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Toyota Highlander Hybrid

4026 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2011 at 12:20 PM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Forum.

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

Messages Page 363 of 404

#3614 of 4026 VDIM Experiences from others by cdptrap

Jun 02, 2008 (11:55 am)

Not sure if I made a mistake but a post disappeared probably because I provided links to a competing forum.
 
For those researching VDIM and want to read other people's impression, please use the search-string "VDIM vs VSC" in Google. Look for Lexus club and AutoByTel test discussions.
 
Canadian Driver also ran a test in 2006 using the '06 HH. They also provided their view of the VDIM. Popular Mechanics also did a test and provided a video clip of a '06 HH doing a slalom.
 
The Canadian report reads "toyota highlander" but it is the Highlander hybrid because of the telltale air intake slot in the front bumper and the wheel design.
 
Popular Mechanic's video clip ( the HH they used looked to have the squishy Integrity tires ):
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1829251.html
 
Hope that helps.

#3615 of 4026 Re: VDIM Description from Toyota [cdptrap] by sebemismnusa

Jun 03, 2008 (8:43 am)

Replying to: cdptrap (May 29, 2008 10:34 pm)
Regarding others' correct observations simply turned the steering hard . . . and pressed on the gas pedal . . . something one thousands of times in all other cars, the VDIM stopped me . . .car would not accelerate, the steering became heavy and the turn wouldn't happen . . . 0%-risk of roll-over but the VDIM resisted the turn . . . .
 
perhaps Toyota dealers could inform their customers of the above, at least after the sale was made. The dealers could show Toyota Highlander customers the features of this Hybrid, for example how to drive for improved gas mileage in a hybrid, emergency handling procedures or how the VDIM works . . . features that differ from other vehicles.
 
instead my dealer spent time trying to sell me an extended warranty (no, I found a lower price on at another Toyota dealer's web site), and additional rusting proofing (again, no) and other features I did not want - time spent to try to get additional $$ from me, but no time spent on how VDIM works. I figured out myself.
 
I like the VDIM feature, too.
End

#3616 of 4026 Re: VDIM Description from Toyota [sebemismnusa] by wwest

Jun 03, 2008 (9:41 am)

Replying to: sebemismnusa (Jun 03, 2008 8:43 am)
"..the turn wouldn't happen...."
 
What if there had been a "sudden" obstruction, deer/ELK, or even worse an oncoming car had veered into your lane...??
 
No rollover but....SMACK...!!
 
I have eyesight, the car doesn't, so it should FOLLOW MY instructions, ALWAYS.

#3617 of 4026 Re: VDIM Description from Toyota [sebemismnusa] by cdptrap

Jun 03, 2008 (11:44 am)

Replying to: sebemismnusa (Jun 03, 2008 8:43 am)
I totally totally and completely agree with you about Toyota's failure to teach or inform new owners. Not even some sort of driving club or on-line FAQ to help us out .
 
They also did not bother telling us to use snow tires as it has been reported that climbing up icy slope can risk power shut-off. A poster here had to reverse up a slope to prevent VDIM from interfering because it shuts down all 4 wheels when all 4 spin on ice.
 
I also was really displeased with the cheap, useless Goodyear Integrity tires. It was squishy, gave the car a top heavy wobbly feel. No fancy safety system can compensate for lousy tires. We had to take posters' advice and change tires.
 
We also learned about the VDIM through our own experience.

#3618 of 4026 Re: VDIM Description from Toyota [wwest] by cdptrap

Jun 03, 2008 (12:26 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jun 03, 2008 9:41 am)
Yes! I have often wonder about this myself.
 
VDIM will not intrude so obviously if we turn at either reasonable constant speed or to slow down or with only moderate acceleration. VDIM gets nasty when we turn hard and accelerate hard or if the speed is way too high.
 
My wife and I have to learn by trial and error how much to turn and accelerate without incurring the "wrath" of VDIM. We did this in order to avoid the "SMACK" situation. Toyota really should do a much better job of informing and teaching owners.

#3619 of 4026 Re: VDIM MAKES HH GREAT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER [wwest] by sebemismnusa

Jun 04, 2008 (4:15 pm)

Replying to: wwest (May 29, 2008 3:49 pm)
With just the traction control part, the TC light would blink. I tested this, too, on going up icy driveways a few times and at stop signs/stop lights with ice. This was driving straight from a complete stop. I could hear one front tire spin, then shift to the other, and back on an ice covered driveway.
 
I could only get the beep-beep-beep going when attempting to make donuts (spin around and around) or getting the yaw sensor "activated" .
 
My HH is only front wheel drive. I could not get the rear end to break or get this car to spin. My speeds were 20 to 30 MPH. I have done this easily in other cars (1965 Comet, rear wheel drive) or just rear wheel drive pickup trucks. Maybe if I had some power to the rear wheels ? ? ?
 
After the St. Paul winter carnival, in which they plow a lake for automobile ice races, I might try this again on the ice track . . .
End

#3620 of 4026 Re: Maintenance Reminder Red Triangle Light [myladdie] by jldavis

Jun 08, 2008 (8:31 am)

Replying to: myladdie (Dec 26, 2005 10:32 pm)
Hi there - I just had my first oil change, and the EZ Lube could not figure out how to get the alert to go away. We tried the maintenance screen (putting in miles/dates), and I also found something in the manual that said if you pressed the trip odomoter button for awhile it would clear the alert, but no luck.
 
I noticed that your posting said you were shown how to do it, and would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know.
 
Thanks!

#3621 of 4026 Re: Maintenance Reminder Red Triangle Light [jldavis] by newski3

Jun 09, 2008 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: jldavis (Jun 08, 2008 8:31 am)
Here's how to reset it on my 2006 HH Limited:
1. Turn your ignition key to the first position (aux?)
2. Push the odometer select button until the Total Odometer mileage is showing (not A nor B but Total) and then release the button
3. Turn the key back to the Off position
4. Push and hold in the odometer button and then turn the key back to the aux position. After a few seconds, it will tell you that the oil change warning has been reset.
(Note: I haven't done this for a couple of months so I'm going on memory as to the words, but the actions are correct. Also, the owner's manual tells how to reset it.)
Good luck

#3622 of 4026 Re: VDIM MAKES HH GREAT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER [wwest] by kdhspyder

Jun 11, 2008 (8:13 am)

Replying to: wwest (May 29, 2008 3:33 pm)
cdtrap is correct in his explanation because he specifically noted the inclusion of the EPS into the VDIM.
 
VDIM is not a 'predictor' in that it cannot 'see into the future' ....except that.....once an out-of-control situation is detected as cdtrap noted then the VDIM can calculate various risks in the x, y, z planes then it can react to minimze the risks of getting further out of control.
 
The difference between the Star Safety System and VDIM is the complete integration of the EPS into the ABS-controlled functions ( ABS, BA, EBD, VSC, Trac, yaw sensors ).

#3623 of 4026 2008 HH Base - Slight Grinding Noise by zendt

Jun 15, 2008 (6:28 am)

I find that when I'm driving my HH, with the windows down, I frequently hear a slight grinding noise. It is constant and does not vary with speed. When I take my foot off the accelerator, the noise stops. The dealer's service dept say they only hear standard "hybrid" sounds. Does this anyone have any experience with this?

Messages Page 363 of 404

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