Inaccurate information about Highlander and Toyota 4wd systems

[jumbocavs]

I found that many of the posts I have read about Highalnder 4wd/awd systems are inaccurate and or dont make sense to me. I found this video, which I have seen posted on here before, but with flaws in the link, that describe the 4wd systems in detail and thought I would post.
http://www.majormedia2.com/4WDSimplifiedv5/4WD.html

[jumbocavs]

This link specifically regarding the Highlander and Sienna 4wd systems.
http://www.majormedia2.com/4WDSimplifiedv5/4WD.html

[Ralph6410]

It would be an excellent video if it included what happens when one toggles the various controls available, Snow VSC Trac DAC. Those are the switches that complicate the process and no one seems able to definitively define them used singly or in tandem.

[sweeneyp]

that link was in the stickies for a reason

[TrailDust]

I'm not trying to be an ass, but based on past threads I consider the 4WD system, DAC, Snow mode, and VSC/TRAC to be pretty clearly defined. If some consider it not, perhaps all the pertinent info could be placed in a single thread and referenced in one of the DIY stickies.

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

I'm not trying to be an ass, but based on past threads I consider the 4WD system, DAC, Snow mode, and VSC/TRAC to be pretty clearly defined.

+1



The AWD (yes, it is AWD, not 4WD) system is fairly simple and straight foward on the HL, and there have been (IMHO) a lot of posts on TN about it that were correct.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

The AWD (yes, it is AWD, not 4WD) system

Those nimrods at Toyota really had a brain fart with that one. I guess 4WD sounded sexy to the marketing people....

[tagheuer]

To the OP, which posts are you referring to that contain misleading info?

As the mods have noted, these Toyota instructional videos have been posted here many times and are stickys at the top.

Although it may be interesting to discuss the AWD system from a theoretical point of view, in every day driving it rarely matters.

The Highlander is AWD, not 4WD, and the system functions fine in most urban environments. I am of the opinion that 4WD/AWD systems are a total waste of money for the vast majority of customers, myself included.

I live in Metro Detroit, we just got 5 inches of heavy, wet snow last night. Cleared the driveway with my snow thrower, and my wife drove down the street just fine in the AWD Highlander.

But so did I in my 2012 VW GTI....unless you live somewhere where the roads aren't plowed....it just doesn't matter.

Here our roads are usually plowed within 24 hours or so....and we just had wet slush. Occasionally (once every couple of years) we'll get a heavy snowfall that takes more like 48 hours to clear....in those rare cases the extra ground clearance and AWD/4WD systems of SUVs can be useful...

But lets be honest, that's pretty infrequent for the vast majority of us who live in urban environments.

I would say, on average, I actually need/use the AWD system in Michigan less than 5-8 days per year...

A few more points, the Toyota system is painfully simple, the only thing you really need to know is you can disable TRAC if you need to accelerate through deep snow (TRAC can hinder forward progress by applying brake to wheel and/or modulating throttle which may be undesirable if you are trying to spin your wheels and really hammer out of snow to get some forward progress).

There really aren't any other significant settings...disabling VSC all together won't likely improve your performance in any condition, and the "snow" button isn't magic, it simply changes shift points to reduce torque a little bit...I have tested on/off and it doesn't make much difference.

So, in the Highlander, just set it and forget it, and if you get stuck, try disabling TRAC, there isn't anything else you can/should be doing.

Its much more important to be driving with good tires.

There are much more complicated 4WD systems, like those in the FJ Cruiser, Jeep Grand Cherokee/Wrangler, 4Runner/Land Cruiser, etc. with locking differentials, ATRAC, etc. etc.

Those systems are such overkill for the vast majority of folks, something like less than 5-10% of people ever take their SUVs offroad.

[Syntecguy]

+1 agree with tagheuer, I also live in an uban area (Toronto Canada) which probably has similar snow conditions as in the Detriot area and the Hylanders AWD system is all I need.

The only "true" off road excursions I may have is if I happen to miss the driveway.

[dallen3737]

In the good old days, 4WD meant locking the hubs

[TrailDust]

Agreed. I only use the "4WD" moniker because that's what Toyota technically named it. If you say "AWD" then someone invariably says, "You mean 4WD?" Then if you say "4WD" someone invariably says, "You mean AWD?"



Thank you, Toyota, for sewing confusion where none need exist.



As far as off-road capability the following will be the proverbial broken record to some of you, but to the uninitiated out there I probably hold the record for utilizing a Highlander in more off-road conditions than any other owner on the planet. Add to that I own a Samurai 4x4 and have driven true 4x4s for over 30 years now I have a lot of experience in off-roading. That said, the Highlander will easily take you to 90% of the places you want to go. The Achilles Heel of the Highlander is in rocky, technical driving and/or very undulating terrain where getting one, and especially two, wheels off the ground will stop you dead in the water. It's best capability is in sand. The Highlander will cruise across soft, deep sand with ease (provided VSC/TRAC is turned off), and that's in conditions I've seen 4x4s in high-range get stuck. With the mileage and reliability of the Highlander, it's a great vehicle for family camping or back country hiking, etc. That's my two cents.

[nhighlander]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

Those nimrods at Toyota really had a brain fart with that one. I guess 4WD sounded sexy to the marketing people....

I got confused all over again watching the slideshow

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

As far as off-road capability the following will be the proverbial broken record to some of you, but to the uninitiated out there I probably hold the record for utilizing a Highlander in more off-road conditions than any other owner on the planet. Add to that I own a Samurai 4x4 and have driven true 4x4s for over 30 years now I have a lot of experience in off-roading. That said, the Highlander will easily take you to 90% of the places you want to go. The Achilles Heel of the Highlander is in rocky, technical driving and/or very undulating terrain where getting one, and especially two, wheels off the ground will stop you dead in the water. It's best capability is in sand. The Highlander will cruise across soft, deep sand with ease (provided VSC/TRAC is turned off), and that's in conditions I've seen 4x4s in high-range get stuck. With the mileage and reliability of the Highlander, it's a great vehicle for family camping or back country hiking, etc. That's my two cents.

No pics No proof

[sweeneyp]

OK, since that link is incredibly tedious just to get to HL info, I'm going to pull the info out relating to it. While that link is still great if you want to learn about all the different types, the below will be everything in the link that relates to the HL....just remember anytime it mentions 4wd on the HL, its AWD This should make things easier to reference quickly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview of all Toyota Models:


Basic Overview:






More in Depth:


In case its not clear, the HL has an open front differential, open center differential, and open rear differential.



Differential:






Transfer Case:




Center Differential:







DownHill Assist Control (AWD models have this, ignore where it says they don't. There should be a button near the shifter):




HillStart Assist Control (Yes, all HL models have this, even if it says we don't. Press hard on the brake pedal at a stop to activate it. You will hear a beep when it activates.):




And just to be thorough, here is the hybrid setup. It is a part time AWD system. It is predominantly FWD, but when it detects slip the rear electric motor activates to provide a push from the rear. Because its setup to not be a normal drive motor, you can't disable TRAC on HL models (unless they changed things in the recent years).

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by nhighlander

I got confused all over again watching the slideshow

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

No pics No proof

I'll drive my Samurai through your living room window, make a hard turn in the kitchen, and exit through the back door. I will take video and photos, then you'll have proof.