4wd 2008 Highlander

[disc]

Does any one know how the 4wd works on 2008 highlander? What I mean is it on all the time or like the honda piolet it comes on when its called for? I have concerns for bad tire wear if its full time 4wd. So I hope some of you can please answer my question cause I will be buying a new vehicle soon.

Thanks

[nodrogkam]

A simple search gives you answers you seek.

http://www.toyota.com/highlander/specs.html

its full time according to toyota. The previous HL was part time i believe.

Part time 4wd comes with the Rav 4 or Honda CRV.

Tire wear for full time 4wd is somewhat worse, but the front wheels will still be worn faster due to them still being the drive and steering wheels.

Its totally up to you.

[pch316]

Originally Posted by disc

Does any one know how the 4wd works on 2008 highlander? What I mean is it on all the time or like the honda piolet it comes on when its called for? I have concerns for bad tire wear if its full time 4wd. So I hope some of you can please answer my question cause I will be buying a new vehicle soon.

Thanks

The 4wd is on at all time. I test drove one last week.

[nim]

are the rear wheels driven by a viscous coupling such as manual transmission subarus, or is there an electrical operated clutch pak as on automatic transmission subarus, or is there some type of non-selectable center differential?

[pch316]

Sorry but not too familiarize with that stuff.

[kraky]

If it's like the honda Pilot it's a great system. I've had 2 pilots...an 04 and an 07. When I traded the '04 the car had 27k on it and the tires still looked great. They would have easily gone 50k I believe. You cannot tell even in sharp tight parking that it's a awd vehicle. The only time you know you have it is when you step on it on ice and heavy snow and it goes straight forward. Almost gives you too much confidence.

All that being said I'm not happy with the '07 Pilot gas mileage. The '04 was geared higher than the '07 and it would get 23-24 mpg. The '07 (why did honda gear them down) is going 7 mph slower than the '04 at the same rpm and is getting a poor 20-21mpg on the highway.

I also have an 06 Avalon and love it. We get fantastic mileage and I'm watching the highlander forums to see how they are doing. It's real possible that the Highlander will be my next vehicle. Looks like most dimensions are the same between the Highlander and Pilot with the Pilot being slightly wider. BUT, the highlander looks like they have made more room for the passengers by placing the seats farther back on the interior which is what I really like....I want my passengers to have room.
Will be watching this forum to keep judging the happiness of owners.

[PaulW]

Originally Posted by nim

are the rear wheels driven by a viscous coupling such as manual transmission subarus, or is there an electrical operated clutch pak as on automatic transmission subarus, or is there some type of non-selectable center differential?

The RX350 uses a viscous coupling so I'd expect the 08 Highlander to be the same though I haven't seen anything that says that explicitly.

[PaulW]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

A simple search gives you answers you seek.

http://www.toyota.com/highlander/specs.html

its full time according to toyota. The previous HL was part time i believe.

Part time 4wd comes with the Rav 4 or Honda CRV.

Tire wear for full time 4wd is somewhat worse, but the front wheels will still be worn faster due to them still being the drive and steering wheels.

Its totally up to you.

I've owned two AWD cars and experience no unusual tire wear. The Highlander is really AWD despite what Toyota marketing calls it.