Interior features -> Using the air conditioning system and defogger for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fifth Generation (2010-2024)

342  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Manual air conditioning system  
Air conditioning controls  
Adjusting the temperature setting  
To adjust the temperature setting, turn  
counterclockwise (cool).  
clockwise (warm) or  
If  
is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or  
heated air.  
For quick cooling, turn the temperature control knob to “MAX A/C”. The  
air conditioning will automatically turn on and, if an air outlet position  
other than  
or  
is selected, the system will be set to recircu-  
lated air mode. While “MAX A/C” is selected, it is not possible to turn off  
the air conditioning.  
: If equipped  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Fan speed setting  
To adjust the fan speed, turn  
terclockwise (decrease).  
clockwise (increase) or coun-  
Turning the knob to “OFF” turns off the fan.  
Change the airflow mode  
To select the air outlets, set  
to the desired position.  
The positions between the air outlet selections shown below can also be  
selected for more delicate adjustment.  
Other functions  
Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes  
Defogging the windshield (P. 344)  
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors  
(P. 344)  
Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped) (P. 344)  
Other functions  
5
Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes  
Press  
.
The mode switches between outside air mode (introduces air from out-  
side the vehicle) (indicator off) and recirculated air mode (recycles air  
inside the vehicle) (indicator on) each time the button is pressed.  
4RUNNER (U)  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Defogging the windshield  
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-  
dows.  
Set the air outlet selector dial to  
position.  
If the recirculated air mode is used, it will automatically switch to outside  
air mode.  
To defog the windshield and the side windows early, increase the air  
flow and temperature.  
If the dehumidification function is not operating, press  
to  
operate the dehumidification function.  
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.  
Before operating the defoggers, make sure the back window is  
completely closed. (P. 158)  
Press  
The defoggers will automatically turn off after their operation time. The  
operation time varies depending on the ambient temperature and vehi-  
cle speed.  
Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)  
This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-  
shield and wiper blades.  
Turns the windshield wiper de-  
icer on/off  
The windshield wiper de-icer will  
automatically turn off after  
approximately 15 minutes.  
4RUNNER (U)  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Air outlets  
Location of air outlets  
The air outlets and air volume  
changes according to the  
selected airflow mode.  
Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-  
lets  
Front center outlets  
Front side outlets  
5
Rear outlets  
Direct air flow to the left or right, up or down.  
Turn the knob to open or close the vent.  
1
2
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
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.  
When driving on dusty roads  
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-  
cle 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 recommended in prevent-  
ing dirty air from entering the vehicle interior and helping to cool the vehicle  
when the outside air temperature is high.  
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 IGNITION ON mode.  
It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing  
When the indicator light on flashes  
Press to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on  
.
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator  
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it  
inspected by your Toyota dealer.  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32F (0C)  
The dehumidification function may not operate even when  
is pressed.  
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.  
Air conditioning system refrigerant  
A label regarding the refrigerant of the  
air conditioning system is attached to the  
hood at the location shown in the follow-  
ing illustration.  
5
The meaning of each symbol on the label are as follows:  
Caution  
Air conditioning system  
Air conditioning system lubricant type  
Requires registered technician to service air conditioning  
system  
Flammable refrigerant  
4RUNNER (U)  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
WARNING  
To prevent the windshield from fogging up  
Do not use  
during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.  
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the  
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-  
ing your vision.  
Do not place anything on the instrument  
panel which may cover the air outlets.  
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,  
preventing the windshield defoggers  
from defogging.  
To prevent burns  
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-  
ror defoggers are on.  
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 stopped.  
When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system  
Have repair/replacement performed 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.  
4RUNNER (U)  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Automatic air conditioning system  
Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted according  
to the temperature setting.  
Air conditioning controls  
5
Adjusting the temperature setting  
To adjust the temperature setting, turn  
clockwise to  
increases the temperature and turn  
decreases the temperature.  
counterclockwise to  
If  
is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or  
heated air.  
Fan speed setting  
To adjust the fan speed, press “” on  
to increase the fan  
speed and “” to decrease the fan speed.  
Press  
to turn the fan off.  
: If equipped  
4RUNNER (U)  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Change the airflow mode  
To change the air outlets, press  
,
,
or  
.
Other functions  
Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes  
(P. 351)  
Defogging the windshield (P. 351)  
Defogging the rear window and outside rear view mirrors  
(P. 351)  
Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped) (P. 352)  
Using automatic mode  
1
Press  
.
The air conditioning system begins to operate. Air outlets and fan speed  
are automatically adjusted according to the temperature setting.  
2
3
Adjust the temperature setting.  
To stop the operation, press  
.
Automatic mode indicator  
If the fan speed setting or air flow modes are operated, the auto-  
matic mode indicator goes off. However, automatic mode for func-  
tions other than that operated is maintained.  
