Intermittent Tones
 

When I turn a corner or go down a steep hill, I occasionally get a ding-ding-ding tone. Same tone as when the door is ajar or the seatbelt is not secure. This has happened 9 times in the past month. The tone goes away after 5 seconds to one minute. I always wear my seatbelt and the door is never ajar. I have 2500 miles on my base Hybrid. Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas what it might be? Will take to the dealer as soon as I can.

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

Same thing here when I turn real fast.

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

Hmm... I wonder if it's the HiHy' VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) giving you false-positives (i.e. set too sensitively). It's supposed to "ding" when it's activated...

http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...cle_id_int/654

https://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/.../signature.png

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

Yup, it's your "traction control" notifying you that one or more of your wheels is slipping. The OEM tires that come on the Highlander are four individual piles o' crap. They'll slip-n-slide at the slightest provocation. Now unless your stability control is indeed giving you false positives, you have three choices:

1) Live with the dinging
2) Start driving like Grandma
3) Upgrade to better tires with a wider profile and realistic grip

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

Hello all,

I suspect that it is the weight sensor in the front passenger seat. This issue has been discussed here on another thread, but basically if you lean on the passenger armrest, it's easy to cause this. On the rare occaision it happens to me I ignore it anymore.

Also, I have found the "Michelin Energy"s quite capable on my Hihy. Do the slipping folks have badyears? I almost never hear from VSC.

Happy hypermiling
-Rodney

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

moneypenny what tires came on your hilander ? I have michelin energy.

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

I have the Michelin's on my HH and they are great in the summer, but terrible in the winter. There is no traction to speak of on wet snow. Living on a hill I just ordered a set on Michelin Alpine's and wheels to install for the winter. As my wife pointed out is it worth getting in an accident over just to say you didn't have to buy snow tires.:embarass:

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

I determined that the cause of the intermittent tones is the weight sensor in the front passenger seat. I frequently rest my right arm on the armrest of the passenger seat. I noticed (this week) that the passenger side airbag indicator light on the dash lights up when I hear the tone.

Re: Intermittent Tones
 

Came with the Goodyears.