engine TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2023 Owners Manual

3245-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Set cooling and dehumidifi-
cation function
Press the “A/C” switch.
When the function i s on, the indica-
tor illuminates on th e “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
t h e r e c i r c u l a t e d a i r m o d e i s u s e d . ( I t
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 afte
r 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
defog the windshield effectively.
●If you turn “A/C” off, the windows
may fog up more easily.
●The windows may fog up if the

3255-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
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 r ecirculated air
mode temporarily is recom-
mended in preventing dirty air
from entering the vehicle interior
and helping to c ool 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 restr icted when auto-
matic mode is selected
●To improve air co nditioning perfor-
mance, perform the following
operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.300)
■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 windshield 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
up, press the Stop & Start cancel
switch and refrain from using the
Stop & Start system.

3265-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■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 0 8
■Air conditioning system refrig-
erant
●A label regarding the refrigerant of
the air conditioning system is
attached to the location shown in
the following illustration.
●The meaning of each symbol on
the label are as follows:
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.494)
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 def oggers 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 p illars 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.

3285-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■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 sele cted, eco air con-
ditioning mode may turn off.
■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 restr icted when auto-
matic mode is selected
●To improve air co nditioning perfor-
mance, perform the following
operations:
• Adjust the fan speed
• Turn off Eco drive mode ( P.300)
• 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.
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.
2 Adjust 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 am bient 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. Unnecessary air
conditioning is suppressed, con-
tributing to increased fuel effi-
ciency.
Front seat concentrated airflow
mode operates in the following
situations.
 No passengers are detected
in the rear seats
 The windshield defogger is
not operating
While operating, the indicator illumi-
nates on the S-FLOW mode switch.
Using automatic mode
Front seat concentrated
airflow mode (S-FLOW)

3295-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
■Manually turning front seat
concentrated airflow mode
on/off
In front seat concentrated air-
flow mode, directing airflow to
the front seats only and to all
seats can be switched via switch
operation. When the mode has
been switched manually, auto-
matic airflow control stops oper-
ating.
Select on the main con-
trol screen or press the S-FLOW
mode switch on the air condi-
tioning operation panel and
switch the airflow.
 Indicator illuminated: Airflow
to the front seats only
 Indicator off: Airflow to all the
seats
■Operation of automatic airflow
control
●In order to maintain a comfortable
interior, airflow ma y be directed to
seats without pa ssengers immedi-
ately after the e ngine is started
and at other times depending on
the outside temperature.
●After the engine is started, if pas-
sengers move around inside or
enter/exit the vehicle, the system
cannot accurately detect the pres-
ence of passengers and automatic
airflow control will not operate.
■Operation of manual airflow
control
Even if the function is manually
switched to directi ng airflow to only
the front seats, whe n a rear seat is
occupied, it may automatically direct
airflow to all seats.
■To return to automatic airflow
control
1 With the indicator off, turn the
engine switch off.
2 After 60 minutes or more elapse,
turn the engine switch to ON.
■Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected air flow mode.
■Adjusting the air flow direc-
tion and opening/closing
the air outlets
Front center outlets
Direct air flow to the left or right, up
or down
Air outlet lay out and oper-
ations

3345-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Rear air conditioning con-
trol screen
To change the airflow mode,
select the airflow mode control
switch.
The air outlets used are switched
each time the switch is selected.
: Air flows to the upper body
: Air flows to the upper body and
feet
: Air flows to the feet
1Press the automatic mode
switch.
2 Adjust 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.
■Location of air outlets
The air outlets and air volume
changes according to the
selected air flow mode.
■Adjusting the position of
and opening and closing
the air outlets
1 Direct air flow to the left or
right, up or down
2 Open the vent
3 Close the vent
Using automatic mode
Air outlets
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning
system on longer than necessary
when the engine is off.

3355-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
5
Interior features
*: If equipped
Turns the heated steering wheel
on/off
The indicator light comes on when
the heated steering wheel is oper-
ating.
■Operation condition
The engine switch is in ON.
■Timer function
The heated steering wheel will auto-
matically turn off after a period of
time.
■Front
Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment
lit) Off
The level indicator (amber)
lights up during operation.
Heated steering
wheel*/seat heat-
ers*/seat ventilators*
 Heated steering wheel
Warms up the grip of the
steering wheel
 Seat heaters
Warm up the seat upholstery
 Seat ventilators
Maintain good ventilation
using a fan built into the seat
WARNING
■To prevent minor burn inju-
ries
Care should be taken 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 physi-
cally challenged
●Persons with sensitive skin
●Persons who are fatigued
●Persons who have taken alco-
hol or drugs that induce sleep
(sleeping drugs, cold remedies,
etc.)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the
seat heaters
Do not put heavy objects that
have an uneven surface on the
seat 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 off.
Heated steering wheel
Seat heaters

3365-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Rear
Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment
lit) Off
The level indica tor (amber)
lights up during operation.
■Operation condition
The engine switch is in ON.
Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit) Mid (2 seg-
ments lit) Lo (1 segment
lit) Off
The level indicato r (green) lights
up during operation.
■Operation condition
The engine switch is in ON.
WARNING
■To prevent overheating and
minor burn injuries
Observe the following precautions
when using the seat heaters.
●Do not cover the seat with a
blanket or cushion when using
the seat heater.
●Do not use seat heater more
than necessary.
Seat ventilators

3385-2. Using the interior lights
■Front interior lights
1 Turns the lights on/off linked
to door positions
2 Turns the lights on
3 Turns the lights off
■Rear interior lights
1 Turns the door position on
The rear interior light turns on/off
together the front interior lights.
When a door is opened while the
front and rear interior light door
position is on, the lights turn on.
2Turns the light on
■Front personal lights
Turns the lights on/off
■Rear personal lights
Turns the lights on/off
Vehicles without panoramic
moon roof
Vehicles with panoramic
moon roof
■Illuminated entry system
The lights automatically turn on/off
according to the engine switch
mode, the presence of the elec-
tronic key, whether the doors are
locked/unlocked, and whether the
doors are opened/closed.
Operating the interior
lights
Operating the personal
lights

3395-2. Using the interior lights
5
Interior features
■To prevent the battery from
being discharged
If the interior lights remain on when
the engine switch is turned off, the
lights will go off automatically after
20 minutes.
■The interior lights may turn on
automatically when
If any of the SRS airbags deploy
(inflate) or in the event of a strong
rear impact, the interior lights will
turn on automatically.
The interior lights will turn off auto-
matically after approximately 20
minutes.
The interior lights can be turned off
manually. However, in order to help
prevent further collisions, it is rec-
ommended that they be left on until
safety can be ensured.
(The interior lights may not turn on
automatically depending on the
force of the impact and conditions of
the collision.)
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
(  P.494)
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer
than necessary when the engine
is not running.