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Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers

417 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV


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#408 of 417
re:22mpg [mcgusto] by wvgasguy
Jun 26, 2009 (8:15 am)
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Replying to: mcgusto (Jun 25, 2009 8:56 pm)

I quickly came to realize my wife wasn't adjusting her driving style to the hybrid synergy drive.
 
And from experience I speak, she probably won't change.
#409 of 417
Need help with bad mileage! by mom2twins1
Jul 03, 2009 (12:21 pm)
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I bought my 2009 hh back in Nov.'08. Since then Toyota has been telling me that it will take at least 10,000 miles to "break in the vehicle" and get the stated mileage. I mentioned my bad mileage at my 5,000 service and again today at my 10,000 service. I'm getting 19-22 city and 24-26 hwy. I have been so irritated at these numbers and getting no assistance from Toyota. I do live in NC where we run our AC April-October, which I understand may have something to do with my MPG. I haven't checked my tire pressure but did note that was something other people posted. Any other suggestions or help?
#410 of 417
Re: Need help with bad mileage! [mom2twins1] by peralta
Jul 07, 2009 (2:42 pm)
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Replying to: mom2twins1 (Jul 03, 2009 12:21 pm)

Fuel economy is very much affected by duration of each trip. The first ten minutes of the trip is the one that takes the most fuel. If you have short trips then expect below average FE since the system needs to be brought up optimal operating temperature.
 
The second thing is how you use your gas and brake pedal. A slow/gradual but continuous downward motion on acceleration, and then slow/gradual but continuous upward motion of gas pedal when coasting, yields the best FE. Also a slow/gradual but continuous downward motion of brake pedal yields the best energy regeneration or battery recharging.
 
This can be hard to do unless you have to plan your speed and look 5 cars ahead or 1 to 2 blocks ahead so you can plan how you can exactly execute those slow/gradual pedal motions.
 
Don't mind if the engine is running or not since the computer will just sort it out for best FE.
 
For city driving accelerate moderately (not slowly and not jackrabbit quick) until you reach your desired speed then gradually release the gas then reapply just enough to maintain speed.
 
A slow and long duration build up of speed gets the worst FE. Acceleration phase should be brief. Maintaining steady speed gets best FE. Abrupt acceleration and braking hurts FE.
 
For highway, you can set the cruise from 50-65 mph and forget about it. Or you can regularly modulate the gas pedal without allowing power needle to go above the half mark on acceleration nor dip below the zebra when coasting.
 
I inflate to 34 psi on all 4 wheels.
 
My 2006 AWD HiHY averages 30 MPG per tank, 95% highway. With warm engine, I am getting unbelievable FE in the city trips, like 35-40 MPG. With cold engine my short city trips ranges from 17-25 MPG.
 
I am sure this will help you.
 
Please let me know if there are changes after you tried this technique.
#411 of 417
Re: 2006 HH Lowering Gas Mileage resolved (I think) [newski3] by jonny8
Sep 06, 2009 (6:43 am)
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Replying to: newski3 (Apr 26, 2009 4:42 pm)

I have a 2008 Highlander hybrid. It is now at about 5600mi. We have never hit the 26mpg average mark in the entire time that we have had it. On long highway trips, it got 22-23mpg. I always thought that it was strange to get better highway than city mileage. I had heard about the 8000mi breakin period, and held that out as a distant hope. At the 5000mile service, my wife mentioned that despite trying to use some of the hypermiling techniques, our mileage had fallen to 15mpg for the last 3-4 tanks. I wondered whether it was running the AC all the time during hot Texas summer. The service rep told her that she should just drive the car like a normal car instead of coasting, and there was nothing else they could do.
 
Then, I searched one last time and saw the postings on ISL reset. (I had been looking since 1/09, but these are newer posts since I last searched in March.) I unhooked the negative terminal for 20minutes. Then, on our drive last night, I hit 25.8mpg on a highway trip that rapidly nosed over 26mpg on the last city stretch before home. I had been having trouble entering EV mode despite coasting and being light on the gas. Now, the car seems to prefer and enter EV at every possible opportunity!!!! Yeah!!!! I had begun to lose faith in out HH, as we bought it to avoid the SUV gas suck. 15mpg is not exactly hybrid-worthy, and the noticeable difference points out to me how important the tech/computer function is relative to the mechanical function in these highly sophisticated machines.
 
