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Toyota Camry: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
One key difference though is the '07 uses a temporary spare, so there could be more of a gap between the tire and the support. I'll have to check this out on an '07 my employer recently bought.
As I am not the buyer of the wheels I am not sure what size they are ! The tires show a size of P235/40R18. Does it mean the rims are 18 inch. The max size I could find were 17" !!!
Is this wheel/tire size okay for a 1999 Camry CE. I read the standard size for Camry is P195/70R14. What are my choices to fix this. Repair the wheels or buy a new set. Is going for a complete set of 14" wheels and tyres recommended. Would fixing the wheels or buying new 17/18" cause wear on the car !!
Personally, I'd strongly recommend buying a new set of 14-inch steel wheels for the car and the proper size tires, which you've identified correctly. Wheels shouldn't be bought used, unless you know what kind of use/abuse they've been subjected to!
If you must have alloys, they will cost more (probably a lot more), but to me it seems overkill for a 7-year-old base model Camry.
What do you think is a good place to get wheels. Many options for tyres. But confused on where to get OEM wheels without getting ripped.
1) a dealer - the expensive, but safest option
2) an auto-recycler (aka, "junkyard") - make 'em put the wheel on a spindle so you can judge whether they rotate true. After you leave the premises with used wheels, they're generally YOURS unless you make arrangements beforehand that they can be returned if the people who mount and balance the tires determines that the rim(s) is/are unuseable.
(From your description of the condition of the alloy rims that were on the car, I get the impression that some pock-faced teenie-weenie with a compensation attitude jumped a curb while street racing or otherwise driving erratically and bent the rims out of true. If the tires on that car were involved in my hypothetical account, there's a good chance there's tread belt damage to them, too. As far as cast alloy rims are concerned, metal fatigue is the major concern. Once bent out of true, the strength is compromised. When bent back true (if it's even possible), the strength is additionally compromised. Is it really worth being penny-wise and pound-foolish where the lives of you and your passengers are concerned?)
My mechanical skills are slightly above "remove/replace alternator". I tackled a timing belt on a Chrysler minivan V-6 before - but it was not something I enjoyed! However, in the interests of saving a few hundred dollars, I can suffer some skinned knuckles.
Is a timing belt on this Camry engine something I might consider doing myself? Or is it one of those jobs that's worth every penny to have a mechanic perform?
Ed
the tyres on the car are still good. should last for 20k. so want to use them. alloy wheels certainly do add value to the car when selling, and i do intend to sell it in 1-2 yrs.
the real question is would continuing on 8X18 wheels would cause any damage/wear to other parts of the car.. most importantly the engine and transmission.
i used the formulas on http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html and figured that these wheels+tyres (P235/40R18) add about 2.5% to the rolling radius than the originals (P195/70R14).
I haven't go the rotors replaced since butying it new but they do look glazed. I have just started to notice the sound recently. Is there a solution?
Who is the maker of these "basic" alloys? Sounds like too low a price to be true. (Or if that price is correct, then I'd question the quality.)
I am trying to get 14/15" wheels from pep boys. Tires installed from Costco for reasonable price. But Costco refuses to install any 15" tires for 99 Camry. They will install only the standard i.e. 195/70R14. This works cost effective as well.
What would I miss not going for something like 205/60R15 but going for the base. Whats the correct base rim size for 99 Camry. Is it 14 X 5.5 or 14 X 6 !! Have to get exact rims to go for tires from Costco.
I know I am being stingy, but just dont have much to spend on this. Would just like to get the car into good driving shape.
210delray - thanks you have been very helpful.
The correct wheel size for your car is 14 x 5.5 inches. I can understand Costco not wanting to install nonstandard tires; there could be liability issues.
Oh, yeah - that'd be a really safe bet for something lives depend on...
what ever you decide, just remember that the price on the sticker isn't the only price you can get. Always ask for a lower price, and if the sale associate can't do it, ask for his manager and then ask him. They need your business, not the other way around.
He did a nice methodical job (he let me watch), and it cost me a lot less than the dealer or independent shop.
It covers steering columns.
why not try another dealership?
i think this issue affects more than the camry...
call toyota corporate.
The problem is probably in your distributer... I had the same problem in my 92 that now has 158K plus and I've had more trouble with this car than anyother car I've ever owned... I'm 77 years old so you can imagine how many cars I've had...
Thanks for your assistance and information!
The first place I look for on this problem is the wiring that is attached to the drivers side trunk hinge. Open the trunk and look for a corrugated cover that runs along the square tube that supports the trunk lid. follow it toward the front of the car where it goes behind the hard felt trunk liner. Right where it goes behind this felt the wires break. repair the broken wires and you'll get your backup lights back.
I hope this information helps others that have this problem.
How do you get consistent PRNDL dash indicator lights on a 95 Camry when you have to jiggle the transmission selector to get the PRNDL indicators to light up? Is it an adjustment or do I need to R&R a part?
Nothing should be "bleeding through," but do you live in area subject to industrial particulate fallout?
or repair place and they'll give u a quote on the cost,
so will the dealer. good luck
I am hoping I went with a bad car battery manufacturer and that there is nothing more seriously wrong with the car. Any ideas? Has this happened to anyone?
Alternator works fine, my dad had it tested (he knows way more about cars than I do). He's really not sure what it is, and of course, neither do I
Any other possible ideas why this is happening?
It was first brought to my notice by my dealer's mechanic at 60k maintainace. But when I asked whether it is ok to do it later, I was told that I can wait till couple of oil changes. Later at 65k miles repair 2 months bACK, the mechanic again brought it to my notice. When I again showed reluctance to do repair, he suggested keep eye on heat indicator to avoid overheating.
Now I am scared that I ignored the problem for too long. Should I have cheked the coolant/water level periodically? Should I take it immidiately to repair shop?
I haven;t noticed anything drastic in the car, but I am not an expert.
Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.
Thanks
One thing I would add is to remove the coolant fill cap only when the engine is cold (like first thing in the morning). This is to prevent getting scalded by hot fluid under pressure.
I doubt you'll find this item on eBay.
i once saw a vehicle (not a camry) going down the highway with the exhaust pipe leading to the muffler glowing hot red. i imagine some part of the cat liberated and moved down the pipe.