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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Highlander Hybrid Toyota Highlander Hybrid Driving Tips & Tricks
428 messages, Last post on Oct 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM
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Replying to: wvgasguy (Feb 27, 2009 9:36 am) In other words, there is no warranty against damage for off road use. Pretty much saying the same thing." No, it isn't. If you bend the front suspension driving off road, they could deny warranty coverage for that item, not all other items.
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Replying to: monte8 (Mar 03, 2009 2:27 pm) Just my two cents... if you want an off road vehicle, then get one. 
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Replying to: monte8 (Mar 03, 2009 2:27 pm) No, it isn't. If you bend the front suspension driving off road, they could deny warranty coverage for that item, not all other items. Again, same thing. If you break it off road it is not covered. I said there is no warranty against damage for driving off road. I didn't say they voided the whole warranty. I don't expect a dealer or Toyota would push this too far, but if one brought one of these in and it was beat all to pieces and the warranty complaint was for something like loose wires on the hybrid system or broken connections, they could make an argument that you've been abusing the vehicle in a manner it was not designed for. I believe it is possible, not probable that they would make claims like that. But for the most part if my radio goes bad, or my A/C goes bad I don't see them voiding the warranty, even if I did drive it off-road. Good chance anyway if you drive it off road it will get stuck before you do too much damage to it other than dragging the bottom out of it and then you're in a heap of trouble. I'm guessing a large dent in the floor pan under the seat causeing the hybrid battery to crush would be a hard explaination 
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I think that the main reason it isn't "recommended" for off road use is the electric rear drive. If those motors overheat, you are stuck in FWD (until the electric motors cool off), and they would only overheat if you were in a situation where you needed AWD, when the rear wheels were spinning! In general, the HH should be fine for light use, rain, snow, etc. I remember when I had my 2003 Honda CR-V; I took the south route out of Chaco Canyon, NM, not realizing that it had been raining for several days. The road had turned into that distinctive New Mexico Muck (if you've driven in it you know what I mean). My Honda RT4WD had the rear and front wheels engaged almost continuously for 20 miles. In that situation I'm not sure the HH electric motors would last the amount of time required without overheating. However, I swore I'd never, ever, EVER, go out that route again if there had been any precipitation in the past couple of weeks. Scary. As far as I know, only the Ford Escape Hybrid has a mechanical AWD system (which operates exactly like the ICE Escape); I'm not sure if the Saturn Vue Greenline is even offered in AWD, or what the large GM products have for those options. |
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Replying to: stevedebi (Mar 04, 2009 12:25 pm) In the TCH the traction control indeed kept you from spinning the wheels. If you got on a slippery surface it just shut down. The HH has more traction and if you had snow tires that's sure to help even more, but if you do get to where you lose traction, on both rear wheels I would assume the traction control would not allow any rear wheel spin of any significance. It would probably simply not spin the wheels. If the front's don't pull you the HH would just sit there. Again, this was a concern of mine with the TCH for winter use, but with the HH I had no problems this winter. I can't think of too many situations where you'd lose traction on all 4 wheels other than a sheet of ice. |
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Replying to: stevedebi (Mar 04, 2009 12:25 pm) I really likes that about the Escape. However I just could not bring myself to pay that much for the Escape considering how small and uncomfortable it was for 4 people. I think it would be a great all around commuter for one or two people needing occasional SUV flexibility, but the second row seat just didn't pass inspection for me. Also, I think the Escape only had 1500# towing. My Jet Ski's and trailer weigh more than that.
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Replying to: wvgasguy (Mar 05, 2009 12:25 pm) I have a family of four, but the kids are still fairly young (9 and 12). We do fine with the FEH, but I would not consider it for a family of five.But it is great on city mileage (around 31 with my AWD), and the SUV design makes for a lot of space inside. You are correct, I would not tow with an FEH. I think the technical limit it 1000 lbs, but I don't tow, so I never really checked.
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Replying to: stevedebi (Mar 15, 2009 4:04 pm) With the new design on SUV's with high backs, reclining and even sliding second rows, I considered the Escape as second choice to anything else.. BTY, the Highlander is very comfortable for adults in the second row. |
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Hello all! I've been posting on a couple of different threads here, and I think I'm in the right one now (finally). In any case, I'm looking for a synopsis of good driving techniques in order to maximize fuel economy in our 09 Hybrid Highlander Limited. Other posters have already warned me not to judge the gas mileage for (roughly) the first 2500 miles, but thus far the first tank of gas yielded 22mpg, and the second tank (still in progress) is only registering 18mpg. I've read about the following, so any clarification on any of these- or other topics - would be greatly appreciated: Pump Float Glide? Recommended PSI? Hyper-Miling? Power Meter? Anything else? For the second tank of gas, I've even had my wife (who predominantly drives the HyHybrid) leave the car in ECON mode.... Thanks in advance, Gusto
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Replying to: mcgusto (May 26, 2009 3:48 pm) I have not seen the large numbers with my 4wd HH, but with warm weather it is rising. Basically for the first 8000 miles I averaged around 23.5 mpg. However since it has warmed up I mostly see 25. My wife drives it most and she typically is around 24.5 and I'll see 26+. I was able to average 37+ in my TCH over 67,000 miles so I know how to maximize the FE. The HH is a little less fulfilling because you don't see the large differences. For example on the same route I can get 25 or 27. Doesn't seem worth the extra effort sometimes. Where as with the TCH I would vary from 36 to 41. Really not that much difference %'wise but mentally it motivated me. With practice you should be able to get at least 23+, which in my opinion is still pretty good. Just got back from the beach where my Expedition got 16 on the road tank and 13.5 on the tank driving around. However I hauled 6 of us and most of what we owned it seemed. Next year we'll probably take the HH and the 2010 prius I have on order. Don't give up and read the threads.
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