Page 333 of 716

3334-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
NOTICE
■To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
● Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ulti-
mately damage.
● Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and pre-
mature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
■ When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■ Inspection after off-road driving
●Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system compo-
nents.
● Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driv-
ing that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
Page 425 of 716

425
6Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)6-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Front manual air conditioning system ........ 426
Front automatic air conditioning system ........ 432
Rear manual air conditioning system ........ 439
Rear automatic air conditioning system ........ 442
Heated steering wheel/ seat heaters/
seat ventilators ................ 445
6-2. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ................ 448
• Interior lights ................. 448
• Personal lights .............. 449
6-3. Using the storage features
List of storage features ..... 450
• Glove box...................... 451
• Console box .................. 451
• Bottle holders ................ 452
• Cup holders .................. 453
• Auxiliary boxes.............. 455
• Open tray ...................... 456
Luggage compartment features ........................... 457 6-4. Using the other interior
features
Other interior features ....... 459
• Sun visors ..................... 459
• Vanity mirrors................ 459
• Conversation mirror ...... 460
• Clock ............................. 461
• Outside temperature display........................... 462
• Power outlets ................ 463
• Rear sunshades............ 466
• Armrest ......................... 467
• Coat hooks.................... 468
• Assist grips ................... 468
• Side table ...................... 469
Garage door opener.......... 470
Safety Connect ................. 477
Compass ........................... 483
Page 426 of 716
426
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Adjusting the temperature setting
To adjust the temperature setti ng, turn clockwise (warm) or
counterclockwise (cool).
If is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air
or heated air.
For quick cooling, turn to the “M AX A/C” position. The air condi-
tioning will automatically turn on in recirculated air mode.
■
Fan speed setting
To adjust the fan speed, turn clockwise (increase) or coun-
terclockwise (decrease).
Turning the dial to “OFF” turns off the fan.
Front manual air co nditioning system
: If equipped
Air conditioning controls
Page 431 of 716
4316-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
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.
Page 432 of 716
4326-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
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 438 of 716
4386-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
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.
Page 449 of 716

4496-2. Using the interior lights
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Turn the light on/off
■Illuminated entry system
Vehicles without a smart key system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to the engine switch position,
whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and whether the doors are open/
closed.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The lights automatically turn on/off according to engine switch mode, the
presence of the electronic key, whether the doors are locked/unlocked, and
whether the doors are opened/closed.
■ To prevent battery discharge
If the following lights are left on when the engine switch is turned off, the lights
will go off automatically after 20 minutes:
●Interior lights
● Personal lights
● Front door courtesy lights
● Ambient lights (if equipped)
● Engine switch light (vehicles with a smart key system)
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. the time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed.
(Customizable features: P. 668)
Personal lights
FrontRear
Page 451 of 716
4516-3. Using the storage features
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Unlock with the master key
(vehicles without a smart key
system) or mechanical key
(vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem)
Lock with the master key (vehi-
cles without a smart key sys-
tem) or mechanical key
(vehicles with a smart key sys-
tem)
Open (pull lever)
■Power back door main switch (vehicles with power back door)
The power back door main switch is located in the glove box. ( P. 130)
To open the console box lids,
press on the knob and slide both
lids.
Glove box
1
2
3
Console box