Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 108

444

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

■

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 mode if the
recirculated air mode is used. (It may switch automatically.)

To defog the windshield and the side windows early, turn the air flow and
temperature up.

To return to the previous mode, press 

 again when the windshield

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 time.

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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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Windshield wiper de-icer

This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-
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 air outlets

The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected airflow 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.

Air outlets

446

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger



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 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.

■

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.

1

2

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6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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When the outside temperature exceeds 75

°F (24°C) 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 engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or IGNI-
TION ON mode (vehicles with a smart key system).

●

It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing 

.

■

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.

■

Air conditioning filter
→P. 547

■

Customization
Settings (e.g. A/C auto switch operation) can be changed.
(Customizable features 

→P. 680)