H/T tires on the TE?

[vicpick58]

I just bought a new 12 Trail Edition and have a couple more questions for you 5th gen pros.

Why does my new TE have H/T tires from the factory instead of A/Ts.

And where the hell is the transmission fluid dipstick? I looked though the book and did not see the service interval for the transmission, but the way the book is written you have to look though a long list of mostly "inspect" items at every 5000 miles to see what really needs to be done, so I may have missed the trans service. I assume it would be every 25k to 50k miles.

 

[homeyclaus]

That's all old news, and has been covered ad nauseum. Depending on whom you listen to, sidewalls aside the stock tires do well in mall-by-4 applications, and handle rocks and trails better than you'd think. That doesn't mean it won't be "better" with A/T or M/T tires.

Most newer vehicles no longer have transmission dipsticks (like BMW's and many Lexus models have not since the late 90's). The transmission computer manages that.

 

[hube01]

That's all old news, and has been covered ad nauseum. Depending on whom you listen to, sidewalls aside the stock tires do well in mall-by-4 applications, and handle rocks and trails better than you'd think. That doesn't mean it won't be "better" with A/T or M/T tires.

Most newer vehicles no longer have transmission dipsticks (like BMW's and many Lexus models have not since the late 90's). The transmission computer manages that.

Thank you for that information! I was wondering about the tire selection Toyota made...Additionally, if they do handle as well as you say on "light" trails, and on the beach (I am hoping), I should be all set for a while..

 

[vicpick58]

I did not really mean to bring up something with the tires issue, I guess I should have used the search button. I just thought they may have put SR5 tires on the TE by mistake.

As far as the transmission, I did not even think to look into it when I was doing my research before buying. Now I will have to figure out how these things are to be serviced before I get too many miles.

I drive 40 to 50 thousand miles a year on my work vehicle and usually change my fluid and filters in the transmission about once a year. It is a messy job and I don't always do it myself, but just like to know how when the time comes.

 

[TOPDECK]

Thank you for that information! I was wondering about the tire selection Toyota made...Additionally, if they do handle as well as you say on "light" trails, and on the beach (I am hoping), I should be all set for a while..

Yes, it is usually the first thing that get changed on a TE. I was able to take the stock Dunlop tires off road, and I was surprised they did as well as they did, but rocky sections made me a little nervous because of the weak sidewall.

On the beach and sand, you may want to air down a bit, which is more of a risk with the stock tires (P rated I believe).

Many people have been able to get $300+ for their stock tires. America's Tire (Discount Tire) gave me $300 for mine on trade in with new tires.

As to why, who knows. One would think it would come equipped like the "Trail Team" edition of FJ Cruisers with BFGs, but oh well.

There are a plethora of tire threads here to help you in your decision.