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HIGHLANDER_U
6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Adjusting the temperature setting
To  adjust  the  temperature  sett ing,  turn    clockwise  (warm)  or
counterclockwise (cool).
If           is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temper ature air
or heated air.
For  quick  cooling,  turn    to  the  “MAX A/C”  position. The  air  con di-
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 conditioning system
: If equipped
Air conditioning controls 
     
        
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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 
     
        
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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.
1
2 
     
        
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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. 
     
        
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5217-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U■
2.7 L 4-cylinder (1AR-FE) engine
Engine compartment
Washer fluid tank
( P.   5 3 2 )
Fuse boxes ( P.   5 5 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.   5 2 3 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P.   5 2 4 )
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.   5 2 6 ) Battery
( P. 529)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 528)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 527)
Radiator ( P. 527)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
     
        
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5227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U■
3.5 L V6 (2GR-FKS) engine
Washer fluid tank
( P.   5 3 2 )
Fuse boxes ( P.   5 5 4 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P.   5 2 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.   5 2 3 )
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.   5 2 6 ) Battery
( P. 529)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 528)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 527)
Radiator ( P. 527)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
     
        
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5267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
HIGHLANDER_U
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” a nd “LOW”
lines on the reservoir wh en the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If  the  level  is  on  or  below  the
“LOW”  line,  add  coolant  up  to  the
“FULL” line.
■ Coolant selection
Only  use  “Toyota Super  Long  Life Coolant”  or a  similar  high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-bora te coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deion-
ized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually  check  the  radiator,  hoses,  engine  coolant  reservoir  ca ps,  drain  cock
and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap  and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3 
     
        
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5277-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
HIGHLANDER_U
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects. 
If  either  of  the  above  parts  is  extremely  dirty  or  you  are  not  sure  of
their condition, have your vehic le inspected by your Toyota dea ler.
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap and radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The cor rect mixture of
water  and  antifreeze  must  be  used  to  provide  proper  lubrication ,  corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging p arts or paint.
Radiator and condenser
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and c ause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.