TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2021 Owners Manual (in English)

3415-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U
*: If equipped
Automatic mode switch (P.350)
Left-hand side temperature control switch
“OFF” switch
Windshield defogger switch
Rear air conditioning system on/off switch ( P.357)
S-FLOW mode switch ( P.350)
Right-hand side temperature control switch
“A/C” switch
Outside/recirculated air mode switch
“REAR CLIMATE” switch ( P.357)
Rear seat temperature contorl knob ( P.357)
Airflow mode control knob
Fan speed control knob
“SYNC” control knob
Rear window defogger and outside rear view mirror defoggers
Front automatic ai r conditioning system*
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted accord-
ing to the temperature setting.
Vehicles with a 12.3-inch display: The air conditioning system
can be displayed and operated on the toyota multi-operation
touch.
Air conditioning controls (vehic le with a 8-inch display)

3425-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
switch
Windshield wiper de-icer switch
■Adjusting the temperature
setting
Turn driver’s side temperature
control switch clockwise to
increases the temperature and
turn the switch counterclockwise
to decreases the temperature.
If “A/C” switch is not pressed, the
system will blow ambient tempera-
ture air or heated air.
The temperature for the driver,
front passenger and rear seats
can be adjusted separately
when:
 “SYNC” control knob is
moved upward or downward.
(The “PASS” and “REAR” dis-
plays disappear)
 The passenger’s side tem-
perature control switch is
turned. (The “PASS” display
disappears)
 The rear seat temperature
contorl knob is moved upward
or downward. (The “REAR”
display disappears)
To the air conditioning system
switches between individual and
simultaneous modes move “SYNC”
control knob upward or downward.
■Setting the fan speed
To set the fan speed, move the
fan speed control knob upward
or downward.
Upward: Increases the fan speed Downward: Decreases the fan
speed
Pressing the “OFF” switch to turns
off the fan.
■Change the airflow mode
To change the airflow mode,
move the airflow mode control
knob upward or downward.
1 Upper body
2 Upper body and feet
3 Feet
4 Feet and the windshield
defogger operates
■Switching between outside
air and recirculated air
modes
Press the outside/recirculated
air mode switch.
The mode switches between out-
side air mode and recirculated air
mode each time the switch is oper-
ated.
When recirculated air mode is

3435-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_Uselected, the indicator illuminates
on the outside/recirculated air
mode switch.
■Set cooling and dehumidifi-
cation function
Press the “A/C” switch.
When the function is on, the indica-
tor illuminates on the “A/C” switch.
■Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the
windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press the windshield defogger
switch.
Set the outside/recirculated air
mode switch to outside air mode if
the recirculated air mode is used. (It
may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the
side windows quickly, turn the air
flow and temperature up.
To return to the previous mode,
press the windshield defogger
switch again when the windshield is
defogged.
When the windshield defogger
switch is on, the indicator illumi-
nates on the windshield defogger
switch.
■Defogging the rear window
and outside rear view mir-
rors
Defoggers are used to defog the
rear window and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the
outside rear view mirrors.
Press the rear window defogger
and outside rear view mirror defoggers switch.
When the rear window defogger
and outside rear view mirror defog-
gers switch is on, the indicator illu-
minates on the rear window
defogger and outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers switch.
The defoggers will
automatically
turn off after a while.
■Windshield wiper de-icer
This feature is used to prevent
ice from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.
Press the windshield wiper
de-icer switch.
When the windshield wiper de-icer
switch is on, the indicator illumi-
nates on the windshield wiper
de-icer switch.
The windshield wiper de-icer will
automatically turn off after a period
of time.
■When the outside temperature
exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air
conditioning system is on
●In order to reduce the air condi-
tioning power consumption, the air
conditioning system may switch to
recirculated air mode automati-
cally. This may also reduce fuel
consumption.
●Recirculated air mode is selected
as a default mode when the
engine switch is turned to ON.
●It is possible to switch to outside
air mode at any time by pressing
the outside air mode switch.
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up
when the humidity in the vehicle is
high. Turning “A/C” on will dehu-
midify the air from the outlets and

3445-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_Udefog the windshield effectively.
●If you turn “A/C” off, the windows
may fog up more easily.
●The windows may fog up if the
recirculated air mode is used.
■When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up
by the vehicle is still drawn into the
vehicle after closing the windows, it
is recommended that the air intake
mode be set to outside air mode and
the fan speed to any setting except
off.
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air
mode temporarily is recom-
mended in preventing dirty air
from entering the vehicle interior
and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature
is high.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may
automatically switch depending on
the temperature setting or the
inside temperature.
■Operation of the air condition-
ing system in Eco drive mode
●In Eco drive mode, the air condi-
tioning system is controlled as fol-
lows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict
heating/cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when auto- matic mode is selected
●To improve air conditioning perfor-
mance, perform the following
operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.314)
■When the outside temperature
is low
The dehumidification function may
not operate even when the “A/C”
switch is pressed.
■Ventilation and air conditioning
odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air condi- tioning 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 out-
side 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 con-
ditioning system is started in auto-
matic mode.
●When parking, the system auto-
matically switches to outside air
mode to encourage better air cir-
culation throughout the vehicle,
helping to reduce odors that occur
when starting the vehicle.
■Air conditioning system opera-
tions when the engine is
stopped due to the Stop & Start
system (vehicles with Stop &
Start system)
When the engine is stopped due to
Stop & Start system operations, the
automatic air conditioning cooling,
heating and dehumidification func-
tions turn off and the fan speed is
decreased according to the outside
temperature etc. or air blowing
stops. To stop the air conditioning
system from turning off, press the
Stop & Start cancel switch and
refrain from using the Stop & Start
system.
■When the windsh ield is fogged
up and the engine is stopped
due to the Stop & Start system
(vehicles with Stop & Start sys-
tem)
Press the windshield defogger
switch to restart the engine and
defog the windshield.
If the windshield continuously fogs

