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Thank you for this clarification. Yes, it makes sense now that the image has to be stored somewhere on the web. The method I had posted applies to copying a pasting an image already available on the web; not an image that is only in your computer. Sorry about this.
havalongavalon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/29/AR2005042901155.html/?nav=- - lb
If pasting the picture itself without typing in the address ever worked for you, would you give me the post number? In my mind that can't possibly work, but I certainly could be wrong.
I have a Limited. Does this thing exist on the other models?
Max
I'm afraid that the photo you mention in post #5197 is still not visible to anyone (except for yourself, because the original file resides in your computer). As per Pat (HOST)'s clarification in post #5196, the original photo has to reside in a website, and what you insert in your message between the "Img" icons, is a link to that existing photo/file in another website. In an earlier message Pat indicated how you can upload your own files to a website.
Sorry again, and best wishes,
havalongavalon
By the way, although I could not see the photo I think I know what "L-shaped black thing" you are asking about, and I also don't know what they are (possibly related to the reclining seats?).
I am afraid that I haven't actually heard either of the systems, and I don't know anything about the base audio system. But, I imagine that the JBL Synthesis system is probably very impressive. I can say this because this audio system uses a digital signal processing algorithm known as Logic 7 to essentially "fake" surround sound. It also turns out that the parent company of JBL is Harmon (also the parent company of: Harmon/Kardon). And, I actually happen to have a Harmon/Kardon receiver that supports Logic 7. For all my regular CDs I have Logic 7 enabled, because I find it to be very compelling. In fact, it's the best sorround DSP that I know of.
Now, If you happen to have a lot of DVD-Audio (DVD-A) discs laying around, you might want to consider looking at the ESS audio system in the Acuras (I remember seeing a link somewhere that ranked their system as the best of all audio systems in all cars -- including the Mark Levinson system you can get in the new Lexus ES, GS and LS models. Frankily, though, I imagine that most people will probably just appreciate a system that will play their CDs in pseudo-sorround sound (which Logic 7 does so well). And for folks who have invested in the Multi-channel Super Audio CD (SACD) format, like me, the last thing we'd want is support for a competing sorround CD format in the car.
I originally paid 1,450 for mine, a $200 "discount" from my dealership. Within 2 weeks I found the $985 from Greenfield Toyota in Mass. I went back to my dealer and they said, "Oh Well" I cancelled through TFS and rebought from Greenfield.
Teach them "Oh Well"
MikeS.
Try a search on Toyota Parts World, they are a dealership out of Havermill, Mass. I have bought several items, mostly filters, for my other Toyotas from them. I'd post the actual link but das ist Verboten! They have been reliable and well priced.
MikeS.
The best thing to do would be to use the forum search function found at the top of each page.
MikeS.
The following link takes you to Coastal Electronics. They specialize in aftermarket accessories for Prius and other Toyota cars. One especially nice accessory allows the attachment of a video camera for the rear that displays on the existing LCD when the car is put into reverse. It has two sets of video and audio inputs to permit an external DVD, mp3, iPod or other device to integrate fully with the JBL sound system. Coastal also sells a wiring harness that will bypass the NAV nag screen for the Prius. Again, it may or may not work with the Avalon.
Coastal Electronics NAV kit
Coastal Electronics Video kit
I have both units on order from Coastal. Now all I need is an Avalon to verify their operation. For that I need to wait until May 27th!
Greg
- Paul
At least there will be two in the US (Hope they're not the same one. Mine was ordered in early Mar.) . Am getting the Ivory interior with the Nav system, laser cruise, stability control, and floor/trunk mats. Hopefully also color keyed mud flaps but my dealer is handling that.
Hopefully someone will post a picture. The color swatch on the Toyota website is useless.
Jim Baker
Thank you for the encouragement. Am interested in the striping. Were they OEM or after-market? Which color looked best?
I don't know what the L-shaped thing is but I'm hanging my jumper cables on it. Keeps things off the trunk floor.
You may be right about them being part of the reclining seats but it still makes a great hanger...
:shades:
Mackabee
Attached photo shows underside of upper trunk area, right side. What is the L-shaped black thing? There is a matching one on the left side. Also, what is the big black box? My 2000 Avalon has the same big black box, but not the 2 L-shaped things.
I have a Limited. Does this thing exist on the other models?
Max
I have the same tiny faint (very faint) squeak coming from the area where the base of the windshield and the dashboard meet. I live in Rockville, Maryland, and bought the car in early April, and the temps have been fluctuating 20-30 degrees recently (30's-40's in the AM and 60's-70's in teh PM).
Though it may be temperature related, it'll get worse over time as time and temp fluctuations and vehicle flex do their work, unless the source of the squeak is found and fixed - unlikely. I'd never let mechanics open up the dash to merely fix a tiny squeak and open up a new can of worms (more possible squeaks) should the dash not be screwed together as well as when done by the factory.
Regards,
Deanie
Cafpaf...Which pin striping looked best to you?
Looks like havalongavalon can scratch this "problem" from his list.
Best wishes,
pricecutter
I am wondering if others who have purchased the satellite radio have encountered anything like this.
Thanks.
Pete
As you can see, some of us experience hesitation; others do not (see recent responses by Fin et.al.). Several explanations have been given--throttle wire and more speeds/shifting than in previous Avalons.
Probably a good topic to include since, like other problems, some experience them, others don't.
I appreciate your good work and timely responses.
Pricecutter.
Pricecutter
I agree that opinions have differed on whether or not the transmission shifts smoothly. There may be various reasons for this:
1. some drivers are less aware or less sensitive to the sound of shifting gears;
2. some drivers may be aware of shifting gears, but don't mind it or even prefer it;
3. some cars shift smoothly, but other cars don't.
