2011 Toyota Camry
chicagocamry
Member Posts: 29
in Toyota
Does the 2011 Camry come with brake override and a redesigned accelerator pedal?
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It's easy enough to check while driving.
On all of my other vehicles, including the Camry before this recall, if you drive down the road with your right foot on the accelerator holding any given speed, and then you put your foot on the brake while you continue to accelerate, the car will slow from the braking but the engine will continue to try to keep the car moving from you pressing the accelerator pedal. The rpm's will stay up where you have the accelerator pressed at.
What occurs now on the Camry after that earlier recall from last year, is that as soon as you put your foot on the brake, the engine rpm's/speed drop. Doesn't matter how much you have pressed the accelerator, the brake 'overrides' the accelerator.
They also grind off the bottom part of the accelerator pedal, and remove some of the padding from underneath the carpet. All of these give more space between the pedal and the carpet.
So just take the 2010 for a test drive, cruise along at say 40mph by applying a constant right foot on the acceleartor pedal, and then with your left foot lightly apply the brakes. The engine rpm's will drop, and the brake pedal overrides the accelerator pedal.
- grind off the bottom of the gas pedal, to make more clearance between it and the carpet.
- take out a piece of the padding underneath the carpet, under the gas pedal,
- do the software load which does the brake override.
I never did the that original recall of the 'floormats', because I use WeatherTechs and there is plenty of clearance between the pedal and the floor.
I actually went in thinking I should do the little metal shim thingie in the gas pedal (the latest more public recall), and come to find out that my vehicle didn't have the gas pedal that had the problem....I have the other mfg gas pedal But as they were checking my VIN number indicated that I should have had the first one done, so I told them to go ahead and do that floormat recall.
The three pieces were called out and listed on my receipt, as to what was done.
More importantly, would do you think Toyota has to do to make the Camry competitive against the new Sonata and Fusion??
I have ideas in mind but would love to hear what you all think first!
To be competitive with the Fusion -
Inspiring handling, improve steering feel (not too firm, just more precise and add "some" road feel - I am afraid they will mess up with new EPS like on the Corolla or even Sienna); better stereo/radio LCD with more info at a time, with higher resolution (to mimic todays mp3 players) and get rid of that TEXT button and the need to toggle between different information; backup sensors for higher end models; better bluetooth, which comes closer to SYNC; illuminated controls for power door locks/mirrors; get rid of intrusive hinges in trunk; add some sound absorbing material.
For the Sonata:
Add more content for the money and longer warranty comes to mind first.... Sonata, for example, features heated outside mirrors across the line. Higher quality materials; squeeze out more horsepower from the I4 engine, but not at the expense of mileage.
I hope they will retain the interior door grab handles, redesign the power window switches, add the mini LCD display (featured on the Highlander, new Sienna, and I think Venza) which shows you nice graphical information at a glance, plus a backup camera, and maybe they should add date, and day of week; Add some better in-line stability (like Honda vehicles); and add some other features found in many Toyota vehicles. like illuminated cup holders; better quality and "smoother" leather for XLE; remote starter on key/fob option for lower-end models without keyless start; Keep the simple, logical controls and knobs - DO NOT REPLACE ANY KNOBS WITH BUTTONS (like they did on Sienna); add some more storage bins.
A personal need - notify on dashboard status of wiper (it's hard to figure out in Japanese cars the status of your wipers, since it has so many modes, low, high, interval, etc.); and also notify a different icon when just PARKING LAMPS are on, than full headlamps.
Also, Honda have 2 cruise notifications, when you enable CRUISE, the word CRUISE appears in all vehicles, even if still not engaged. When you engage (i.e. press SET), another notification appears that it is SET (on Honda vehicles) which is very informative.
I will add more when it comes to mind. Please share your own ideas as well.
Can't argue with you on any of the points you made. I think Toyota would be smart to upgrade or add these features to be competitive with the Fusion and Sonata!
How about the compass on the rear view mirror becoming standard? And while my favorite color of all time was the Medium Red Pearl (nothing newer beats that red!), I would love to see more of the really gorgeous Spruce Mica (NOT the metallic) being available! The automatic door locks should be continued, and a greater choice of lower price radios with multiple DVD availability. Many of us older folk are not into all the new technical TEXTS, Mp 3, etc, but we love to hear our music while driving!
While years ago, I gymkhana'd and raced, I haven't considered another model since I bought my first Camry. Now I want comfort and reliability with the old Toyota quality!
Elliot
Toyota is getting a bum rap. My son complains of the floor mats in his non Toyota truck and I remember my dad telling me over 40 years ago "always check the floor mat" when you get in.
Dennis
One thing I'd add is make USB standard.
I hate some recent grilles on many Toyotas. The 2010 Camry redesign is not as nice and classical as the 2007-2009 gen. They changed it just for the sake of change. I also don't like the Venza, and definitely not the new Sienna, which looks to me like it is "embarrassing".. (except for the SE version). The 2009 Avalon is very nice and elegant.
I would also like yellow real signal lamps. They keep on changing between red & yellow, also just for the sake of change. I do love the nice redesigned rear LED tail lamps on the Camry, though.
I would like bigger mirrors on the sun visor. And have a "secondary" visor, which once upon a time was a common feature among many vehicles but recently disappeared.
Heated mirrors on all trims. Like Sonata and some others. Would also love auto-dimming exterior mirrors option. I would also like bigger outside mirrors.
Some more interesting beep notifications for seat belt, lights on, key in ignition (with driver door open), etc. The Ford Fusion added some nice sounds, and so does Honda. Honda has different sounds for different notifications.
Wiper de-icer, used on the Sienna, is an excellent idea. I would love to see that on all Toyota models.
Audio system featuring mp3 players with Hard-Drive integration, like so many Chrysler & GM models. (Also the NAVIGATION system should be HD based, not DVD based).
Interior fuel door / Trunk releases more easily accessible.
I will add more soon. In the mean time, add yours as well.
---- Also, Honda have 2 cruise notifications, when you enable CRUISE, the word CRUISE appears in all vehicles, even if still not engaged. When you engage (i.e. press SET), another notification appears that it is SET (on Honda vehicles) which is very informative. -----
Thanks..
But not so that the average driver will appreciate it.
As a FWD and/or F/awd SAFETY measure TC, Traction Control, will now INSTANTLY activate, severely dethrottling the engine while braking the slipping/skidding 9DRIVEN) wheel(s). You will not be able to move forward absent being VERY gingerly, feathering, the gas pedal ever so lightly.
Some new vehicles using this more aggressive TC have an "off" button so you can more easily get up and going on the slippery stuff, on an incline, or rock back and forth to get "unstuck".
All newer FWD and/or F/awd vehicles will now have this new SAFETY feature. For even greater safety and a much more beneign TC system look to a RWD or R/awd vehicle if you often drive on an adverse, slippery, roadbed in the wintertime.
But not so that the average driver will appreciate it.
As a FWD and/or F/awd SAFETY measure TC, Traction Control, will now INSTANTLY activate, severely dethrottling the engine while braking the slipping/skidding (DRIVEN) wheel(s). Since this new TC design will not allow even the slightest level of driven wheelspin/slip you will not be able to move forward absent being VERY gingerly, feathering, the gas pedal ever so lightly.
This is an important SAFETY measure on the part of FWD and F/awd manufacturers as loss of directional control can be almost INSTANT once front front wheel traction is lost due to engine torque, leading or lagging, compression braking, engine torque.
Some new vehicles using this more aggressive TC have an "off" button so you can more easily get up and going on the slippery stuff, on an incline, or rock back and forth to get "unstuck".
All newer FWD and/or F/awd vehicles will now have this new SAFETY feature. For even greater safety and a much more beneign TC system look to a RWD or R/awd vehicle if you often drive on an adverse, slippery, roadbed in the wintertime.
btw, when are the 2012 Camry's are coming out?
Jimmy Drew
Jimmy Drew
Jimmy Drew
i placed a call to them but was told to just take to service dept for tranny issues
service dept. cancelled my appt and have not heard back from them so i will continue the battle until they resolve the jerky tranny issue
but if anyone has a complaint they truly need to go on record at h q
if hq gets enough calls they will have to address the issues
My second unhappy surprise was that the door locks sometimes do not work. I took it back to the dealer, but the door locks always worked for them. They didn't think they could fix anything they couldn't make happen, so I have to check my door locks each time I start the car. Perhaps it will get bad enough that they will eventually be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.
Have a couple of other build issues with the car, and will likely post about them later. I am very disappointed with the quality of the build on my car and want to caution others who might be considering a purchase.
Phylis
I thought that a simple rubber strip along the edges of the door would be adequate to keep the water out.
As for the door locks not working, there is a situation with the Camry (and presumably other Toyotas) where this is normal. If you lock all the doors with the remote and leave someone else inside, that person will not be able to unlock the doors by using the power lock button on either front door. The person can still exit the car by pulling on the door handle (front door) or manually flipping the door lock and then pulling on the door handle (rear door). If the car has an alarm system, the alarm will sound if any door is opened in this manner.
You can test this out yourself by leaving a front window down, locking all the doors with the remote, and then trying to activate the power lock switch on the inside door panel. You'll find it won't work.
Even in the summertime if the A/C is turned off the system will switch to "fresh" within about 2 minutes.
The discomfort of cool airflow to the face and upper body when the human comfort equation indicates otherwise is a matter of REAL stupidty, IDIOCY, on the part of the NIPPONDENSO HVAC engineering team.
But you can overcome their stupidty, IDIOCY, by having the dealer change the factory c-best setting so the system doesn't automatically switch to cooling mode. Not even on the coldest night in the dead of winter
I'm with you on those two especially the sienna. What's up with that? The series that began in 2004 is where they lost me on that vehicle. 2003 and prior it was a nice little van. Now it's a tank. No tanks.
They should look to the kia optima if they want to compete on styling. Fusion is bland. Don't care about heated seats or anything else for that matter, nav etc ect. Just make a reliable car, but give it a total redesign stylewise. Take some cues from their own FT-86. If that car is any indication, they're heading in the right direction. They just need to release it already.
Thanks
Phylis
A post from last year said this is caused by a wire shorting behind the instrument panel. I am going back to the dealer tomorrow. If anyone knows of other reasons for this happening, or how to fix it, I would appreciate your input.
You are noticing it because it is new to you, and in the rain the outside light levels vary. Try it on a regular day, and you will see it does not go up and down frequently, if ever. Try it at night, or on a sunny day, and you will see that it is fine.
Enjoy your new car!
Thanks.
I bet any money that if you went out for a drive right now, it will stay at one setting (because it is dark out, unless you are on the west coast!)
Don't bother with the dealer, they will tell you the same as what I am saying. Also check with the Toyotanation forums if you want further confirmation.
On the other hand, when I drove under an overpass, the light switched down then -- but again came up suddenly, without change in the outside light.
Sounds like this effect is amplified for you when the headlights are in auto versus changing them manually. I had set the headlights manually....
In the rain, at times, the light level in the environment can be VERY close to the point where the sensor would turn down the intensity of the dash lights, and since it is that close, it may decide with out you even noticing, that it needs to turn it back up just because the environment light got just SLIGHTLY brighter again.
Again, ask at Toyotanation, go for a drive right now (if it is after sunset) or go for a drive on a non-rainy day. You will see that your car is fine!
Debbie
Camry 2011 LE at $19,980.
Also got quotation for 2012 base (L?) at $19,980
Are the above quotations reasonable? If so which one is better to buy? Thanks for any comments
2011 Base model (L) $18.8k, car only
2011 LE model $19.9k car only
2012 Base model $21.2k car only
Do you think the quotations are reasonable?
Thanks
Golden Stone
$20,999 for 2012 Camry in Sunday paper ad so your 21,200 isn't bad