Toyota Sienna 2004+

rorr

Anecdotal but....

The only time I've ever suffered sidewall damage was while off-roading (sliced tire on a rock). Somehow I doubt that will be a problem with a Sienna. All other flats I've encountered in my 27 years of driving have been due to either a nail/screw/brad in the tread. Your argument regarding fixing the runflats being more complicated was also voiced back in the late '60s early '70s when steel belted radials started to supplant bias ply tires. Are you suggesting we go back to bias plys?

The other type of sidewall damage is generally confined to impacts against curbs. The stronger sidewall in runflats should actually help to prevent this from being a problem. Stronger sidewall = more resistant to sidewall damage. Common sense.

But, if you desire the peace of mind that comes from having a spare, feel free to lug one around in the storage well behind the back seat.

Perhaps you could arrange a trade with someone here at Edmunds: straight up trade between your set of 4 17" rims w/ runflats in exchange for their 16" rims w/ standard tires + donut. If I had a Sienna, I'd make you that offer in a heartbeat.

mohammsa

Does anyone figure out if the XLE Limited AWD have daytime running lights. The brocure indicates it does as well as the sales people. However, I have been driving my XLE Limited AWD since July 2003 and did not realize the daytime running lights do not come on. I am not sure if it is because these models have the Xexon HID headlights. Please let me know if any other XLE Limited owners discover the same problem. Thanks.

jake696

Love 'em, they work great and I like the fact you can change the HID beam angle too, when you load the van. You're not confusing the DRL's with the foglights are you?

spartanmann

It's not my argument about the repair procedure. Talk to any tire repair place and while you're at it ask them about availability and price of replacements. That should open your eyes a bit. You also seem to be under the misconception that the sidewalls are of some super rigid construction. They are built stiffer so they can run flat for a while. However they are still your basic tire. If the sidewalls were as sturdy and rigid as you think they are, then the vehicle would handle and ride like a plow truck and the suspension parts would wear out in a hurry. I'll repeat myself again - run flats are offered primarily in luxury cars that still have a spare. This is not an oversight by these manufacturers. They are aware of the limitions, as you also can be if you take the time to talk to your local tire dealer. Better yet, ask Toyota why they aren't standard equipment on all their vehicles. Wouldn't this would increase trunk space and give them an advantage over the competition?

jake696

Run flats are the future, regardless, as bias ply tires were replaced by radials. We've been through all this here already.
At first radials had their critics too and it was said they had crooked belts, looked flat, etc...the future arrived anyway...

If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em, don't buy the Sienna equipped that way, no whinning necessary. Hold out as long as you can, it doesn't matter to me.

I'm glad my wife has them (and VSC) on her XLE AWD '04 Sienna - and a AAA plus card. She isn't changing the tire no matter WHAT kind it is anyway.

jumpmaster1

I just ordered a 2004 Sienna XLE Limited with HO package (DVD and NAV System) for $36,000. The MSRP was about $39,000. Did I do OK?????

mohammsa

I am not confusing the foglights with the DRL, what I discovered is that when I start my XLE Limited AWD in the day and walk outside, there is NO daytime running lights on. Does anyone with this model experience the same problem? I see the DRL on all other models without HID lights. I am trying to figure out if models with HID does NOT have DRLs.

kgnw1

DRLs are off when you start the engine. They will turn on after you shift into gear. This is the way it works on my LTD.

dtownfb

I know in the Camry, there is a position on the light switch (stalk on the left side of the steering wheel) to turn off the DRL. Does the Sienna have this feature as well?

spookoman301

All u people who need the extra space so u want a new van right? Well heres a great solution, buy a kia rio, and keep adding them on as your family grows. you could could get a good 5 rios for the price of a fully loaded xle limeted sienna. so just attach them together with chains and lubricate the axels so you can just tow them, when the gas goes out, put the car in bak in front and that will tow the rest. This is a great fool proof idea. And abou the tire troubles. Well just store a ton of full size spares in the trunk of the last kia rio in line. this is a great plan in my opinion. i've just purchased 5 kia rios and shains, this is abosolutely fool proof.

spookoman301

by the way id jus like to say that im not crazy. and im not drunk as well even though its a day after new years

jake696

I like the idea, I don't have THAT many kids though...AND...I believe the first vehicle in your "train" will still have to be a Toyota. We all know the Kia won't actually run very long, be reliable, or be worth anything when it's time to get a new locomotive! I believe it'd be good "rolling stock", like the Fords I used to drive.

jake696

I don't see any way to shut them off. And I repeat, my XLE Limited AWD, w/HID does have them and they work fine...

