Page 423 of 712

4236-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Changing airflow modes
To change the airflow mode,
press , , or
.
Air flows to the upper body.
Air flows to the upper body
and feet.
Air flows to the feet.
Air flows to the feet and the windshield defogger operates.
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between outside air mode (indicator off) and recir-
culated air mode (indicator on) each time is pressed.
■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press .
If the recirculated air mode is used, it will automatically switch to the out-
side air mode.
Perform the following operations accordingly:
●To adjust the fan speed, turn .
● To adjust the temperature setting, turn .
● If the dehumidification function is not operating, press to
operate the dehumidif ication function.
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air
flow and temperature up.
1
2
3
Other functions
4
1
2
Page 424 of 712

4246-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors
Vehicles without outside rear view mirror defoggers
A defogger is used to defog the rear window.
Press .
The defogger will automatically turn off after a period of time.
Vehicles with outside rear view mirror defoggers
Defoggers are used to defog the rear window, and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the outside rear view mirrors.
Press .
The defoggers will automatically turn off after a period of time.
■
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.
Air outlets
Page 428 of 712
4286-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Adjusting the temperature setting
To adjust the temperature setting, turn clockwise to increase
the temperature and countercloc
kwise to decrease the tempera-
ture.
The temperature for the driver, front passenger and rear seats can be
adjusted separately when: • is pressed. (The “SYNC” displays disappear.)
• The front passenger side dial is turned. (The “PASS SYNC”
display changes to “PASS”.)
• The “
” or “” side of is pressed. (The “REAR SYNC” display
changes to “REAR”.)
The air conditioning system switches between individual and synchro-
nized modes each time is pressed.
Front automatic air conditioning system
: If equipped
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according
to the temperature setting.
Air conditioning controls
Page 429 of 712

4296-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
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.
■
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.
Air flows to the feet and the
windshield defogger oper-
ates.
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.
■Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between outside air mode (indicator off) and recir-
culated air mode (indicator on) each time is pressed.
1
2
3
4
Using automatic mode
Other functions
1
2
3
Page 431 of 712
4316-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
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
Page 433 of 712

4336-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
When the outside temperature exceeds 75 F (24C) 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 engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNI-
TION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).
● 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. 530
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 662)
Page 436 of 712
4366-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
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.
■Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
1
2
3
Air outlets
Page 439 of 712
4396-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
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.
1
2
3
Using automatic mode
1
2
3