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I looked at the US website and liked to trunk lip, but the spoiler is just plain ugly (IMO).
I bought mine in Burlington, Ontario. The price difference between the base and the Nav model was $2,800. Go back to you dealer and ask for a better price!
After a few weeks, I don't use the data display much, because I have learned how to drive it to maximize my mileage (I've averaged 50 mpg so far). I do use the GPS daily, but Toyotas DVD is hopelessly out of date. Houses that have been built for 3 years are not in the database, and the new highway that opened in Hamilton last year (and has been on the books for at least 10 years) isn't in it. They say a new one is coming out in the fall, but it will be $300.00. That burns me!
If I did it again, I'm not sure I woud get the Nav. I can get a really good GPS for under $500.00 and use it in my other vehicle, and the leather is so-so looking and feeling.
Also, after starting the car the gas engine usually kicks in within seconds, even with the A/C off. This occurs even if the traction battery shows as over half-full. Is this normal? If I leave it idling it will shut-off for awhile and then come back on. The gas engine is only consistently OFF when coasting or usually after coming to a stop at a light. Does all of this sound normal, or should it stay electric-only when under 20mph unless you are accelerating hard? I've read stuff indicating it should be off when stopped or going under 20mph.
I like the car alot, but I'm disappointed in some of the interior fit and finish. If you look close at all, the plastics on the door have bad "cuts" in some spots with rough edges, and the soft plastic is cut jagged in some spots. It is like this on two doors; the others are fine. I'm probably going to take it into the dealership, but is this typical?
Thanks for any info.
Also, after starting the car the gas engine usually kicks in within seconds, even with the A/C off. This occurs even if the traction battery shows as over half-full. Is this normal? If I leave it idling it will shut-off for awhile and then come back on. The gas engine is only consistently OFF when coasting or usually after coming to a stop at a light.
That all sounds normal to me. Except maybe the high-pitched noises for 5 minutes. Is it really 5 minutes or less than one minute if you actually time it rather than estimating?
sorry about your finish inside--ours which we bought in May has good quality even if it is a beige-grey plastic--
our friend bought a V6 top of the line and she has the wood-grain film--looks nice now--don't know if it is strong enough to resist normal wear/tear usage for years...
Yes all of this is normal in the HSD system. There is always a 10 sec period at startup ( it's called phase 0 or zone 0 in the Prius boards ). Do a search on PriusChat.com I haven't been given a good explanation of what occurs during those 10 sec but my supposition is that MG1 draws some power off the traction battery to get the fluids in the ICE flowing and pumping without any fuel being pumped into the cylinders. Then the plugs begin to fire and the ICE kicks in. If you're still sitting in place the ICE 'repays the juice' borrowed from the traction battery then it shuts off after 30-60 sec. All quite normal and by design.
While driving don't worry at all about when the ICE is running or isn't running. The computer will take care of everything. The best thing you can do to induce the ICE to shutdown is take your foot off the pedal as often as possible and coast for as long as possible without blocking traffic. Anticipate having to stop as early as possible and coast for as long as possible. Otherwise the computer knows what's best.
BTW, the correct procedure for getting away from a dead stop is NOT to crawl away from a light or stop sign in order to try to keep it on battery power. This was thought to be correct in the first years. The hypermilers found in their playing around that it's much more efficient just to accelerate normally or even quickly up to 'traffic speed' then let off the pedal to induce the ICE to turn off while coasting for as long as possible ( Pulse and Glide ).
When you have a fully charged battery and you're in slow moving conditions or in your neighborhood where the speed limit is probably 25 mph then just keep your foot lightly on the pedal ( 'Feathering' ) which will keep the batter/e-motor engaged while not having the ICE turn on. You can drive a surprisingly long time like this, maybe as much as a mile until the battery draws down then the ICE will kick in.
It has kind of clicked to me while driving that the best thing for my average mileage is to get up to speed by accelerating normally, then drive steady, and finally coast as early as possible (but like you said, without being ridiculous and blocking traffic).
My next question was going to be "is it normal for the battery to drain so quickly -- or is mine not holding the charge?" It sounds normal. Obviously moving a 3500lbs car takes a lot of juice. Does that mean all-electric cars will use huge batteries, or do those use a different type of battery?
In reply to your questions in paragraph 3...
Yes it's normal to drain the battery pretty quickly while driving while driving only on electric power. 1-2 miles is about the maximum on a dead flat terrain.
