How to completely shut off climate control?

[MWM2010Highlander]

I have a 2010 Highlander base 2wd 4cyl base model. We love it, however an annoyance on our recent road trip was always being too hot or too cold. Even when its in the "OFF" position it still blows hot or cold air depending on the temperature setting. How can we shut it completely off??

Sorry if this is a common question, i must not have searched correctly.

Thanks

[humanoid]

Have you tried to put the selector to recirculate rather than fresh air?

[MWM2010Highlander]

I will...has this worked for anyone else?

[humanoid]

Every car I've owned, Toyotas and non-Toyotas this has worked.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by humanoid

Every car I've owned, Toyotas and non-Toyotas this has worked.

Agreed. I'd add that every vehicle I've ever owned has done the same thing--at least when driving at speed--that the air system still "vents" or otherwise blows air through the system. I've always assumed it's done for safety reasons if all the windows were rolled up and any exhaust fumes leaked into the cabin it would allow enough fresh air to enter so as not to make the occupants ill, but that's just a wild guess.

[jeffs3820]

In the 70s, one of the US car manufacturers used to call this "flow-through ventilation"...designed to keep fresh air in the car. Yes, activating recirculate will stop the air flow.

[tvnorm123]

I posted this just the other day in another thread. Nobody has answered yet. Funny how things come up like this.
I have been crazy trying to figure out why the recirculate button turns off after I turn it on. When it is cold out I like to turn on the recirculate button so that outside cold air does not blow into the cabin. It is so frustrating hitting that button then feeling a cold breeze and looking down to see the light out. I press it again and a minute or so goes by and it goes out again! Why can't I override the system?