2008 Toyota Highlander

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Comments

  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    oops
    OK, so I had to "test" drive the wife's CR-V (for the umpteenth time). One of my concerns on the Highlander is the navigation features. I beleive the Highlander DOES NOT speak the name of the street (only says turn left or turn right). Well, on the 2008 CR-V, I can confirm the Honda navi DOES speak the name of the street. It will say "Take next right onto xxxx street", where xxxx = name of street.

    I have written to Toyota to see if they plan on releasing an upgrade to the Toyota NAVI software to provide this feature. They replied "thanks for the concern"

    Something inside me says I should wait until the 2009 Honda Pilot is released
  • donnieodonnieo Member Posts: 12
    In the December issue of Consumer Report, they now have removed the new Camry V6 from the recommended list because of problems with the 6 speed transmission.
    I don't think that HL has the same trans as the Camry, does it?
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    Can't understand how would anyone compare CR-V to HL. These vehicles belong to 2 different classes. CR-V is gem in it's class but rides like Accord and almost a foot shorter then HL. I also don't see how lighted switches or non TTS(Text To Speach) navigation would be a deal breaker here. I didn't care about the switches and my $150 Mio navigation has TTS and latest maps. It is well known fact that number of Camrys had quality problem in the beginning of the production run but most concerns already addressed by Toyota. As far as 2008 HL quality, do yourself a favor, search the net and try to find a single serious complaint from any 2008 HL owner. The only complains you can find is that someone didn't like how their neighbor's HL looks or how "overpriced" HL is.
  • fptgfptg Member Posts: 10
    totally agree with lucky 777 here. try and find a legit negative report of the 08 HL. The expectations put on toyota and the HL make it an easy target for people to nit pick. :shades:
  • hotch41hotch41 Member Posts: 61
    Although I realize the sticker on the '08 HL says 17 City and 23 Highway, I would like to know what you all are really experiencing with true gas mileage (mostly concerned about highway, but what you all are averaging for miles per gallon on a tank of gas). I know there are such variables such as traffic volume, climate, and person driving habits, but your feedback would definitely help me in my imminent purchase decision of the HL. Thanks much!
  • banditobbanditob Member Posts: 16
    I can't vouch for the standard Highlanders, but on my 2008 Hybrid Limited, the driver's window switch is lighted where it says 'AUTO'. The remaining switches for the driver are dark, but easy to reference from the lighted one.

    It's true that the other window switches aren't lighted, but the passengers can afford to spend a bit more time and attention to find them.

    The area where it's even more useful to have lighted switches is the steering wheel and here, they all light up!

    --Here's to many miles and fewer gallons! ;)
  • fptgfptg Member Posts: 10
    23 on the highway is about as good as I have had. 17 in the city is a little optimistic. More like 15. Mine is a little over a month old with 2k miles.
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    My point in comparing the 2008 CR-V to a Highlander is the fact that the cheaper $27k CR-V has features the more expensive highlander is. I am about to buu a 2008 HL with navi. Why can't toyota use TTS when Garmin and Honda and other have this critical feature. It seems a shame that the HL has cut a few corners (Navi TTS and lighted switches etc)
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    Oh, and not forgetting, the CR-V has over 600 voice commands to control the audio (CD, Card reader, radio etc) and climate control.

    The Highlander doesn't have this, which one would expect for a luxury vehicle
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    I've had a hard time keeping it above 21 (per the display). Filled up last night and the computer claimed 20.1 MPG but my trusty calculator said 19.3 (trip ODO divided by gallons). Previous fillup I think was about 21.1 (display).

    My commute is 5 mi of local road (40mph, 3 lights) and 10 mi of highway (60-70mph) / minimal slowdowns. I have not driven it much other than to work and back (except towed a trailer ~15 mi on Saturday).

    Only 600mi on the beast, so not broken in yet. This is a Limited 4x4 w/ all except Nav and DVD.

    Coming from a stick, the shift points seem to be against fuel economy.
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    Funny you mention this.. when I was looking at the FJ and wanted power seats and lumbar (on a >$31k fully-loaded truck), I got a dumbfounded blank stare from the sales guy.

    So.. I am not their target market, it seems. I think it would have been a fun vehicle to own... oh well.

    PS: I seem to be having a hard time finding the HL door lock in the dark. I end up pressing the window lock instead. Maybe because I am used to the 99-03 Solara layout, with a small square button instead of a large rectangle for the winlock.
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    As I said earlier do not compare apples to oranges. HL is a 6 cyl 270 hp vehicle with 7 passenger seating. It also can tow 6000 pounds when equipped with towing pkg. I'd like to have lighted switches but don't care about navigation or voice commands. I got 4WD base model for $26K and more then happy with it.