Adjusting the temperature for driver and passenger seats sep-  
arately (“DUAL” mode)  
Perform the following procedures to turn on the “DUAL” mode:  
Press  
.
Adjust the passenger’s side temperature setting.  
The indicator comes on when the “DUAL” mode is on.  
While in “DUAL” mode, the temperature of the rear air outlets is  
set at the right-hand side temperature setting.  
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Other functions  
Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes  
Press  
.
The mode switches between outside air mode (the indicator is off) and  
recirculated air mode (the indicator is on) each time the button is  
pressed.  
Defogging the windshield  
Defoggers are used to defog the windshield and front side win-  
dows.  
Press  
.
The dehumidification function operates and fan speed increases.  
Set the outside/recirculated air mode button to the 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.  
5
To return to the previous mode, press  
is defogged.  
again when the windshield  
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.  
Before operating the defoggers, make sure the back window is  
completely closed. (P. 158)  
Press  
The defoggers will automatically turn off after their operation time. The  
operation time varies depending on the ambient temperature and vehi-  
cle speed.  
4RUNNER (U)  
352  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)  
This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the wind-  
shield and wiper blades.  
Turns the windshield wiper de-  
icer on/off  
The windshield wiper de-icer will  
automatically turn off after  
approximately 15 minutes.  
Air outlets  
Location of air outlets  
The air outlets and air volume  
changes according to the  
selected airflow mode.  
4RUNNER (U)  
353  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Adjusting the position of and opening and closing the air out-  
lets  
Front center outlets  
Front side outlets  
Rear outlets  
5
1
2
Direct air flow to the left or right, up or down.  
Turn the knob to open or close 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.  
4RUNNER (U)  
354  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
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.  
When driving on dusty roads  
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-  
cle 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 recommended in prevent-  
ing 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, outside temperature, pressure, engine coolant tem-  
perature or inside temperature.  
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 IGNITION ON mode.  
It is possible to switch to outside air mode at any time by pressing  
When the outside temperature falls to nearly 32F (0C)  
.
The dehumidification function may not operate even when  
is pressed.  
When driving on dusty roads  
Close all windows. If dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehi-  
cle 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.  
When the indicator light on  
flashes  
Press to turn off the cooling and dehumidification function and turn it on  
again. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator  
light continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it  
inspected by your Toyota dealer.  
4RUNNER (U)  
355  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
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. 445  
Air conditioning system refrigerant  
A label regarding the refrigerant of the  
air conditioning system is attached to the  
hood at the location shown in the follow-  
ing illustration.  
5
The meaning of each symbol on the label are as follows:  
Caution  
Air conditioning system  
Air conditioning system lubricant type  
Requires registered technician to service air conditioning  
system  
Flammable refrigerant  
4RUNNER (U)  
356  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
WARNING  
To prevent the windshield from fogging up  
Do not use  
during cool air operation in extremely humid weather.  
The difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the  
windshield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, block-  
ing your vision.  
Do not place anything on the instrument  
panel which may cover the air outlets.  
Otherwise, air flow may be obstructed,  
preventing the windshield defoggers  
from defogging.  
To prevent burns  
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces when the outside rear view mir-  
ror defoggers are on.  
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 stopped.  
When repairing/replacing parts of the air conditioning system  
Have repair/replacement performed 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.  
4RUNNER (U)  
357  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Heated steering wheel/Seat heaters/seat  
ventilators  
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the  
steering wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators maintain  
good ventilation by pulling air through the seat upholstery.  
WARNING  
Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories  
comes in contact with the steering wheel and seats when the heater is on:  
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically chal-  
lenged  
• Persons with sensitive skin  
• Persons who are fatigued  
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping  
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)  
Observe the following precautions to prevent minor burns or overheating:  
5
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat  
heater.  
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.  
NOTICE  
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.  
: If equipped  
4RUNNER (U)  
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Heated steering wheel  
5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Turns the heated steering wheel  
on/off  
The indicator light comes on when  
the heated steering wheel is oper-  
ating.  
The heated steering wheel can be used when the engine switch is in IGNI-  
TION ON mode.  
Seat heaters/ventilators  
Vehicles with ventilator  
Press the knob to release it,  
and turn the knob to the desired  
temperature setting.  
1
OFF  
2
Press the knob to lock it when not  
in use.  
Ventilation  
Heat  
3
4
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5-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger  
Vehicles without ventilator  
On  
1
The indicator light comes on.  
Adjusts the seat temperature  
2
The further you move the dial for-  
ward, the warmer the seat  
becomes.  
Off  
3
Move the dial fully backward. The  
indicator light turns off.  
The seat heaters/seat ventilators can be used when  
The engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode.  
5
4RUNNER (U)