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Comments
We have a 07 Highlander Sport with about 3000 miles on it now.
I was really nervous about 'hesitation' issues after reading about them in the Highlander.
I have noticed the tranny 'burps' sometimes, but only occasionally under hard acceleration or repeated downshifting (like going up many many miles of serious uphill). 2 times the tranny felt like it slipped when accelerating hard from a stop on a steep hill (driveway).
Although it would be preferable that the minor 'burping' did not ever happen...I have not found it to be much of a problem for me personally. Nothing like what I have read about the Camry this year. The Highlander 'burps' are small and do not interfer with operation in traffic and have only happened a few times like I said.
I would buy it again. We both love it. It is amazingly serene and smooth and luxerious feeling.
We just got back from a very long trip to the ocean (6 hours each way) and it was the most enjoyable car trip I have even been on. The Highlander is just so comfy and serene to be in.
The front passenger seat can be a bit uncomfortable feeling for some as the seat bottom is a bit short and you can feel like your being 'pushed' out of the seat, but I have found that if you sit a bit sideways or cross your legs like in a office chair the seat is very nice and soft.
So, yes, we have had the few 'burps' but they have not been a problem for us.
The honest truth.
Overall the Highlander is a luxury feeling vehicle and I wish I got to drive it more as my husband has stolen it he loves it so much.
I do reccommend the 'Sport' version as the 'reg' version has a lot of body roll for me.
My '07, is just as nice but with one issue. It seems to be constantly up shifting and down shifting, very annoying. I don't know if it's because the '07 has a 5 speed vs the '03 4 speed tranny or it's a problem as I have been reading here. I don't notice it all the time but usually driving in traffic at low speeds around 30mph. The tranny doesn't seem to know where to go. I used to like to turn off the OD driving that speed so it was easier to drive at slow speeds but the '07 doesn't seem to work the same when the OD is turned off. Maybe I just have to learn to drive differently with the new trans. I'm going to raise the issue when I take it in for the first oil change.
here's a link to the alignment sheet specs:
http://picasaweb.google.com/draganplavsic/Alignment">link title
When I brought it in I needed an alignment because the steering wheel was off slightly to the right when driving down a straight road. Now when the dealer did an alignment the steering wheel is off slightly to the left. I changed all 4 tires a few months so I don't know if the tires have any impact on this or not but they are brand new. While at the dealer today I also had them rotate all 4 tires. What should my next step be? I would hate to keep going back to the dealer.
My stearing wheel is ALWAYS off-center so that I can easily drive straight ahead, wheel-spoke in a "proper position, while resting my elbow on the door armrest.
If you really wish the stearing wheel to be "exactly" centered going straight down the road that is very easy for the mechanic to accomplish by lengthening one tie rod while shortening the other.
American Heritage Dictionary -
Steer - Steering
v. steered, steer·ing, steers
To guide by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or wheel.
To direct the course of. See Synonyms at conduct.
To maneuver (a person) into a place or course of action. See Synonyms at guide.
To guide a vessel or vehicle.
To follow or move in a set course.
To admit of being steered or guided: a craft that steers easily.
Stearing - not found - Only Acronyms
Mikefm58, you may be interested in some of the online sources in the Online Repair Manuals guide. The Technical Information System is one listed there for Toyota, but it's not cheap.
i told the dealer that when I drive down a straight road the steering wheel is not centered, but it's slightly off to the right. I guess being that they are pro's they would know what that meant. If my steering wheel is exactly centered the vehicle pulls slowly to the right...not good.
ALL, or almost all, of our roads in the US are crowned at the center to provide for quick water run-off. That results in vehicle pulling (sliding really) to the right even if the alignment is correct with the stearing wheel perfectly centered.
stearing
"nough said....
So, IMMHO there is no "right or wrong" of it.
So I'll go with what I learned in Mr. Furman's 5th grade class at primos.
Strearing:
The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search bar above.