lalalalala

After I got my Sienna, I called my insurance agent to update the change, she asked if my Sienna has any daytime running lights, I asked her if that will make a difference in the rate, she said not at the moment but they're working to change the rules to allow for a lower rate if my car is so equiped. I asked her how will these lights make a vehicle safe, she said that people tend to notice cars that are equiped with them, esp. at 4-way stop intersections, thus avoiding accidents.

warubozu

</lurking>
The size of the temporary spare is T155/80 R17. Caculated RR is 97% of the standard tire but at 60 psi it probably deflects less with weight, so the operating RR is probably identical. (In case anyone else besides me was wondering)

My (12/03) owner's manual states: "The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles) ... When tread wear indicators appear on the tire, replace the tire."

For those considering buying the temporary spare tire be forewarned it costs about the same as the standard runflat. And you still have to buy the rim.

mohammsa, my DRL's come on when I release the parking brake, so there is a switch in the system that might not be working on yours.
<lurking>

jake696

If your wife likes to drive on a flat, (changing it is not considered an option) ruining the tire and rim...the run-flat makes more sense than ever!

wwest

Not to disparage them, I'm a true believer.

But.

Last week my 93 Ford ranger locked up in two gears, blocking traffic and AAA said would hurry. After about half an hour I called wife to bring tools so I could drop the driveshaft. Before an hour was up my wife arrived, I dropped the driveshaft and a patrolman pushed me into a vacant parking lot. Called AAA and cancelled at ~90 minutes.

New Year's eve My daughter/kids/husband started out to Mission Ridge, from Seattle eastside, for skiing. Their Chrysler AWD Minivan quit on I90 near the top of the pass. They called AAA. Two hours later the tow truck showed up.

235/60/16 tires I had put on the Chrysler would not allow for snowchains so they changed out to 225/60/16 only on the front. Seemingly not too much variation F/R for VC type AWD but....

Car smelled like methane, strongly, afterward, anyone experienced VC failure that resulted in methane odor?

user777

in an AWD vehicle, isn't it necessary to have the wheel radius front = radius back? someone in my neighborhood had a rear differential go on them because of over-heating; presumably tires were not matched. this caused an actual fire.

wwest

On how forgiving, or not, the F/R drive coupling is. With a locked diff'l you best be on quite slippery ground while driving more than a hundred yards or so, and even that ~hundred yards must be in a reasonably straight line.

These days there are only two more common types of AWD (full-time 4WD), the ones with an open center diff'l using the brakes to limit tire slippage and apportion engine torque, and the one's using some form of VC, viscous clutch.

With the first it will be a function of the Trac ECU firmware which determines the allowable tire circumference variation F/R. With a VC it will be the makeup of the fluid itself that is the determining factor.

The designers in either case must allow for a reasonable level of unequal tire wear F/R. The Chrysler, for instance, drives the front axle directly and the rear axle through a VC. So in most cases since the rear tires will be there only to prop up the vehicle the front tires would incur a higher wear rate.

But what level is acceptable and/or for how long?

The bottom line is that no one should ever intentionally install F/R tires of differing circumference on any AWD/4WD vehicle.

gargamel

When I picked up(April 2003) my 2004 Sienna XLE with option #14(GH), I have noticed that DRL was not working. Later found out that there was a some sort of short-pin missing from the factory. You can demand to fix the DRL from your dealer. In Sienna, DRL is turn on when you release the parking brake with the light switch turned off. Once it's on, it will not go off until you turn off the engine or turn on the light switch on even if you re-engaging parking brake(kind of unusuall).

kmead

Many dealers were failing to move the short pin to the correct posiiton in the engine area relay box. There is a TSB about this issue for dealers to move the pin. The factory did not forget the pin, the dealers have been neglectful of all the predelivery items.

cartagram

I'm leaning toward purchasing a Honda Odyssey but am still interested in the Sienna. While Toyota recommends premium grade gasoline, what happens if you use regular grade?

Can you harm anything in the powertrain? If not, then what are the advantages of using premium grade--better mileage, better acceleration...?

kmead

From the manual:

"OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.

Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating or research octane number lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will lead to engine damage.

If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.

However, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal and there is no need for concern."

I believe the Odyssey manual states effectively the same thing.

The advantage of using premium is that the knock sensor system will not retard the ignition timing, reducing engine power. The most likely circumstance where you would see this is in hot weather, high elevation, or high load. So if you don't expect to be using it in those circumstances you can likely safely use regular. For the times you will be using it where highest performance will be needed guaranteed, use high test.

spartanmann

I've put 280,000 miles on my 99 Odyssey. Fuel grade makes no difference to performance or fuel econonmy. There has never been any knocking. They did upgrade the engine I believe in 2002 and things could be different on newer ones. Other boards have noted that the higher octane has provided better fuel econonmy on the new Sienna, but you would want to verify that with someone who owns one and has compared regular and premium under the same driving conditions. With premium costing 10% more, your fuel economy would need to increase that much to justify it. That's about 2 MPG which is a lot. Also beware, you never really know when you pay for premium if you are actually getting it. Don't mean to upset the vast majority of honest gas station operators, but there are a few bad apples.

car4you

Does anyone know when they might introduce the 2005 Sienna? I am curious if they will change the option packages. It really pisses me off that you cannot get the tinted glass on the CE.

jake696

Aftermarket glass tinting is not available in your state? There is some top quality film available and lots of places that install. A good installer also has a warranty on the product.

jake696

I've never had knocking, don't use premium and I've read (and was told by the dealer) that 87 octane is fine.

kinct

We bought a Sienna CE a few months back and got the aftermarket tinting done for $175. You can easily get it done cheaper, but we went to someone with a great reputation for standing behind their work. So far looks great.

I think the ideal world is to get it from the manufacturer, but as you said, it's not offered! We didn't want the LE w/ a power door (big $$ for repairs), so the CE was the only option for us.

jake696

This vehicle has been relisted on E-Bay, from a ND dealer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2452159622

bkb2003

I have used regular 87 octane gas for my new 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE limited with no problems. I have been getting 22.3 mpg average with 75% highway and 25% city driving. I have so far put a little over 1000 miles.

can someone who is using premium gas let me know what mileage they are getting? I would like to find out if it makes sense to use premium gas.

Thanks,

car4you

Kinct,

Thats one of the reason I do not want an LE is the power door. I figure if I keep the car 7 or 8 eight years it will break and need repairs. I got a price of 250 for the darker tint. I need to call a few more places or see if the dealer can do it for me. Has anyone purchased a CE 7 with option 3? What kind of deals have they gotten.

serrano

There is no logical reason why using premium gas would ever lead to an increase in gas mileage. If anything, use of premium gas in autos that require only 87 octane has resulted in increased carbon deposit formation in the cyliders because of the burn characteristics of higher octane fuel. Unless your engine requires premium to prevent detonation, there is no good reason to use it.

That being said, I have seen numerous instances where people swear they get better mileage. If you feel better about burning premium, go for it. However, the science leads me to believe that increased mileage is due to some other factor besides the switch to premium.

Tom

wwest

Has a slower, more even "burn" rate, spreading the peak exposive force over a longer duration, thereby making "life" a little easier on mechanical components. Peak explosive force concentrated at or near TDC where it cannot be readily converted to "linear" motion can be more wasteful and therefore result in lower MPG.

Not an argument for premium fuel, just an explanation.

Something like having a more flat, not "peaky" engine torque band, but measured in power stroke milliseconds not RPM.

jake696

C'mon guys...you haven't owned many Toyota's have you? That's the whole reason I buy them rather than UAW built junk for personal and business units.

The power door will be fine, be reliable (more resaleable) AND it's great to have!
I'll pay more in a heartbeat for a Toyota. I keep personal vehicles a long time and the reliability factor is worth it. You might also think about the other options an LE has that will make it more comfortable over the long haul.

In our courier business, we use nothing other than Toyota's and Honda's. No other vehicles consistantly give us reliability and resale at 300+ miles per day!

Oh...and they are American made.

kinct

Nope, never before owned a Toyota. But before we bought, we noted complaints about the (Toyota) power doors & the expense to repair (saw $1,800 on one post). Chances are high that they will break in the period I intend to keep the car (10+ years, minimum 200,000 miles, longer if it keeps running).

My arms work just fine, thanks. The wife's arms work OK too. Manual doors are easy to close.

I'd rather have the money in my pocket for the initial purchase and eventual repair. I've never had a manual door fail.

The one real regret of the CE over LE was the tinted windows. We were told by the dealer that ALL CEs came with an option package, which meant they would all have roof racks (which we also wanted), so no issue there (that was the other "LE thing" we wanted).

cartagram

I think the basic packages (least expensive ones) give you a rightside power door. Which means that at least one door remains manual. If you can use the leftside manual door 80% of the time, then you markedly decrease the risk for mechanical failure.