    BTW HL is not a luxury vehicle, watch out for a new HL based Lexus next year.
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    I get around 22MPG with 40% city /60% Hwy driving on my 4WD Base.
  • denverbriandenverbrian Member Posts: 61
    My Highlander Sport also has an illuminated "auto" switch.

    I guess if you're focused solely on nav and having street names read to you (because reading them off the screen is so difficult), then by all means, go with the CR-V.

    All I can say is, after 12 cars in my lifetime, 8 of them Toyotas, this Highlander (in the Cypress Green that I am insufferably proud over) is the ONLY automobile that has ever caused people to stop me in parking lots to ask about it.
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    Base has an illuminated "auto" switch as well so this seems to be common for all HLs. I've used number of portable GPS devices and TTS feature is desirable but sometimes pronounces street names really wrong. What I found really valuable in GPS, is to pronounce hwy/rd numbers. Frankly, it is hard to get lost with any GPS (TTS or not) as long as it tells you directions correctly and has up to date maps.
  • sylvan2sylvan2 Member Posts: 8
    THE NUMBERS ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY FROM MY RECENT PURCHASEOF THE 08 HL. IF FUEL ECONOMY IS YOUR MAIN CONCERN ON PURCHASING A VEHICLE WITH A STICKER PRICE OF OF $34,000
    OR MORE PERHAPS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A MUCH SMALLER CHEAPER VEHICLE TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    On our 04 Highlander 4WD I can get 23 mpg ( 'OLD' 2004 Hwy value was 24 mpg ) all day long. This new HL is much much bigger and faster and more powerful than our 04 version.

    Yet it gets the same FE. Nice trick.
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    Honestly, my wallet doesn't care if I get 24 or 21 or 15 MPG... BUT, I don't like the feeling of using more gas than necessary just so it 'seems' more responsive in the 1/5 of a mile in 100 when I need to step on it.

    At 65 MPH on a slight up grade, there is no reason to drop to 3rd gear with the size of the powerbox under that hood.

    Kinda wish there was an econo switch on the dash with different shift points.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I now understand what he said. He wasn't cross shopping the CRV and a Highlander. He was simply saying that the CRV, which is a much cheaper car has the lighted switches and the nav tells you the street names.

    So he was simply saying Car A which is cheaper has Y and Z features which the Highlander which is more expensive doesn't have.
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    HL has number of things that CR-V doesn't have. For example 6 cyl engine, 7 pass seating, and 6000 pounds towing (I'm sure there is many more). It is not like CR-V has all the HL specs, and on top of this gives you lighted switches and GPS with TTS for less money. What's a point to compare this 2 completely different cars?
  • cmptrguy74cmptrguy74 Member Posts: 21
    Won't the manual/techtronic mode work for this? You should have control over your shift points in manual mode. I assume all models have this - or is this only an option for Sport & Limited?
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    The sport-shift only sets the highest gear the tranny will use... not hold it in a high gear.

    I do wish it was as you describe.

    Sport-shift mode is supposed to disable engine braking when cruise is engaged... can't say that I've noticed that yet.
  • carlupicarlupi Member Posts: 52
    Does the 08 Highlander (gasoline version) have the same auto transmission as the V6 Camry?
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    Don't know for sure, but doubt it due to 4x4 vs fwd (and 5x tow capacity).
  • qs933qs933 Member Posts: 302
    I think the Camry V6 (and ES350) uses a newer 6-speed transmission. The Highlander still uses a 5-speed. I don't know if one transmission was a derivative of the other.
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    Don't confuse shift points with fuel economy.
    There are certain speeds / loads the engine is more efficient.

    If the gear doesn't down shift, you could end up using more fuel than at a higher rpm due to the engine load
  • banditobbanditob Member Posts: 16
    Just a couple of comments on this and a previous post of yours.

    I'm just curious as to how you know that the vehicle is shifting down to third gear? If you're going off of the tachometer, what you're likely seeing is the initial increase in RPM when the torque convertor lockup disengages. Then, a second increase in the RPM would indicate a shift down to fourth gear.

    It's also worth noting that these relatively small displacement V6s still make their best/full power at fairly high RPMs so I'd still have a bit of faith that the design engineers knew somewhat about what they were doing when they set all these things up.