3455-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_Uup, press the Stop & Start cancel
switch and refrain from using the
Stop & Start system.
■When an odor comes from the
air conditioning system while
the engine is stopped due to the
Stop & Start system (vehicles
with Stop & Start system)
Press the Stop & Start cancel switch
to restart the engine.
■Air conditioning filter
 P. 4 3 4
■Air conditioning system refrig-
erant
●A label regarding the refrigerant of
the air conditioning system is
attached to the ho od at the loca-
tion shown in the following illustra-
tion.
●The meaning of each symbol on
the label are as follows:
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.521)
Caution
Air conditioning sys-
tem
Air conditioning sys-
tem lubricant type
Requires registered
technician to service
air conditioning sys-
tem
Flammable refrigerant
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield
from fogging up
Do not use the windshield defog-
ger switch during cool air opera-
tion in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the tem-
perature of the outside air and
that of the windshield can cause
the outer surface of the wind-
shield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
■When the outside rear view
mirror defoggers are operat-
ing
Do not touch the rear view mirror
surfaces when the outside rear
view mirror defoggers are on.
■When the windshield wiper
de-icer is operating
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 battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning
system on longer than necessary
when the engine is off.
■When repairing/replacing
parts of the air conditioning
system
Have repair/replacement per-
formed by your Toyota dealer.
When a part of the air conditioning
system, such as the evaporator, is
to be replaced, it must be
replaced with a new one.

3465-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
Left-hand side temperature control switch
Automatic mode switch (P.350)
Fan speed increase switch
Windshield defogger switch
Right-hand side temperature control switch
Rear window defogger and outside rear view mirror defoggers
switch
Fan speed decrease switch
“OFF” switch
■Adjusting the temperature
setting
Press to increase the
temperature and to
decrease the temperature.
If “A/C” switch is not pressed, the
system will blow ambient tempera-
ture air or heated air.
■Setting the fan speed
Operate the switch to
increase the fan speed and the switch to decrease the
fan speed.
Pressing the “OFF” switch to turns
off the fan.
■Defogging the windshield
Defoggers are used to defog the
windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press the windshield defogger
switch.
Set the outside/recirculated air
mode switch to outside air mode if
the recirculated air mode is used. (It
may switch automatically.)
To defog the windshield and the
side windows quickly, turn the air
flow and temperature up.
To return to the previous mode,
press the windshield defogger
switch again when the windshield is
defogged.
Air conditioning controls (veh icle with a 12.3-inch dis-
play)

3475-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_UWhen the windshield defogger
switch is on, the indicator illumi-
nates on the windshield defogger
switch.
■Defogging the rear window
and outside rear view mir-
rors
Defoggers are used to defog the
rear window and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the
outside rear view mirrors.
Press the rear window defogger
and outside rear view mirror
defoggers switch.
When the rear window defogger
and outside rear view mirror defog-
gers switch is on, the indicator illu-
minates on the rear window
defogger and outside rear view mir-
ror defoggers switch.
The defoggers will automatically
turn off after a while.
■Air conditioning system opera-
tions when the engine is
stopped due to the Stop & Start
system
When the engine is stopped due to
Stop & Start system operations, the
automatic air conditioning cooling,
heating and dehumidification func-
tions turn off and the fan speed is
decreased according to the outside
temperature etc. or air blowing
stops. To stop the air conditioning
system from turning off, press the
Stop & Start cancel switch and
refrain from using the Stop & Start
system.
■When the windshield is fogged
up and the engine is stopped
due to the Stop & Start system
Press the windshield defogger
switch to restart the engine and defog the windshield.
If the windshield continuously fogs
up, press the Stop & Start cancel
switch and refrain from using the
Stop & Start system.
■When an odor comes from the
air conditioning system while
the engine is stopped due to the
Stop & Start system
Press the Stop & Start cancel switch
to restart the engine.
■Air conditioning filter
 P.434
■Air conditioning system refrig-
erant
●A label regarding the refrigerant of
the air conditioning system is
attached to the hood at the loca-
tion shown in th e following illustra-
tion.
●The meaning of each symbol on
the label are as follows:
Caution
Air conditioning sys-
tem
Air conditioning sys-
tem lubricant type
Requires registered
technician to service
air conditioning sys-
tem
Flammable refrigerant

