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2010 Toyota Highlander
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I purchased mine with my 2010 Highlander Limited and it took the dealer 3 times before they got it right. And each time they removed them, they have to throw those away & order a new set at their cost. They can not be removed & re-installed.
I found out after the fact that the 1st 2 installations were both done by 2 different people who did not regularly install moldings - because they "were trying to get it done faster for me". The 2nd installation was done by their Body Shop. That was the worst installation of them all.
I am assuming you did not purchase the Moldings with the 2010 HL. If you did not, I would guess that you will pay more than if you had. I paid the dealer's actual "cost" for the moldings & they installed them for no additional cost. You will probably have to pay the retail price plus something additional for installation.
I bought them not only for the protection, but also because I think they dress up the HL some.
My HL has the Blizzard Pearl exterior, so those moldings are not an "exact" match even though they are "color-keyed". However, the color-keyed moldings in all of the other colors I have seen are much much more an exact match. Make sure you specify that you want the "Color-Keyed" Moldings.
I paired my Nokia 6555b Cell Phone to the Hands Free System on my 2010 Highlander Limited. But, like you, I can't seem to get it to accept the transfer of my phonebook from my Nokia Cell Phone.
Since you have tried this before, you will probably know what I am talking about.
When I say or choose "Confirm" (I did it both ways), my cell phone immediately says that the Bluetooth connection has been disconnected. And then of course, the Hands Free says to transfer my phonebook, which I do, but since the connection has been lost, nothing gets transferred.
It is my hope that someone who has been successful in transferring the phonebook will reply here.
Send to: karen@edmunds.com
Toyota supposedly was to unveil a refreshed Highlander for 2011 at the Chicago Auto Show, but that didn't happen obviously.
I'm not a fan of AWD because it's on "all the time" -- even when you don't need it -- and then you're going to sacrifice gas mileage and extra wear on the car.
Snow mode might modify the DBW throttle response mapping/curve, or it might modify the transaxle shift pattern, or even both. But it does NOT put the system in F/awd mode, and most certainly not anything close to the functionality of a 4WD system..
In reality the HL HAS NO "AWD" mode, it is basically a ONE-WHEEL drive vehicle that uses TC, Traction Control, braking to RADICALLY apportion engine torque once a wheel or wheels, most often at the front, slips. REACTIVE. Only once a wheel actually begins slipping does your HL become a F/awd vehicle.
And at that point the system will not only begin braking a slipping wheel or wheels, but will also INSTANTANEOUS dethrottle the engine. With a base FWD it is extremely important to QUICKLY correct for any level, however minor level, of loss of traction at the front.
The basic "4WD" (F/awd in reality) mechanical aspects, front, center, and rear simple open type differentials, are always "engaged".
The only additional thing of importance is something you also get, in SPADES, with the FWD version, TC, Traction Control. With TC any time a wheel or wheels lose surface traction then moderate braking, PWM braking, will be activated on the wheel(s) have lost traction in order to "sustain" a high level of engine drive torque of any "driven" wheels remaining with surface traction.
The bad news is that at the very same time that TC braking is applied the engine will also be HEAVILY dethrottled, not quite to idle but low enough that the braking will not result in brake component overheating.
That's why the newer HL models have a TC disable PB function, too many cases wherein the TC "backup" engione torque re-apportionment system simply was not adequate to the task of the moment.
But good news is on the way.
The new Venza, 2010 Sienna, and the 2010 RX350 have now adopted the Ford Escape type of F/awd system. So the HL version should not be far behind. While not nearly as good as the Honda/Acura SH-AWD system this is a very definite improvement over the current HL F/awd system.
The snow mode capability has NOTHING to do with the HL's 4WD/AWD/F/awd system.
Anyone care to comment on the 50/50 statement? Bull hockey?
This info is available on the Toyota site, too. The specs show a V6 with Snow Mode available in 2wd and 4wd models. So how can snow mode do anything but start you off in 2nd gear and maybe adjust the throttle response. Snow mode is listed in engine description.
I have a 2010 Limited I've driven in snow, ice and bad winter weather and never pushed the Snow Mode button. I did have to turn the Traction Control off to get away from the curb after the city plows pushed the 12" of snow into piles against the cars. I didn't feel like shoveling the street...
The HL drove about as well, except for effect of the extra weight and height in turns, as an '02 Subaru Forester S Premium I drove for 5 years. It was an automatic with normal 90-10 front bias that shifted to 50-50 at times iirc and an limited slip differential on the rear axle.
Neither one is as good as my '86 Subaru GL wagon with part-time 4wd, hi-lo range trans, factory skid plates and armored exhaust and 3-position manually adjustable rear shocks. Not nearly as good, but that's the tradeoff of full-time vs. part-time. The front end finally rusted out after 14 years of driving on the Outer Banks' beaches surf finshing. I've had some experience with 4wd/awd.
