2008 Toyota Highlander

2952 messages,  Last post on Feb 03, 2013 at 1:20 PM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, Toyota, SUV

#2882 of 2952 Re: Highlander recall + gas mileage [krb1] by thardgrave

Jan 27, 2010 (9:07 am)

Replying to: krb1 (Jan 27, 2010 6:16 am)
In regards to mileage, I also believe that "winter" gas is a different formula, and that may also partly explain the lower mileage. I also talked to a friend at work, whose brother works for a Toyota dealership in San Diego area, and he said the reason the 2010 Highlander is on the list, and the 2008 and 2009 are not, is that they went to a completely new and differenct "drive by wire" circuit for the accelerator, and that is likely the culprit.

#2883 of 2952 Re: Highlander recall + gas mileage [typesix] by krb1

Jan 27, 2010 (1:23 pm)

Replying to: typesix (Jan 27, 2010 8:31 am)
Thank you for the input, typesix. I did not make myself probably too clear in my previous message regarding the cruise control. Most of the time it works fine - "just right", but couple of times it just seemed different from the typical performance. It speeded up unusually fast - to the point that I was afraid that I will not be able to slow down or stop and hit the car ahead of me. I used to drive 4Runner before(2002 model). I put 120,000 miles on and never experienced that problem.

#2884 of 2952 Toyota Owners by KarenS HOST

Jan 27, 2010 (2:00 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

#2885 of 2952 Re: Highlander recall + gas mileage [thardgrave] by findme

Jan 27, 2010 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: thardgrave (Jan 27, 2010 9:07 am)
Thanks for sharing the info of why the 08 and 09 are not on the recall list (thardgrave). I'm hoping that this drive by wire is the culprit and they will be able to fix all cars involved. I don't want my HL involved in the recall, but I want to be sure it's not going to develop a problem later. I have a daughter who will be driving in less than a year and I want to be sure I can trust the safety for her, too.
 
I do love my HL sport! It has 25,000 miles. We purchased it new and we have been very pleased with it. I have not had any problems.

#2886 of 2952 Re: Highlander recall + gas mileage [krb1] by knwpsk

Jan 28, 2010 (9:01 am)

Replying to: krb1 (Jan 27, 2010 1:23 pm)
KRB1:
Cruise control uses a "proportional" calculation to decide how much gas to apply to your engine. It takes the difference between your current speed and your intended speed, and then decides how fast you should accelerate to get to your intended speed. As soon as you turn the control back on, it instantly makes this calculation and applies the acceleration indicated.
 
So yes, sometimes, it will accelerate faster than others, by design.
 
I have experienced the same thing you're describing -- i.e. cruise control suddenly puts my car into overdrive, and it may be surprising or even alarming. I've also had this happen when cruising at a constant speed but then as I start going up a steep hill, CC puts the car into overdrive to keep up.
 
If you think it's something more extraordinary than what I'm describing, by all means, take it to a dealer for checkout!

#2887 of 2952 Overdrive? by beachfish2

Jan 28, 2010 (9:34 am)

Actually it's a downshift accompanied by higher engine revs, not a shift to an overdrive gearing. The same things happens if you give the car a little gas while going uphill - it downshifts. All cars with cruise control do this, at least the ones I've driven during the past 50 years.
 
John

#2888 of 2952 Re: Highlander recall + gas mileage [krb1] by wwest

Jan 28, 2010 (11:40 am)

Replying to: krb1 (Jan 27, 2010 1:23 pm)
By pure happenstance your roadspeed may have been in a range that "required" a downshift when the CC called for acceleration, that would explain the "harder" acceleration over normal.
 
2002 4runner was likely a more simple 4 speed tranny. New ones are six speed....

#2889 of 2952 Re: Overdrive? [beachfish2] by wwest

Jan 28, 2010 (11:44 am)

Replying to: beachfish2 (Jan 28, 2010 9:34 am)
Overdrive was being used in the context of "warp" speed.

#2890 of 2952 Re: Overdrive? [wwest] by beachfish2

Jan 28, 2010 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 28, 2010 11:44 am)
I've driven trucks with true overdrive. Some cars have overdrive gearing in top gear. Never had a car with warp speed. I used to watch Star Trek back in the '60s and reruns until I graduated from college in 1972.
 
And I wouldn't use cruise control in traffic anyway, so there's no danger in running up on another car and hitting it. Too dangerous. I only use it on the open road if it's clear.
 
John

#2891 of 2952 Re: Overdrive? [beachfish2] by wwest

Jan 28, 2010 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: beachfish2 (Jan 28, 2010 3:34 pm)
Dense.
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