Ok TDR, who knows anything about Toyota Highlanders???

[mwilson]

Wife is getting worked up over a 2010 Toyota Highlander. I know nothing about them other than the "Tougher Than Hell!" that you get from any Toyota fan up here.

It belonged to a family friend that passed this winter. I don't think it has been in snow or salt and will be very surprised if it even has 20,000 miles on it.

I have only had a quick glance at it, saw leather, sunroof, etc. but did not notice the trim level or if it is AWD.

Told her to call the family and get the keys.

It is a V-6, so I assume that there is a timing belt replacement involved at some point.

Let me know what you know, good and bad.

Thanks!!!
Mike.

 

[RustyJC]

My wife has a 2008 Highlander Limited with ~50K miles. Other than replacing the OEM battery a few years ago and a fresh set of tires, it's been absolutely bulletproof since purchasing it in December 2007. She loves the thing and wouldn't consider trading it.

Rusty

 

[Bill Stockard]

My wife has been looking a Highlander also. She has driven a 2015 with XLE trim and got a trade (give away) price on her clean low mileage Honda Odyssey Touring minivan. The only thing she disliked was the feel of the electric power steering and the less available cargo and seating space vs. her minivan. Also the ease of entry and exit is easier with her Honda... time will tell if she trades.

Bill

 

[mwilson]

So it would be possible to have a runaway throttle and no steering all on the same vehicle??? I need to own that!!!

I really don't know much about the electric steer by wire, I did try out a Chevy Cruze that had it. Was a little different. There must some redundancy built in there somewhere.

She is quite taken with it so it will be something I need to figure out how to work on.........she is going to get rid of the 2002 T&C, I tried to convince here to sell the 2008 T&C brake eating, freezing caliper SOB but no go. She wants to keep that one......of course...

 

[RustyJC]

I really don't know much about the electric steer by wire.....

Mike, it's not "steer by wire" like the Infinitis - it's just electric motor assist instead of hydraulic on the mechanical rack and pinion system. They're doing it for fuel savings since you're not spinning a power steering pump 100% of the time. The electric assist kicks in only when the steering wheel is turned.

Rusty

 

[mwilson]

Ok, that's good news that there is the "Armstrong" steer option if something goes wrong. I am going to try and study up on them tonight.

 

[Regcabguy]

The only gripe I read about in the mags is the low seating position which the Tacoma shares. Being 6'4" when i sit in either my knees are way above my hips. This would be similiar to sitting in soft sand at the beach in a small beach chair.
Correction: I was thinking about the Four Runner. 1000 pardons.

 

[RustyJC]

The only gripe I read about in the mags is the low seating position which the Tacoma shares.

The Highlander doesn't share any body or chassis components with the Tacoma. The 4Runner and Tacoma are cousins, just as the Highlander (and Venza) are built on the Camry platform.

Rusty

 

[Bob4x4]

My son is a tech at an independent and tried to talk me into getting one for his motherThats a pretty good endorsment to me.He never does any repairs on them just normal maint.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Mike

Wish I could help you out, My 2013 Toyota Taco oma with the V6 4x4 is pretty hard to beat. I put some bags of stone in the bed of the truck in the winter for weight and to put under tires if need be for some traction. So far the weight idea is all I can comment on. The Taco has gone threw some pretty deep snow.

It gets its oil changed and filters when needed and so far that's all its needed it keeps running and running and running. For you and me something that I really like is how fast it warms up. I don't think that coolant flows at all until it gets to a certain temp and then all of a sudden its warm AND IT DONT TAKE LONG, I start it go get my coffee and come back pull out from under the side cover and its ready. Defroster and heater are the best I've seen even the side window defrost works. Pretty good mileage, its been a sound investment for me we bought it to drive in bad winters I don't want to subject the Dodge, Audi and now the Caddy to the crap that's on winter roads we seem to drive it most all the time rain snow shine unless we are going someplace special or a long distance. Its suspension is a little stiff, but its a 4x4 so what's new?

 

[Regcabguy]

The Highlander doesn't share any body or chassis components with the Tacoma. The 4Runner and Tacoma are cousins, just as the Highlander (and Venza) are built on the Camry platform.

Rusty

Thank you. Brain fart,duly noted.

 

[p-Bar]

Have a 2002 . Been a good car other than the sludge issue which I missed the deadline for the repair. Not a fan of AWD as more moving parts and clutch packs to replace have 168k on it now

 

[Bill Stockard]

Mike,

Have you looked at this forum? http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/122-2nd-generation-2008-2013/

Bill

 

[GHarman]

mwilson,
My Wife and Step Daughter have shared a AWD 2007 Highlander we bought new. It has been a very reliable vehicle. Weak point is Transmission/transfer case interface gasket. If You swap out to synthetic gear oil in the transfer case? It will most likely leak. Toyota will replace the gasket under warranty, but if the warranty is used up? That leak repair is all yours. We had no starting issues in cold weather, excellent handling in Snow and Ice with good tires. After the Girls were rearended by a DA dump truck non-driver back in 2010, which destroyed the trailer they were towing and the left rear axle/hub and suspension. The Highlander was repaired and is still running fine!!!
Be aware that some models have "lifetime sealed transmissions" or srequire special oils when changing fluids. Not standard Dextron transmission oil!
Hope this helps??
Greg

 

[Tractorat]

Hey GHarmon,
Living in Denver now ? How are you doing ?

 

[RustyJC]

Be aware that some models have "lifetime sealed transmissions" or srequire special oils when changing fluids. Not standard Dextron transmission oil!

My wife's 2008 Highlander just had the transmission fluid and filters changed at the dealer along with the coolant last month - hers is almost 8 years old and has ~50K miles. As I said earlier, all it's had aside from regular dealer service is 1 battery and a new set of tires. It's been as reliable as sunrise.

Rusty

 

[mwilson]

Possibly uses the Mobil 3309 Fluid like the Aisins do?

I keep 3309 here for the Fuso trucks and I am pretty sure that Toyota is also on the label.

 

[RVTRKN]

Tacoma Prerunner V6, Yaris and two RAV4's and not a bit of warranty work. Maintenance, great service and a good dealer has been good for us. My daughter has had several different Toyota's, not including a Yaris and Tacoma hand me downs after normal milage we put on them. I'd recommend any Toyota except the weak framed Tundra, if I needed a 1/2 ton, I'd buy a Ram, and would be interested in the new Nissan with the Cummins.