Highlander Hybrid and driving behaviors

Hi!

I'm the new proud owner of a Highlander Hybrid and I LOVE it. I went on
a 1800 miles drive for hollidays and got the announced MPG of 28 and
even better in some cases (mountaneous areas, surprising).

However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG (in fact worst
in some cases). This is MMMUCHH better than the minivan I was driving
before, but there is still room for improvement. I know high MPG is
possible, because I've seen it in some instances, but it seems to be a
hit and miss thing.

Therefore I have questions the seasoned owners:

- Does driving style make a difference? Does the car get used to our
driving style (as I've read in some reviews) or do we have to get used
to driving a Hybrid? I have about 2100 miles or so on it). Before you
ask, I'm a rather soft driver in town. I don't step on the accelerator
or brake at the first occasion.

- Does fuel economy get better with time or does it remain
approximately the same?

- I noticed that, no matter how gentle I am, I can't seem to get past
10-12 MPH on electric power while accelerating, while it will sustain
30 MPH on electric power on flat surface. It the secret to accelerate
in whatever way and then let it go on electric power? Does that make
any difference at all??? I also noticed that after a long drive (couple
hours), the acceleration on electric power gets much better (makes
sense, battery is more charged), but how to keep this?

- And fuel type as well. Did anyone notice any differences in using 91
octane vs 87??

FG

"Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:1154546819.460225.298530@p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi!
>
> I'm the new proud owner of a Highlander Hybrid and I LOVE it. I went on
> a 1800 miles drive for hollidays and got the announced MPG of 28 and
> even better in some cases (mountaneous areas, surprising).
>
> However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG (in fact worst
> in some cases). This is MMMUCHH better than the minivan I was driving
> before, but there is still room for improvement. I know high MPG is
> possible, because I've seen it in some instances, but it seems to be a
> hit and miss thing.[/color]

That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the hiway.
[color=blue]
> Therefore I have questions the seasoned owners:
>
> - Does driving style make a difference? Does the car get used to our
> driving style (as I've read in some reviews) or do we have to get used
> to driving a Hybrid? I have about 2100 miles or so on it). Before you
> ask, I'm a rather soft driver in town. I don't step on the accelerator
> or brake at the first occasion.
>
> - Does fuel economy get better with time or does it remain
> approximately the same?[/color]

It may improve. In my regula gas truck, mileage improved after each fillup
for the first 4 tanks.
[color=blue]
> - I noticed that, no matter how gentle I am, I can't seem to get past
> 10-12 MPH on electric power while accelerating, while it will sustain
> 30 MPH on electric power on flat surface. It the secret to accelerate
> in whatever way and then let it go on electric power? Does that make
> any difference at all??? I also noticed that after a long drive (couple
> hours), the acceleration on electric power gets much better (makes
> sense, battery is more charged), but how to keep this?
>
> - And fuel type as well. Did anyone notice any differences in using 91
> octane vs 87??[/color]

Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
[color=blue]
> FG
>[/color]

>[color=blue]
> That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the hiway.
>[/color]

Yep! That's why I'm puzzled... I know the thing can do very well, I've
seen it, but inconsistently.
[color=blue]
>
> Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
>[/color]

At the cost of the HH, I'm not sure I saved much money anyways.... lol!

But I certainly bought it for fun! How much fun can you get per gallon?

FG

"Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:1154611655.735871.8230@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue][color=green]
> >
>> That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the
>> hiway.
>>[/color]
>
> Yep! That's why I'm puzzled... I know the thing can do very well, I've
> seen it, but inconsistently.
>[color=green]
>>
>> Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
>>[/color]
>
> At the cost of the HH, I'm not sure I saved much money anyways.... lol!
>
> But I certainly bought it for fun! How much fun can you get per gallon?
>
> FG
>[/color]

Applying the brakes will charge your battery while coasting does not. Check
out that part in your owner's manual.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote:[color=blue]
>However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG[/color]

That's about what I get on my 2004 4-cyl non-hybrid.


--

Men occasionally stumble over the truth,
but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off
as if nothing ever happened.

....Winston Churchill

[color=blue]
> However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG (in fact worst
> in some cases).[/color]

That is pretty good compare to our 05 HL LTD. We only get 16-18 MPG in city.
However, we can get 26 MPG on highway when driving carefully. I do think the
grade of gasoline would change anything for you HL because we tried on ours.

