I think the jury is still out on the use of premium.

I have not tested enough to have any significant results.

The thing is indeed faster with the premium.
The percentage increase for premium goes down with every price increase, BUT, I can't prove that the mileage is better.

As for the B versus L issue, I have read that B doesn't provide stronger regen. What I haven't done is played with it in the real world to see what it does. (Believed what I read...) I'll fool around with it the next couple of days and see if I can see the regen difference on the guages the way you can on the FEH.

Thanks Mark and Hylanderhybrid

I use Sam's fuel also and get good results. High octane fuel gives me worst mileage in my FEH because of the additives like ethanol (oxygenates). Whatever octane you use, I think you should stick with the same all the time to keep your O2 senors and PCM adjusted fuel trim from jumping around. Oxygenates cause a richer fuel mixture that must be adjusted back and the fuel trim recalculated by the PCM in the FEH if I accidently put in mixed fuels.

Thanks for all the info because I'm seriously thinking about getting my wife a HH to replace her Exployer now. We could use it also to tow the boat. Any good deals to be had on one now? A loaded 2WD is what I would want.

GaryG

Gary, I would strongly suggest you check out the AWD HH. I cross-shopped it before getting my FEH and it is serious fun. Plus, the extra motor really doesn't have much of a penalty over the FWD since it's not engaged to the drivetrain like the AWD FEH is.
I would suspect that the deals are going to get hot on the '07 HHs and RXHs that are around since it's a short model year before the new design '08s come in. For example, when I shopped in January I found a Toy dealer here in SoCal with 2 '06 HH AWD non-limiteds that they were letting go for about $35K OTD (no trade-in).

Don, thanks for the recommendation, and I will look at the cost of the added AWD. When I bought my FEH, I got every option because deducting the AWD made it possible. Pulling the boat out of a steep ramp at low tide was not an issue with the FEH because I could not tow the boat anyway. What I'd like to know is, if the 2WD have a anti slip FWD for that kind of problem with my boat. Front wheels don't need to get in the slippery crap near the water most of the time.

Anyone have any experience with these type of issues with there 2WD HH?

GaryG

Does anyone have any idea why Toyota is so vehement that the Hihy is not intended for off road use? I live on a dirt road that gets muddy in March. Should I avoid this vehicle? I live on an island and paid $3.25 @ gallon for my last tank of gas. Maybe I could get a Prius and put in lifts to give better clearance, but even then there is the mud season problem.

Its like the guy who is sueing ford because he bought the OFF ROAD (a lable on the box) f-150 ,and the manual said not intended for off road use!! Just don't go crazy on the off road and the hihy will be fine.

The Toyota 4wd has an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. It is not connected to the transmission that drives the front wheels.

If the front wheels slip, the rear electric motor kicks in and moves the car. The rear electric motor has much lower torque (96 lbs) and horsepower (67 hp) than the front wheels ([208 ICE hp] + [167 hp electric] and [216 lbs ICE ] + [212 lbs ICE + 247 lbs electric] of torque).

If the front wheels are slipping or stuck, the rear wheels may not have enough power to get you unstuck.

Also, the rear electric motor is air cooled. If the rear drive electric motor overheats, it shuts down.

From what I have read, the Highlander Hybrid should be fine for snow, dirt roads, and light off road use.

If other vehicles do not often get stuck on the dirt road, then I would not worry about the Highlander Hybrid getting stuck.

Rick

I hope this helps you.

Rick

Took my Wife to Stuart Toyota and looked at the HiHy. When I saw the $5,000 mark-up over sticker, I just ask the saleman for a brochure and looked at the few they had in stock. Afterwards, I looked at him and said I would not be interested in talking a deal at sticker, much less than $5,000 over. He came back to me with "the banks will loan that high on the hybrids". I just stated "not to me, because I'm not interested in their offer". Told him that Stuart Toyota was insulting buyers with those types of tactics and I wouldn't be coming back. Hope that helps the next buyer get a better deal.

At least I got a brochure out of them so me and my wife can see more clearly than the internet pics. She is interested in the crystal white with ivory interior she thinks, but we did not see any with those colors, and they had no limiteds on the lot.

Any news on the '08 models coming out?

GaryG

I've heard that Costco can get one a very good price on these things.

MM

You could buy it online for 3K under sticker in your area. Don't expect the '08 Hybrid until late summer/early fall.