Quote:
Originally Posted by Billyk
When someone mentions the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, I frequently remember to post this information: (last posted at:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f...19/index2.html)
Originally Posted by Billyk
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD and Lexus RX400 AWD use this type of setup in which a second electric motor is utilized to power the rear wheels only. The second rear electric motor is rated at 50kw (68HP).
This is from an autochannel review of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...14/051904.html
• #%&!! traction control … Unfortunately, there is no way to disable the standard electronic traction control. When photographing the Highlander for this story, we found a road down to the beach. Our goal was to put a sand dune behind the truck to make a nice photo. Even though our Highlander Hybrid featured four-wheel drive (the internal combustion engine and transmission/motor combo drives the front wheels while another electric motor powers the rear wheels), in very shallow sand while still on the access road to the beach, the Highlander stranded itself immediately. With the wheels spinning in the sand, the traction control thought we were “slipping” on dangerous ice or snow and decided for us that we should just be parked. Without being able to spin the wheels to gain some traction, we could not extricate ourselves from the sand, and needed several beachgoers to push us out. For this otherwise capable SUV to essentially strand itself seemed entirely out of character. And very frustrating to the driver. It’s a helpless feeling to know the vehicle could easily drive itself out of the situation if it would only let itself. While Toyota corrected this oversight on gasoline powered Highlanders for 2008, on 08 Highlander Hybrids, there is still no “off” switch for the traction control.
I remember reading an "expert" from Consumer Report on their forums stating we have overheated the electric motor on this vehicle. I copied this from the CR forum site: ... From our experience with the Lexus 400h and Highlander hybrid, there is no traction problem in snowy conditions. Tecnically, when the rear mounted electric motor overheats in continious use, such as crossing a sand dune, it'll shut off. Ford, mind ... [ 7265.5]
Hope this helps.
Traction control issue and the experts from Consumer Report state the rear electric motor overheats in continuous use! Why would anyone go with Toyota after reading this?
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OK, so the HiHy is not a dune buggy or a Jeep - fair enough! But about the beach stranding, this must have been mighty soft sand to have no progress made with initial wheel spinning. The fallacy of the argument is that wheel spinning gives more traction - patently false, as without forward progress, this only digs you deeper. As a former FL resident, done that, been there too many times. Everyone knows that with braking, locking the wheels dramatically reduces traction - the reverse corollary of spinning the wheels. I doubt that an FEH 4WD would have done any better (given the same tires).
The HiHy's "intelligent" FWD gives as much traction in poor traction situations as each wheel can tolerate WITHOUT spinning - this is the point of maximum traction. And yes, continued heavy use in hot conditions will overheat the rear motor if allowed to do so. That's why Toyota advises the HiHy not be used in true off-road conditions.
In my winter trips to the Sierras and other winter winter sports area, the performance of my i4WD HiHy has been exemplary as it keeps each wheel on the edge of maximum traction without breaking it. I carry cable chains but have never had to use them. A few have complained about being bogged in deep snow with the system shutting down when no forward progress is made - ditto the comments about sand above - but most on the HiHy forum have been impressed with the snow capabilities even with stock tires, which is what mine has (Goodyear Integrity). Some HiHy owners report trying to do power spin-outs and have not been able to, as the traction control prevents this - the vehicle just keeps it's steered line as fast as conditions will tolerate.
In the end, would you rather have a system that can literally save lives with it's standard state-of-the-art stability and traction control, or one that can possibly dig four deep holes in sand before you know it, leaving you well and truly %#@&*%?
I got the '06 HiHy instead of the FEH for several reasons: First, Toyota's reputation for safety, build quality and reliability. Next, with six grandkids, we needed the extra seating fairly often. Finally, the towing capacity of 3500# rather than 1000# - perfect for a midsized tent trailer.
My FE has been 5-6 mpg better than my '01 Volvo V70 wagon, which is almost 1000 lbs lighter and certainly more aerodynamic. We get about 25 overall in the HiHy, and on a recent round trip to Yosemite calculated 28.6. I read about the ultra-high milage claims for the FEH, but the database for the 4WD versions shows only 3 mpg over the HiHy (29 vs. 26 mpg).
Pete