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CANADIAN TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART
(USING FARENHEIT SCALE)
~70 above Texans turn on the heat and unpack the thermal underwear.
People in Canada go swimming in the Lakes.
~60 above North Carolinians try to turn on the heat.
People in Canada plant gardens.
~50 above Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Canada sunbathe.
~40 above Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Canada drive with the windows down.
~32 above Distilled water freezes.
Lake Superior's water gets thicker.
~20 above Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, and woolly hats.
People in Canada throw on a flannel shirt.
~15 above Philadelphia landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Canada have the last cookout before it gets cold.
~0 degrees People in Miami all die.
Canadians lick the flagpole.
~20 below Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Canada get out their winter coats.
~40 below Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Canada are selling cookies door to door.
~60 below Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic.
Canadian Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets
cold enough
~80 below Mt. St. Helens freezes.
People in Canada rent some videos.
~100 below Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Canadians get frustrated because they can't thaw the keg.
~297 below Microbial life no longer survives on dairy products.
Cows in Canada complain about farmers with cold hands.
~460 below ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero in the Kelvin scale).
People in Canada start saying, "Cold 'nuff for ya, eh?"
~500 below Hell freezes over.
The Leafs win the Stanley Cup
Groza
Very kind of you to remind us Canadians of these nordic properties.
This shows why we must worry as much as Texans about the effects on Avalon fuel economy of having the A/C running all the time, year-round -- to keep the windshield barely Defrosted, that is.
Now consider the added load of having heated seats On High, year-round. No wonder Canada chose bigger Imperial gallons...
Keep cool, if you can (it's getting to be pretty nice here),
havalongavalon
Groza, you remembered my "Golden Chariot", does yours have a name?
RONN and Black Beauty must have met up with Sleeping Beauty or Lady of Avalon and is Bye Bye, or possibly he did a no no and was evicted? I sure hope he comes back.
topazdan -
I wouldn't resign myself to an FM modulator or tape deck adaptor for an iPod. Assuming you do not have the cassette tape player, then that is an unused input on the JBL system. There have to be wires in the harness somewhere that are input lines for the cassette tape. Any self-respecting auto stereo shop should be able to test out the harness and find the proper wires, then hook up a line connection to be used by the iPod.
Have them mount the proper line input connector somewhere in the center storage area, and you could use the iPod by just tuning to the TAPE input. You would still have to do all the controlling on the iPod itself, but at least you would have a high quality line level connection to the JBL stereo.
If you do have the tape player, then you would have to choose between it and the iPod, or the stereo shop could set up another switch to use both.
Max
high speed, 75 to 80 avg=30.5; combination of highway and city=27-28.
Groza (or is it heeeeeere's Johnny). How cold does it get in West Virginia?
>wheel for ~5s. Even with my left hand on the steering wheel, I crossed to the
>right lane a couple of time while adjusting the climate control (not all buttons are
>replicated on the steering wheel, so I had to take my eyes off the road for a few
>seconds to change mode, fan speed, etc). So this issue is more than just an
>annoyance...
>
>My dealer cannot fix this, so I am meeting with Toyota's regional service director
>tomorrow. Will provide an update later.
Here is an update on my case - I met with the service director last Friday and went for a test drive. He confirmed the "drifting to the right" problem and brought in a Toyota field engineer to look at my car. They have been working on it for the last couple of days. I got a call from the service director today saying they only managed to improve the drift but not actually fix it. He said Toyota is coming up with a new spring in a month which will correct the problem (he did not explain the root cause of the problem and how the new part is supposed to fix it).
So I am going to pick up my car this Saturday and wait for the new part to come in. I bought my Avalon Touring 1.5 months ago and it has been to the dealer 5 times for a total of 20 days. I am willing to give them another chance to fix the steering problem with the new part. But if that still does not work, I would like to pursue a repurchase or replacement instead of wasting more time on this (I already have a case open with the Toyota). Does anyone has experience with the California Dispute Settlement Program? Shall I pursue that first instead of hiring a "Lemon Law" attorney?
Thanks!
I however, have found the chattering wiper blades have returned, and I will try another coating of rain-x before asking the dealer for new blades. The rain'x has helped, and minimized my wiper "chatter", but the wipers should work quietly without chatter without the help of rain-x.
Regards,
Deanie
Actually when I mentioned rain-x to my service mgr. a few days ago he advised me not to use it (even though they have a flyer for it at their counter...), he said it might worsen the chatter. Someone else suggested to use turtle wax to remove the blade residue from the windshield, but I didn't try that. I cleaned the residue with windex, but didn't try rain-x. Let us know what happens.
Regards,
havalongavalon
Cheers,
Soulmaster
Just finished reading the family sedan test won by the Avalon (Touring model) with the Maxima SE coming in 2nd. I found some of the test results interesting. The Avalon accelerated to 60 in 6.0 sec, where all other Avalon models did the same in 6.4 or 6.5 secs. Aside from differing track conditions, I think the Touring is faster b/c it doesn't have VSC (best safety feature since the seatbelt), and VSC prevents the tires from spinning in place.
Most engines need to spin tires at launch to get rpm's high enough so that when the tires hook up and launch the car forward, the power produced by the engine at that moment is higher (because of the higher rpms) than in Avalons w/VSC whose tires are spinning at a much lower speed, if at all, preventing the engine from launching the car forward with higher initial power as is done in the Touring. This accelerative "head start" accounts for the Touring's approx 1/2 second 0-60 advantage.
The disadvantage for the Touring (and only reason I bought an XLS instead) is the lack of VSC. By the way, the Touring is only quicker in other Avalon models only in standing start acceleration and not in rolling acceleration, such as when flooring the gas while the car is already moving. VSC can save a great driver or a poor or inattentive one from losing control in a skid or in an emergency manouver in a way that no human can duplicate - it's that crucial to auto safety today, and makes Toyota look foolish for not offering it in all models. The article, if I'm not mistaken, commented on this.
Interestingly, the Avalon Limited tested by Automobile magazine a month or two ago showed the Limited as producing .80 lateral G's on the skidpad, where only .79 G's were produced by the Touring in the Car & Driver test. I know... Different skidpads, different weather and possibly different tires (were they Michelin or Bridgestone - neither magazine said).
Interstingly, an asterisk in the Automobile mag's test indicated that the Limited's ultimate grip (G's) was electronically limited (by the VSC presumably), yet the Touring, lacking VSC, had no such electronic limitation but did not produce skid pad grip as high as the Limited - differing test conditions aside. I expected the Touring to produce .81 G's or better. The skidpad results of Touring quelled most of the dissonace I felt in purchasing the lesser handling XLS over the Touring. Braking distances were better in the VSC Limited than the Touring by about half a car length too.
With all the fuel economy posts discussed herre recently, it was nice to see that the Avalon soundly trounced the competition over a 600 mile trip taken by all the competitors - by 3-4 miles per gallon!!!.
Regards,
Deanie
Where did you get your gold package from? Mind telling us how much you paid for it?
Thanks,
MikeS.
NWBLIZZARD
First, do a search on this topic within this thread. I posted a few times on this issue back in February and March.
From what I read, yes, this would be a bad idea. 3M is pretty clear that this should be done by a pro.
MikeS.
Tests have to be done on the same track on the same day with the same drivers to mean much when you are trying to compare and comment on minuscule tenths of seconds differences.
Sometimes a new car is the only way to fix a problem.
I'd check out the Lemon Laws in your state by calling the state's department of Consumer Affairs which is often a part of the State Attorney General's office.
Poetry in Motion - Excalibur the Exocet Missile from King Arthur's Mystical Island Home, or PMEEMKAMIH for short
Hasn't a certain ring to it, don't you think? She's a beaut, Clark.
Groza
You are correct in that the stock Avalon wheels are nice. I added 19" wheels to my Touring because it looks great and provides improved handling. Though our Avalons may be for transportation it is also nice to individualize its look and make it your own.