Maybe next winter I will try the Snow Mode, but even on ice with the so-so factory tires it wasn't needed this winter.
John
At some level the fully functional VC in the 99 & 00 RX300's may be somewhat responsible for the unusual level of premature transaxle failures these vehicles endured, are still enduring.
The RX330 was marketed for its entire production run as having a VC when in reality it did not. Up until the 2010 MY the RX350 was marketed as having the VC when all of the factory shop/repair manuals indicated otherwise.
Even though my RX300 does have a VC, testing on a 4 wheel dyno indicated it to be pretty much non-functional. '01 was the first year for the RX300 having adopted VSC/TC so the VC was needless/useless. The part number for the 99 & 00 VC differs from the '01 and after RX300. I suspect these later VC's were simply filled with engine lubricating oil.
I like the current 2010 HL and am considering buying one, but if there are significant changes coming soon as those listed in the above, I will probably wait. Thanks!
Still sitting on the fence. Outback, Pilot, Highlander, 4Runner TE. Each one has 'objections'. Can't stand the look of 4Runner SR5 or Limited. Or just keep the 2002 Forester, that inner cheapskate says.
Biggest problem is the second slot in the garage is too small for any but an Outback. I was working with a garage builder but they got under my skin. Then I figured if the garage is going to cost $20,000, maybe I should check out that girlie Angie's List, and some people had comments that cause concern. Had two other quotes but didn't like either of them. Time to get a fourth.
wwest - duly noted again on HL AWD.
Have you seen the 2012 Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner design...??
I have little doubt that the hybrid versions of these will give the HL hybrid, and maybe even the RXh, a serious competitive "run", forward styling and FE.
How has 2WD model managed in the snow? Any opinions or suggestions are appreciated.
The dilema results when you start with a base FWD vehicle and the front wheels remain, as most do, SOLIDLY coupled to the engine. Just when you need that traction dedicated to directional control the most you find yourself having lost control of your FWD or F/awd vehicle.
Are you confused..?
You're saying 2WD when in reality the base HL is a FWD vehicle, patently HAZARDOUS FWD on adverse, wintertime, roadbed conditions were it not for the various "nannies". TC being the most important of those, followed in short order by VSC. Without those these is NO FWD, and very few F/awd vehicles that would be considered safe to drive in wintertime conditions.
Wait a year and the HL will likely get the same F/awd upgrade as the Venza, Sienna, and the RX350. Still not nearly as functional as the SH-AWD system.
My Blackberry Bold did it just fine...
Thank you in advance!
johnlindy
The third row seats are also quite reasonable for medium-sized people to ride in (but mostly used for kids, of course).
Does anyone else have the hood protector installed? If so is it mounted away from the hood? If someone had a picture that would be great.
So, unless all of you are installing it incorrectly I think you are OK.
On a related subject, I hope you didn't opt for the navigation package as I did. My $200 Garmin beats the pants off of it. Terrible investment but the back up camera is nice, but not worth the cost of the entire nav package.
While there are several good features to our Highlander Limited, it will be my last Toyota.
I have had my 2010 Limited since 12-23-09 and it has 6,000 miles on it which includes several 1 1/2 hour trips each way. In addition, I have taken it on an 8 hour trip each way in mid May. This is my opinion only & since you have already formed your opinion, I am not trying to convince you otherwise.
"I" find the Limited seats to be very comfortable.
In fact, 1 of the reasons (there were others) I went with the Limited was because of its better seats & numerous settings that you do not get in the base model.
It really pissed me off, because the salesperson had a iPhone and was able to use her older phone to upload her contacts, but after I bought the vehicle, I tried to do it and was greeting by that inane "send your contacts" screen too. When I asked their techs what the issue was, they sent me to this page:
http://www1.toyota.letstalk.com/brands/toyota-bt/product/product.htm?prId=35698&- serviceCorpId=0&filterCorpId=697&passedPaIds=
Note it says that you can't sync contacts on a 3GS - not supported.
Worthless feature - can't use the voice recognition if the contacts aren't in the system, and I ain't rekeying my 300+ contacts.
When I complained to the tech about it, he said, "Toyota didn't build that part, so we're stuck with what they support."
I had my Toyota hood protector painted blizzard white. I noticed how far away it sits from the hood. I had it in my Highlander for a few weeks and did not like how it looked. Did some net surfing and found the Stampede hood protector chrome. It fits better than the Toyota hood protector. Fits snugly to the hood and also looks great!
I highly recommend it.
You really like it better than the Highlander? I didn't, the test drive didn't do a thing for me. I am completely enjoying the 2010 Highlander Limited I bought in January. It certainly was a hefty check to write though. I'm starting to sound like my grandparents who were all born in the 1890s... "It cost how much?" It's not like you can buy a new '65 VW bug for $1600 anymore.
John
I bought my Highlander Limited on June 15, 2010. It's the first time I've had leather interior. The seats are very comfortable. It's really good to drive as a daily driver.