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You have the Average Fuel Consumption (AVG. __._ MPG) that shows comsumption since you bought the car or reset the button. You can reset this by pressing and holding the DISP button while it is being displayed.
You have Current Fuel Consumption ( __._ MPG) that show the current rate of consumption. I think this reads dashes before the engine is started. This button can't be reset.
Hopefully this will answer your question.
Go to the display that reads 22 then push and hold the DISP
button down for a couple of seconds. Then go to the one that read 24 and do the same.
Let us know what happens
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I'm getting the stock bulbs are 4,000 K, no, there 6,000 k É what in hell are they, and are there brighter bulbs available and where?
Skip
If you don't have projector lense then that upgrade would yield the best "brightness" result. There are 50W hid bulbs/ballast available but the difference isn't really outstanding.
I'm looking at some 6,000 K bulbs from:
http://www.highperformancebulbs.com/d4rhidbulbs.html
Any thoughts on these or this company?
Any ideas?
Tony
Well, I now know the problem. The "lump" in my case (Avalon Limited) is a small rigid plastic air plenum that connects seat bottom to the flexible air hose coming from the blower motor for cooled seats. The plastic plenum is a "connector" ( somewhat similar to the end of a garden hose) that directs cool air into a hole in the seat bottom padding. There are built in air ducts in the seat pad that direct air through the holes in the leather. What I am feeling is that rigid plastic "connector". I have asked the dealership to remove that plastic piece, as I don't care about cooled seats. But so far no luck. No one wants to touch it!
Really too bad this is happening, as in my case, my wife and I LOVE the Limited and that is the ONLY reason we are going through all this aggravation with dealership and Toyota HQ.
Good idea on the after market seat pad....I am thinking about that, as I really don't want another car. But it does seem kind of ridiculous to have to do that on a "luxury" car to get comfortable! Agree its better than loosing thousands on the car. This generation of Avalon is not due for a total re-design until 2013, so I am hopeful Toyota will fix it in their upcoming 2012 model, and simultaneously offer a retro-fix for previous models. we'll see...
If I have a problem with the comfort of the seats I would take them to a seat place and have them redo the drivers seat to fit me. Lots cheaper than a new car. I had a friend that did his pickup truck seats that way and they seemed good.
The best seat I have found was in a BMW 700 LI, they sure have the seats but I didn't like how busy the interior was.
I did drive in rain. (A little) My blades did the skipping some of the time. I've seen this before in other cars. I THINK my skips when there is less rain but I can honestly say for sure. I will certainly take note from now on. Thanks for all the information.
New 2011 Avalon Limited in Pearl White (Dealers given me a good deal on this color)
Spend a bit more and get a new 2011 Avalon in Crimson Mica with Nav and up-graded sound system. ***Is the Nav any better then earlier models? I believe I read several posts with people not happy with their Nav system?
Is the up-graded radio a big deal? If I'm not mistaken, it goes from a 6 CD changer to a 4?
OR
A 2007 Lexus LS 460 with 42,000 miles owned by a local business women, who gets chaffered in in, and yes the car looks like brand new, but it is used, and is about $3,000.00 less money.
I put on 30,000+- miles a year, so next year the car will have 75, 80,000 miles on it?
Damn I hate being in this position.
New Avalon (and which model) or Used Lexus?
Warranty or not.
Miles or not?
Cost of ownership?
Ok folks, so weight in with your 2 cents worth É please.
As for the upgraded stereo, I think all Limiteds get the JBL unit. The NAV system has the same stereo, it just looses some disc capacity. The reason I am assuming is for the NAV disc/drive.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Go for the Avy. In the long run, not only do the numbers work out better, as pointed out (including resale), you will be pleased overall with the vehicle and glad you got almost the same level of luxury for much less.
For a little background I had an 06 XLS that when it came off lease I replaced it with an 09 Genesis (that I now HATE the ride in). In a year when it comes time to turn that in I may look at an Avalon again.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
LS...!!
I haven't owned a Lexus but my BIL has one and after driving mine he's of the opinion that they are overrated.
