2008 Toyota Highlander

thardgrave

I am assuming you are trying to use your cell phones voice activation instead of the Highlander's voice activation, correct?? What is the purpose of that, instead of just using the car's voice recogntion/activation??? Just seems like adding another layer to the system........maybe I am missing something!

toyseeker

I think they are trying to use the HL voice system...

I'd rather use my phone address book through the HL system. Its connected by bluetooth (which can transfer data AND sound) and the phone travels with me from car to car to office to home. No need to maintain separate address books, reprogram the system if the battery dies, or whatever else... AND - here's the big bonus - it should be less effort (read: cost) on the manufacturers part due to less programming! Sounds win-win to me.

I only have 1 number in my HL address book, the rest I just dial or select from my phone (via its own voice recognition)... I just have to tap a button on the side, say the name [into the phone], then press the green button on the phone. The HL system takes over from there. Its minimal distraction and I don't need to spend a couple hours getting frustrated that the HL does not 'understand' me when I say "correct".

Just my two cents.

gymnbat

I would LOVE to be able to use my phone's voice features but they seem to become disabled when bluetooth connects to the Highlander system. I can dial but not by voice. I would prefer not to have to use my phone while in the car. My phone transfered its phonebook to the highlander system without any trouble however there are differences. I would rather not have to set speed dials in the car system and also have to voice tag entries for the car system to use voice dial. I would have liked the car bluetooth to pass through to the phone.. Example: voice dial Home: would access the phones phonebook rather than the highlanders system. The system is not bad but it does take a little time to set it up. Or am I missing something? If the bluetooth can transfer data and sound why can't it transfer ringtones... or other sounds from the phone through the system? My phone announces by voice the name of the person who is calling me if it is in the phones address book. I would LOVE for that to come through the car speakers when someone calls but alas it does not. I also have ringtones for different people and would love for these ringtones to be played through the highlanders system. Little things yes but it would be nice..... I am not all that comfortable with the voice dialing features of the highlander bluetooth but I do use the speed dial feature which does work when the car is moving.

gdh3

Thanks to all for the good info. regarding rail dust/rust. My conclusion is that if I should get a blizzard pearl HL I should be prepared to take off rust specks every spring.

thanks again.
gh

thardgrave

I can see some of your points, such as the ring tones being distinctive, but apparently the Bluetooth technology that they are using does not allow that, or using the cell phones voice commands. I wonder if Toyota is unique with that, or if the others are the same...maybe somone else can chime in. I still am not sure why you are uncomfortable using the Highlanders voice commands to call.........I use mine every day, and find it works very well, with minimal issues. It was a minimal hassle setting it up initially, but I find it works well now..........good luck!

miacar07

Gymnbat, that's the problem i have when i paired my cellphone to the car's phone system is that when i get a call the number on the radio display doesn't match the number that the person is calling from. the number i always get on the display is the last number that i called or the last phone number that someone called me. i just want to know if this is a problem for everybody or is it something that i did wrong when i hooked up my cellphone? can someone help me? thanks.

gymnbat

The caller ID works sometimes... it is not a constant problem. It takes two or three rings for the number to show up if it shows up at all. I do not have a problem with the wrong number showing up.
The reason I would be more comfortable using the phones voice features is that the highlander is limited in the number of voice tagged numbers you can use. I have more than 20 entries ( I think that is the number you can voice tag) in my phone book(both in the highlander system and my phone). There are numbers I call more than others and with only so many spots available in the highlander system I have to choose which numbers to voice tag for dialing in the car. It is the numbers I call infrequently that I would like to be able to call using voice dialing. These are the numbers I don't always remember and since you can not access the highlanders phonebook while driving you have to pull over to make a call. The whole idea of voice dialing( to me) is to avoid having to do that. I have my most frequently called numbers both in speed dial and voice tagged but it would be nice to have full connectivity and access to all of a phone's features. Anyone know if there are any phones that do this with the highlander bluetooth? I know I'm being picky but it is nice that these are the only things that I have found to pick on! I am still VERY happy with my choice of the Highlander.

ronbo4

donnieo, yea it's not "deletable" in a Limited AWD. I asked the salesman over the phone about it and he thought the best way was to buy another lid and just replace the lid, saving the original to reinstall when you sell.

