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good luck on your HL project
Email me at matt_mccaslin@eptek.com, give me a fax number and I will fax you a copy of the pages.
There are about 3 or 4 numbers for each spec times 2 for 2WD and 4WD.
Having the V6 also gives me flexibility in what I want to do for vacation. I can go anywhere (mountains) and do some towing (up to 3500 lbs) without any second thoughts.
I also recommend the tow prep package as it is relatively inexpensive but provides better cooling capabilities for the major fluid systems(transmission, oil, power steering) and more amperage in the electrical system. The new car info on Edmunds provides the details on the components of the option packages.
The V6 costs more initially and costs a little bit more to maintain (6 spark plugs + labor vs. 4) but it is a pleasure to drive. I've had my Highlander for 9 months and it is the best vehicle I've ever owned.
My recommendation is to just take it to a detailer. Don't tell them how worried you are, however. They have more tricks than we do with clay bars and conditioners, etc.
The spots sound like hard water spots, but they would know for sure.. We have a black one also, but we haven't noticed the spots. We do use a brushless automatic car wash sometimes. It seems OK so far.
Good Luck
Anyway, it gave me fits trying to figure out the problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to repair/clean these types of marks? Is the color on the vinyl pieces actually painted, and if so, is there some kind of touch-up paint that is available?
On a quality note, I'm kind of disappointed by this problem. I figured that Toyota would have colored the interior plastic pieces so that they could stand up to reasonable wear.
Thanks for any suggestions.
As for normal washing, any quality car wash should be safe. Never use dish soap, it is too harsh and it strips the wax. Any quality liquid wax (MOTHERS, MCGUIRES, etc.) should give you good results. I say liquid wax because CONSUMER REPORTS reported liquid wax generally had the least amout of scratching compared to pastes in their tests. They also reported that most waxes start to loose effectiveness after about 1 month, even the ones that claim much more.
As for the brushless car washes, they should be safe, nothing is actually touching the paint except water. I had no place to wash my HL for the first 2 months I owned it, so I used these several times with no ill effects. I did notice though that after some time there was still a slight dirt film that only a regular hand washing would remove. I would never use one of those roling brush car washes, they can scratch the paint.
Hope this helps. Happy HLing
I have trouble with water spots from both the left and right side mirrors. The guys at the car wash dry them off but water seems to be collecting inside the mirror housing. I don't know how you can dry this area when you can't even see it.
I know this issue has been raised before, but I don't recall the solution. I have a 2001 H/L 'non-limited' that has finally developed this rattle. Can anyone provide the solution to this problem?
Thanks in advance!!
Gary
I read about the problem on this site last year before I bought mine, and sure enough, I have the same problem.
Other annoyances I want to have them fixed are the rattling glove box, creaking drivers seat belt latch and a vibration/buzzing sound coming from the accessory plug cap. The last one took me a long time to find. When I leave the cap off, the noise is gone.
I also want them to check the wind/road noise. When driving above 50 MPH, it is louder then I think it should be. I'll have them check door seals & the splash engine guard mentioned in post 223.
If anyone knows of fixes for any of these things, please let me know before I attempt to get the dealer to fix. Thanks
I fixed the rattle in my 2001 H/L by using little rubber pads with adhesive backing that you buy at home depot to the glove box door. It seems that the latch in not quite holding the door tight as it should be and you get a slight rattle. I also had to do the same fix to my wife's 2002 H/L.
I hope this helps.
Best Regards, Philip
The bulletin states the seals will be replaced upon customer report, it does not require the tech to witness the symptom. As long as the VIN number is within the range of VIN's identified
on the bulletin they are authorized to change the door seals. The wording is very clear and after pointing this out, they went ahead and changed mine in April and the cure works vey well. Good luck.
Thanks,
ash732
Have your dealer look up TSB NVO12-01
Title is "Wind noise at 'A' pillar"
Dated November 30, 2001
Front door weather strips, left and right, were changed in accordance with this bulletin and the noises went away on my vehicle.
Old part number 67861-48020 rh
67862-48020 lh
New part ends in 21 instead of 20
Warranty covered this change at no cost.
This noise was most noticeable when gusty wind conditions were present and speeds were 50 mph or above.
Les