The all electric cars would need a HUGE NiMH battery to go any reasonable distance in a vehicle the size of a Camry, which is why the current technology is the more powerful Li-Ion batteries...but they are unproven as yet. They need another 2 yrs of engineering validation.
I just picked up from 09 TCH three days ago. I am still learning the "best way" to drive this car, but I have a few questions that I need assistance with.
1) One issue that doesn't seem normal to me...When I am at a complete stop, and then push the accelerator to go, there is a pause, a bump, a jerk, and then it takes off. Is this normal? It's like a jerking movement. Am I pushing the gas pedal too hard or not hard enough? I've tried it both ways, and it does the same thing every time.
2) Also, when I turn on the car first thing, it's so quiet. Then about 10 seconds later, I hear the engine kick on. During the quiet seconds, is the car on? Am I able to move the car (back out of my driveway) during this time or do I have to wait to back out when the engine kicks on?
3) When can you use the "B" feature (battery mode) instead of putting the car in "D" (drive)?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
1) Yes it's normal. Ignore it. Just stomp on it and get up to speed. Then let off the pedal.
2) When the 'READY' light is on the dash you can just shift and go whether the ICE is running or not. As soon as you give it some gas the ICE will kick in. That 10 sec pause is built into all the HSD vehicles. Ignore it and just shift and go.
3) The 'B' has nothing to do with 'battery mode'. The only purpose of B is to act as engine braking in steep downhill situations so that you don't ride the brakes all the way down and over heat them. It's the same a low gear on any other car.
THIS should have been explained to you at time of delivery. It's right in the manual. There is no purpose ever to shift into B-Mode unless you're going down a LOOONNNNG downhill descent. Don't listen to anything anyone says about B-Mode and charging the battery.
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
BASE PRICE: $26,310
M.P.G. RATING: 33 city, 34 highway, 34 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $11.64 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $1,746
The Prius may be the mileage champ and a rolling billboard for its owners’ green attitude, yet I’d argue that the low-profile gas-electric Camry sedan is the best all-around hybrid for price, roominess, mileage and performance.
The Camry cuts the fuel bill better than any car in this group; the owner who drives 15,000 miles a year will spend just $35 a week on gas.
With the hybrid system’s net horsepower of 187 the Camry goes from a stop to 60 miles an hour in a snappy 7.7 seconds. That’s a full second quicker than a 4-cylinder gasoline Camry and nearly three seconds quicker than a Prius.
My last 15,000 miles and last 12 months coincide almost perfectly. My stats:
$28.70 spent per week on gas
34.5 MPG average per tank.
It's a frugal car to fuel that's for sure.
At Manhattan Beach Toyota, they're selling TCH's for $27,069 with a $1,500 factory rebate...making them only $25,569...
Manhattan Beach TCH 2009
I thought this was an awesome deal until I saw some other great prices at Valley Toyota, where they have a 2009 TCH for only $26,569 with the additional $1,500 rebate, making it only $25,069! I think that's pretty decent!
Since I love the quiet and (relatively) great fuel economy of hybrids, I want to stick with one and with the full, $2,350 Federal tax credit still in effect for the Nissan Altima Hybrid, I think I can still come out ahead buying one. The NAH is a little sportier than the TCH, I like the backup camera available with the NAH and think Nissan generally has better navigation systems than Toyota but the TCH is roomier and quieter. I am tending towards the NAH but would first like to know if its fuel economy is comparable to that of the TCH.
And also, if anyone here has looked at both the TCH and NAH, why did you choose what you chose?
Thank to everyone in advance.
Might one to give one a look, supposed to be a huge improvement over the 09.
My question is, if I put the car in park and rev the engine up, will the engine charge the battery back up so I can continue on with my trip out of town? I know that the car won't rev up with it in neutral.
Thanks
I have had my Camry hybrid for 18 months and its only been 2-3 times that the above scenario even occured, and both times the car performed well.
One tip is that if you find yourself in that situation, you might turn off the air conditioner, (and heat if you happen to be able to live without that too at the time) as those will accelerate the usage of the battery when on battery power alone in these siutations. You can certainly use AC/Heat, its not problem at all...it will just cycle the engine on a little more to keep the battery charged and then turn the engine back off. Still getting better gas mileage than all the other cars there.