    As for the disabling of engine braking when in S-mode with cruise control on, I don't know what you're expecting, but what Owner's Manual is referring to is the fact that cruise control only works in gears 4 and 5 in S-mode. What this means is that even if you downshift from 5 to 4 with cruise control engaged, the vehicle will still maintain it's set speed. Thus, engine braking is 'disabled' or effectively non-existant under these conditions. If you downshift to 3, the cruise control will be cancelled and you will experience engine braking. Besides, there is little engine braking effect from dropping out of overdrive (5) and into 4th anyway. The only way to truly disable engine braking is to leave the exhaust valves open during the compression cycle.

    The Owner's Manuals are just not very clearly written with regards to this 'feature' and many other topics. As a matter of fact, I'd have to say that the Owner's Manual is my biggest disappointment with the vehicle so far! ;) I cannot remember the last time I read a more poorly written and unclear manual from a major company. Oh well.
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    I feel it unlock from overdrive. Then I feel it shift down. Then I feel it shift down again... then I look over at my little gas mileage 'instant read indicator bar' and see that I am getting 5 MPG at 65+ MPH... this I dislike. Mind you, this is not a steep grade - 1-2% max.

    My 200hp Toyota v6 (1MZ-FE) w/ a 5-speed maintains speed perfectly on the same hill at the same speed and still returns 28 MPG back and forth to work. Now that is a car (less weight) and a stick (vs. auto), but still.... why is 3rd gear needed?? The 130hp Corolla does the same thing as the HL, but that is a little high-revving 4cyl. Guess I would rather have 200hp at 2500 RPM than 270 at 5000..........

    Re: engine braking, I understood it as the car is 'holding back from gravity' on a decent. Ie. not letting gravity accelerate the car much beyond the set point. Same as downshifting to 3rd or 4th to control speed while towing with a manual. Maybe I am wrong on this point.. as I said, I have not experienced it yet (need a highway trip with a long downhill).
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    Comparing the engines:

    1ZZ-FE 1.8 L (1794 cc) I4 (Corolla)
    126 hp (97 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
    125 ft·lbf of torque @ 4,200 rpm (169 N·m)

    1MZ-FE 3.0L V6: (Camry / Solara)
    200 net HP @ 5,200 rpm (149 kW),
    214 ft·lbf (290 N·m) of torque @ 4,400 rpm (290 Nm)

    3MZ-FE 3.3L V6: (Camry / Solara)
    225 net HP @ 5,600 rpm (168 kW)
    240 ft·lbf (325 N·m) of torque @ 3,600 rpm (325 Nm)

    2GR-FE 3.5L V6: (Camry / Highlander)
    270 net HP @ 6,200 rpm (200 kW)
    248 ft·lbf (336 N·m) @ 4,700 rpm

    The takeaway, power is going up but so are the RPMs at which max power is produced. Hence, when driving, it feels more like a high-revving 4 cyl. than a big 'meaty' V6. Suppose I prefer the latter.

    Has anyone seen a set of curves on this engine yet?
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    Good theory. In real life 3.5L V6 feels like " big 'meaty' V6"
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    OK.. WE HEAR YOU!
  • shimmer11shimmer11 Member Posts: 28
    Just wondering if any of you northern U.S. owners of the '08 Highlander is noticing that it takes quite a while to defrost the car? The rear glass is also taking a longer time with the defrost?

    -Andy
  • canuck17canuck17 Member Posts: 28
    I live in Winnipeg Canada which is approximately 500 miles north of Minneapolis Minnesota and I have not experienced any problems with slow defrosting of the front or back windshield with my 2008 Highlander Ltd. However, even in Winnipeg we have not had real cold like condiitons as of yet this fall. The front windshield heat has been clearing up any condensation very quickly IMO.

    Eric
  • arielparielp Member Posts: 2
    08 limited 2wd - I agree, for the price paid the road noise kinda bothers me. driving above 30mph, there is also some wind noise. Not really that loud but noticeable. I've had '05 X5 before and there is a difference if you observe intently.
  • shimmer11shimmer11 Member Posts: 28
    Thanks Eric for the reply. I will keep a close eye on it. Maybe it is something I can get checked at the first oil change.

    -Andy
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    In this regard, winter driving, there are often significant differences in vehicles shipped north of the US border. For instance the canadian '95 LS400 had an engine coolant line routed justt under the windshield wiper area of the windshield. The '03 Prius shipped to canada has a small electric heate rin the air duct to the windshield.