After reading all the limitations with HL AWD, i think we'll wait for the 2009 Explorers, Acadia and HL to show up and see what changes they made. We NEED a rig which can handle snow and ice, and i don't think the HL is OUR best choice. It's AWD is really a sophisticated braking system, in particular once above 35mph.

hth, ron

lucky_777

I've been reading many posts about deficiencies of HL AWD. Whatever I've read didn't sound good on the paper. I've been driving through huge snowstorms in Ohio and sometimes even tried to extra push HL AWD system to throw it off balance and see it's limitation. All I can tell that real life performance is more then adequate and stable for all "normal" road conditions.

wwest

"...a sophisticated braking system, in particular once above 35MPH.."

I'd be willing to bet that "sophisticated" F/AWD braking system, TC, is completely and totally disabled above about 20MPH.....

lucky_777

wwest,

this is a wrong thread for AWD discussion. All I said that real time performance is more then adequate based on my own experience.

gleen6191

Test Drove:

cx-9 - best 3 rd row
arcadia - no go
highlander - its a joke unless you are about 4 foot even
cx90 - currently have this and its managable but not good
2009 Hondo Pilot - 3rd row came in 2nd place.

Love the 1st row and love the 2nd row though

nimrod99

Please get an Explorer.
Then you will wish you had bought a Toyota Highlander.
The AWD on the Highlander is awesome and I have never gotten stuck even on icy hills, 12" deep snow on the road.

nimrod99

http://sumbiz03.home.comcast.net/~sumbiz03/HighlanderAWD.pdf

study that

nimrod99

The HL beats the CX9 in every category

CX9 mpg = 15/21
HL mpg = 17/23 ***

Interior Highlander CX-9
Front Headroom *40.6 in. 39.6 in.
Rear Headroom *40.1 in. 39 in.
Front Shoulder Room *59.7 in. 59.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room *59.5 in. 58.7 in.
Front Hip Room *56.7 in. 56.5 in.
Rear Hip Room *56.5 in. 56 in.
Front Leg Room *43.2 in. 40.9 in.

CX9 = 4528 lbs
HL = 4321 lbs *

CX9 towing = 3500 lbs
HL = 5000 lbs

Rear Leg Room 38.3 in. *39.8 in.

Plus, the Highlander has AMBER rear turn signals

wwest

No, the pictorial you linked represents the MOST simple and inexpensive of ANY AWD or 4WD system. It is NOTHING more than the very same open diff'l (mostly rear) found in almost all automobiles going back to the VERY beginning.

A simple open diff'l as represented in the pictorial will ALWAYS distribute input torque at a 50/50 ratio, even when one wheel is spinning quite freely on a slippery roadbed surface, and thereby limiting input torque to a minuscule level.

Clever marketing wording that, VERY clever.

Absent TC, Traction Control, to intervene you would not have anything more than, other than, ONE wheel drive.

nimrod99

I was responding to "ronbo4" who states
"It's AWD is really a sophisticated braking system, in particular once above 35mph"

I beg to differ.

I would advise against getting a Highlander, and ronbo4 should get a Ford.

My point was, the HL AWD is not a braking system (although TC does assist under 20 mph). The HL AWD system does drive the rear wheels

That being said, if the AWD system doesn't allow you to get stuck, then it works and who cares if its small animals in squirrel cages driving each wheel

donnieo

Has anyone had the chance to drive the FWD in the snow? I live in Chicago and can't get the options I want without making an order. This can take up to 120 days and I need a car before that. I wanted an AWD with the 3rd row delete but may have to settle for a FWD.

How do they handle in the snow and rain?

wwest

If you can get a FWD with TC and VSC you will be just as happy, and unsafe, as you would be with the "pretend" HL F/AWD system.

texases

You will hear scare stories from some, but fwd with snow tires will handle fine.

mtairyordge

I purchase a HL Ltd between Memorial Day cookouts, well sort of between cookouts, and it turns out that my LG 8350 is not compatible with the Bluetooth. Now I knew that there could be issues with the Toyota bluetooth going in. What I want to know is if there is a list of compatible phones for the Toyota system. I can't remember the website that "Salesman Bob" went to check. And I can't find it on this forum, eventhough I know I have seen it. Does a Blackberry work with Toyota?

Also is there a comprehensive list of verbal commands for the NAV interface?

Help would be appreciated.

