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"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize for your dissatisfaction with the driving response of the 2004 Highlander.
The poor response you described typically surfaces either when the accelerator is depressed fully to the floor or when depressed an aggressive manner. The newer version of the Highlander has transitioned from a manual throttle linkage to an electronic throttle control system. The electronic throttle control monitors the everyday driving habits of the operator and then tailors itself to make the most efficient gearshifts. On rare occasions when the operator fully depresses the pedal or depresses the pedal in an aggressive manner, the system may experience a delay in determining how to make the optimal gearshift.
At this time Toyota has no plans to make changes to the shift characteristics of the transmission. To minimize this condition, we recommend trying a firm yet gradual application of the accelerator.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Your feedback is appreciated; it is through communications such as yours that we become aware of our customers' expectations and reactions. It also provides us with valuable insight when planning and developing future products and services to increase our customers' satisfaction."
I'm actually pleased that they wrote back and acknowledged my existence, but the solution is a non-solution and I wonder why they didn't reference the supposed fix for the Lexus. Anyway, has anyone tried disconnecting their battery to reset the "learned" behavior? ("Bad car, don't hesitate!"). Maybe there's a camp for recalcitrant Highlanders--tough love with a few cliches tossed in, such as "He who hesitates is lost."
Suppose I just showed up at a Lexus dealer and asked for some cross-make help? Would they laugh? Would it work?
and go mo when you push on it mo.
why should it "learn' about you if you always drive the same?
really stupid to me. I hope they change their mind and turn off the "brain" in the car.
Wonder how these things are in fleet use or renta car use where there is a different driver every day - the brain must need counseling????????????
like the nav sys beeps that can not be silencened and the nav system disclaimer that always comes on.
i think Toyota has lost some of its ability to tailor the car to people in the last 10 years compared with the mid 90s.
rrmcneil
The flimsy doors, the cabin rattles, undercarriage rattles, oil filter placement, the non self locking doors, and of course, the transmission makes this car the worst I've ever owned. Toyota = big mistake.
Their expressions seemed to indicate "resigned to frustration" IMMHO.
My experience with the german car industry is that that is a cultural problem with them
Part of the Japanese culture is to die rather than confess to mistakes, "live without honor".
I searched the HL forums here and did not find where the issue has been previously reported.
Thanks for any assistance,
brgsmith
Anyway, I think the new Tacoma looks cool, you should get that. (But please, get one with power doors, windows... I don't understand why so many people buy a Tacoma with no power options at all!!) We are in 2005, not 1985 :-)
I searched the HL forums here and did not find where the issue has been previously reported.
Thanks for any assistance,
brgsmith
So file a complaint if you are experiencing the hesitation problem with the '04 Highlander here;
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
Click on "secure submissions" and fill out the simple form. When you get towards the end of filling out the form, you'll be asked the component. Click/highlight "POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION." Some have posted under "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL" so file where you want.
Thanks
Thanks
The dealer spilled some oil from the last oil and filter change, on my 2004 V6. It ended up in a groove in the shield under the front bumper and dripped on the garage floor. While I was cleaning this up from the shield I tried to find the filter. OK, I give up. Where did Toyota hide the oil filter on the 3.3 V6?
What I did was cut a square hole in the black air deflector under the the bumper. "Eye ball" where the filter is in relation to where you will cut and cut a 5 inch square out. This plastic is very soft so a utility knife will do the trick. Get some speed nuts (4). Speed nuts are made for thin metal and are "U" shaped. They have a hole on one end and a off center hole on the other to "grasp" the threads of a sheet metal screw. Drill (carefully) 4 holes in a little at the corners from where you cut the plastic out and slip in the speed nuts so the holes align.
Next get a piece of sheet metal, 6 inch square. Drill (again carefully) 4 holes in the sheet metal that will line up with the speed nuts you installed. Sand and paint the sheet metal black. After drying, screw four sheet metal screws though the holes into the air deflector and you are done.
Now you have an easy "covered" access hole to remove/install the oil filter.
So file a complaint if you are experiencing the hesitation problem with the '04 Highlander here;
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
Click on "secure submissions" and fill out the simple form. When you get towards the end of filling out the form, you'll be asked the component. Click/highlight "POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION." Some have posted under "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL" so file where you want.
Thanks
At least the highlander is fine with regular oil...my '03 turbo passat needs full syn oil...using mobil 1 euro 0-40wt oil...
SAE5/30. Does it really drain better when hot since it is thinner when cold and thickens when hot? The oil changes on my 04 HL Done by Toyota always drip after a oil change. Service rep says that service changes the filter by feel and a little bit of oil drips and accumulates in that plastic shroud.
cant find procedure to reset it. no mention of it in manual.
anybody
BTW I was taught to change oil hot also, but this is ancient history. with the new oils I doubt it is necessary.
Thanks
So you not only drain quickly, you get more of the "sediments" removed.
they also "have never heard of" any other pattern problems