[PhillyTurboSix]

All I can say is wow! I bought a used 01 Highlander a few months back (60K on it) and it saw the first snow storm last week. It was a monster in the snow. I was out late at night there were not many cars on the road. It was those big heavy flakes where you could not see more then 3 cars in front of you. Once I was on a wide area of road by my self, sitting at a traffic light with about 2 or 3 inches on the ground I put it to the floor. The HL didn't miss a beat. Took off like I was on dry ground. (I had the ETC snow button in) It even stopped very well for all season tires it has on it. I waited till I had no one around me and tested it some more and it really amazed me how well they move in the snow. I've had tons of american 4x4's over the years and this little bugger blows them all away! :clap: :clap:

 

[toobroke]

In the powder

I now have had plenty of experience with my 03 Highlander in the snow and have to agree with you. This vehicle is great in the snow. I have to say thought that I will change to Nokian studded tires next year because the factory No Seasons are extremely poor in my opinion. :naughty:

 

[Olander]

Do you guys have the AWD or just the 2 wheel drive? Because I have the 2WD and kinda want to test my Highlander in the snow too. Just afraid of getting stuck since I don't have AWD.

 

[seaman]

Do you guys have the AWD or just the 2 wheel drive? Because I have the 2WD and kinda want to test my Highlander in the snow too. Just afraid of getting stuck since I don't have AWD.

Don't worry I almost got stuck last summer with my AWD HL.....I was in a airfield for the Quebec air show, and it was raining since the last 3 days. With the crappy 16" goodyear tire, I almost been caught in the mud.....fortunately I used the ETC snow button to get out of there !

In the winter with Nokian tires it's a different story. It's just like riding a tank !

 

[nodrogkam]

Do you guys have the AWD or just the 2 wheel drive? Because I have the 2WD and kinda want to test my Highlander in the snow too. Just afraid of getting stuck since I don't have AWD.

lol theres no snow in irvine! at least i dont see any right now. =P
well assuming you're going to Mt. High or tahoe, i'd just be careful and use the etc snow mode if things get a little tricky. I've taken my 2wd off roading a bit in muddy conditions and it nearly got stuck. The good thing about our 2wd system is we can turn off trac control, and that is what got me out of the mess.

I'm glad people are reporting the HL doing well in adverse weather conditions!

 

[toobroke]

Do you guys have the AWD or just the 2 wheel drive? Because I have the 2WD and kinda want to test my Highlander in the snow too. Just afraid of getting stuck since I don't have AWD.

03 All Wheel Drive. I don't think that I would purchase a vehicle of this type without all wheel drive. Otherwise, just buy a minivan. :lol:

 

[Olander]

lol theres no snow in irvine! at least i dont see any right now. =P
well assuming you're going to Mt. High or tahoe, i'd just be careful and use the etc snow mode if things get a little tricky. I've taken my 2wd off roading a bit in muddy conditions and it nearly got stuck. The good thing about our 2wd system is we can turn off trac control, and that is what got me out of the mess.

I'm glad people are reporting the HL doing well in adverse weather conditions!

Yeah wish it snowed here in Irvine. But I know that will never happen. My brother and his family and mine are planning to take a trip up to Tahoe sometime this month. He just bought a new Tundra 06' model. Don't know if there's snow there yet, I'll have to check the weather. But it would be kinda fun to try out our new rides on snow.

 

[typesix]

If you have the OEM Toyo A11 Transpath tires, don't take it into deep snow with 2wd, the tire is only good for light snow

 

[nodrogkam]

LOL that tire aint good for jack. Slap something with an A rating on it.
I changed those tires at 10K cos it was just dangerous when driven in wet weather. May as well be called a summer tire.

got some great yoko geolandars on now.

 

[moky-tron]

i have a 05 awd highlander with nokian tires. these things are amazing! my friends would get caught in the snow while i would seem like i am driving on paved ground.

 

[lqueral]

not THAT great

Not to rain on your parade, guys, but I don't think the HL AWD is all that great in snow. Yeah, it sure beats 2wd, but remember that HL's generally have tires that have a more "street tread" than the more aggressive rubber found on true trucks. The road clearance on the AWD HL's is not the equal of 4WD true trucks, and I don't care WHAT you drive, if the snow gets under the vehicle and jacks it up, you ain't goin' anywhere! Compared to my last vehicle, a FWD compact, the HL AWD is a huge improvement, but don't be overconfident. Use your common sense when dealing with snow over maybe 5 or 6 inches deep. I also, in addition to my '05 HL Lmt. v6 4WD, have a Ford Expedition 4wd, and that is vastly superior in snow. To put what I've said here in another light, if a 4WD Highlander can't cut it in your snow, then you probably shouldn't have been out in it!! <grin>. I really do like my HL, and it does practically everything I need it to do, even get around in snow.