I will post the purchase info on Buying experience later.

nimrod99

Bluetooth
http://toyota.letstalk.com/brands/toyota-bt/home.htm

As for verbal commands, I got an excel spreadsheet from toyota, which claims the Climate system can be controlled by voice recognition (which is not true)

1 Current position
2 Map
3 Map screen
4 Show map
5 Navigation
6 Help
7 Command help
8 Command list
9 Repeat guidance
10 Repeat voice
11 Repeat
12 Voice
13 Cancel
14 Zoom in
15 Zoom out
16 Right map zoom in
17 Zoom in right map
18 Right map zoom out
19 Zoom out right map
20 North up
21 Change to north up
22 Heading up
23 Change to heading up
24 Map direction
25 Change map direction
26 Right map north up
27 Right map heading up
28 Right map direction
29 Dual map
30 Show dual map
31 Single map
32 Show single map
33 Mark this point
34 Mark
35 Mark point
36 "OOO (POI Commands)
See as below of the 243 category"
37 POI off
38 Hide all icons
39 Set destination
40 Set as destination
41 Destination
42 Home
43 Go home
44 Previous start point
45 Go to previous start point
46 Previous starting point
47 Go to previous starting point
48 Previous destination
49 Go to previous destination
50 Quick access No. 1
51 Quick access 1
52 Go to quick access No. 1
53 Go to quick access 1
54 Destination 1
55 Go to 1
56 Go to destination 1
57 Go to preset destination 1
58 Quick access No. 2
59 Quick access 2
60 Go to quick access No. 2
61 Go to quick access 2
62 Destination 2
63 Go to 2
64 Go to destination 2
65 Go to preset destination 2
66 Quick access No. 3
67 Quick access 3
68 Go to quick access No. 3
69 Go to quick access 3
70 Destination 3
71 Go to 3
72 Go to destination 3
73 Go to preset destination 3
74 Quick access No. 4
75 Quick access 4
76 Go to quick access No. 4
77 Go to quick access 4
78 Destination 4
79 Go to 4
80 Go to destination 4
81 Go to preset destination 4
82 Quick access No. 5
83 Quick access 5
84 Go to quick access No. 5
85 Go to quick access 5
86 Destination 5
87 Go to 5
88 Go to destination 5
89 Go to preset destination 5
90 "OOO (Nearest POI Commands)
See as below of the 119 category"
91 Show list
92 Address
93 OOO (State name)
94 OOO (City name)
95 OOO (Street name)
96 OOO (House number)
97 Next Candidate
98 Change state
99 Change city
100 Change street
101 Change house number
102 Enter destination
103 Add to destination
104 Replace destination
105 Louder
106 Softer
107 Arrow guidance
108 Show arrow guidance
109 Turn list guidance
110 Show turn list guidance
111 Show turn by turn guidance
112 Turn by turn guidance
113 Entire route map
114 Entire route
115 Route overview
116 Next destination map
117 Show next destination
118 First destination map
119 Show first destination
120 Second destination map
121 Show second destination
122 Third destination map
123 Show third destination
124 Fourth destination map
125 Show fourth destination
126 Fifth destination map
127 Show fifth destination
128 Final destination map
129 Show final destination
130 Delete next destination
131 Delete final destination
132 Delete all destinations
133 Suspend guidance
134 Stop guidance
135 Resume guidance
136 Start guidance
137 Quick 1
138 Quick
139 Quick route
140 Quickest
141 Quickest route
142 Short
143 Short route
144 Shortest
145 Shortest route
146 Quick 2
147 Quick 2 route
148 Detour
149 Detour route
150 Detour entire route
151 Freeway guidance
152 Show freeway guidance
153 Intersection guidance
154 Show intersection guidance
155 Lane guidance
156 Show lane guidance
157 Compass mode
158 Show compass mode
159 Yes
160 No
161 Radio
162 AM
163 AM radio
164 FM
165 FM radio
166 FM1
167 FM2
168 Satellite radio
169 SAT
170 Satellite radio1
171 SAT1
172 Satellite radio2
173 SAT2
174 Satellite radio3
175 SAT3
176 CD
177 DVD
178 CD changer
179 DVD changer
180 Cassette
181 Tape
182 Audio
183 Audio on
184 Audio off
185 Seek up
186 Seek down
187 Type up
188 Type down
189 Fast forward
190 Rewind
191 Reverse
192 Program
193 Next track
194 Previous track
195 Skip backward
196 Play
197 Track up
198 Next track
199 Track down
200 Previous track
201 Disc up
202 Next disc
203 Disc down
204 Previous disc
205 Automatic air conditioning
206 Automatic air conditioning on
207 Automatic air conditioning off
208 Raise temperature
209 Warmer
210 Lower temperature
211 Cooler
212 65 degrees
213 Temperature 65 degrees
214 66 degrees
215 Temperature 66 degrees
216 67 degrees
217 Temperature 67 degrees
218 68 degrees
219 Temperature 68 degrees
220 69 degrees
221 Temperature 69 degrees
222 70 degrees
223 Temperature 70 degrees
224 71 degrees
225 Temperature 71 degrees
226 72 degrees
227 Temperature 72 degrees
228 73 degrees
229 Temperature 73 degrees
230 74 degrees
231 Temperature 74 degrees
232 75 degrees
233 Temperature 75 degrees
234 76 degrees
235 Temperature 76 degrees
236 77 degrees
237 Temperature 77 degrees
238 78 degrees
239 Temperature 78 degrees
240 79 degrees
241 Temperature 79 degrees
242 80 degrees
243 Temperature 80 degrees
244 81 degrees
245 Temperature 81 degrees
246 82 degrees
247 Temperature 82 degrees
248 83 degrees
249 Temperature 83 degrees
250 84 degrees
251 Temperature 84 degrees
252 85 degrees
253 Temperature 85 degrees
269 Restaurant
270 All Restaurant
271 I'm hungry
272 Show Restaurant
273 Show All Restaurant
274 Fast food
275 Show Fast food
276 Japanese restaurant
277 Japanese food
278 Show Japanese restaurant
279 Show Japanese food
280 Chinese restaurant
281 Chinese food
282 Show Chinese restaurant
283 Show Chinese food
284 French restaurant
285 French food
286 Show French restaurant
287 Show French food
288 Italian restaurant
289 Italian food
290 Show Italian restaurant
291 Show Italian food
292 Other restaurant
293 Other food
294 Show Other restaurant
295 Show Other food
296 American restaurant
297 American food
298 Show American restaurant
299 Show American food
300 Continental restaurant
301 Continental food
302 Show Continental restaurant
303 Show Continental food
304 Mexican restaurant
305 Mexican food
306 Show Mexican restaurant
307 Show Mexican food
308 Seafood restaurant
309 Seafood
310 Show Seafood restaurant
311 Show Seafood
312 Shopping mall
313 Shopping
314 Show Shopping mall
315 Show Shopping
316 Grocery store
317 Show Grocery store
318 Gas station
319 Gas
320 Show Gas station
321 Show Gas
322 Parking
323 Parking lot
324 Parking garage
325 Show Parking
326 Show Parking lot
327 Show Parking garage
328 Rental car agency
329 Rental car
330 Show Rental car agency
331 Show Rental car
332 TOYOTA dealership
333 TOYOTA dealer
334 Show TOYOTA dealership
335 Show TOYOTA dealer
336 LEXUS dealership
337 LEXUS dealer
338 Show LEXUS dealership
339 Show LEXUS dealer
340 Auto club
341 Automobile club
342 Triple A
343 Show Auto club
344 Show Automobile cl

