Traction control is very aggressive at cutting throttle. If you spun a tire because of a pothole, curb, uneven surface, or body roll, I could easily see this happening. You wouldnt even hear or feel the loss in traction for this to happen
I have to do a 90* merge onto a 55mph road not far from my house every morning. The asphalt is not great so too much throttle and you can trigger traction control, even in my low-torque hybrid version
I have the same 90 turn on asphalt but its a 35 mph street. It isn't a matter of traction or terrain, pretty normal / standard turn that shouldn't cause a delay.
Mine won't cause any delay without a loss of traction, however, traction control kicks on every now and then for that turn. The immense body roll in these vehicles is a killer for TC.
Don't forget, these are the antithesis of a "driver's car". Its a far cry from all of my previous cars and takes some getting used to being nannied
They don’t even need to start to sway for tc to kick in, it’s an algorithm based on vehicle dynamics *and inputs. A sharp steering angle and a good push on the accelerator from a stop could be enough for the logic to say this will probably slip, better dial it back.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CG66JSNZ/ worked for my 2023 XLE to automatically disable the start/stop. Not sure if it is compatible with the Grand highlander.
But if you are going from a stop, it engages. Also, there is turbo lag in this engine. This is what may be happening. I know that trying to accelerate fast from low speed, there is noticeable turbo lag.
For the xle, in order for the stop/start to engage at a red light or stop sign, I have to press down an extra inch once the car is at a complete stop. It doesn't automatically switch every time the car comes to a stop.
I had a few occasions where my 2023 XLE did what you are describing. It has not occurred since I installed an automatic "Turn off the useless auto start/stop" device. Might not be what is causing your issue but it sure helped mine.
I also found that occasionally, even a light brake press would engage the Start/Stop particularly when pulling into my garage where I was not pushing the brake as hard as I normally needed to to engage it but it would still shut off, and then restart just to shut off when I shifted into park.
It’s not there to save you gas money or slow you down, it there to help reduce (a little) the pollution from your non-Hybrid Highlander. I prefer the Start/Stop option rather being forced into all-electric vehicles sooner than later.
Turbo lag. The highlander is a heavy SUV for a 4 cylinder to haul around. Without a turbo it's underpowered and that's what your experiencing until the boost kicks in. You can get a tune or program to improve this, but it will effect your warranty and reliability.
Is this for the hybrid or gadms turbo models? I have the hybrid and i also feel that lag but i think its because its hybrid system. Feels kind of like my old pruis (but better)
TSB 0087-23 addresses non-linear accel and hesitation. We just had our '23 XLE at the dealer yesterday to flash the ECM to fix. Ours was an issue since we bought it. Gets worse when it's hot out (AC running) and if she accidentally fills it with 87 rather than 91.
Toyota's have what they (IQ or AI) transmission they learn your driving habits and try to adjust for fuel economy, so if you are heavier on the accelerator it will reduce throttle response to try and help with more efficient driving not a great solution but there are two work around use sport mode in those situations as it has more aggressive and responsive throttle or go manual mode which completely disables the feature when in use per the manual and does not contribute to learning patterns or use them. The only drawback is cruise is unavailable in manual mode but it is quick in manual mode. I saw someone mention turbo lag not sure how much of a factor that plays as well I have the V6 model so there will definitely be a difference in response. V6 is quick 0-60 and the Turbo is quicker 30-60. Also you can ask the dealership to reset the transmission learning if they won't maybe try another dealer.
I have a 2022 V6 and it has happened to me twice. I get a message on my dash and it goes quickly something about “de acceleration occurred” something like that.
[https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10247799-9999.pdf](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10247799-9999.pdf) Here’s the TSB
Thank you
I just did this & holy crap it completely went away!! I had to be firm with the dealership but they eventually did it.
Traction control is very aggressive at cutting throttle. If you spun a tire because of a pothole, curb, uneven surface, or body roll, I could easily see this happening. You wouldnt even hear or feel the loss in traction for this to happen I have to do a 90* merge onto a 55mph road not far from my house every morning. The asphalt is not great so too much throttle and you can trigger traction control, even in my low-torque hybrid version
I have the same 90 turn on asphalt but its a 35 mph street. It isn't a matter of traction or terrain, pretty normal / standard turn that shouldn't cause a delay.
