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4616-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U
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 blo wing 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 physical ly chal-
lenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sle eping
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 sea t 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 462 of 732
4626-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
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 463 of 732
4636-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U
■The seat heaters and seat heaters/ventilators can be used when
Vehicles without a smart key system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■ When not in use
Seat heaters
Turn the dial fully backward. The indicator light will turn off .
Seat heaters/ventilators
Set the knob at “0”. The indicator light will turn off.
Hi
Lo
Off
The indicator comes on when the
second seat heater is on.
■ The second seat heaters can be used when
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
Second seat heaters
1
2
3
Page 501 of 732
501
7Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 502
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 506
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 509
General maintenance........ 512
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs......................... 515
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 516
Hood ................................. 518
Positioning a floor jack ...... 520
Engine compartment ......... 521
Tires .................................. 533
Tire inflation pressure ....... 544
Wheels .............................. 547
Air conditioning filter.......... 549
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 551
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 554
Light bulbs......................... 558
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5177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
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
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fans and en gine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, 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 r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or t he bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooli ng fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 527)
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 527)
■ 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.
Page 549 of 732
5497-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Turn the engine switch off.
Open the glove box. Slide off
the damper.
Push in the glove box on the
vehicle’s outer side to discon-
nect the claws. Then pull out
the glove box and disconnect
the lower claws.
Pull down the cover.
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be changed regularly to maintain
air conditioning efficiency.
Removal method
1
2
3
4
Page 550 of 732

5507-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Remove the filter cover.
Remove the air conditioning fil-
ter and replace it with a new
one.
The “UP” marks shown on the fil-
ter should be pointing up.
■ Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to th e maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, earl y replacement
may be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
“Schedule maintenance guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.)
■ If air flow from the ven ts decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if nece ssary.
■ Air conditioning filter with deodorizing function
The use of air fresheners may significantly reduce the life spa n of the deodor-
izing effect.
When an air conditioning odor comes out continuously, replace t he air condi-
tioning filter.
5
6
NOTICE
■ When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause da mage to the
system.
Page 581 of 732
5818-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
HIGHLANDER_U
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points high er
than normal.
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms