Toyota Corolla

corollarocks

nhepker1 & briton..that sounds great!.

This get's better mileage than my 92 Festiva
did and it had a 1.3 liter engine, not to
mention it was like 1000 pounds lighter. :-)

britton2

I should have mentioned - when I use 89 octane rather than 87, I do get better mileage - usually it's 31 or 32MPG versus 30 using 87 octane.

coolguyky7

That's actually an older model of the Corolla which has been around for a few years in Britain. The new one is

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/CorollaSedan/index.html

patches69

Thanks lots for quick response. I made an appointment to take my car in after I return from a trip I am taking. The manager says it sounds like a possibility since the struts, etc are in front of and near the dash. It would be great if this were the answer!!!!!!

By the way, I always went down the shore when I grew up in the Philadelphia/southern New Jersey area!! In fact, every time I am there I pay a visit to the ocean.

Thanks again.

corollarocks

Be sure to let us know what happens and
good luck. :-)

reeses

Update: I finally got the plastic at the top of the driver side door fixed. It warped for some reason. I thought it was the hot weather we have here but then there was nothing wrong with the one on the passenger side. Anyway, I got it fixed just in time because the warranty expired the next week.

Now I need help choosing the right tires for my '99 corolla. After 3 years the treads are gone. I'm looking for tires that will be good especially for rainy days and also be the right size and fit and provide a comfortable ride for everyday. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

8u6hfd

P185/65 r14

I'd go with Michelin X-One.

mcdawgg

I agree with 8u6hfd. I have Michelin X-1's on my 99, and I love them. Better traction, better and quieter ride, top quality tires for a top quality car.

imkellygrl

Hi there...has anyone experienced a clicking sound when making a right (or left) turn in their 2003 Corolla? This happens when I make right turns, it comes from the axle area. My car has 300 miles on it. I am calling the dealer today....was wondering if anyone could shed some light or has had similar problems? Any help I would appreciate!

sandman46

I have these on my '96 DX and was wondering if the 195/65/14's will fit also without hitting the struts? Any help would be great. Thanks all!

The Sandman :-)

sensei1

I have a '98 Corolla LE. I replaced my OEM tires @ around 40K with Firestone Firehawk SH30 M+S and lower P195/60R14's instead of the OEM 185/65R14's. I'm quite happy with them and handling seems to have improved a bit.

Check out the Tire Rack link for more info on tires and if you want to see what the treads on diffferent brands look like.

Good luck!

sandman46

I tried that already and within 5 minutes, I knew that I made a mistake. Had torque steer that I didn't have with the 185/65/14's. My question was about using 195/65/14's as a replacement. Thanks anyways.

The Sandman :-)

sensei1

Sorry it didn't work out for you. To each his own I guess. I've got about 19k+ on this set and I'm okay with it. Seems like you'll be going taller with your tire size selection IMO.

jrct9454

The 195/65s will no doubt fit, but you will have introduced about 3-5% error in both the odo and speedo. If you can live with that [this will mean you will actually be going faster and covering more ground than the readouts will indicate], then fine - just remember that 70 mph indicated may be closer to 75...

coolguyky7

I think that's the turn signal. :-) Just kidding

alpha01

I was unaware that tire width affects the speedo reading- I could swear that the Honda rep (when I had my Civic) told me that unless I was increasing width by a significant amount (in which case the tires probably wouldnt fit well anyway), that only diameter/circumference affected the speedo reading. I would imagine that sidewall height might make a similar impact, but width? Are you sure that a 10mm bump in tread width will make a difference?
If so, could you explain the physics of this?
~alpha

dave594

It's not the width, but the aspect ratio (the number after the width) that may affect the speedo.

dave594

the '65' is a measurement of the thickness of the sidewall. 185mm x .65 = 120.25 mm. While 195mm x .65 = 126.75mm. that's about 7mm difference. Add that to the radius to the wheel and multiply by 2 and Pi to get the circumference and you'll see some difference.

alpha01

I understand you now. Bottom line: will that 7mm difference really throw off the speedo as much, say, as moving from a 14 inch to a 15 inch tire? It just seems that a 3-5% increase in margin of error is alot for such a small change in tread width.
~alpha

jrct9454

I could tell you how to do the calculation that will get you the exact amount of rolling diameter that you will be adding, but it's better to go to TireRack.com and look up their section that refers to "plus sizing". They have a handy formula that will tell you the difference in rolling diameter between the 185/65-14s and 196/65s. The gross answer is 10mm x .65 divided by 2, but to get the percentage of that as a difference with the old tire, you actually need the exact number for the old tire. Their formula gives it to you.

As a rough rule of general thumb, IF you are staying with the same diameter wheel [14"], then to keep the rolling diameter the same, you go DOWN one aspect ratio for every increase of 10 mm in width. That is, to maintain the same rolling diameter as the 185/65-14s, you could mount 195/60-14s, and these would have about the same rolling diameter [and better handling at the expense of ride quality]. By sticking with a 65 aspect, and going to 195 width, you are getting a slightly taller tire.

smmetz

I was also going to get new tires for my 96 corolla DX. I worked out the numbers, and here is what I got for a couple different sizes:

tire........sidewall...change....%change
185/65R14....120.25mm...-.........-
195/65R14....126.75mm...+6.5mm....+2.2%
195/60R14....117mm......-3.25mm...-1.1%
205/60R14....123mm......+2.75mm...+0.9%

The % change is based on tire and rim total stock radius of about 120+178 = 298mm. (178m is about 7 inches, the radius of 14" rims)

Anyway, my question is, does anyone know the width of stock rims for a 96 corolla DX, or where I can find that information? I suspect they are 14x5.5 inch rims, but I don't know. I want to figure out if the 205/60R14 tires would fit. Thanks for help.

jeprox

just wondering those of you who have a 5 speed 2003 corolla - how do you like the car?

how's the manual tranny? smooth?

i just ordered a indigo ink 2003 CE 5 speed (base)today. hope to get it by the end of this month.

jrct9454

I too believe that the stock steel wheels on a '96 are 5.5 inches wide; this sort of info should be in the owner's manual, but the two Corollas I have access to are one and two generations removed from the '96 ['98 and '03]. A quick call to the parts dept of your nearest friendly dealer should clear it up.

I think 205s would be stretching it on these wheels - I could see 195s with no problem.

coolguyky7

I had my oil changed at a Toyota dealer two days ago. Today, my dad sprayed the engine compartment with an engine degreasing agent to clean it up a little. He did the same on his Solara. He followed the directions on the car I presume. However, now my engine check light is on and the car is shaking in every gear but park and neutral. It's not a violent shake like the stall of a manual transmission but the car has a noticable shake especially when in drive and reverse while sitting still. Any ideas of what this is?

sensei1

Did you run the engine a while after the wash? Check your plug cables and vacuum hoses. Something might have just been jarred loose from the hose down.

If it was rough at first then went away after running the engine awhile, then something just got wet, chances are somewhere along the ignition system. Good luck.

coolguyky7

Thank you. That was the case and now it's not shaking. However, the engine light remains on.

sensei1

Good deal! Now the engine light is something the dealer mechs reset and then charges you a thank you fee (yeah right). I'm sure there's a way around this but I haven't done it. You can just ignore it or play safe and take it in.

This is also on other cars as an idiot reminder for service at certain milestones like 60k and so on. Maybe somebody else might know some tricks to the engine light. LOL! Glad to help.

coolguyky7

jeprox

u can disconnect your battery cables and leave it off for about 5mins and connect them again. that should take care of your engine light - usually!

if something is really wrong, that light will come back on. it sounds like water got into your vacuum hoses (maybe).

dave594

with the advent of electronic ignition, isn't it supposedly a bad thing to wash the engine compartment? I recall that they don't recommend you do that anymore. I just clean mine up with a rag and wipe the dirt off.

jeprox

i wash my engine at least 2x a year or whenever needed.

i spray the engine with engine degreaser while the engine is warm. then i start up the engine to make sure the engine stays warm and start spraying water. i do this coz with the warm/hot engine, water dries up very quick and chances of water going into your ignition, etc. is very slim.

i've been doing this for years and never had any problems at all.

jeprox

http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/a/02/v00150.htm

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/0359_mo.html

can't believe that the 2003 models already have tsb/recall. anyone had problems with these?

jrct9454

...in the dozens a year, sometimes. That hardly means every car has a problem. I usually take comfort in the fact that solutions are being developed, not that problems are being discovered. Problems are inevitable - relatively quick solutions are what the Japanese specialize in.

And if you get in a sweat every time the notorious OBD II software raises its ugly head, you're going to spend a lot of time perspiring. Toyota and Honda and everyone else told the EPA that the OBD II problem thresholds were too low, and that owners would be subject to meaningless OBD alerts, but Our Govt didn't listen, as usual...

jeprox

true enough, tsb's get issued all the time. i guess i just didnt expect it to be out so early for a toyota vehicle.

hopefully the car i ordered won't have to go back in the shop for these two things.

914

jeprox - I purchased my Indigo Ink Corolla in May, and have been very happy with the transmission. Clutch pedal is a little too low, but the car shifts well, easy to drive, and in nuetral rolls "forever". I hope yours arrives soon. Mine took seven weeks.

alpha01

So soon? The car has been on the market over 7 months. If you read the links that you posted, you'll see that the vehicles affected are pretty much early production models, made from Jan-Mar.... so you neednt worry! I hope your Corolla arrives soon, so you can enjoy it!
~alpha

jeprox

thank you all for the info.
i ordered my indigo ink corolla but none is in-stock and if i really want that color, have to factory order it and wait until oct. to get the car!

so i had to settle for a silver colored one. still waiting for the car though.

mralan

Anyone consider the ECHO when you purchased your Corolla? Is the ECHO in the same league?

coolguyky7

It turns itself off after 65 engine starts the dealer said.

jrct9454

...not to mention room, the Echo never entered my airspace or radar screen. Not to mention that the car was designed to be a hatchback, and the grafted-on trunk has never looked right to me...an issue that hardly matters when there are so many functional advantages to the Corolla.

rlander01

I have noticed something different about my 2003 Corolla from other 2003 Corollas on the road. The door window frames on mine are painted the same color as the body, which is indigo blue. The other Corollas I've seen around town have black door window frames. Also, on Toyota.com the pictures show a black window frame.
Mine was built in Japan. Maybe that's the difference, or maybe they changed the design in July when mine was built.
Anyone else with body color window frames?

8u6hfd

The body-colored window frames, traditionally in the FWD Corollas, are on the low-end models. In this case, the CE. The LE & S, get the blacked-out frames.

rlander01

That is interesting. It seems like the black paint would be on the CE and the upper models (LE & S)would get the paint. Just like the outside mirrors.
I am very glad to have the painted frames. They should hold-up longer than the black paint. My Camry had the blacked out frames and after 150,000 miles the black paint was thin and discolored.
Thanks for the info.

jeprox

it's strange how usa models differ so much from canadian models.

all canadian models have painted window frames, oem mud flaps. what we dont have is standard a/c on all models. i believe a/c is standard for all models in usa.
canadian CE models have black door handles. sport, LE models have painted handles.

Painted window frame by rlander01:
"Also, on Toyota.com the pictures show a black window frame.
Mine was built in Japan. Maybe that's the difference, or maybe they changed the design in July when mine was built."

i didnt know corolla's still come from japan. i thought they are all built in canada and usa.

whotheman

Just test drove the new Corolla here in the Big Apple.

Only had one "S" available (in red). Car looked real good, outside of the many bird terds left overnight!

Gauges in white were great! Elbow and headroom (no moonroof) were also exceptional. Armrest too far back and a little low.

Only had Auto there (&%$#!), but the torque was good from a start! Quick pick-up.
'
I've spent a lot of time in the current Dodge Neon, and it reminded me a lot of it, especially in the engine noise! No quieter than the Neon! Shocked! I was expecting the "Baby Lexus' treatment.

Steering and handling were fluid, friction-less.

This car suffered from a mechanical whine whenever the car was in motion. Sounded like a supercharger, without the power or anything nice.

I was in for service at a nearby dealership, so I wasn't buying anything, but they sent me thru 3 Toyota Closers, and had me there for almost 2 hours (couldn't find the key to the car).

And I asked specifically for a stick! Not the best car experience in the world, huh? Still dig the car! But it is louder than I thought it would be. It had a lot of "personality" for a Corolla!

coolguyky7

That's not black paint is it? It's plastic it looks like to me. And that's what it costs more because it's additional plastic. I wouldn't have a car without the plastic framing or equivalent.

jeprox

i believe the black color you see is some kind of thick black out tape. not 100% sure though

i've seen this black out tape on other cars (vw,etc.). they look great when new but they start to peel and crack when they get old.

corollarocks

I just walked out and took a look at the
window frames on my CE..they are body
colored (charcoal). I guess the black
makes it more chip resistant or something,
but I actually prefer the body colored frame.

mpyne

Ive posted this before but can anyone tell me how their Japanese built corolla's are holding up?? I have one that was built in Japan and so far it appears to be true that these might be built better(this is compared to my 2002 canadian built corolla)The reason I say this is because my 2002 had some issue with things like steering wheel off center,some rattles when going up drive ways, paint that was chipped after 1 week. This could have been just a coincidence with my 2002 not being exactly great. But i think the 2003 is very tightly built (no rattles, paint seems very durable (1 small chip from a large rock hitting my hood doing 75 mph(no chips since then(after 7 weeks) So anyone have a Japanese built corolla that their unhappy with?

corolla_joy

I am a 03'S owner and have had many handling issues arise with the car since I purchased it in April. I have a lot of anxiety driving on the freeway due to the car feeling as if it is being blown around by the wind, wagging back and forth, and sometimes fishtailing. For some reason, the 3 service people that have driven it have not been able to "reproduce" any of those sensations. However, I was not with any of them when they drove the car....the next person that drives it (the regional manager is coming to drive it), you better believe I will be there!
However, as stated, the regional manager is coming due to the fact that all 3 service people did notice the constant vibration in the rear-view mirror. While that's an annoyance that I do not want to have to deal with, it's the handling that affects me the most and I want that issue dealt with first and foremost. Therefore, my case is now a "potential arbitration" case now (they already tried replacing the rear-view mirror one time and it is worse).
I was wondering if Vicarouza has ever gotten the handling issues taken care of, or if they had to go through arbitration? If so, what was the result of that?
Thanks!