2005-06 Sienna AWD Questions

[cnn]

Hi everyone,

We are thinking about switching from our 2001 Odyssey to 2006 Sienna but stuck with the following questions re AWD option.

We would like to get the AWD. The salesman told us AWD only kickc in when the Front wheels slip.

- Is it a part-time AWD?
- Can one engage the AWD manually or is it automatic?
- How is Fuel mileage for Sienna with AWD ON HIGHWAY (We get 25mpg on our Odyssey)?

The point is during summer and dry condition, there is essentially no need to run AWD (with its consequence of burning more fuel when not needed). Therefore the above questions.

cnn
2001 Odyssey

[Cyorke]

THe AWD system is completely automatic. You can not engage it or disengage it. IN most situations it will run in FWD mode. When the front wheels begin to loose traction power will be routed to the rear wheels to overcome the loss of traction in the front. I can not find information on how much power is routed to the front/rear on a normal basis but it can be anywhere from 110/0 to 70/30 for normal operation. I have looked on the Toyota site and it does not give much information either.

[rwd_3tc]

dont purchase the awd model. first off the tires only last for 30000km and there about 400 cdn each. there is no spare tire and lastly i've seen to many problems with this awd sienna. cause i work at a toyota dealership.

[Frank@toronto]

As per rwd_3tc,

Don't get the Run Flat Tires that come with the AWD model. Ask them to install regular tires.