Toyota Highlander

10987 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 9:13 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

#10943 of 10987 Front wheels spin under wet acceleration by kevinkjm

Nov 19, 2009 (8:11 pm)

Does this happen to anyone? We have a 2005 FWD 6cyl highlander which spins out with the slightest touch of the accelerator from a stop or accelerating during a slow turn when the roads are wet. I've been driving FWD cars for 25 years and am quite familiar with torque steer and all sorts of other FWD symptoms if one is aggressive, but the Highlander spins out under the most conservative of driving conditions.
  
I thought it was the OEM tires, so I swapped them out with a set of Yokahama Geolanders HTS and didn't really see any difference other than the increased road noise.
  
So now I'm puzzled... is it the tires? the vehicle's torque?
  
Does anyone else experience this with their Highlander?
  
Thanks
  
-Kevin

#10944 of 10987 Re: Front wheels spin under wet acceleration [kevinkjm] by smallv

Nov 19, 2009 (11:43 pm)

Replying to: kevinkjm (Nov 19, 2009 8:11 pm)
I have a 2005 ADW V6 Highlander. The traction is amazing. However it is a relatively heavy vehicle with a very spunky engine. 2 Wheel Drive Wheel spin would not surprise me but might be worsened by:
 
- Over inflation of tires
- Siezed Rear brake caliper sliders or parking brakes
- Poor front wheel alignment
- Worn-out front suspension
 
Your car is old enough that I'd first check the rear brakes. Jack it up, block the tires, put it in neutral and hand turn the rear wheels. The V6 is powerful enough that it can drag around some seriously siezed calipers without a driver noticing too much.
 
Try rolling back your tire pressure. Check your driveway or parking lot for Oil patch conditions that could be contaminating the contact surface of your tires.
 
Next time, go for AWD. The fuel economy is virtually the same, steering is superior (with VCS Relay removed), tires last longer and stress on the drive train is roughly cut in half.

#10945 of 10987 Re: 05 highlander disc rotor removal [smallv] by wwest

Nov 20, 2009 (10:32 am)

Replying to: smallv (Nov 15, 2009 6:33 pm)
#1 "...block the tires..." wheel "chocks"..??
 
To #2 I would also add that the slider pin barrells/cylinders should also be cleaned thoroughly.
 
I would also suggest that for most of us cross-drilled or slotted rotors are a waste of money and the majority of the time a detriment to braking, loss of CSA frictional surface.
 
#4 "..pistons are too difficult.." Hard to qualify "too difficult" absent personal experience.
 
To #7 I would add ONLY allow the rotors to be turned/machined if it can be shown that it is truly required using a micrometer.

#10946 of 10987 Re: Front wheels spin under wet acceleration [kevinkjm] by electricdesign

Nov 29, 2009 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: kevinkjm (Nov 19, 2009 8:11 pm)
We drive a 2004 FWD Highlander with 120,000 troublefree miles, and the traction is amazingly good on wet roads, no slip, no slide. The drivability, traction and steering on wet roads is very good. We drive on Firestone Destination tires inflated to 30 pounds. All the steering and suspension is still original. This is a GREAT car! We plan to be driving it for 5 more years.
There must be something wrong with yours if you are having traction problems. Get the steering, suspension, brakes, tires & wheels checked.
Good Luck,
E.D. in Sunny Florida

#10947 of 10987 Re: Front wheels spin under wet acceleration [kevinkjm] by wwest

Nov 30, 2009 (11:31 am)

Replying to: kevinkjm (Nov 19, 2009 8:11 pm)
Your foot is too heavy for the V6, try driving it in snow mode all the time.

#10948 of 10987 Re: Front wheels spin under wet acceleration [kevinkjm] by wwest

Nov 30, 2009 (11:34 am)

Replying to: kevinkjm (Nov 19, 2009 8:11 pm)
"..spins out..."
 
TC should INSTANTLY activate, braking the spinning wheel(s) and dethrottling the engine just as soon as front wheelspin/slip is detected.

#10949 of 10987 highlander front drive line u-joints by snakeno1

Jan 22, 2010 (4:31 pm)

i have a 2003 highlander limited. The rear u-joint on the front drive line has some play in it- not bad yet- but in looking at it there is not any snap rings on the outside or c clips on the inside it looks like some sort of pressed in piece in the outside of the cap . am i just not seeing correct or is this something different. anyone know?

#10950 of 10987 Highlander Owners by steve_ HOST

Jan 27, 2010 (12:12 pm)

If you are a Toyota owner and interested in sharing your reaction to the recall with reporters, send an email stating the vehicle you own, your telephone number, and the best time you can be reached.
   
Send to: karenedmunds.com

#10951 of 10987 rain water coming from somewhere by jps47

Feb 23, 2010 (4:50 pm)

we have a 04 highlander, we are getting clear water coming in car from several areas. first seen running from pass. side panel pooling on floor by pass. seat. have same problem on driver side and in the back seat area also.

#10952 of 10987 Re: rain water coming from somewhere [jps47] by loadlor

Feb 25, 2010 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: jps47 (Feb 23, 2010 4:50 pm)
Just an idea - do you have a sun roof? Sometimes the drain plugs for the sunroof get clogged and the water can't drain when it rains or snow melts. I live in MN and it happened twice with my Honda.
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