 

[Schmullis]

I have an 01 Highlander too and just put Goodyear Fortera Triple Treads on it and those tires make it stick to any surface. Best tires I've had on it (previous Michelin All terrain).

 

[NissanTitan]

what chains did you use and on all 4?

 

[poker838]

the HL gets the job done in the winter, but that's about it. I wouldn't consider it fantastic or anything. I do acknowledge that the OEM tires (Bridgestones) suck, but the braking distances on dry ground are not that good to begin with (even when new)

 

[seaman]

Not to rain on your parade, guys, but I don't think the HL AWD is all that great in snow. Yeah, it sure beats 2wd, but remember that HL's generally have tires that have a more "street tread" than the more aggressive rubber found on true trucks. The road clearance on the AWD HL's is not the equal of 4WD true trucks, and I don't care WHAT you drive, if the snow gets under the vehicle and jacks it up, you ain't goin' anywhere! Compared to my last vehicle, a FWD compact, the HL AWD is a huge improvement, but don't be overconfident. Use your common sense when dealing with snow over maybe 5 or 6 inches deep. I also, in addition to my '05 HL Lmt. v6 4WD, have a Ford Expedition 4wd, and that is vastly superior in snow. To put what I've said here in another light, if a 4WD Highlander can't cut it in your snow, then you probably shouldn't have been out in it!! <grin>. I really do like my HL, and it does practically everything I need it to do, even get around in snow.

The Highlander is great in snow, of course using the appropriate tires ! I don't know why the Expedition would be better in snow ? I don'T see any reason ? Maybe in mud since you can lock the differential, but you don't need this much in the snow.

My 2001 AWD wears Nokian winter tires with studs, and I'havent seen any rough snow shower stopping me. So far this winter, we had a total of about 12-13 feets of snow. Last winter we had 17 feets of snow in the whole winter.....so we're not talking about 1 inch of snow using the all seasons tires.....

 

[lqueral]

expedition

>don't know why the Expedition would be better in snow ? I don'T see any reason ? Maybe in >mud since you can lock the differential, but you don't need this much in the snow.

1) The Expedition weighs around 5300 pounds - more weight, more traction.
2) The tires on the Expedition have more aggressive tread, as the vehicle is a legitimate truck.
3) The Expedition has much greater ground clearance. I have air ride suspension on all 4 corners and if I need to put it it in 4wd-low, it raises the vehicle yet another inch (up to 30mph). Even without air ride, it has greater clearance, with 265/70x17 tires
4) It has three different 4wd options - Auto 4wd, 4wd high, and 4wd low. In 4wd high and low, you're locked into 4wd mode, not depending on a computer to make adjustments.
5) The Expedition has the optional limited-slip differential in the rear.
6) The Expedition has a 5.4 liter V-8, and much greater torque.
7) The Expedition sucks gas like it's going out of style..... <grin>.... Delete 7) <grin>

As I said previously, the Highlander is fine for most conditions, but in the REAL heavy stuff, the Expedition is the superior snow vehicle. Several years ago we had 2 heavy snowfalls in a row, leaving over 2 feet of snow. The main road nearby was plowed, but my street was not. I put the Expedition in 4wd low and proceeded to slam my way out to the main road. I had to back up repeatedly, get a running start, and keep whacking at the snow, but I made it out. As I would hit new areas, the snow flew violently up and out behind the Ford. I would NEVER try this with the Highlander.

 

[nodrogkam]

the expedition is an overall superior off roading vehicle when compared to the HL.
the HL is simply a raised camry with limited off roading and severe weather operating abilities.
while lqueral brings up good arguements such as wider tires, more weight, and wider tires, more torque isnt necessary in such conditions. But i guess with a 5000 pound vehicle you would need more torque than what a 3.3L v6 could offer, especially if the vehicle was loaded with passengers and cargo.

Now if we put the 4 runner / fj cruiser up against the expedition...we may have some excellent competition.

 

[lqueral]

vehicles

I like 4 Runners myself, especially with the V-8. FJ's I think are gruesomely ugly, and although I read that they are quite good off-road, Consumer Reports rates them unacceptable because of poor rearward visibility - which I guess makes them unsafe. The Highlander, though, is plenty good for my overall winter use, but it's nice to also have the "big boy Expedition" available...just in case. I don't use the Ford much nowadays, but I need it to tow a 6000 pound boat/trailer. Recently I helped move my son to a new house and I actually fit a FULL SIZE couch in the rear, and CLOSED THE HATCH!!!

 

[seaman]

The expedition has few advantages, like the different traction modes and the ground clearance, but that's it. The additionnal weight is not an advantage when you need to brake. Also your expedition wear 265's tires. Wider your tires are, worst your traction will be since you have less weight per square inch.

Like I said, if you use OEM tires, forget about snow traction......but with appropriate tires, it makes a world of difference !