Not sure if anyone one on this forum has seen this or not. But basically what happened was a owner of Highlander (2WD version) in China found out his car couldn't climb up a dirty road.
In the video you can see that all other vehicles had no trouble climbing up the road, only Highlander kept on slipping. Other owners of Highlander had brought their vehicles and tried as well but only the 4WD version could make it up the hill. Shouldn't the traction control kick in at this point?? Does anybody know what might be the reason?? BTW, they say the slope is around 25 degrees.
that's because he slipped and stop. once you stop - you're stuck! all the other ones made it because they didn't stop and had momentum to go all the way up.
I wonder if the turned it off... When TrailDust sees this maybe he will give his opinion as an off roader....
Nice chrome rear bumper cover on the first Highlander...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Camread
that's because he slipped and stop. once you stop - you're stuck! all the other ones made it because they didn't stop and had momentum to go all the way up.
Not only did he not maintain speed up the hill, but the knucklehead is hitting the gas and spinning the drive wheels in impulses before he even starts up the slope. Typical, blame incompetent driving on the vehicle and not the driver....I wish I had a dollar for every time I've seen that in person. Just this past weekend I drove up a 15 degree slope slick with mud after a fresh rain and the HL had no problem climbing it and there was no slippage, but a 2WD Samurai some stranger was driving and passed up the slope lost traction near the top.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Not only did he not maintain speed up the hill, but the knucklehead is hitting the gas and spinning the drive wheels in impulses before he even starts up the slope. Typical, blame incompetent driving on the vehicle and not the driver....I wish I had a dollar for every time I've seen that in person. Just this past weekend I drove up a 15 degree slope slick with mud after a fresh rain and the HL had no problem climbing it and there was no slippage, but a 2WD Samurai some stranger was driving and passed up the slope lost traction near the top.
There is the difference between your 4WD and that 2WD one in China.
Your 4WD will definitely have no problem to climb that 15 deg slope in China.
Absolutely true, but even a 2WD should have had less problems if he'd maintained speed up the slope. Admittedly, too, a rear wheel drive would have done better also. I'd have also aired down the front tires for more traction, but what do you think the odds are no one there had an air compressor along?
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
In that video, the small VW could climb the slope better than the other 2WD cars because it has a lower CG (centre of Gravity) and the weight is more evenly distributed between front and rear wheels. On other hand, the HighLander has the higher CG and the weight distribution is less even.
Up an slope, the weight will shift closer to the rear wheels. The higher the CG, the greater will be the weight shifting to the rear wheels. It will decrease the effective traction at the front wheels.
Your suggestion of letting air out to increase traction and better driving skill will definitely help.
I will definitely to get 4WD instead of 2WD for HL if I am going to buy HL.
I agree, part of the fault is his driving habits, throttling and braking. Another thing I noticed is the HL started at the base of the slope while others seemed to get a running start at it. Another factor, that we can't see, could be the tire tread design.
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2009 Highlander Sport 4WD. Cypress Pearl, Silver Leather.
......- EV Package #5, Moonroof, Tow Prep, Cross Bars, Mats
2003 Jeep Wranger Sport, soft top, 4in ProComp lift, 33in BFG Mud Terrain tires.
2005 Toyota Prius - wifes car.
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Typical, blame incompetent driving on the vehicle and not the driver....I wish I had a dollar for every time I've seen that in person. Just this past weekend I drove up a 15 degree slope slick with mud after a fresh rain and the HL had no problem climbing it and there was no slippage, but a 2WD Samurai some stranger was driving and passed up the slope lost traction near the top.
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