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Try a search engine for other sites - our beancounters frown on giving free ads to competing forums. Thanks!
Steve, Host
Thanks
IMHO, the suspension and brake upgrades are very worthwhile.
-Karl, '03 Limited V8 4WD 4Runner, Titanium
SV
On my 99 SR5 I never used or had to use the ECT button that is up on the dash because I did not have the downshift problems,but, after talking with Toyota and a pretty savy service tech, I have found that in the 2002 year that the Toyota/ emissions went LEV and that's why the rpm's are slightly lower than my 99 when cruising. The power is still there ( I am happy and have always been because of the good torque and smoothness),but, hidden? I have found that using the ECT button that it changes the shift points and helps,but, the question is that if it would damage anything in the engine/transmission by driving it this way all the time? I drive in the city at slower speeds (40 and below),but, on the highway I drive anywhere between 55 and 110,so, I don't want to damage anything?
Now all of this is ONLY when accelerating. You should not see ANY difference when just going down the street at a constant speed. It will effect gas milage due to higher engine speeds when accelerating, but if most of your driving is highway, you should not see any major reduction of MPG.
Thanks...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
My view:
VSC (stability control) usually detects a slip BEFORE the driver is aware of it. Therefore, it will intervene "subconciously". It will make small corrections even before the driver is aware that the car has drifted.
With regard to braking and slipping in a corner at the same time, i do NOT see the point of having skid control on WHILE braking.
For example, if you're exiting the highway at high speed onto a ramp, and your car slides out, the MAIN concern at this time to slow the car down. At this point, you have one or more wheel withOUT traction. Let's just say that the driver is aware of slipping and put on the brakes. At this moment, you want the car to slow down or stop. So, what matters MOST at this time is applying brake to the wheel with MOST traction. So, what does that mean??
Well, the 4Runner (and other SUVs) have ELECTRONIC BRAKEFORCE DISTRIBUTION (aka EBD). In the situation above, this system/computer will send brake power to the wheel with MOST traction to slow your car down. ABS will then pump these wheels.
If VSC was still engaging, then it will REALLY confused the computer...it is sending brake power to the wheel(s) with most traction (via EBD)...YET, those wheel(s) with traction may NOT be the wheels needed for skid control!! So, what is more important?? Two scenerios:
1. Trying to slow down while cornering with braking power going to the wheel to control the skid (stability control ON while braking), which may NOT be the wheel with traction. Therefore, it maybe useless! Your car is NOT slowing down because braking power may be diverted to wheels withOUT traction in an attempt to control the skid; or
2. Trying to slow down while cornering with braking power going to the wheel with MOST traction via EBD and ABS. You car will then slow/stop.
Well, i prefer scenerio #2.
What do you guys think? Does the above make sense??
engine as a brake and let the VSC keep on working and slow you down without using the brake. The time to down shift is as you exit the highway before getting onto the ramp.
I am the proud owner of a 2003 sport V8 model. The rig is great...on the road.
However as soon as I tried to bring it to the trail, I run into issues. Any help will be appreciated.
I wanted to change the tires (265/65/17)for a mud/snow combination and found out that there is no other tire that fit this rig on the planet!! Not even snow tires And in Vermont/Maine trails lately the stock tires do not cut it.
Does anyone know Toyota/Dunlop plans for upgrades?
I also wanted to add some extra lights and maybe someone knows what is the cranking power of the battery and strength of the alternator and tell me (could not find it on Toyota web site) if I can fit two set of lights on it without any additional battery (and voiding the warranty).
Sincerely,
Amara
I am having similar problems finding anyone to install a CD changer in my vehicle. I don't know why it would be a problem or why it didn't come with the vehicle. If anyone finds a changer than can be installed or can shed some light on why it didn't have one in the first place I would like to hear it.
Thanks.
While Toyota claims a V6 will get 2MPG more than the V8, I have to imagine it would be more. That, along with more expensive insurance for the V8 (and the fact I don't tow anything), make me lean toward the V6.
A dealer is trying to tell me that they will be much closer in MPG since the V8 has more torque and you won't have to push the engine as much on the low end. Truth or is he trying to get me to buy one of the V8s on the lot?
Thanks!
Chris
OTOH, if you are someone who is not in the habit of burying the pedal, you will probably make better mileage than the EPA sticker.
amara - you could also go to 275/60/17's, which are stock size for a number of vehicles including the new LC...there will be a wider variety of tires available consequently.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
BTW, that LC has a diesel engine, with puny hp by N/A standards!
http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/matrix/
According to the information there you can get the Toyota Nav system on the matrix along with a 6 Disk Changer. Why would it be possible to connect a changer to the Nav system on the Matrix and not on the 4runner? Would they purchase/manufacture different Nav systems for different cars?
Also, I have read that you can play DVDs on the Nav screens on the LX470 and Landcruiser. Why not on the 4runner? It can't be cost effective to install different systems on all of these cars.
SV
SV
My sunroof started rattling when driving on gravel and it has gotten much worse in the last week, making noise on fairly smooth surface roads.