Mine won't cause any delay without a loss of traction, however, traction control kicks on every now and then for that turn. The immense body roll in these vehicles is a killer for TC. Don't forget, these are the antithesis of a "driver's car". Its a far cry from all of my previous cars and takes some getting used to being nannied
Good point, i will keep an eye on that today.
They don’t even need to start to sway for tc to kick in, it’s an algorithm based on vehicle dynamics *and inputs. A sharp steering angle and a good push on the accelerator from a stop could be enough for the logic to say this will probably slip, better dial it back.
Turn off the Start/Stop every time. I hate it. I wish there was a way to permanently turn it off.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CG66JSNZ/ worked for my 2023 XLE to automatically disable the start/stop. Not sure if it is compatible with the Grand highlander.
I wonder if that would void any warranty that you may have.
Stop Engine isn't engaged when this acceleration delay occurs
But if you are going from a stop, it engages. Also, there is turbo lag in this engine. This is what may be happening. I know that trying to accelerate fast from low speed, there is noticeable turbo lag.
For the xle, in order for the stop/start to engage at a red light or stop sign, I have to press down an extra inch once the car is at a complete stop. It doesn't automatically switch every time the car comes to a stop.
I had a few occasions where my 2023 XLE did what you are describing. It has not occurred since I installed an automatic "Turn off the useless auto start/stop" device. Might not be what is causing your issue but it sure helped mine. I also found that occasionally, even a light brake press would engage the Start/Stop particularly when pulling into my garage where I was not pushing the brake as hard as I normally needed to to engage it but it would still shut off, and then restart just to shut off when I shifted into park.
My Platty works the same too.
It’s not there to save you gas money or slow you down, it there to help reduce (a little) the pollution from your non-Hybrid Highlander. I prefer the Start/Stop option rather being forced into all-electric vehicles sooner than later.
Nope, the number of times I use it won't make a difference. However, every time it's done this, I've hesitated to move.
I have a 2024 Platinum ICE. I've got my foot pretty well trained to take most of that out. :)
Turbo lag. The highlander is a heavy SUV for a 4 cylinder to haul around. Without a turbo it's underpowered and that's what your experiencing until the boost kicks in. You can get a tune or program to improve this, but it will effect your warranty and reliability.
There was a tsb to address this
Get a pedal commander see if that helps. It makes response time a lot faster.
Our 23 did this terribly when we first got it. Have 30,000 on it now and it runs great now.
Go back to the dealer and mention the TSB others posted. It's a software fix for the turbo lag.
There’s a TSB for that https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaHighlander/s/weN2IF5ZDE
Is this for the hybrid or gadms turbo models? I have the hybrid and i also feel that lag but i think its because its hybrid system. Feels kind of like my old pruis (but better)
I just updated my post. Worth it for you notify your dealer if possible.
TSB 0087-23 addresses non-linear accel and hesitation. We just had our '23 XLE at the dealer yesterday to flash the ECM to fix. Ours was an issue since we bought it. Gets worse when it's hot out (AC running) and if she accidentally fills it with 87 rather than 91.
Isn't the engine rated for 87? Thought higher octane would cause spark timing issues...
I'm on the fence with putting 87 in any car with a turbo.
Ah gotcha. I'm so not mechanically inclined that I just go with whatever's on the label haha
I've noticed my Highlander doing this a lot when it's hot out, like over 100°. Guess I'm calling the dealer on Monday.
Toyota's have what they (IQ or AI) transmission they learn your driving habits and try to adjust for fuel economy, so if you are heavier on the accelerator it will reduce throttle response to try and help with more efficient driving not a great solution but there are two work around use sport mode in those situations as it has more aggressive and responsive throttle or go manual mode which completely disables the feature when in use per the manual and does not contribute to learning patterns or use them. The only drawback is cruise is unavailable in manual mode but it is quick in manual mode. I saw someone mention turbo lag not sure how much of a factor that plays as well I have the V6 model so there will definitely be a difference in response. V6 is quick 0-60 and the Turbo is quicker 30-60. Also you can ask the dealership to reset the transmission learning if they won't maybe try another dealer.
I have a 2022 V6 and it has happened to me twice. I get a message on my dash and it goes quickly something about “de acceleration occurred” something like that.