Suggestions for stearing:
1. steering
2. starring
3. staring
4. storing
5. stirring
6. string
7. storying
8. steading
9. stearins
10. stealing
11. sterling
12. starching
Moo.... :shades:
2. 5,000 and 10,000 mile checks are straight forward with engine oil, filter, tire rotation and visual inspection of the brakes. Will receipt of oil and filter purchase and one's word that you rotated the tires and inspected the brakes suffice or some other form of documentation such as pictures necessary?
3. 15,000 and 30,000 checks involve the above items plus other inspections. Do these inspections have to be accomplished by a licensed/certified mechanic or can a owner preform them and still satisfy Toyota?
Any information/input regarding above questions will be greatly appreciated.
receipts are usually sufficient to "prove" proper oil changes.
the law states that any maintenance REQUIRED can be done by someone other than an "official" service dept. Warranties cover failures, and an inspection will not prevent a failure in most cases. If you can inspect for a bad bearing, Toyota will still fix it under warranty if they agree it is bad.
If you cannot inspect for it (a bearing or anything else), you need to find someone who CAN inspect it (no one does it for free), then if something is found, Toyota will do their own inspection and perform the replacement under warranty.
"Any failure or noncompliance caused by improper maintenance or repairs is not covered by this warranty"
It sound as if there is a lot of room for argument in the the manufacturer's favor if warranty issues do arise depending on the type and cost of the warranty work. Recently having purchased a new vehicle and looking into which route to take for maintenance (Dealer, independent shop, or do-it-yourself) one would want to make sure warranty issues will not be a problem if required maintenance was performed by the owner.
All Toyota dealers and most independent shops with properly licensed mechanics performing the maintenance will eliminate any warranty issues but do-it-yourselfers are taking a risk, however small that may be, that Toyota will prevail in a court of law.
The question would then be, is all this worth the savings one will accrue by doing it yourself. Probably not especially if you are planing to purchase extended factory warranty. Just might have to cough up the scheduled maintenance cost however unreasonable and sometimes unnecessary they might be.
I'm 3/4 of the way to the end of our extended warranty and still hoping for my money back as we've still had no warranty work done in 75K miles.
Phil
That is only half the reason for DIY maintenance. When you hear all the stories about forgetting to tighten the drain plug or oil filter or just forgetting to put the oil in all together, it is scary. Also you can't be sure what grade oil they are actually putting in. When they do a quick change, they often don't let the oil completely drain before screwing the plug back in. I KNOW I do a better job than the dealer with that kind of maintenance. I keep a log and receipts for the oil and filters and have never had a problem.
Desertguy brings up another point regarding the quality of service at dealers or independent shops. Unless you do the work yourself, you are relying soley on the shop's word that the work promised was actually performed and preformed correctly.
Check out what it covers which is virtually all components of the car except wear items such as brake pads. A couple added points: It provides a free loaner when car is out of service and it is transferable if you sell your car which is a great incentive for the new buyer.
I have the 7 year 100,000 mile Platinum Warranty with 0 deductible. Cost me $804. Ignore the pricing on the web page as dealers can and do charge whatever they want. One major problem with the air conditioning will pay for it.
My comment about the refundable cost of warranty should one not use it at all was directed at "phrosut" as he/she stated that he/she was on his/her way to a complete refund of warranty purchase price for not filing a single claim. Far as I know, Toyota's plan does not have this clause. I did hear that some third party warranty does offer this benefit.
Another decision to ponder as to which way to pursue.
The "catch" on the money back is that you have to submit the required paperwork in a very narrow window when the 7 years is up, mileage doesn't matter. (2 weeks comes to mind but I may be remembering incorrectly). You also have to prove that you still own the car with a copy of the current registration.
We've marked calendars, and made notes, and have the exact time programmed into an electronic calendar. I may take the required paperwork to the dealer just before I send it in and have them verify it and confirm that the company is still in business (the warranty-money-back company).
Phil
The module for the heating/AC was $900 plus labor (as posted here, IIRC) and was a big factor in my buying the extended warranty. Since then, there've been posts detailing the simple repair that those units usually need.
The sunroof repair is another biggie, but that problem hadn't been yet posted when I got the warranty. I'd use the warranty for that!
Phil
Thanks in advance.