Thanks - J
Steve, Host
I also think we would be amazed what dealers and oil change places really put in our car. On my older high mileage Honda and Acura I use 5W-30 in the winter and 10W-30 in the summer. I put 5W-30 Mobil One in the 4Runner.
I think it can be argued that 10W-30 is a better oil. More stable and less prone to break down. On the other hand car companies are wanting to put oil with the viscosity of water in your car. In the grand scheme of things, 10W-30 should be fine.
When to change oil, some say it is old school to go 3,000 miles while others go much further. Modern engines do a lot more than ever before. I bet the Toyota's that had sludge in their 3.0 V6 might wish they went with the 3,000 mile oil change. I am from the old school and like 3,000 mile oil change. I know a lot of auto experts are now saying 5,000 miles. That may be a good compromise. I would NEVER exceed your recommended 7,500. I know one person who posted on the sludge board here at Edmunds that had a Lexus RX 300 and he used Amsoil and went 25,000 miles before he changed oil. Amsoil has a 25,000 mile warranty. Well the engine sludged up and guess what neither Amsoil or Lexus would fix his car.
Zero to sixty in 7.6? Can't wait to go play with my Expedition- and Suburban-piloting friends.
Stay safe!
1) for you stereo junkies out there, that are familiar with the JBL 10 speaker 6 cd changer stereo system, Is there a way to get rid of the beeping sound when you use the steering wheel buttons to go from one Preset Radio Station to another. I go from station to station quite often and the beep is driving me crazy!!!
2) On the Driver Door side why aren't the side view mirror adjustment buttons and the door lock and window buttons illuminated when the light systems is engaged??? - currently only the "auto" driver side window button lights up. Is there any way to illuminate the other buttons? I just find it strange to have all these features and technology that the 4runner comes with and not have something as simple as illuminated buttons on the door for both driver and passenger?
3) would be nice to have a light when you open the hood so if your in a poorly lit area and you need to put in engine coolant or winshield wiper fluid - you can see what your doing.
I don't mean to sound negative but for the $$$'s that the vehicle costs and all the touting of the technology and that attention to detail, you would think that these simple things would be addressed - have I missed something?? Any input would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
I drive a v8 4x4 sr5 2003, and there a few extra buttons on the dash and on the middle console, it would be cool if one could setup a motor to turn the mirrors in & out with the touch of a button.
Any thoughts on this and how hard such a setup would be?
Thanks,
-Bill
Mirrors: I'm very happy with the '03 4Runner mirrors, they actually show the entire blind spot next to the car if set up well (angled outward about as far as they'll go).
increased. This problem persisted for the first 9 months of owning the vehicle. Why you may ask would someone put
up with this inconvenience for so long? I had it in the dealer's service department on 4 different occasions before they
figured out the problem. During that time they replaced all of the ignition components and the ECU. To make a long
story short, they finally found the problem after they removed the dash, it turned out that 2 wires leading to the electronic engine immoblilizer were bent and barely making contact with the "amplifier" part of this system courtesy
of the fine assemblers at the Indiana plant. Alls well that ends well I guess.
PS I did think that the problem had been resolved in the 3 previous occasions since I live in an area where the temperature rarely goes that low between May and October.
I agree the mirror/door lock/window controls could use more lights. However, the unlit controls that REALLY bug me are the Homelink buttons. There's no light at all up there and no nearby reference point that's readily identifiable by touch. I'm about ready to revert to the garage door transmitter on the sun visor!
-Karl
I too found the button hard to find at first, but I finally got used to it and can pretty much punch it without looking now. However, my wife still fumbles for it, so I might try the above myself.
Up here in North Pole,Alaska, we're in that time of year with only about 4 hours of day light, so it's important to find your way around in a dark cabin. Guess I'll just have to learn where all those buttons are by memory.
For under the hood needs, I've got a bright portable light that plugs into the 12 volt adapter, which can also light things up in the dark outside the vehicle ie change a tire in the dark.
Aciss, you probably paid at least $4k more for your Limited than I paid for my Sport. Those were some of the deficient items that steered me away from the Limited. Perhaps Toyota will listen to our concerns and incorporate the spirit of contenting these small items into future production. But I sure like this vehicle over the competition (Explorer, Trail Blazer, Discovery, Pathfinder, Durango,etc. etc) for its handling, quality, fit and finish, and its performance on and off road beats them hands down!
How about an indicator that the fog lights are on ? How about being able to close the rear window with the key fob and not just open it ? How about using the horn beep to indicate locking / unlocking instead of the little tweety bird ?
Toyota Motor Sales is pleased to announce pricing for the new 4Runner Appearance
Package option (AP)
Beginning with January production, the new Appearance Package will be available as
an option on 4Runner SR5 models. The new package, consisting of color-keyed
overfenders, cladding, bumpers and rear license plate garnish, broadens SR5 sales
opportunities. MSRP for the Appearance Package is $370.
Hope this brightens a few of your days.
Ken