I have seen some extensive discussion re winter/snow tires on 2nd Gen Highlanders, and I am not sure all is applicable to the Hybrid unit. Consensus seems to be that 17" wheels and tires will work well, and many choose not to have the TPMS installed on winter tires. I read elsewhere that the calipers on the 2nd Gen Highlander Hybrid are too large for 17", and one had to go up to the 18" wheel/rim to accommodate the Hybrid. Anyone have direct experience on this question? Also with TPSM, I don't mind have them installed on winter wheels, but it seems to be addl expense reprogramming each time the tires/wheels are seasonally changed. Cannot the vehicle be programmed for two wheel sets? I tend to order my tire packages at TireRack, and 18" packages are avaible there as well as 17" packages, but I don't want to spend the big bucks only to find they are not appropriate to the vehicle, or the TPMS they use will not work with the Highlander (Bluetooth?) system. Also many folks recommend 17" Rav4 wheels, to stay within the Toyots product line. Can they be obtained with functioning TPSM valves that communicate with Highlander system? Then I would just get the tires from Tire Rack, not the whole package, and have them mounted on the Rav 4 wheels. Any advice appreciated, snow level approaching my house!
I don't see where a hybrid would have any advantage or disadvantage over a regular HL when it comes to winter driving conditions. Perhaps a different weight distribution could make a difference.
The poorest winter tires will outperform the best all season tires.. so I have been told..
As to the TPM system.. it seems to boil down to a personal choice. If you value the monitoring during the summer.. why would you not want it during the winter? It is an expensive consideration.. and having to reprogram twice a year adds to the cost.
I elected to go with the TPM system on my winter set, I also purchased a gadget from Racing King called TPMQuick set. It allows me to capture the codes in the car, store them and swap as required.. or so the instructions tell me. I will have to wait till spring to see if in fact it works. ($186.31 Cnd including shipping.
In shopping around it seems that Canadian Tire uses a TPM system that clones the sensor to what was already in the car. That way both the winter and summer set use the same code, not sure how successful that system would be though.
The Following User Says Thank You to Ralph6410 For This Useful Post:
I have seen some extensive discussion re winter/snow tires on 2nd Gen Highlanders, and I am not sure all is applicable to the Hybrid unit. Consensus seems to be that 17" wheels and tires will work well, and many choose not to have the TPMS installed on winter tires. I read elsewhere that the calipers on the 2nd Gen Highlander Hybrid are too large for 17", and one had to go up to the 18" wheel/rim to accommodate the Hybrid. Anyone have direct experience on this question?
I just went through this winter tire exercise for my 2010 Highlander Hybrid. My previous car had winter tires and I will not go back to having all seasons during winter. So I bought winter tires for the highlander. I also bought rims for the SUV. Through calling some dealerships and looking through some excellent forum threads on here I went with the following. 17x7 (+35 offset) with 245/65-R17 Xice2's. 17s do fit on the 2010 highlander. 18" winter tires are hard to find and expensive but that is always an option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sallykil
Also with TPSM, I don't mind have them installed on winter wheels, but it seems to be addl expense reprogramming each time the tires/wheels are seasonally changed. Cannot the vehicle be programmed for two wheel sets?
No, unfortunately the car computer programmers only put space for 5 tires (4 mounted+spare) so they have to be programmed each change over. You could have it done at a tire shop. I chose to purchase an ATEQ quickset to program my own sets of tires when the time comes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sallykil
I tend to order my tire packages at TireRack, and 18" packages are avaible there as well as 17" packages, but I don't want to spend the big bucks only to find they are not appropriate to the vehicle, or the TPMS they use will not work with the Highlander (Bluetooth?) system. Also many folks recommend 17" Rav4 wheels, to stay within the Toyots product line. Can they be obtained with functioning TPSM valves that communicate with Highlander system? Then I would just get the tires from Tire Rack, not the whole package, and have them mounted on the Rav 4 wheels. Any advice appreciated, snow level approaching my house!
The TPMS must be a toyota part equivalent. tirerack and other online parts stores are pretty good about supplying the correct part number. always double check the TPMS part number online.
The Following User Says Thank You to sharppencil For This Useful Post:
Thanks for the info guys! You rock! I will order up the 17's recommended with TPMS. And get my hands on one of those ATEQ Quickset units. Went thru BC winter last year w/o winter tires, and had a couple slippy/slidey advenures in deep snow and slick hard turns. Though the AWD is a great feature, luv my Highlander!
Any specific tire advice for mountain driving? We don't get a ton of snow where I live, usually no more than 6" at a time, but will have to deal with packed snow and slopes, even my steep driveway can be an adventure. A friend is steering me towards Firestone Winterforce, tho I haven't checked them against Sharppencil's specific tire size and offset recommendations. Any other testimonials out there for spectacular 17" winter tires?
Check the fitment of the rim first to be on the safe side. Just an FYI as you can read in my posting on Winter Wheel Options, the guy at Canadian Tire said the wheels I bought should fit, and they did bolt pattern wise, offset wise, but the front rims rubbed just slightly against the front caliper so I had to purchase some wheel spacers as well. Just an FYI. THat's all.
Hmmm, do you have 17"ers? Anyone else has the "snug fit" issue? I do remember reading about a fellow in Richmond, BC, that was urged to move up o the 18" winter tire package because the calipers were too large.......did the spacers do the trick, and not throw anything else off? I guess they just don't use or think of snow tires in Japan!
Hmmm, do you have 17"ers? Anyone else has the "snug fit" issue? I do remember reading about a fellow in Richmond, BC, that was urged to move up o the 18" winter tire package because the calipers were too large.......did the spacers do the trick, and not throw anything else off? I guess they just don't use or think of snow tires in Japan!
Yeah they are 17" same bolt pattern, minor Offset difference, but were way to snug (make that rubbing) against the front caliper. The spacers did the truck but would prefer not have put them on. Oh well.
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