    Replacing a broken windshield on our '95 LS was going to be pretty costly until we told the repairman to discard and "stub-off" the coolant lines.
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    2008 HL available with

    EH Cold Weather Package
    Includes dual color-keyed heated folding outside rear view mirrors and windshield de-icer grid. That's what I got in Ohio.
  • shimmer11shimmer11 Member Posts: 28
    Just stopped by the dealer to troubleshoot the defrost issues. Apparently the fan control speed is adjusted by a temperature control computer. If I put the defrost fan speed to high, the system takes a couple of seconds to turn on. It will then put the fan speed on high. This is UNACCEPTABLE. I understand that heat does not come out of a cold engine, but it is not good when a car is started in the morning and it takes double the time of our 2005 highlander to warm up. I also understand that the first priority is to scrape, but the vehicle takes a much longer time to even warm up once the engine is up to temperature. Also the rear defrost coils do not seem to be working. I will keep you up to date.

    Andy
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "..the system takes a couple of seconds to turn (the fan) on.."

    Wow, this may be Toyota's reaction, FIX, for an earlier quite annoying, even HAZARDOUS, problem.

    In the past the system air distribution control keeps the airflow routed toward the windshield in order to BAFFLE any incoming COLD airflow due to forward roadspeed. Once the coolant temperature reached 130F the blower would start up and the servomotors would simultaneously BEGIN moving the outlet airflow setting from the defrost/defog/demist position and into the footwell position.

    The problem was that had you made use of the A/C the previous day the plenum area surrounding the cooling evaporator would be clogged, SATURATED, with water vapor. So about 4-5 miles down the road, BLAP, BAM, your windshield suddenly fogs over due to the brief time the airflow, HUMID airflow, remained in the windshield position.

    Until I was able to figure out the causative factors and come up with a solution(***) I often had to pull over to the side of the road when this happened early on a COOL/COLD morning in my then new '92 LS400.

    So my guess would be that the onset of blower speed is delayed intentionally in order to first give the servomotors time to move that potentially TOO humid airflow rotuting away from a potentially COLD windshield surface.

    *** Windows down slightly all night, EVERY NIGHT, in the garage to let the condensate evaporate OUTSIDE.
  • slowpolkslowpolk Member Posts: 1
    My 2008 AWD Sport came with the Tow Prep Package which, among other things, includes a "Pre-Wire Harness". When I went to have a hitch installed I was told that I needed to order Trailer Wire Harness PT219-48871 which includes a Flat 4-pin Wire Harness and a Converter.

    It appears that Highlanders without the Tow Prep Package need this same Trailer Wire Harness.

    I couldn't find anyone at two different dealerships that knew what the "Pre-Wire Harness" included in the Tow Prep Package was.

    Can anyone shed any light on this. Thanks.
  • 05rubisahara05rubisahara Member Posts: 25
    Speaking of disappointment.........we were planning on buying a 2008 Honda Pilot only to find that they are still in the 20th century. Bluetooth technology not offered at all. Voiced my displeasure and headed to the Toyota dealer.
  • toyseekertoyseeker Member Posts: 81
    Lots on this in the last 200 posts or so... basically the 'prewire' lets you plug a module under the brake pedal and plug a 4-flat lead to a toyota connector under the rear left storage compartment.
  • ron08ron08 Member Posts: 2
    I recently purchased my first Toyota, an 08 Highlander Limited, after having owned a number of foreign cars, starting with Datsun 510, VW, bug, rabbit, jetta, passat, civics, accord, and most recently a 97 Town and Country AWD LXI.

    The Toyota is a wonderful car. Smooth, quick, powerful, quiet, and full of deluxe features. It does have a few very minor shortcoming in terms of convenience. On the plus side it has a driver's seat with incredible flexibility and comfort. Anyone can find a very comfortable driving position. It is simply wonderful. But there is a slight downside. It does not have memory seats and mirrors. Let you spouse, or anyone drive it and readjust the seat and you can spend quite a bit of time trying to figure out exactly where you had all the different controls. With so many ways to adjust the seat, this is actually more complex than one would guess. And yes, I agree with other posters, lighted mirror controls would be useful in this regard. As well as lights on some of the other controls as well. In addition, mirror controls that weren't hiding behind the steering column out of view would be helpful.

    And what's up with the smart key. The owner's manual says to remove the key portion, lock the glove box, and give the fob portion to the parking attendant. A great idea, but once you remove the key portion, you have removed the portion of the fob that has the ring. If you give the parking attendant the remaining "fob" the attendant would have to put it into an envelope and write your name on it. There is no ring on the fob to hand the fob on a hook. How dumb is that? Other than overlooking this detail, this new keyless entry system is really great.

    The owner's manual is poor. As someone who has always worked on cars, and tries to stay informed concerning the details of how they function, I am disappointed in the lack of technical details in the owners manual. There is no explanation of even the most simple items work. For example, how does one go about checking the level of the automatic transmission fluid? Where is the oil filter, and what is the easiest way to get to it?