3485-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.521)
■Main control screen
Adjust the left side seat tem-
perature setting
Select the air flow mode
: 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
Display the option control
screen.
Adjust the fan speed setting
Adjust the right side seat
temperature setting
“SYNC” switch
If the indicator on the “SYNC”
switch is off, the temperature for the
driver, passenger and rear seats
can be adjusted separately.
Display the rear air condition-
ing control screen ( P.358)
Select the outside air and
recirculated air modes
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield
from fogging up
Do not use the windshield defog-
ger switch during cool air opera-
tion in extremely humid weather.
The difference between the tem-
perature of the outside air and
that of the windshield can cause
the outer surface of the wind-
shield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
■When the outside rear view
mirror defoggers are operat-
ing
Do not touch the rear view mirror
surfaces when the outside rear
view mirror defoggers are on.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning
system on longer than necessary
when the engine is off.
■When repairing/replacing
parts of the air conditioning
system
Have repair/replacement per-
formed by your Toyota dealer.
When a part of the air conditioning
system, such as the evaporator, is
to be replaced, it must be
replaced with a new one.
Front air conditioning
control screen (vehicle
with a 12.3-inch display)

3495-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
HIGHLANDER_U
Set eco air conditioning
mode
The air conditioning is controlled
with low fuel consumption priori-
tized such as reducing fan speed,
etc.
Set cooling and dehumidifi-
cation function
If “A/C” switch is not pressed, the
system will blow ambient tempera-
ture air or heated air.
■Option control screen
Select “Option” to display the
option control screen.
The functions can be switched on
and off.
When the function is on, the indica-
tor illuminates on the screen.
Select to display the previous
screen.
Select front seat concen-
trated airflow mode
(S-FLOW) ( P.350)
■When the outside temperature
exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air
conditioning system is on
●In order to reduce the air condi-
tioning power consumption, the air
conditioning system may switch to
recirculated air mode automati-
cally. This may also reduce fuel consumption.
●Recirculated air mode is selected
as a default mode when the
engine switch is turned to ON.
●It is possible to switch to outside
air mode at any time by pressing
the outside air mode switch.
■Fogging up of the windows
●The windows will easily fog up
when the humidity in the vehicle is
high. Turning “A/C” on will dehu-
midify the air from the outlets and
defog the windshield effectively.
●If you turn “A/C” off, the windows
may fog up more easily.
●The windows may fog up if the
recirculated air mode is used.
■When driving on dusty roads
Close all windows. If dust thrown up
by the vehicle is still drawn into the
vehicle after closing the windows, it
is recommended that the air intake
mode be set to outside air mode and
the fan speed to any setting except
off.
■Outside/recirculated air mode
●Setting to the recirculated air
mode temporarily is recom-
mended in preventing dirty air
from entering the vehicle interior
and helping to cool the vehicle
when the outside air temperature
is high.
●Outside/recirculated air mode may
automatically switch depending on
the temperature setting or the
inside temperature.
■Eco air conditioning mode
When Eco drive mode is selected
using the driving mode select
switch, eco air conditioning mode
turns on.
When a drive mode other than Eco
drive mode is selected, eco air con-
ditioning mode may turn off.

3505-2. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
HIGHLANDER_U
■Operation of the air condition-
ing system in Eco drive mode
●In Eco drive mode, the air condi-
tioning system is controlled as fol-
lows to prioritize fuel efficiency:
• Engine speed and compressor operation controlled to restrict
heating/cooling capacity
• Fan speed restricted when auto- matic mode is selected
●To improve air conditioning perfor-
mance, perform the following
operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.314)
• Turn off Eco air conditioning mode
●When the driving mode is set to
Eco driving mode, the air condi-
tioning eco mode will be turned on
automatically. Even in this case,
the air conditioning eco mode can
be turned off by pressing the Eco
air conditioning mode switch.
■When the outside temperature
is low
The dehumidification function may
not operate even when “A/C” is
pressed.
■Ventilation and air conditioning
odors
●To let fresh air in, set the air condi-
tioning 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 out-
side air mode prio r to turning the
vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of
time immediately after the air con-
ditioning system is started in auto-
matic mode.
●When parking, the system auto-
matically switches to outside air
mode to encourage better air cir-
culation throughout the vehicle,
helping to reduce odors that occur
when starting the vehicle.
1 Press the automatic mode
switch.
The dehumidification function
begins to operate. Air outlets and
fan speed are automatically
adjusted according to the tempera-
ture setting and humidity.
2Adjust the temperature set-
ting.
3 To stop the operation, press
the “OFF” switch.
If the fan speed setting or air
flow modes are operated, the
automatic mode indicator goes
off. However, automatic mode
for functions other than that
operated is maintained.
■Using automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automati-
cally 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 the auto-
matic mode switch is pressed.
This function automatically con-
trols the air conditioning airflow
so that priority is given to the
front seats. When the front pas-
Using automatic mode
Front seat concentrated
airflow mode (S-FLOW)