Small Vent Looking Thing at Right of Steering Column

Good afternoon... Glad to be here to associate with you all. I've had my 2022 for 3.5 years. A 2019 prior to that, a 2007 prior to that, and a 97 really early on. Prior to Tacoma, I had several R22 pickups. Have loved Toyotas since I can remember.

Today I am looking for a little help with this little vent looking thing just to the right of the steering column. I cannot find anything about it anywhere. If it mentions it in the manual, it's hidden pretty good. Youtubers talking about the interior seem to skip over it.

Could someone please tell me what this is? Sorry - the site won't let me add a picture. It says the extension doesn't match the content. It's just a jpg. Oh well. I'm sure someone knows what i am referring to. Thank you!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-behind-these-slots-beside-steering-column.479856/
Cabin air temp sensor

 

It's Toyota's reminder that you were too cheap to buy a 4Runner with a "party mode" button at that location.

 

Damn now I'm gonna have to go look.

 

All models have it, but only models with auto climate control actually have a sensor.

 

I need clarification: I have realized what the OP did not, that the item is the temp sensor on the driver’s side. Is there a temp sensor on the passenger side? Since the auto air control has split controls I would think there would be two sensors.

 

My RAV only has one. Well, at least with the visibility of what we are discussing.

Our 90 300ZX had one in the headliner and one in this same general area. And if one failed it defaulted to manual mode, no more automatic. (it did not have side to side, just auto temp control.)

Works fine in the RAV, but happy to have standard controls in the Tacoma.

 

You mean I can cover it up with a mic mount?!

I don’t have climate controls and all this time I had a loose radio mike using up a cup holder because I didn’t have a good spot to put the holder for it and wished I could put it where that vent is, but I thought that thing was a vent opening for the door buzzer or something and avoided putting stuff over it!

I know what I’m modding next on my truck!