    As another example, I ran over a nail without knowing it. The low pressure indicator light came on (just as it should have). I had checked all the tires when I took delivery two weeks before. They were all at between 30 and 32 pounds. When the indicator light came on, the right rear tire had about 23 pounds. I pumped it up to 31, and the light went out. Next day the light came on, and there was about 20 pounds in the tire. I put on the spare. Then I pumped up the bad tire to 40 pounds (4 pounds under the max pressure) and replaced it in the spare well. The light went out, and came on again two days later. I took it to the dealer, they found the nail (I had missed it even though I looked). They told me the light came on because the spare was too high. I actually think the light came on because the spare lost air and become low. There is no way to really know because I don't know the parameters of the system. The owner's manual doesn't explain how the tire pressure warning system works. By reading the manual I have figured out that if your car has the full size spare, the spare is equipped with a transmitter. This is good. It means that if you get a warning light, you need to check all four road tires as well as the spare. Any of the five could be causing the light to come on. Cars with a compact spare do not have a transmitter in the donut. They have to check the pressure in it the old fashioned way.

    I would like to purchase a shop manual. Just to understand how the systems all work. The paper manuals that are available would cost over $1,000. Why not make one summary manual available for the enthusiast do it yourselfer for $100 to even $150? Or why not put it all on CD for a reasonable price?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You may have free online access to one of the links in the Online Repair Manuals Guide through your local library.

    Congrats on the new Highlander!
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    Ok, I have researched this issue to death.
    Its to do with the Highlander navi speaking the name of the street during route guidance.
    A recent online review said a couple of things about the navigation
    1) the system had an error, and annouced "you have arrived at your destination" too early. I later found out that this is a feature designed into the navi, to give the driver time to prepare when arriving at a destination (look for parking etc)(.
    2) they said the navi would speak the freeway numbers, but would only say "turn left" or "turn right". It wouldn't say "turn left on main street".

    I am begining to question this.
    My wife has just got a 2008 CR-V with navi. There are various levels for voice guidance. In NORMAL, it says "turn left" or "turn right". But if you select "MORE"\, the navi speaks the street names or TTS.

    So I am begining to wonder if the highlander has a setup for voice guidance, where the TTS level can be set.

    Anyone with a Highlander NAVI care to comment

    thanks
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    Lighted switches, not a deal breaker
    Not having TTS on a $40k vechicle - DEAL BREAKER

    My $600 Garmin has TTS. MY wifes $27K CRV has it. Why on earth would Toyota not have that feature?
  • shimmer11shimmer11 Member Posts: 28
    Ok, so this morning I sat in the car and turned on the heat to high and the defrost to the correct setting. It literally took 5 to 8 minutes for the heat to start to work. This does not seem right. I should be able to feel heat within a few minute range, not over 5 minutes. I also checked the temperature guage, and it barely moved above the cold range after nearly 10 minutes. All other vehicles including my 2003 Honda Accord starts heating the car within minutes. Could anyone else test their '08 Highlander from a cold start and demand heat. Relay back how long it takes for the cabin to warm up? The dealer stated that a heat pump must get to a certain temperature for it to start heat demand. That is crazy.

    -Andy
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    My guess that automatic climate control waits for the vehicle's engine to reach certain temperature before activating cabin heat. If you sit in the cold idling car it takes longer for the engine to warm up. Cold engine can't deliver hot air. Look at the engine temperature gage and see at what point heat kicks in. My HL takes a little time to warm up when I drive it. I also have manual climate control and it doesn't have any delay logic for heat.
  • shimmer11shimmer11 Member Posts: 28
    It just seems odd that there is such a delay to heat demand. If I turn on the defrost to high and set the heat to high, I would expect a car to warm up. This '08 Highlander takes a significantly longer time to warm up than any other vehicle I have owned.

    BTW, I have a base model with the cold weather package and no automatic climate control. But I assume that the heat controls are controlled via a computer and not really Manual.

    -Andy
  • lucky_777lucky_777 Member Posts: 205
    I also have base with the cold weather package and it takes about a mile or two of driving for my HL's engine to warm up. Do you have a towing package? I think it has bigger radiator.I didn't notice any issues with heat so far but it didn't get very cold in Ohio yet. If engine is cold then you can't expect it to deliver hot air no matter how you set temperature controlling knobs in the cabin.

    BTW. Can you explain how you set "defrost to high"? Are you talking about window defogger? That doesn't give you any additional heat. Are you sure that your A/C is not running (hint look at A/C light)?
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