[Hybrid Question...]

We are considering purchasing a Highlander hybrid as they are advertised at 35 MPG average. But do they really deliver and is it worth the extra $10,000.00 premium to pay for a hybrid???

[9/11: this is the truth!]

I am sorry but I do not understand your point.

On a Toyota topic: can anyone tell me if the hybrids are really that much more cost effective??????

thanks!

Pipsqueak,

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[poor fuel economy w/ highlander hybrid]

I'm almost at 2000 miles and I'm averaging about 24-26 MPG (combo of city and highway). While it is less than what was claimed, I'm happy since I'm driving a big, honking, 4-wheel drive, 6 cyl SUV and i'm getting the same gas milage I got in my little crappy Honda Accord. Also, I have to say that the worst gas milage I've averaged so far was the time I had to get premium gas in the car (the station was out of regular) that time I only got 20 mpg. when I went back to regular, it went back up to 24. weird huh?

:o

If this is true then I am really not that impressed due to the much higher price tag of the hybrid Highlander. A comparable V6 AWD Highlander of a friend of mine is getting 28 MPG combined using a full synthetic oil in the engine, full synthetic in the trans, and rear end. Yes it is Amsoil and no I don't sell it. We have a V6 2WD and just with the full syn engine oil are getting 23 combined. We will change out the tranny oil for full syn soon.

To justify the price tag of the hybrid it would have to be guaranteed or your money back 40+ combined MPG.

[Recommended Motor Oil]

What motor oils are preferred in the 4.7 V8 engine?

I know it needs to be 5-30 viscosity.

Which oil does Toyota use?

I am also considering synthetic oil.

Thanks

If you choose to use Amsoil, a full synthetic, you can change your oil every year or 25,000 miles, but you need to change out the Amsoil oil filter every six months or 12,500 miles.

If you use Amsoil with the aircraft adapter filtration system you can run the vehicle without ever changing oil. You just change the full flow filter every six months and the aircraft bypass filter once a year and top off with new Amsoil.

With Amsoil's second option I usually run my vehicles about 400,000 miles without oil change and no engine maintenance other than timing belts, other belts & hoses as needed. Oh, and I use the K&N air filter which needs to be cleaned every 100,000 miles and is good for 500,000 miles. The K&N air filters are sold at Toyota Dealerships.

Pipsqueak

Oh, it just occured to me that some well intentioned uninformed person may challenge this application by saying it would void the warrantee.

NOPE

According to the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1974 ANY aftermarket application can be used as long as it meets OR exceeds OEM, and that you follow the aftermarket producers recommendations. It is ILLEGAL to void the warrantee and the dealership can be sued. IF any dealership service person does tell you differently you can tell in an instant that he is lying by telling him if that is true put it down in writing, sign and date it. He won't because he knows that he will not only loose his job, Amsoil will sue the dealership.

As far as wear on the engine, I had a previous vehicle with 380,000 miles on it and it tested out with 35,000 miles equivalent wear with compression testing. Not too bad.

My challenge for our 2005 Highlander is finding a place to mount the aircraft bypass filter. May have to mount it near the gas tank and run the hoses up to the engine. The design engineers don't leave much space for anything these days. I will soon have the transmission oil changed out for Amsoil full synthetic trans oil. Am getting an additional 3+ miles to the gallon now and with the synthetic tranny oil should get another 1-3 more MPG.

[2005 highlander wind noise]

:( I have a new 2005 highlander. There is a bad wind noise on the drivers side. Toyota says this is normal. What do you think.

I have used an aftermarket product for some years, called a wind guard that installs easily on the upper door frame. It deflects wind nicely and provides some sun shade as well as they are usually tinted. Interestingly, Toyotas are not unique to this. A friend of mine installed the wind guard on his Rolls Royce Silver Shadow for the same reason. Says it works great.

[poor fuel economy w/ highlander hybrid]

I have assembled a lot of engines in my day. One trick we used to do when cranking up an engine for the first time was to use--I kid you not--CORN OIL for assembly lube. This let the rings break in quicker (we would change the oil fairly quickly afterwards). Your rings have not yet settled in. It's going to be about 1500 miles before they do. Your mileage will increase after they do. How much? Yo no se.

Just a quick note on break ins. You may have noticed another post of mine regarding Amsoil full synthetic oil. If this engine needs break in time DO NOT use Amsoil. It will never break in. I mentioned that one of my previous cars had 380,000 miles on it with no oil changes (running the Amsoil aircraft bypass filter) and the engine comression tested at about 30-35k miles of wear.

The corn oil idea is very interesting. Do you let the corn oil reside in the sump for the full 1500 miles?

thanks

[Oil Changes]

<_< Does anyone here know when to get an oil change on the 4runners? The maintenance schedule says 5,000, but it just seems too good to be true.....?

====

If you choose to use Amsoil, a full synthetic, you can change your oil every year or 25,000 miles, but you need to change out the Amsoil oil filter every six months or 12,500 miles.

ADDITION: AS OF Jan 07 Amsoil just came out with a full flow oil filter certified for one year changes. So now one can change oil and filter just once a year without voiding the warrantee..

If you use Amsoil with the aircraft adapter filtration system you can run the vehicle without ever changing oil. You just change the full flow filter every six months and the aircraft bypass filter once a year and top off with new Amsoil.

With Amsoil's second option I usually run my vehicles about 400,000 miles without oil change and no engine maintenance other than timing belts, other belts & hoses as needed. Oh, and I use the K&N air filter which needs to be cleaned every 100,000 miles and is good for 500,000 miles. The K&N air filters are sold at Toyota Dealerships.

Pipsqueak

Oh, it just occured to me that some well intentioned uninformed person may challenge this application by saying it would void the warrantee.

NOPE

According to the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1974 ANY aftermarket application can be used as long as it meets OR exceeds OEM, and that you follow the aftermarket producers recommendations. It is ILLEGAL to void the warrantee and the dealership can be sued. IF any dealership service person does tell you differently you can tell in an instant that he is lying by telling him if that is true put it down in writing, sign and date it. He won't because he knows that he will not only loose his job, Amsoil will sue the dealership.

As far as wear on the engine, I had a previous vehicle with 380,000 miles on it and it tested out with 35,000 miles equivalent wear with compression testing. Not too bad.

My challenge for our 2005 Highlander is finding a place to mount the aircraft bypass filter. May have to mount it near the gas tank and run the hoses up to the engine. The design engineers don't leave much space for anything these days. I will soon have the transmission oil changed out for Amsoil full synthetic trans oil. Am getting an additional 3+ miles to the gallon now and with the synthetic tranny oil should get another 1-3 more MPG.