nimrod99

343 Show Auto club
344 Show Automobile club
345 Show Triple A
346 Service & maintenance
347 Auto service & maintenance
348 Auto service
349 Show Service & maintenance
350 Show Auto service & maintenance
351 Show Auto service
352 Hotel
353 Show Hotel
354 Golf course
355 Show Golf course
356 Ski resort
357 Skiing
358 Show Ski resort
359 Show Skiing
360 Amusement park
361 Show Amusement park
362 Cinema
363 Show Cinema
364 Sports complex
365 Stadium
366 Show Sports complex
367 Show Stadium
368 Casino
369 Show Casino
370 Marina
371 Show Marina
372 Tourist attraction
373 Show Tourist attraction
374 Winery
375 Show Winery
376 Police station
377 Show Police station
378 Library
379 Show Library
380 Hospital
381 Show Hospital
382 Parks
383 Park & recreation
384 Parks & recreation
385 Show Parks
386 Show Park & recreation
387 Show Parks & recreation
388 Government offices
389 City hall
390 Civic center
391 Community center
392 Show Government offices
393 Show City hall
394 Show Civic center
395 Show Community center
396 Convention center
397 Exhibition center
398 Show Convention center
399 Show Exhibition center
400 Court house
401 Show Court house
402 Train station
403 Commuter rail station
404 Show Train station
405 Show Commuter rail station
406 Airport
407 Show Airport
408 Bus station
409 Show Bus station
410 Ferry terminal
411 Show Ferry terminal
412 Rest area
413 Rest stop
414 Show Rest area
415 Show Rest stop
416 Tourist information
417 Show Tourist information
418 Historical monuments
419 Show Historical monuments
420 Theater
421 Performing arts
422 Show Theater
423 Show Performing arts
424 Museum
425 Show Museum
426 Bank
427 Show Bank
428 School
429 Show School
430 ATM
431 Show ATM
432 Higher education
433 University
434 College
435 Show Higher education
436 Show University
437 Show College
438 Other business facilities
439 Business facility
440 Show Other business facilities
441 Show Business facility
442 City center
443 Show City center
444 Car wash
445 Show Car wash
446 Other automotive stores
447 Other automotive
448 Show Other automotive stores
449 Show Other automotive
450 Other financial services
451 Other financial
452 Show Other financial services
453 Show Other financial
454 Post office
455 Show Post office
456 Gardens
457 Botanical gardens
458 Zoological gardens
459 Zoo
460 Show Gardens
461 Show Botanical gardens
462 Show Zoological gardens
463 Show Zoo
464 Horse racing
465 Show Horse racing
466 National and state parks
467 National parks
468 Show National and state parks
469 Show National parks
470 Speedway
471 Show Speedway
472 Video rental
473 Show Video rental
474 Thai restaurant
475 Thai food
476 Show Thai restaurant
477 Show Thai food
478 Convenience store
479 Show Convenience store
480 Department store
481 Show Department store
482 Home and garden
483 Show Home and garden
484 Pharmacy
485 Show Pharmacy
486 Specialty food store
487 Specialty food
488 Show Specialty food store
489 Show Specialty food
490 Other retail stores
491 Other retail
492 Show Other retail stores
493 Show Other retail
494 Campground
495 Show Campground
496 Beauty and barber shops
497 Barber shops
498 Show Beauty and barber shops
499 Show Barber shops
500 Coffee house
501 Show Coffee house
502 Dry cleaning
503 Show Dry cleaning
504 Health and fitness club
505 Fitness club
506 Show Health and fitness club
507 Show Fitness club
508 Ice cream parlor
509 Show Ice cream parlor
510 Fire station
511 Show Fire station
512 Nearest Restaurant
513 Nearest Fast Food
514 Nearest Japanese restaurant
515 Nearest Japanese food
516 Nearest Chinese restaurant
517 Nearest Chinese food
518 Nearest French restaurant
519 Nearest French food
520 Nearest Italian restaurant
521 Nearest Italian food
522 Nearest other restaurant
523 Nearest other food
524 Nearest American restaurant
525 Nearest American food
526 Nearest Continental restaurant
527 Nearest Continental food
528 Nearest Mexican restaurant
529 Nearest Mexican food
530 Nearest seafood restaurant
531 Nearest seafood
532 Nearest shopping mall
533 Nearest shopping
534 Nearest Grocery Store
535 Nearest gas station
536 Nearest gas
537 Nearest parking
538 Nearest parking lot
539 Nearest parking garage
540 Nearest rental car agency
541 Nearest rental car
542 Nearest TOYOTA dealership
543 Nearest TOYOTA dealer
544 Nearest LEXUS dealership
545 Nearest LEXUS dealer
546 Nearest auto club
547 Nearest automobile club
548 Nearest triple A
549 Nearest service & maintenance
550 Nearest auto service & maintenance
551 Nearest auto service
552 Nearest Hotel
553 Nearest Golf Course
554 Nearest ski resort
555 Nearest skiing
556 Nearest Amusement Park
557 Nearest Cinema
558 Nearest sports complex
559 Nearest stadium
560 Nearest Casino
561 Nearest Marina
562 Nearest Tourist Attraction
563 Nearest Winery
564 Nearest Police Station
565 Nearest Library
566 Nearest Hospital
567 Nearest park
568 Nearest park & recreation
569 Nearest government office
570 Nearest city hall
571 Nearest civic center
572 Nearest community center
573 Nearest convention center
574 Nearest exhibition center
575 Nearest Court House
576 Nearest train station
577 Nearest commuter rail station
578 Nearest Airport
579 Nearest Bus Station
580 Nearest Ferry Terminal
581 Nearest rest area
582 Nearest rest stop
583 Nearest Tourist Information
584 Nearest Historical Monuments
585 Nearest theater
586 Nearest performing art
587 Nearest Museum
588 Nearest Bank
589 Nearest School
590 Nearest ATM
591 Nearest higher education
592 Nearest university
593 Nearest college
594 Nearest other business facility
595 Nearest business facility
596 Nearest City Center
597 Nearest Car Wash
598 Nearest other automotive store
599 Nearest other automotive
600 Nearest other financial service
601 Nearest other financial
602 Nearest Post Office
603 Nearest garden
604 Nearest botanical garden
605 Nearest zoological garden
606 Nearest zoo
607 Nearest Horse Racing
608 Nearest national and state park
609 Nearest national park
610 Nearest Speedway
611 Nearest Video Rental
612 Nearest Thai restaurant
613 Nearest Thai food
614 Nearest Convenience Store
615 Nearest Department Store
616 Nearest Home and Garden
617 Nearest Pharmacy
618 Nearest specialty food store
619 Nearest specialty food
620 Nearest other retail store
621 Nearest other retail
622 Nearest Campground
623 Nearest beauty and barber shop
624 Nearest barber shop
625 Nearest Coffee House
626 Nearest Dry Cleaning
627 Nearest health and fitness club
628 Nearest fitness club
629 Nearest Ice Cream Parlor
630 Nearest Fire Station