In conclusion, I believe that the ISL reset works in our 2008 HH as well.
#412 of 417
Re: 2006 HH Lowering Gas Mileage resolved (I think) [jonny8] by tarakat
Sep 17, 2009 (8:43 am)
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Replying to: jonny8 (Sep 06, 2009 6:43 am)

I bought the 2006 HH in June and I have also been experiencing low gas mileage - 19 - 21. You mention unhooking the negative terminal - what is that? I don't do a lot of highway driving, mostly in city and shorter trips. But I am being cautious on my driving. Easy on the gas, good on the breaks, etc. I am sooo disappointed. What else can I do?
#413 of 417
Re: 2006 HH Lowering Gas Mileage resolved (I think) [tarakat] by 2010sel
Sep 17, 2009 (2:47 pm)
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Replying to: tarakat (Sep 17, 2009 8:43 am)

jonny8: Disconnecting the small 12V battery under the hood will supposedly "reset" the computer that controls the engine. It made -0- difference on my '06. Might as well try it though... it costs nothing to do.
#414 of 417
Re: 2006 HH Lowering Gas Mileage resolved (I think) [jonny8] by mikeg333
Sep 29, 2009 (7:17 am)
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Replying to: jonny8 (Sep 06, 2009 6:43 am)

If I reset the ISL(Disconnect the 12.V battery) will it mess up the 5000 mile service reminder?
 
Also, will it void my warranty to do that?
#415 of 417
Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2008: Cold Weather Issues [akdeedee] by akyota
Oct 11, 2009 (9:11 am)
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Replying to: akdeedee (Feb 01, 2008 9:36 pm)

Hi AKDeeDee'
 
We live in SE AK and are considering buying a used highlander hybrid 4wd. Are you still getting poor millage in Anchorage? What issues should we consider before buying? We have a few days each winter with -0 temps. Thanks.
#416 of 417
re:22mpg [mcgusto] by bobok
Oct 15, 2009 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: mcgusto (Jun 25, 2009 8:56 pm)

Thanks for the driving tips. I just bought an 06 HH and am disappointed re. gas mileage so far. Car salesmen lie, we know that, but the EPA too? They said 31/27 for my suv. I'm getting nowhere near that, but will employ the suggestions in hopes of improvement. BTW--This is the only place on the Web so far I have been able to find a consistent and objective source of information regarding Highlander Hybrid mileage tips as well as other info. It's appalling there are no govt. or industry sources on this.
#417 of 417
Re: Need help with bad mileage! [peralta] by mikeg333
Oct 16, 2009 (11:34 am)
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Replying to: peralta (Jul 07, 2009 2:42 pm)

You must live where it is really flat to get those numberas. Utilizing all of the tips I have found here and elsewhere our HiHy is averaging about 19-20 city. It doesn't get on the highway often but definitely gets better MPG on the highway. My wife got the best MPG on a trip from Verona NJ to Lake George NY. 28MPG. I am disappointed because we bough this vehicle for local driving around town and surrounding areas with little highway. Sure the EV will come on when I am on a flat road or downhill, but the slightest incline usually kicks the ICE on. It is frustrating.I have seen this happen numerous time with the battery almost totally full except for the last bar which never gets filled. Sometimes on steeper inclines I will see the EV assist the ICE but not for long. I really thought this car would use it's electric motor more. I have played the babying it game with the gas pedal trying to keep the EV on, but for around $10,000 more than a standard Highlander I didn't expect to have an electric motor that basically runs when the road is flat or down hill.
 
To top it off, Toyota is a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that is fighting to have green standards limited. This is from a Move on email I just received: "The Chamber is spending millions fighting clean energy, and a long list of companies including Apple and Nike have backed away in protest.1
 
Toyota responded to our calls by shutting off their voice mail.

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