Sign In Join 



Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

4696 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 11:52 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV


Messages Page 456 of 470
1
...
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
...
470
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#4548 of 4696
Re: Brakes! How Many Miles? [tsotsi] by herzogtum71
Jul 10, 2009 (12:46 pm)
Reply

Replying to: tsotsi (Jul 10, 2009 12:00 pm)

2004 4-cylinder FWD -- My brakes and rotors (front and rear) were replaced in March at 63,000 miles. The dealer had told me when I had it in for service before that the brakes would likely need to be replaced with the next service. They did charge the upper end of what was mentioned in a previous post, so taking it to an independent repair shop could save some money. But I too would avoid the big chain shops that specialize in mufflers and brakes.
 
Curious thing is that I heard no sound at all when I braked, and the service rep said that the 2004 had no brake indicators. So I wouldn't expect to hear anything even though he described the wear as being basically metal on metal at that point.
 
One other point is that brakes on a vehicle with manual transmission tend to last longer than on a vehicle with an automatic. I had a 1994 Corolla station wagon that I traded in when I got the Highlander. It had a manual transmission, and I never had to have the brake pads or rotors replaced in 111,000 miles.
#4549 of 4696
Re: Brakes! How Many Miles? [tsotsi] by grahampeters
Jul 11, 2009 (1:44 am)
Reply

Replying to: tsotsi (Jul 10, 2009 12:00 pm)

G'day
 
Brake usage is very much dependent upon usage patterns. I have 112,000km (say 70,000 miles) on my Kluger which is used in a combination of city and freeway with some on-dirt. Last service suggests pads are at 55% remaining wear and rotors not significantly worn. However, rotors do warp if wheel studs overtightened (actually noticeable after wheels rotated).
 
I tend to drive to minimize fuel usage, reading traffic ahead, coasting to lights and minimizing braking, but keeping up with traffic flow or ahead. TYpically, I find that the aggressive driver ahead has made it to just in front of me by the end of my commute, so not overly laid back.
 
Cheers
 
Graham
#4550 of 4696
Re: Radiator fans, AC and no high idle? [wwest] by worthflorida
Jul 11, 2009 (4:36 am)
Reply

Replying to: wwest (Jul 09, 2009 8:14 pm)

Good point and I'll get the pressure checked. The AC does work quite good in South Florida but it could be on the teeter edge that it needs some R134a.
 
But what you are saying that since the low pressure switch cuts out the AC clutch, it also cuts out (to the computer) the idle speed control and the AC fan?
 
I've had this happen on other cars, as the low pressure switch cuts out the clutch, the low pressure side slowly build up some pressure and the clutch kicks in again and this on/off cycle continues. Usually, the idle and fans still operate as if the AC was on and working 100%.
#4551 of 4696
Re: Radiator fans, AC and no high idle? [worthflorida] by wwest
Jul 11, 2009 (7:56 am)
Reply

Replying to: worthflorida (Jul 11, 2009 4:36 am)

If the climate control ECU "senses" that the compressor cannot be run due to low refrigerant then why would it go ahead and open the throttle further, and activate the fans, for an additional load that isn't there.
 
The blinking A/C light typically means the ECU is trying to run the compressor but the clutch or the drive belt is slipping. In that case the ECU would initially go ahead and open the throttle and turn on the fans as the expectation was that the compressor is operational.
 
Did you say the engine stalled when the A/C was switched on..??
#4552 of 4696
Re: Brakes! How Many Miles? [herzogtum71] by tsotsi
Jul 11, 2009 (8:17 am)
Reply

Replying to: herzogtum71 (Jul 10, 2009 12:46 pm)

As far as I know, all Highlander have brake indicators (unless somebody has removed them). ". . . he described the wear as basically being metal on metal . . ." is almost word for word what the service rep in Florida told me. I guess it is part of their script. Also, the worst thing "metal on metal" would do is to damage the rotors . . . which they want to change anyway. It is easy to look through gaps in the calipers to see how much pad is left. With some wheels it might be easier with the wheel removed.
 
The economy is bad and dealers aren't making money selling new cars. Service departments are their cash cow. It certainly shouldn't hurt anything (but your pocketbook) to change the pads early, but it makes me nervous when service reps don't tell the truth. I am going to start checking everything they tell me from now on.
#4553 of 4696
Brake Pad Repalcement by ethericone
Jul 15, 2009 (8:30 am)
Reply
My 05' Highlander has 70,000 miles and finally needs the front brake pads replaced. The dealer has bumped their repair rates recently because I suspect it is the only way they can stay in business since they are not selling too many cars. I'm considering going to Brake Check, Just Brakes, Brake Specialists, or some other brake repalcement company, but I am afraid I will get sub-standard brake pads that will squeel. Has anyone had any good experiences replacing brake pads at any aftermarket company? If so, I need your advice and wisdom. THANKS!
#4554 of 4696
Brake pad repl by bikeman3
Jul 15, 2009 (8:56 am)
Reply
On front brakes I had dealer do them, they are better at rsurf. the rotors. Ask the other places what kind of pads they sell; go to Auto parts stores price out different pads see what the dealer sell as well. I have never had a problem with the dealer installed pads. I know the dealer charges more but they know Toyotas.
#4555 of 4696
Re: Brake Pad Repalcement [ethericone] by mikefm58
Jul 15, 2009 (10:00 am)
Reply

Replying to: ethericone (Jul 15, 2009 8:30 am)

I know that Just Brakes are the worst of the worst, $99 for all 4 wheels advertised to get you in the door, then all kinds of add-ons, stay away from them.
#4556 of 4696
Re: Brake Pad Replacement [all) by jrfiero
Jul 16, 2009 (5:21 am)
Reply

Replying to: mikefm58 (Jul 15, 2009 10:00 am)

IMHO, there is rarely a need to resurface rotors at the first brake pad change, unless the pads have worn to metal, before which you would certainly notice the "squealers" (worn brake pad indicators). The HL is the easiest brake pad change I've ever done, nice design.
 
My 2001 still had pad thickness over the wear limit, which IIRC is only 1 mm, at ~60,000 miles when I replaced them because the VA safety inspectors were worried about them lasting another year.
 
Costs - I get coupons from three competing Toyota dealers, and there is almost always an active 25% off parts special going on, which makes original equipment competitive with discount stores, and original equipment is almost always better quality.
 
If your servicer recommends resurfacing or replacement of rotors, ask why - look at the surfaces of the rotors if possible. They don't need to be glass smooth, new pads will bed in quickly to minor irregularities in the surface. The only reason to replace rotors is if they have worn too thin (or they somehow have huge gouges), and the shop should show you a measurement, and refer to a service limit. HL pads are not very aggressive, and shouldn't wear rotors to replacement by the first pad change (or the second).
#4557 of 4696
Re: Brakes! How Many Miles? [tsotsi] by herzogtum71
Jul 25, 2009 (6:34 am)
Reply

Replying to: tsotsi (Jul 11, 2009 8:17 am)

Thanks for the input. They must learn the "metal on metal" phrase at training school. This is not the only questionable work that has been done on our vehicles in the last year by my dealer's service department. I guess it's time to start having an independent shop do the routine maintenance.

Messages Page 456 of 470
1
...
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
...
470
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement