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zekeman1
came back on a sunday and we had done a otal of 1900kms. there were 3 of us in the car and the A/C was on at full blast (late June last yr with the temp at 3OC +) and driving way over the limit. averaged 8.3L per 100kms and THATS GOOD.
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i have a 96 and i drove about 800 kms on a friday.
came back on a sunday and we had done a otal of 1900kms. there were 3 of us in the car and the A/C was on at full blast (late June last yr with the temp at 3OC +) and driving way over the limit. averaged 8.3L per 100kms and THATS GOOD.
So far I have changed all the settings: increase/lower the base, trebble, fade etc. without any success. Does anyone have any idea why the sudden bad fidelity? Since the car is out of warranty the dealer will charge an arm an a leg for a diagnosis.
I know these are very different cars, but they are both supposed to be fairly reliable and good value for money.
Some background - me and my girlfriend are looking for a car together, we are both 24 and this isn't our first car. I own a Mazda Miata but am going to sell it once we get a replacement sedan. My choice.
Anyway, we found a really nice 96 Avalon with 90k miles. It has leather, sunroof, CD, six seats. Its a very nice car. The buyer was asking $5900, got it down to $5700 but he still has it and is waiting for a higher offer till Tuesday because he said he has to keep it till his replacement car comes in on Tuesday (we saw it on Friday and he said he had 5 people already show interest in it and 2 had come to look at it, he had more people lined up for the weekend).
From what I've seen, a 96 or similar Corolla is going to be $3500-4000 for similar vintage.
Now, I'm going to assume that both cars are relatively well-depreciated and won't lose a lot more of their value if we sell after 2-3 years. Is that assumption correct? If it is, then the cost of ownership comes down to the fact that the avalon has more electronics and will drink more gas - potentially an issue with rising gas prices, which i think will stabilize around $3 this year, but my guess is as good as anyone else's.
So what I'm trying to decide is whether it is worth paying more now for the Avalon because it is a more premium car and rides nicer and quieter on the highway. I actually want to get rid of my convertible because it is kind of noisy on the highway.
Advise me! Advice on how to handle the seller of this Avalon would also be nice.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm not looking at Camrys because they cost almost as much as Avalons and the fuel economy is almost the same.
I havent owned a Corolla but Its WAy too small. the only time i Would be happy to be driving it is probably when i am at the GAs station
thanks, Tammy
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
This is right off the Toyota Owner Info website:
Engine Oil Gel - Customer Support Program
Question
What is Toyota's Customer Support Program for engine oil gel?
Answer
A very small number of Toyota owners have reported engine damage from a condition known as oil gelling or sludge. Because customer satisfaction is our first priority and we want our owners to know we stand behind our products, we implemented a Customer Support Program for covered vehicles that have experienced engine oil gel.
Engine oil gel occurs when old, dirty engine oil becomes thick and no longer adequately lubricates the engine and, if not corrected, can lead to severe engine damage. Performing regular engine oil and engine oil filter changes will prevent engine oil gel.
Symptoms of engine oil gel may include:
MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light)/Check Engine Light “On”
Blue smoke from the tailpipe
Excessive oil consumption
If you are not experiencing symptoms and are maintaining the vehicle as recommended in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner's Manual Supplement, no further action is required. We simply encourage you to continue to perform engine oil and engine oil filter changes as recommended. We are confident that the majority of Toyota customers do not require any reminder about the importance of changing the engine oil in their vehicles.
The Customer Support Program assists customers who have made a reasonable effort to maintain their vehicles and have engine repairs due to engine oil gel. The Customer Support Program will provide coverage for engine oil gel related damage for eight (8) years from the date of first sale or lease of a vehicle with no mileage limitation.
Vehicle maintenance information can be found on our Service and Maintenance page. The Toyota Scheduled Maintenance Guide or Owner's Manual Supplement can also help you determine which maintenance interval is appropriate for your driving conditions.
If your vehicle has symptoms of engine oil gel, please contact the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership for further assistance.
Each claim is individually reviewed to determine if reimbursement is appropriate. If you have paid for previous repairs you feel may be related to this condition, please contact us at 1-888-802-9436 for further assistance.
The following vehicles have engines covered by the Customer Support Program:
MODEL MODEL YEAR
Avalon 1997-2002
Camry
4 Cylinder
1997-2001
V6 1997-2002
Celica 1997-1999
Highlander
4 Cylinder Not involved
V6 2000-2002
Sienna 1997-2002
Solara
4 Cylinder 1999-2001
V6 1999-2002
For more info click here:
Toyota Owner Info
Thanks again, just as a heads up, I called and the warranty on my car ended in May of 2005. The customer support rep assumed it may be a loose valve within the engine. He asked me to contact the dealer who sold me the car. After contacting him, he claims that there isn't an issue with the car because, "it runs fine and doesn't make any unusual sounds." What would you suggest I do?
I suggest you go into a Toyota dealer with the car and VIN and ask them to print out the maintenance history of the car. If the car was maintained by Toyota dealers, the records will be on Toyota's computer system. I don't think you should initially give them the reason you are asking for the records, because who knows - they may not want to give them to you. Tell them you just bought the car and you want to see the service history.