Jim wrote:[color=blue]
> "Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote:[color=green]
>> However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG[/color]
>
> That's about what I get on my 2004 4-cyl non-hybrid.
>
>[/color]
When I read the EPA estimates, I was disappointed Toyota had not chosen
to make a higher mpg vehicle.
From
[url]http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2006/highlander/specs.pdf[/url]
EPA Mileage Estimates (mpg city/highway/combined)
HIGHLANDER/HIGHLANDER SPORT/HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder 22/27
V6 19/25
HIGHLANDER/HIGHLANDER SPORT/HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder 21/25
V6 18/24
HYBRID 2WD/HYBRID LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder NA
V6 33/28/30
HYBRID 4WD/HYBRID LIMITED 4WD 4-cylinder NA
V6 31/27/29

"NeoPhyte_Rep" <abuse@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:iwuAg.8733$zV6.1776@trnddc03...[color=blue]
> Jim wrote:[color=green]
>> "Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> However, in town, I'm not getting better than 23.5 MPG[/color]
>>
>> That's about what I get on my 2004 4-cyl non-hybrid.
>>
>>[/color]
> When I read the EPA estimates, I was disappointed Toyota had not chosen to
> make a higher mpg vehicle.
> From
> [url]http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2006/highlander/specs.pdf[/url]
> EPA Mileage Estimates (mpg city/highway/combined)
> HIGHLANDER/HIGHLANDER SPORT/HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder 22/27
> V6 19/25
> HIGHLANDER/HIGHLANDER SPORT/HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder 21/25
> V6 18/24
> HYBRID 2WD/HYBRID LIMITED 2WD 4-cylinder NA
> V6 33/28/30
> HYBRID 4WD/HYBRID LIMITED 4WD 4-cylinder NA
> V6 31/27/29[/color]

Hmmm, if you look at the EPA estimates for SUV's at this site
[url]http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm[/url]
the only SUV's that get better city mileage than the Highlander are smaller
SUV's.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:caa9f$44d21d6a$44a4a10d$25929@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> news:1154611655.735871.8230@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green][color=darkred]
>> >
>>> That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the
>>> hiway.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Yep! That's why I'm puzzled... I know the thing can do very well, I've
>> seen it, but inconsistently.
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
>>>[/color]
>>
>> At the cost of the HH, I'm not sure I saved much money anyways.... lol!
>>
>> But I certainly bought it for fun! How much fun can you get per gallon?
>>
>> FG
>>[/color]
>
> Applying the brakes will charge your battery while coasting does not.
> Check out that part in your owner's manual.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

I believe that is wrong. I have one of the Highlander Hybrids and while I
only have about 3000 miles on it, I love it. There is a graphic indicator
on the dash that shows a battery, engine and wheels. Arrows point to where
the power is coming from or going to. If I am coasting, it indicates that
the battery is being charged, which makes sense.

You can notice a big change from a regular car when coasting. The engine
braking that you would get in a normal car is going to the battery and not
the wheels and the car doesn't slow down as quickly. It is something that
you really have to get used to or you will approach intersections much
quicker than you would normally anticipate.

I can apply cruise control when I hit 40 MPH and the car will run on battery
only for quite a while if on a level road. The slightest rise in elevation
will turn on the engine though and while I had fun experimenting earlier, I
no longer try this but just drive normally.

I get about 29 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The city mileage
is getting a little better with each tank, but I don't know what it will
settle at,

Another feature I really like about the car is the CVT, which means no shift
points in the transmission. My last couple of cars had abrupt and annoying
shifts and this is a pleasant change.

Don D.

In article <12d4vvpssm73o60@corp.supernews.com>, "3D" <nospam@spam.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have one of the Highlander Hybrids and while I
> only have about 3000 miles on it, I love it. There is a graphic indicator
> on the dash that shows a battery, engine and wheels. Arrows point to where
> the power is coming from or going to. If I am coasting, it indicates that
> the battery is being charged, which makes sense.[/color]

This is why I *hate* being behind Prius drivers, and now any Toyota
hybrid drivers. They're too damn busy playing the video game on their
dashboard instead of driving their fucking cars and paying attention to
traffic and traffic signals.