And thereby gain the benefits of the LE trim line (if the additional features and feature differences are of a benefit to you).

kinct

Yes, the LE does have one power, one manual door. But I'm really fundamentally just not interested. Sorry, I just think it's just one more concession to slothfulness (BTW, that comment is obviously not intended for that small segment of the population who might actually need it).

Besides, why pay for something that I don't mind doing manually?

manual door = cheap, basically "unbreakable"
power door = expensive, unnecessary, breakable.

It's not in any way a benefit for me.

Fold down split rear seat = definite benefit
good gas mileage (for a big beast) = definite benefit
plenty of space = definite benefit (3 kids in a volvo wagon does not=fun)

I like the CE. very nice van for the money, strong competitor to Ody (better for me) LE and above just don't interest me.

jake696

Little kids and manual doors don't mix, period.

AND

I've had manual doors (and windows!) fail on an old UAW built vehicle.

The power door has a safety device that prevents little hands from being slammed in the door and lockouts to keep things closed when moving, etc...If you want your child to be able to open the door once you are parked, they can with a button...only if you want them to.

I appreciate the spartan approach, I tend to drive my personal vehicles for 10+ years as well. But there's the penny-wise dollar foolish thing here. That many years with the van, I'd sure want the LE trim.

kinct

Yep, have three kids ages 5, 10, 12. All close the door by themselves (unless we're on a hill). The little guy only closes it rarely (just on exiting). On a hill, mom or dad do it. No problem. We find this little different than when we had our Volvo 240 wagon (takes a little more effort to close, but nothing radical).

Our kids are extremely well behaved and listen well to directions - in particular the little one.

I don't think there is anything spartan about a manual door. Rather, I find the power door decadent. :-)

jake696

You say tomato...

I say it's a safety necessity with little kids and it keeps my wife happy. If by having a power door on my minivan I'm labeled decadent by you and the neighbors, oh well. Ain't this the life! ??

I never thought of ANY minivan in terms of debauchery or extravagance. I wonder what the neighbors will think when I finally get a Lexus maybe when I turn 50? OR...what the heck...a nice new pickup with 4-WD costs large coin these days. Maybe I'll have to move to the "high-rent" district.

cartagram

I just turned 50...I don't think the neighbors look at me as decadent. But then again, I went from a '95 Windstar to an '01 Civic, which I traded in for a '99 Accord. And I'm thinking minivan again!

That's mostly because I discovered that I can drive 750 to 1000 miles a day, and that in two days, I can whisk my kids from Alabama to the Rocky Mtns. for an impromptu vacation.

Beware your 50th. My wife threw a nice party for me one night, and then the next night kicked me out of the house and I had to sleep in the woods with strange men and boys. (It was for a Boy Scout campout.)

stever

New crash test result are out. Sienna got 5 stars across the boards.

link

Steve, Host

dizzyk2

You must have your lights turned to AUTO to have the DRL's on. I love the auto feature. Toyota pilfered it from Lexus, who borrowed the idea from Mercedes and BMW. For those who don't kno waht the feature is, the Sienna has a light sensor that will automatically turn on and off your headlights. For some reason, DRL only turns on automatically when the LTD AWD's are set in the AUTO position.

Dizzy

indyjones

My kids left the door open , and the next monring the battery was dead. Is there any setting which will prevent the battery from draining if you farget to close the door?

Thanks in advance

BTW, I have XLE AWD, package 14 if that helps.

noahway

Does anyone know why there are no car seat anchors for the 3rd row, driver's side position?

dizzyk2

If you set the rear door lights to OFF instead of auto, the lights won't turn on when the doors are open. Hopefully, that won't drain the battery.

You might want to question your dealer about the fact that the lights are supposed to automatically shut off after 30 mins and why didn't they turn off when they were supposed to.

Dizzy

trader_dave

I'm not sure either, but if you notice the room for the middle car seat is so minimal in the third row, I'm not sure you could get three car seats accross in row three. Since the middle position is safest, they left out the anchors for the driver's side anchor.

trader_dave

I'm planning on installing an XM commander and I'd like to do a direct connect and avoid using FM modulation. Does anyone know if the new Sienna's have the ability to handle an aux input for direct link into the audio system? I've heard that blitzsafe is coming out with a connector for the 2004 models shortly, but I don't know if the interface is the same for standard Sienna audio and the Sienna's with the DVD/naviation system.

nofeer

hey your idea also helps those that have mp3 players eg ipod like my wife, alpine has a new headunit to incorporate the ipod

kmead

So far there is not a aux input available for any of the 04 Sienna stereo systems. Its very frustrating.