mtairyordge

Thanks, Right now thwe Lets talk websight says my LG8350 will not be compatable. Sort of defeats the purpose, but there is probably a workaround somewhere.

texases

Another problem, the compatibility list is different depending on whether or not you get Navi.

mtairyordge

I assume that w/Nav there are 'more' commands, or are the commands different.

Looks like I will be getting another cell phone - - -

ronn

Hey..I would like to say that my Blizzard Pearl has not had any spots on it.I have owned it since January, and it got its first wax job last week. I love it!!!

hha

I have a 2008 Highlander Limited. When I touch the door handle to unlock the car, only the driver door get unlock. The other three doors remain locked, until I push the unlock button on the driver side door.
Would it be possible to reprogram this feature to unlock all doors when I touch the door handle ? Is this a procedure I can do myself or would I need to take it to the dealer ? Thanks,

guymadison

Yes - in your manual it explains how to switch this - it involves pressing some buttons on your smartkey remote.

tollas

I examined the details of the front offset test of the Insurance Institute rating for the 2008 Highlander and was shocked to see that in the offset test the driver's head hit the steering wheel through the air bag hard enough to fracture a skull. The frontal offset rating was rated good good overall however. I would make the car a serious candidate for purchase but just can't get past the possible head injury in a frontal offset crash. Appreciate any input.

wwest

Wear a helmet....??

hha

Thanks for the reply. I did look in the manual but could not find where it shows how to program the Smartkey remote to unlock all doors when driver door is unlock. Do you recall which section/page number in the manual that refers to this ?

tarugs

It is not in the manual, what is says in the manual is to go to the dealership and they will reprogram it. I have been wanting to have my limited HL reprogrammed too, esp when you shift to park all the doors automatically unlocks, which is not good.

dmilani

Actually, it is in the manual. Go to pages 37 and 38. It's matter of pressing multiple buttons on the keyfob. I just did this today on my new Limited. Now all doors open when I open either front door.

wwest

If your wife(***) often drives the car you might want to reconsider having all doors unlock simultaneously. My '92 LS400 came this way and I modified it myself so only the driver's door unlocked with the remote.

*** Think dark night and questionable inner city location.

dowlingdc

I'm very interested to see if this solved your problem now that it's been a few weeks. Did the hood sensor replacement work? If so, I'm bringing my car in ASAP!!

jilin74

I bought my 08 highlander a week ago. And starting yesterday, I start to feel that the ride is quite bumpy on local roads. Given that it is Boston and the road is not good, but I still feel that it is more bumpy than just a few days ago. I was wondering whether there is something that I did (not) do during break-in to make it that way?