I think we should add this item to the list to cover some reported incidents of the 3rd type.
There appear to be some vehicles that at least sometimes, for some conditions, may shift less smoothly than we think they should (shift when not needed, or skip a speed) or shift at inappropriate times (too early or too late).
I believe we had two reports of the following type: after having just driven down a hill and reducing speed to nearly stop at the bottom, an inappropriate gear is sometimes engaged for starting uphill with the intended acceleration; and in making a correction the engine may surge at higher than expected RPM.
Questions:
What is normal shifting behavior and what is not?
In case of an abnormal shifting behavior, is it dangerous? Fixable?
Answers welcome!
havalongavalon
You should be very careful about this quote. A receiver without the antenna makes absolutely no sense. The Toyota XM radio kit includes the receiver, the antenna and a substantial wiring harness. Obviously it will not function without the antenna.
Some people have gotten as much as 1-year free XM service, but at what price for the XM hardware I'm not sure. I bought the Toyota XM kit, and had it installed by a stereo shop with considerable experience in that stuff, at a total cost of around $500 for kit plus installation. I got no free XM service. I did have the stereo shop install a smaller XM antenna (not the Toyota one), mounted inside the car under the windshield near the front defroster vents. The standard Toyota installation includes a large black antenna mounted externally on the trunk lid, which many feel is rather ugly.
If you search for XM on this forum, you can review what others have done. The owner of the stereo shop told me that by this time next year, the electronics manufacturers will come out with generic XM tuners that can be used in virtually all cars, and interface with their head units, for around $100. He thought that XM radio would subsidize the installation, and provide incentives to sign up. That's just his opinion, I have no inside knowledge.
Max
:shades:
Mackabee
I have an XLS with around 2200 miles on it. I had noticed this in the past and I almost asked about it on this forum at one time. The bottom of my street has a slight downhill grade and then ends at a "T" with another street that is flat (no stop sign at this intersection). I end up braking to a very slow speed and, if no cars are coming, I take my foot off the brake and press the gas pedal as I make a right turn at this intersection. Bear in mind that I barely press the pedal since there is a stop sign about 200 feet from this intersection and I have to stop there anyway. When I press the pedal making this turn, I notice that the transmission sometimes drops to too low of a gear for a second and there is a slight surge and then it shifts to the proper gear. I used to notice this every time I made that turn but now I really don't notice it anymore so I guess one of the following is true:
a) The car has adjusted to me
b) I have adjusted to the car
c) I have the stereo too loud to really notice anymore
I haven't really noticed any other shifting "issues" and, like I said, I really don't notice this anymore. Overall the shifts are extremely smooth.
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the car!
Bob
We chose "no spacer" sensors that are mounted on a region of the bumper that is vertical (about 20" above the ground). Spacers come with different angles and would be needed for mounting sensors on bumpers with different slopes from vertical, because the sensor surface has to be vertical.
The sensors we have are embedded, flush with the bumper, and the wiring is not visible. This requires drilling a hole through the bumper with a drill that is provided in a kit.
Stick-on sensors are just what the name implies, may be easier to mount (no drilling) but the wiring will show, and frankly I think that they would look tacky on the Avalon. It is easy to drill holes and mount sensors in the Avalon bumper. You just have to be careful to accurately mark the spots where to drill, so the four sensors are symmetric and at the same level.
Best wishes,
havalongavalon
Working with two different approachs, we reached essentially the same answer. Top speed is about 140 mph. There is not enough engine to achieve anything much past that. Maybe 142 on a good day. And you will find whatever the top speed is in gear IV, not gear V.
Because of the liability factor, you must assume Toyota would never market a car that could exceed the speed rating of the tires that come on it when new. The V rated tires should not exceed 149 mph. That is the limit, with a safety margin, just in case somebody tries the max going down a Colorado ski slope. There appears to be no rev/speed limiter either, so the max is really possible.
Drive safely, enjoy the 2005 Avalon...........
Of the 3 choices you mentioned, both a) and b) are likely to be true. Avalon is supposed to "read" your driving patterns and adjust accordingly, and so will you. About c), the volume of your stereo, I suggest that if the digital readout on the screen shows a volume setting of 50 or higher, your can be sure to be right about that one, too!
I share your general pleasure with this car, of course.
havalongavalon
Would this void any warranty on the car?
Frankily, the idea of drilling holes into a $40k investment (yeah, I'm looking at a fully loaded Limited) just gives me stomach pains. Granted, it might be silly for me to feel this way, given I wouldn't have the same problem if we were talking about a house. :confuse:
Well, since I also don't like the idea of having wires hanging out the back, I guess my only recourse would be to just be careful when backing up
A couple of weeks ago, I heard for a few days a noise that seemed to come from the rear-left of the cabin and sounded like a bird chirp -- 3 or 4 chirps in a row, lasting 1 or 2 seconds, every once in a while. I think these noises happened after going over speed bumps, sometimes. Haven't heard this again for some days now. (No bird droppings found anywhere inside the car, fortunately! ).
Does anybody know -- with all the air bags that are packed up and tucked inside cavities around the cabin, could this be a potential source of rattles or squeaks or other noises?
havalongavalon
There are no visible wires anywhere on the outside of the car, they run inside the bumper and into the trunk, and inside the trunk the wires are concealed behind the liners, where they meet the rest of the car wiring. Actually the external look is very classy. Have a good look at the rear bumpers of expensive late-model cars as you drive around tomorrow and you will start to notice these dime-sized little sensors. At least they seem to be quite popular in my area.
Anyway, I'm starting to sound like a infommercial...
Best wishes,
havalong