I have a 07 Prius (instead of TCH because of CA HOV sticker), and looking to buy another hybrid soon (thanks to $4500 Clunker program). Like to get some feedback from folks who tried TCH and '10 Prius. Thanks.
Any words on hybrid minivans (C'mon Toyota all your minivan, Previa and old Sienna owners are waiting)?
I was relieved about that.
You are right about everything except the last sentence.
You don't have to have the car "jump started" if you run out of gas. The "engine battery" is separate from the "hybrid battery" and the car behaves no differently than any other gasoline-powered car if you run out of gas - put gas in the car and go.
If you leave the lights on all night, then you might need a jump start, just like any other car with a regular 12v battery which controls the power accessories in the car.
Let me know if you have any other questions - don't wait "a couple of years" before asking !!!
I have owned my TCH for three years and if I don't know the answer, I can find it.
The only thing is that I would have preferred velour seats. Unfortunately, that was not an option.
Those seats were AWESOME and PLUSH and GORGEOUS !!!
Toyota offering them as an option today would be a slam dunk for a lot of people.
Im thinking of buying a TCH, however, i have a newbie quetion if you would be kind enough to answer.
If the electric battery was removed or went dead, will the car and all its options (AC, Lights, radio...etc) stop working? in other words, will the car continue to run as a conventional one (gas) or will stop dead?
Your answer is very much appreciated. Thank you.
The answer is yes, the car would be disabled without the hybrid battery. It is an integral part of the system.
(I had posted this question earlier at another Camry Hybrid forum with no reply, but am trying it again because this forum seems to be more active. Sorry about the duplication)
When does it happen? All the time? Only when the gas engine is running? Only when the gas engine is off? Does it change depending on how hard you accelerate? What are the road conditions? (If it is slippery, the VSC could be kicking in).
The road conditions are dry, it happens 95-100% of the time. I believe at a full stop only the battery is running so no the gas engine is off.
I spoke to the dealer and there have been several others who have complained. I have driven hybrid Camrys and Highlanders before and it never stuttered. They have always accelerated smoothly.
The mechanic referred to this known problem as "Pulse Width Modulation." and he said it does not happen on all of the Camry Hybrids.
I have heard of pulse position modulation. It's used in unusual communication systems. I actually designed a PPM for an X-ray Communications System.
I have never heard of Pulse width modulation. It sounds made up. I would ask them to fix it.
Call their bluff. Tell them if they can't fix it, you want it declared a lemon, because the mechanic said it has "pulse width modulation" which makes it stutter all the time.
No stuttering if gas is applied very lightly.Said to be normal.
Any follow up on your issue?
change wipers, pull on the small tab at where the wipers connect with the arm.
I hope this helps.
So I started looking at getting a different vehicle, and one of the first vehicles I started researching was the new Camry....both hybrid and regular. All the reviews on the Hybrid indicate it is a great car.
I have used my truck to haul things on a few occasions, and do like the ability to put things in the bed. However, I have not done it that often, and right now using the truck as a daily driver is getting quite expensive.
Friends at work suggested getting some type of crossover or wagon or small SUV. Suggestions being the Subaru Outback wagon, or one of the small SUV's such as the RAV4, CR-V, or even the new Mazda crossover....
I have had two Camrys in the past, and thought they were both great cars (1996 LE, and a 1999 Solara SLE V6), so I am predisposed towards Toyota. The Venza is a bit out of my price range....
The trouble is the crossovers and suv's don't get anywhere close to the mileage of the TCH....but I think the extra storage or utility of the crossover might be worth it.
I live in the Pacific Northwest, and we get pretty decent snowfall in the winter...which is another reason I liked my truck, with the 4x4.
At this time I really want something that I can use to transport my mom, and is cheap to own and operate....which I guess is why I come back to the TCH.
Thoughts? Advice? I feel kind of stuck at the moment....
As for gas mileage, I have the 2010 F150 XLT, supercab...4x4 (turn on 4x4 with switch), with the 4.6L V8....gets between 16 and 19....unfortunately most of my driving is city...so towards the low end. and in the winter when we use gas with ethanol, it goes down too. Otherwise, I love the ride, and the driving position...
The tires on the TCH have low rolling resistance, and so I wonder if they are "sticky" enough for driving in snow, or would I need to get a set of snow tires for it?
Thanks again!
I have LRR tires and they are fine in the rain (all 3 days a year) and they stick fine to the road just not as well as a high performance tire would.