vent
Slide the knob to the most out-
ward position.
Opens the vent
■Operation of the air conditio ning system in Eco drive mode
In Eco drive mode, the air conditioning system is controlled as follows to pri-
oritize fuel efficiency:
● Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict heating/cool-
ing capacity
● Fan speed restricted when automatic mode is selected
To improve air conditioning performance, perform the following operations:
● Adjust the fan speed
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 238)
■ Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically according to the temperature setting and
the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a while until warm or cool air is ready to flow
immediately after is pressed.
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3315-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up when the humidity in the vehicle is high.
Turning on will dehumidify the air from the outlets and defog the wind-
shield effectively.
● If you turn off, the windows may fog up more easily.
● The windows may fog up if the recirculated air mode is used.
■ Windshield fog detection function
When automatic mode is set, the humidity sensor (P. 332) detects fog on
the windshield and controls the air conditioning system to prevent fog.
■ Outside/recirculated air mode
●When driving on dusty roads such as tunnels or in heavy traffic, set the out-
side/recirculated air mode button to the recirculated air mode. This is effec-
tive in preventing outside air from entering the vehicle interior. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch depending on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air condition-
ing system is on
●In order to reduce the air conditioning power consumption, the air condition-
ing system may switch to recirculated air mode automatically. This may also
reduce fuel consumption.
● Recirculated air mode is selected as a default mode when the power switch
is turned to ON mode.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the outside air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioning system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 426
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 556)

3325-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
● Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-
ing your vision.
■ To prevent burns
● Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers are on.
● Do not touch the glass at lower part of the windshield or to the side of the
front pillars when the windshield wiper de-icer is on.
NOTICE
■Humidity sensor
■ To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.
● Do not place anything on the instrument
panel which may cover the air outlets.
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,
preventing the windshield defoggers
from defogging.
In order to detect fog on the windshield, a
sensor which monitors the temperature
of the windshield, the surround humidity,
etc. is installed. ( P. 331)
Follow these points to avoid damaging
the sensor:
● Do not disassemble the sensor
● Do not spray the glass cleaner on the
sensor or subject it to strong impacts
● Do not stick anything on the sensor

3335-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Adjusting the temperature setting
To adjust the temperature setting, press
“” on to increase
the temperature and
“” to decrease the temperature.
■Fan speed setting
To adjust the fan speed, press “ ” on to increase the fan
speed and
“” to decrease the fan speed.
Press to turn the fan off.
Rear automatic air conditioning system
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.
Air conditioning controls

3345-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Changing airflow modes
To change the airflow mode,
press .
The air outlets used are
switched each time the button is
pressed.
Air flows to the upper body.
Air flows to the upper body
and feet.
Air flows to the feet.
Press .
Adjust the temperature setting.
To stop the operation, press .
■Automatic mode indicator
If the fan speed setting or air fl ow modes are operated, the auto-
matic mode indicator goes off. However, automatic mode for func-
tions other than that operated are maintained.
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3
Using automatic mode
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3355-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)■
Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
■Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-
lets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
forward or backward.
Closes the vent
Slide the knob to the rear-most
position.
Opens the vent
Air outlets
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2
NOTICE
■To prevent 12-volt battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
hybrid system is off.

3365-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_HV_U (OM48F02U)
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters/seat
ventilator s

: If equipped
The heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips
of the steering wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators
maintain good airflow by blowing air from the seats.
WARNING
● Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or overheating
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use the seat heaters more than necessary.
NOTICE
● Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do
not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
● To prevent 12-volt battery discharge, do not use the functions when the
hybrid system is off.