Page 443 of 732

4436-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
6
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U■
Changing airflow modes
To change the airflow mode,
press , , or
.
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 operates.
■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.
■
Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press .
If the recirculated air mode is used, it will automatically swi tch to the out-
side air mode.
Perform the following operations accordingly:
● To adjust the fan speed, turn .
● To adjust the temperature setting, turn .
● If the dehumidification function is not operating, press to
operate the dehumidification function.
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the ai r
flow and temperature up.
1
2
3
Other functions
4
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Page 444 of 732
4446-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U■
Defogging the rear window and
outside rear view mirrors
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 tim e.
■
Windshield wiper de-icer
This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the win d-
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 a ir outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow mode.
Air outlets
Page 446 of 732

4466-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
■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 interi or. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch dependin g on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
■ When the outside temperature exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air co ndition-
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 en gine switch
is turned to “ON” position.
● It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pre ssing .
■ Ventilation and air conditioning odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air conditioning system to the out side air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle m ay enter into
and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then ca use odor to
be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to ou tside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
■ Air conditioning filter
P. 549
Page 450 of 732
4506-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U■
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 mod
e if the
recirculated air mode is used. (It may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the ai r flow and
temperature up.
To return to the previous mode, press again when the windshiel d
is defogged.
■
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors
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 tim e.
Page 452 of 732

4526-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
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 temperatur e 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 interi or. During
cooling operation, setting the recirculated air mode will also cool the vehicle
interior effectively.
● Outside/recirculated air mode may automatically switch dependin g on the
temperature setting or the inside temperature.
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Page 502 of 732

502
HIGHLANDER_U
7-1. Maintenance and care
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicl e
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any di rt
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 thoroughl y
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 su rface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■ High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close p roximity of
the windows.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on y our 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 508 of 732

5087-1. Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discol or the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasol ine,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco-
hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended perio ds of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if wate r comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio syste m above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not to uch the lens.
( P. 281)
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window and the rear quarter win dows
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window and the rear quarter
windows, as this may cause damage to the rear window defogger heater
wires or antenna. Use a cloth dampened with lukewarm water to g ently
wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in strokes running paral lel to the
heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna .
Page 514 of 732
5147-2. Maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflati on pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces- sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/
rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilati on before per-
forming maintenance checks.