Thanks,

texases

There's nothing routine during break-in that would affect ride quality. Check your tires in the morning, if temperatures have gone up a lot, pressures may be up. Nothing else comes to mind. You could go back to the dealer and ask to test drive another identical model.

ronn

Someone wrote a review on the Highlander 08 and said they were having a hard time reading the orange letters on the radio?... Please know if you read these post, that you can change the color. I find the blue screen is easy to read, especially in the day time. Hope this helps !

yorf

My wife and I just picked up our new 08 Limited. I am curious as to what brand of tires came as original equipment on other owner's 08 Limited Highlanders. We leased and I am concerned that the tires we have will not make it through the lease period (48 mths). TireRack indicates that the Limited should be equipped with Bridgestone's Duelers. Based on TireRack's user reviews, the Dueler is an average tire at best. It's Treadwear rating (400), however, would be just sufficient to get us through our lease period. Our Limited did not come with Duelers. It came with Toyo's 'Open Country'. Treadwear rating of only 300. From what I can see, TireRack does not carry Toyo tires therefore no user reviews. So other than it's Treadwear rating, I have no idea about how they will perform. While shopping for our replacement vehicle, I thought I saw Highlanders equipped with Duelers. No Toyo's. Originally, we were looking at all trim levels paying special attention to the SR5 trim level. We didn't get to see the Limited we now have until we picked it up. So it kind of surprised me. Just for the record, we live in Toronto, Canada.

thardgrave

I purchased my new Limited in January, and it came with the Duelers. I remember seeing somewhere that the size tires on the Limited were new, and few companies would have tires for it initially. Not sure if that is correct, but that is what I have, and have not heard of this before.

damifinomike

Hello:

Got my Limited Highlander in Fall of 2007. Came with Toyo Tires. Like them a lot so far and worked very good in Michigan Winter last year. Had a lot of snow and really put the 4WD process to the test.
Tires are very good and do not HUM on the highway.
So far with my 4WD version, I am getting 17mpg in city driving and to work which is about 17 miles each direction from home.
Recent trip to Northern Michigan this past weekend on Expressway and two-lane road driving was averaging about 22 mpg.
And the vehicle really does fly down the highway with bigger engine. Watch out for the police because you can find yourself "speeding" real easy.

Very happy with Toyo tires so far and have about 12,000 miles on vehicle with frequent rotations during oil changes.

jilin74

Still feels a little bumpy on local road, particularly over the cracks and potholes, etc. But on highway, it works very well. Maybe it is just the soft suspension.

jilin74

Is there anyway to turn off the AC/fan for one side and have it on for the other side?

I tried to adjust the passenger temperature to the outside temperature, but that does not seem to work.

Also, there seems to be wind coming out of the dash vent even when I press the FAN/OFF button. Anyone else experienced this too?

jgant

We received our new 2008 Highlander, Limited in mid May "08. it came with TOYO tires. So far all is well. We love the vehicle. We're in Virginia.

texases

Thanks everybody for the info on 18" vs 20" - any problems with the 'chrome-clad' (plastic) covers? That was one other reason I was thinking of 18" alloys.

yorf

Thank you to those that have replied. I dug a little more and came up with this news release from Toyo:

http://www.toyoad.com/highlander.html

Seems that Toyo was chosen to be the main supplier of tires for some of the trim lines. That kind of explains why I got Toyo on mine but have seen Bridgestone's on others. Since TireRack doesn't carry Toyo, also explains why only Bridgestone's show up. I enjoy the ride provided by the Toyo's but I don't think they are going to wear very well. With a Treadrating of only 300 I don't expect them to last much longer than 3 years. I can't find out what their mileage guarantee is but I wouldn't expect much more that 36,000 miles or 60,000 kilometers. They are very soft and grippy but IMO will wear quickly. Too early to have owners respond about their durability, but I bet we will be hearing about it. Tough for us that have 4 year leases.

texases

Only good news - those wear ratings are pretty rough. Keep them fully inflated year-round and you might make it. Also depends on how gently you corner, to some extent.

vtgk7

I bought my 08 Toyota Highlander Ltd in 9/07 and the brand of tires that came with the vehicle is Toyo, which I understand is a very good tire.

mdhutton

Bridgestone Dueler H/Ls on my new HL Limited (Chicago area). A 400 treadwear rating with my driving habits lasted 85K miles on my last vehicle ('02 GMC Envoy)...honest! Keep 'em inflated, rotated, balanced and un-abused and they'll do just fine.