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 445 of 716

4456-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
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 or 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 the minor burns or overheat-
ing
• 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 battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is
stopped.
Page 446 of 716
4466-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Turn the heated steering wheel on/off
The indicator light comes on when
the heated steering wheel is oper-
ating.
The heated steering wheel will
automatically turn off after about 30
minutes.
■The heated steering wheel can be used when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■
Seat heaters
Turns the seat heater on
The indicator light comes on.
Adjusts the seat temperature
The further you move the dial
forward, the warmer the seat
becomes.
■
Seat heaters/ventilators Turns the seat heater on
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number is, the
warmer the seat becomes.
Blows air from the seat
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number is, the
stronger the airflow becomes.
Heated steering wheel
Front seat heaters and ventilators
1
2
1
2
Page 487 of 716
487
7Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 488
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 492
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 495
General maintenance........ 498
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 502
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 503
Hood ................................. 505
Positioning a floor jack ...... 507
Engine compartment ......... 508
Tires .................................. 520
Tire inflation pressure ....... 531
Wheels .............................. 534
Air conditioning filter.......... 536
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 538
Checking and replacing fuses ................ 541
Light bulbs......................... 545
Page 488 of 716

488
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liber ally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the wate rproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
■Automatic car washes
●Before washing the vehicle:
• Fold the mirrors.
• Turn off the power back door (if equipped).
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors
before driving.
● Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
Cleaning and prot ecting the vehicle
exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:
Page 489 of 716

4897-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)■
When using a car wash (veh icles with a smart key system)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the ef\
fective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the fol-
lowing correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
● Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle
while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
● Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart key sys-
tem. ( P. 148)
■ Aluminum wheels
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical clean-
ers.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Page 491 of 716

4917-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing wind-
shield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers may operate and the wiper
blades may be damaged.
■ When using a high pressure car wash
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they
come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
Page 500 of 716
5007-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U (OM48F09U)
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points