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Toyota Highlander Hybrid Driving Tips & Tricks

428 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM

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

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#1 of 428 Highlander Hybrid: Driving Tips & Tricks by pf_flyer HOST Aug 23, 2006 (5:44 am)
Have a technique you're using to maximize the mileage performance of your Toyota Highlander Hybrid? This is the place to share and discuss your hypermiling tips.
#2 of 428 nimhrod-AC like your house-bill higher in summer? by phoebeisis Jun 27, 2005 (7:32 am)
nimhrod, just as toyotaken says,the AC in the HH is just like the AC in your house-is the bill higher in the summer(if you live in the south,it is)?   Under some circumstances the AC might put drag on the motor-I think.toyotaken can probably correct me if I'm wrong.If you cruising along the interstate(no braking in last hr -battery low)have the AC on full blast,and you floor it,both-or all 3 on 4wd) "car" motors will come on-full blast,and the electric motor that drives the AC compressor will be on.I wonder if under these circumstances the car motor will be running an alternator-or generator to produce energy to keep the electric motors running(it will probably pass it thru the battery ist)??More likely,I think,is the electric motor will be cut back,and you will accelerate more slowly-depending on state of battery.   Bottom line-the AC cost gasoline-but it beats sweating.I think the electric power steering,and electric AC compressor are to keep the gasoline motor off-they aren't necessarily much more efficient than the gasoline belt driven counterparts,but that great big 230 hp motor is pretty inefficient if all you need it for is to provide 5 hp for your AC and 3 hp for your power steering,and 1/4 hp for you AC fan,and power windows,radio etc.Keep the gasoline motor off-that is the advantage Toyota has over Honda-they shut it off and hope you brake a lot-(you do)Charlie Replies to this message: toyotaken (Jun 27, 2005 7:40 am)
#3 of 428 Re: nimhrod-AC like your house-bill higher in summer? [phoebeisis] by toyotaken Jun 27, 2005 (7:40 am)
Replying to: phoebeisis (Jun 27, 2005 7:32 am) Mostly you're correct. However, the electronics in the HH keep the batteries at optimal charge whatever the conditions. So whether you're stopped, or going in city driving, or highway driving (no gas engine, sometimes gas engine, always gas engine) if the batteries are running low, the HH will divert some of the ICE's power towards regenerating the batteries. If the engine isn't running at that point, it will start it. Part of the wonders of this technology is that it will run the engine in the most efficient way possible for any/all of these situations. Just to recharge the batteries while standing still may have the ICE at idle speed, full throttle would bring the ICE to more rpm's to supplement the battery's power. Regardless, the software prevents the batteries from depleting too far. The benefit of changing the power steering, A/C and other electrical systems to electric only is that you don't have to have the engine running 100% of the time to power them. If you only need to run the ICE for 2minutes to get enough charge to run all of them for 30 minutes, why run the ICE for the other 28minutes?   Hope this helps.
#4 of 428 Grade Gasoline for HH? by bouvsrus Jul 04, 2005 (7:31 am)
We have HH, Ltd., AWD and manual recommends regular unleaded but advises that premium unleaded produces better performance.   For someone familiar with the 2WD, is the recommendation for premium gas only? I think I saw note on this board to that effect.   Does anyone know what Manual means by better performance? Would I expect to get higher mpg avg? Just less build up of stuff in engine (which perhaps getting engine flushed everyone now and again and staying with regular unleaded would be best? Nor suprisingly, much prefer saving 20 cents/gallon (in DC area) with purchase of regular unleaded but unclear what, if any, "cost" is associated with my savings at the pump?   Steve Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 04, 2005 8:00 am) sbgirl (Jul 05, 2005 9:02 am)
#5 of 428 Re: Grade Gasoline for HH? [bouvsrus] by gagrice Jul 04, 2005 (8:00 am)
Replying to: bouvsrus (Jul 04, 2005 7:31 am) Does anyone know what Manual means by better performance?   I read that Toyota does their HP ratings tests using Premium gas. The electronic fuel injection is sophisticated enough to compensate for most grades of gas that you will encounter. You may lose a few HP by running regular unleaded. I doubt it will decrease your mileage. You can always run a test for yourself. There are those that claim higher mileage with premium. It may just be a waste of money.
#6 of 428 Re: Grade Gasoline for HH? [bouvsrus] by sbgirl Jul 05, 2005 (9:02 am)
Replying to: bouvsrus (Jul 04, 2005 7:31 am) I have a 2WD HH and the owner's manual states the same thing: "manual recommends regular unleaded but advises that premium unleaded produces better performance"
#7 of 428 Using the Brake transmission setting by energyecon Jul 26, 2005 (2:07 pm)
Is there any additional regeneration due using the B position on the trans?   I watched the power guage and there does not seem to be much effect, even on steep San Francisco hills. The only time the power guage dips deeply into the blue range is on braking with the brake pedal. Hardly any indication during deceleration unless the foot brake is engaged.   Is this the way it should be?   Also, I wondered if the power guage is indicating the maximum regeneration when the needle reaches the bottom of the blue range.   Marvin
#8 of 428 Engine Braking on the HH by johnny_5 Aug 06, 2005 (7:42 pm)
I have yet to test out the "B" on the gear selector except on mild hills. I was told by my salesman that the engine braking allowed the driver to maintain whatever speed that was set while descending. For some reason, I just do not buy it. Has anyone out there tested out the engine braking on the HH? Replies to this message: falconone (Aug 06, 2005 7:58 pm) jdkahler (Aug 07, 2005 9:26 am)
#9 of 428 Re: Engine Braking on the HH [johnny_5] by falconone Aug 06, 2005 (7:58 pm)
Replying to: johnny_5 (Aug 06, 2005 7:42 pm) I imagine it works the same as on the Prius. When descending steep hills it will give what appears to be additional compression braking when you engage B.
#10 of 428 Re: Engine Braking on the HH [johnny_5] by jdkahler Aug 07, 2005 (9:26 am)
Replying to: johnny_5 (Aug 06, 2005 7:42 pm) Tried the B setting in a hilly area I've been driving "out in the country" for years, speed 45-55mph with the hitch that it leads downhill into a little town where the limit drops to 35mph - and sometimes a speed trap. Always had to ride the brakes in and push to slow down before the town (gearing down when I was driving a stick) - the B setting settled right into the speed limit and hardly had to brake at all. Worked nicely. I'd say the salesman was describing it accurately.   The trip was to a campground where parents have spent summer weekends for 30+ years, we pulled in, shifted to B and drove effortlessly on the battery at the 5 mph speed limit - driving the only air conditioned electric cart in the place. It used to require some effort whenever driving through just to keep the speed slow enough. No problem here. Only noise was the quiet whir of the fans and the motor, and the crunching noise of the stone path under the tires.   The first situation was real world but the second sure impressed the heck out of my dad, whose first car was a Model A.....

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