"3D" <nospam@spam.com> wrote in message
news:12d4vvpssm73o60@corp.supernews.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:caa9f$44d21d6a$44a4a10d$25929@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
>> news:1154611655.735871.8230@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> >
>>>> That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the
>>>> hiway.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Yep! That's why I'm puzzled... I know the thing can do very well, I've
>>> seen it, but inconsistently.
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
>>>>
>>>
>>> At the cost of the HH, I'm not sure I saved much money anyways.... lol!
>>>
>>> But I certainly bought it for fun! How much fun can you get per gallon?
>>>
>>> FG
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Applying the brakes will charge your battery while coasting does not.
>> Check out that part in your owner's manual.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)
>>[/color]
>
> I believe that is wrong. I have one of the Highlander Hybrids and while I
> only have about 3000 miles on it, I love it. There is a graphic indicator
> on the dash that shows a battery, engine and wheels. Arrows point to
> where
> the power is coming from or going to. If I am coasting, it indicates that
> the battery is being charged, which makes sense.
>
> You can notice a big change from a regular car when coasting. The engine
> braking that you would get in a normal car is going to the battery and not
> the wheels and the car doesn't slow down as quickly. It is something
> that
> you really have to get used to or you will approach intersections much
> quicker than you would normally anticipate.[/color]

It looks like regenerative charging occurs whether coasting or braking, with
braking providing slightly more charging.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-F37444.21221103082006@nntp2.usenetserver.com...[color=blue]
> In article <12d4vvpssm73o60@corp.supernews.com>, "3D" <nospam@spam.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I have one of the Highlander Hybrids and while I
>> only have about 3000 miles on it, I love it. There is a graphic
>> indicator
>> on the dash that shows a battery, engine and wheels. Arrows point to
>> where
>> the power is coming from or going to. If I am coasting, it indicates
>> that
>> the battery is being charged, which makes sense.[/color]
>
> This is why I *hate* being behind Prius drivers, and now any Toyota
> hybrid drivers. They're too damn busy playing the video game on their
> dashboard instead of driving their fucking cars and paying attention to
> traffic and traffic signals.
>[/color]

Yeah, but when they finally realize the light has turned green they go like
a bat out of hell don't they!! And then you waste a lot of gas trying to
catch up LOL!!!

In article <NeWdnbEOct94hU7ZnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
mark_digital© <xxx976r@comcast.com> wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
> > This is why I *hate* being behind Prius drivers, and now any Toyota
> > hybrid drivers. They're too damn busy playing the video game on their
> > dashboard instead of driving their fucking cars and paying attention to
> > traffic and traffic signals.
> >[/color]
>
> Yeah, but when they finally realize the light has turned green they go like
> a bat out of hell don't they!! And then you waste a lot of gas trying to
> catch up LOL!!![/color]

Not quite.

They don't go at all, is the problem.

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-525647.07261504082006@nntp2.usenetserver.com...[color=blue]
> In article <NeWdnbEOct94hU7ZnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
> mark_digital© <xxx976r@comcast.com> wrote:
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > This is why I *hate* being behind Prius drivers, and now any Toyota
>> > hybrid drivers. They're too damn busy playing the video game on their
>> > dashboard instead of driving their fucking cars and paying attention to
>> > traffic and traffic signals.
>> >[/color]
>>
>> Yeah, but when they finally realize the light has turned green they go
>> like
>> a bat out of hell don't they!! And then you waste a lot of gas trying to
>> catch up LOL!!![/color]
>
> Not quite.
>
> They don't go at all, is the problem.
>[/color]

A light toot on the horn will do the trick.

"mark_digital©" <xxx976r@comcast.com> wrote in message news:tKGdnUJR0ZQl207ZnZ2dnUVZ_umdnZ2d@comcast.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message news:elmop-525647.07261504082006@nntp2.usenetserver.com...[color=green]
>> In article <NeWdnbEOct94hU7ZnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
>> mark_digital© <xxx976r@comcast.com> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> > This is why I *hate* being behind Prius drivers, and now any Toyota
>>> > hybrid drivers. They're too damn busy playing the video game on their
>>> > dashboard instead of driving their fucking cars and paying attention to
>>> > traffic and traffic signals.
>>> >
>>>
>>> Yeah, but when they finally realize the light has turned green they go like
>>> a bat out of hell don't they!! And then you waste a lot of gas trying to
>>> catch up LOL!!![/color]
>>
>> Not quite.
>>
>> They don't go at all, is the problem.
>>[/color]
>
> A light toot on the horn will do the trick.
>[/color]

That usually gets me to press the brake, roll down my window, lean way out and give the honker
a 'what' gesture. Then slowly move back to the driving position before going.

8))