What you must consider is that once you are up and going, underway, on that same slippery surface the "safety" equation reverses. On a questionable traction surface FWD vehicles have a tendency to "plow", understear, whereas a RWD vehicle will have a tendency for skidding, swapping ends, "over-steering".
So, why do you care...?
When a FWD vehicle begins to "plow" you have lost ALL control.
VSC, if you have it, will likely begin braking the rear wheels in an effort to slow the vehicle to the point that enough roadbed adhesion is regained that directional control returns. Absent VSC you might try lightly applying the rear implemented e-brake to the same effect.
Note: Lifting the gas pedal, a common human instinctive reaction in this situation, is oftentimes the EXACT wrong thing to do. Completely lifting the gas pedal will result in the front wheels shifting into BRAKING mode, and having already lost traction that action, instinctive action, might well exacerbate the situation.
RWD WILL be subject to skidding, swapping ends, over-stearing, either on a slippery roadbed or if too much engine torque is applied for roadbed conditions. VSC, if you have it, will begin braking the "outside" (outside of the turn radius) front wheel so as to "nip" the skid in the "bud", as it were.
Absent VSC all the driver need do is slightly counter-steer while also, simultaneously, lifting the gas pedal slightly. For most drivers this quickly becomes an instinctive reaction.
So, buy the Avalon and risk life and limb, or drive the LS in safety, comfort, and QUIET.
Your choice.
Overpriced (showroom) in comparison, CERTAINLY, ABSOLUTELY.....!
But that overpricing is a direct result of the inverse of being overrated.
You're buying a CAR...!
I would never again buy a CAPTIVE GPS/Nav system, portable NAV systems are so much better on ALL points. My '01 F/awd RX300 GPS/Nav, $3,000 option, disk, after 2 $300 updates, remains constantly EJECTED.
Stereo..?
Aftermarket fix, if required, is just too inexpensive to consider the factory one as a purchase "grading" point. The fidelity, overall viability, of the BASE LS sound system is unquestioned, unquestionable.
Having said that, RWD does have its advantages but winter weather driving isn't one of them.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
But that would mean leaving my 4WD (R/awd) Ford Aerostar safely in the garage alongside my '01 F/awd RX300 during foul wintertime weather...
Not an option.
Honestly, these are two very different cars and both should be winners if taken care of. As posted above, weather may play a role here as would dealer accessability. The Lexus is also tight inside for such a large exterior. We looked at them both in 2007, went for an Avalon instead, better value for us. Tough choice, this is the only car I can think of that rides better than an Avalon (ES350 is too soft for me)......... let us know the result!
The Camry/ES is also FWD.
Personally I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Avalon except for it being FWD, putting life and limb at risk in wintertime adverse, slippery, roadbed conditions.
I know of 3 LS400s, a 91 (brother), a 92 (mine), and a 95 (marketing mgr), all well beyond 200,000 miles and NEVER been back to Lexus, or elsewhere, for repair.
I NEVER use the local Lexus dealer for anything but parts purchase and whenever I do that I always stop by the coffee machine for a StarBucks Latte.
That being said I am on record as fully expecting the transaxle to fail prior to 100,000 miles due to a design flaw in my '01 F/awd RX300. But that will be a DIY effort and the RX will be converted to R/awd in the process.
80,000 plus miles and counting.
So I would advise that NO ONE purchase an RX300. RX330 adopted DBW to alleviate the problems arising from the design flaw but that resulted in other issues, intangible issues.
I'd really like to get matching floor mats though:('
I got the Red with creme colored interior and well, black mats just don't do it for me.
Now I'm thinking I'll get the dealer to order some tan that are available for 2011's, and swap with them.
Other then that, I've only gone 5 miles so way to hard / early to say what I like or don't like over my 2008 Touring Model Avalon.
Skip
PS In case you are wondering, it did weight heavy in my discussion - that the dealer just purchased $8,000.00 + in promotional products and print matter.
As for the black mats, go on Ebay and grab the ivory set for a 05-10 Avalon. I don't believe they have changed at all.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Ok, so I'll post on my fliker account.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonstringcaldinkal/
Once we have a sunny day, I'll get more photo's of the car, and maybe even a cool one or two.
Skip
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
I hope to spend some time with the car and my camera and see if I can get something just a bit different to the coming days.