Once you have the records, then you could talk to them about your concerns. The dealers know about this problem and they may be able to assist you in getting this done under the warranty, otherwise get the diagnosis from the dealer in writing if this is in fact the problem, and then call the Toyota customer service number with your documentation in hand.
The 2000 Avalon is a very good car, but if you have the engine gel problem it will have to be fixed, however you have to get this diagnosed first by a Toyota dealer.
The other question is if you received any warranty from the selling dealer? If so, you may have some recourse there.
How many miles has your car done?
Yes, agree with Alan, it sounds like the sludge problem. Classic symptoms are the smoke and what appears to be oil usage (the oil is really just getting gunked up inside your engine and not circulating). You may also notice chunks or globs of oil on the dipstick.
Has the check engine light come on yet? The longer you drive in this condition, the more potential damage you may be doing to your engine. The only way for a certain diagnosis is to get the valve cover pulled. If you have this done at Toyota, ask to be present when it is removed so you can see for yourself or go to an independent mechanic for the diagnosis. The 8 year policy is from initial purchase and unlimited miles, so you should be covered until 2007/08 depending on the purchase date. The big problem is that you must prove "reasonable" maintenance -- virtually impossible for a buyer of a used vehicle unless like Alan said the original owner had the oil changes performed by Toyota or you can locate the owner and find where he did get the oil changed (most every place keeps electronic records these days). I also agree with Alan, that you may have some recourse with whoever you bought the vehilce from.
Toyota may be gracious enough to do this for you out of good will if you are unable to locate records, but you may need to take it to Toyota corporate to get some action. Good luck.
Regular toyota oil and filter changes @ usually 3000 miles.
Nothing in manual about needing premium gas and it is more expensive. Seems Toyota problem. Also have a new 2005 XLS and use 89 octane with gasahol, as does dealer for new Avalons. With gasahol subsidies, that gas makes sense. Helpful comments please.
gpfor4j
abfisch
But if did not do this when you took it in, and does it now, the problem could easily be the rotor(s). If they were turned improperly, and this happens, you get vibrations, especially when you apply the brakes. The pads do not move in rotation so if the vibration occurs with no brake pressure, it's probably not the pads. (But they could be dragging from poor installation, causing rotor problems. Possible.)
Before attempting to turn the rotors again you need to measure the thickness of the rotor. There is a minimum to be safe and work properly. Check the books. Only so many turns, then you get new ones as the rotors get too thin. Usually 3 turns max on the front is safe the limit. Maybe only 1 or 2 if you went too far before a brake job. Newly turned rotors are bright, shiny and smoothe to the touch.
Forum member *abfisch* drives an Avalon with front end and other suspension upgrades and may have more ideas here...
abfisch
Toyotas are very sensitive to lug nut torque and this has caused me vibration problems in the past.
If this does not solve the problem, rebalance the wheels because the wheels may have been deflected during over tightening and are now out of balance, and then remount with the correct torque.
The best balancing system is Hunter RoadForce. Many Toyota dealers have them and so do Discount Tires.
Thanks
I think we are talking about the same part. Price was around 400$ here in Canada. The MAF sensor is located just past the air filter box. The part is held by two screws, and is really easy to remove. Be careful in cleaning the sensing wire, use soft brush, take your time. You may have to repeat the operation. I know that some people use alcohol the clean the wire, but I needed none.
Good luck,
Thank you.
These lights come on and car runs poorly with what seems to be brakes being applied!???
NO "check engine" light though?
Any one else had/have this problem?
Suggestions/solutions?
TIA. Jeff.
About a month ago I heard a strange rubbing sound from the front left wheel. You hear the sound if you close the windows and move very slowly. A few days ago I changed the rotors (not Toyota) and the pads (Toyota) on the front wheels. For a few days there was no rubbing sound. Now the rubbing sound came back and I believe it is louder. My mechanic inspected the wheel and the break and didn’t find any problem. Any thoughts?
Thanks
If that is not the problem, check the axle and CV joints.
abfisch
I'll talk to my mechanic. I live in Brooklyn, NY it is not that much of a snow here, but you never know.
Thanks again
Aleks
Enjoy!
I too, now have the VSC & VSC off lites on all the time since the car has been to a non toyota shop for a replacement of all plugs, they also used injector cleaner also had timing belt, water pump & thermostat etc at the same time 93,000 on a 2000 Avalon XLS. What was your final cure?
Thanks for your time
Les
Thanks for the reply
Les
Thanks in advance for any help.
My Toyota Avalon 2001 has 95000 miles. Sometimes, when it stays idle for while, it gives me starting problems. I start the car and the pressure in the tachometer doesn’t go over 1. The car jumps a little and dies. To start the car, I have to start the ignition while pressing the accelerator. When I came to my mechanic, the car had no start up problems. He said that it could be anything, and all I can do is wait until my car dies. I can’t really do that because I travel a lot and would rather not be stranded in upstate New York on the road . I tried ignition clean up liquid but it didn’t help.
Thanks
i was lucky enough to pick up a 04 BMW 325ci that came over from Germany and a soldier wanted to sell it cause he was having a bigger family. The least electronic gizmos on it possible. Only a upgraded stereo and the sports package suspension. That is it. No problems to date. Use the Avalon during the winter now and for towing and long trips.
Hope some or all of this helps.
abfisch
Thanks
Alek
Arthur