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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
changes according to the
selected air flow 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.
Turn the knobs to open or
close the vents.
Turn the knob to open or
close the vent for rear seat
occupants.
Air outlets
1
2
3
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4196-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
Front side outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right,
up or down.
Open the vent.
Close the vent.
■Operation of the air conditioning 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
● Adjust the temperature setting
● Turn off Eco drive mode ( P. 196)
■ 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.
1
2
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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■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 (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 power switch
is in ON mode.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing .
■ Micro dust and pollen filter
●In order to prevent the windshield from fogging up when the outside air is
cold, the following may occur:
• Outside air mode does not switch to recirculated air mode.
• The dehumidification function operates.
• The operation cancels after approximately 1 minute.
● In rainy weather, the windows may fog up. Press .
● In extremely humid weather, the windows may fog up.
● The pollens are filtered out even if the micro dust and pollen filter is turned
off.
■ When the outside temperature is low
The dehumidification function may not operate even when the is
pressed.
■ 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.
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4216-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
■Air conditioning filter
P. 504
■ Customization
Settings (e.g. outside/recirculated air mode) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 626)
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
●Vehicles with outside rear view mirror defoggers: Do not touch the rear
view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on.
● Vehicles with windshield wiper de-icer: 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 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.
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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters
: If equipped
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the
steering wheel and seats, respectively.
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 seat heater 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 not operating.
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RAV4-HV_OM_OM42A56U_(U)
4236-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
Turns the heated steering wheel
on/off
The indicator light comes on when
the heated steering wheel is oper-
ating.
The heated steering wheel can be used when the power switch is in ON
mode.
Turns seat heater on
Front left seat (high)
Front left seat (low)
Front right seat (high)
Front right seat (low)
The indicator light comes on when
the seat heater is operating.
●The seat heaters can be used when the power switch is in ON mode.
● When not in use, turn the seat heater off by returning the switch to its level
position. The indicator light turns off.
Heated steering wheel
Seat heaters
1
2
3
4
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7Maintenance and care
7-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 458
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 461
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 464
General maintenance........ 467
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 470
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 471
Hood ................................. 473
Positioning a floor jack ...... 475
Engine compartment ......... 476
12-volt battery ................... 484
Tires .................................. 489
Tire inflation pressure ....... 498
Wheels .............................. 501
Air conditioning filter.......... 504
Electronic key battery........ 506
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 508
Light bulbs......................... 511
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the “POWER ON” on the multi-information display and the
“READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off. With the power switch in ON mode, the
electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is
on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 481)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.