2015 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Owners Manual

4256-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
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.
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
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4266-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
■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.
■ 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 engine switch
is turned to “ON” position.
● 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.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 530

4276-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning system on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.
● 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.

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

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.
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Using automatic mode
Other functions
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4306-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press .
Set the outside/recirculated air mode button to outside air mode if the
recirculated air mode is used. (It may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.
To return to the previous mode, press again when the windshield
is defogged.
■
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.

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

4326-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48E98U)
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
■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.
■ 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.
■ 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.
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