Cheers,
Soulmaster
It contained a CD spelling out the many virtues of this car. What was most interesting was the first sentence of the enclosed letter:
"THANK YOU FOR BUYING A 2006 AVALON......"
Gee, I've moved up a year ! Only problem is my title clearly indicates it as being a 2005. Is this some underhanded shenanigan on the part of Toyota ? Converting a 2 month old current model to next year's model is real sneaky. I'm sure, when I contact the home office they'll come back with 'Oh, that was a typographic error'. Is it ?
If any others receive this mailing, please post and let others know. Personally, in my letter back to Toyota, I'm copying to our State Attorney General Consumer Affairs Department.
I got the same letter with the '2006" reference. It came with the CD that attempts to explain all of the bells and bangles.
Incidentally, I had called about the 'recall' thing. When talking to them, I asked about the CD. Was told that it was not available from them, would have to get it from a dealer 'if they had it'. Then the CD shows up in the mail. 2 months and two days after the purchase.
Helps tho'.
I hope this is the biggest problem you face today. Enjoy your new car and remember that sometimes we all make mistakes.
It's not the tool, it's the craftsman, or so my wife has said (I'm not sure to what she is referring).
Greg
for Prehistoric Misfits(75 yrs old) Evolving Evolutionary Mystery Knowing Avalon Members are Independent Homosapiens ([non-permissible content removed] sapiens, Latin-wise men)
Exceptional, unusual, uncommon, over the top. Okay Groza, you win the title for, YOU GUESS,
Steve
Tomorrow a friend and I are going to his place above Telluride; we'll see what that produces.
And 30+ MPG highway if you treat it nice???
Oh what a feeling, Toyota (OWAFT)! Can't wait for our new XL to be delivered, I don't care how much we paid over invoice now. Do you know if they tested the XL in that report? I believe it does not come with VSC. Could be the lowest cost Avalon is one of the fastest?
Thanks, Deanie - do you have a link to the review?
- P.
The Avalon has no on/off switch for its VSC (blame that on Toyota's lawyers), so an Avalon with VSC is neccessarily slower than one without (Touring) if directly comparing standing start acceleration. Obviously most Avalon owners will never attempt a "pedal to the metal" acceleration test, but it's nice to know what they can do. Twice I addressed the fact that there were different conditions, etc, in comparing the C&D mag's test of the Touring against Automobile mag's Limited test. This was apparent to anyone reading my post. But in the absence of a more direct test between Avalon models, I felt my comments were valid for those having different Avalon models - not for scientifically controlled testing, just for comparison, just for fun.
Regards,
Deanie
No, there's no link to the C&D article because it's currently on the newsstand. Your XL is the lightest of all the Avalons, giving it an edge compared to other Avalon models, but the smaller diameter (and narrower?) 16" wheels and tires likely hamper the XL's acceleration more than its light weight helps - almost a wash, but it's still a fast car, probably as quick as XLS and Limited, if not as quick as Touring, but this is only in accelerating from a standing start with initial wheelspin. In the real world, when accelerating from a roll, let's say from 5 or 10 mph, where the added traction of wider wheels is less relevant, I'd bet the XL is as quick as any Avalon, if not quicker due to its lighter weight. Unless one of the car mags make such a test, we may never know.
Regards,
Deanie
My Blizzard Limited is "in frieght" from KY and due in California in the next few days. My question to all is this- how many, who financed their new cars, bought the GAP insurance and if so, what's a good price????
This falls into that black arts area of the "Finance Room" which is where they bring out the boogie man stuff, but I've heard that the Gap insurance is really a good thing to have. Any comments would be welcome and appreciated.
Allan :confuse:
Others here have indicated an interest in using the TAPE input on the JBL stereo to hook up an iPod or other audio devices, using a line level input. There is no separate AUX input or any RCA connectors for the TAPE input, on the JBL head unit.
Since you are getting rid of a cassette player, this seems like a great opportunity to see how the cassette connects to the JBL head unit. Could you have the service guy show you the connection or give you the wiring connector or harness that connects the tape player to the receiver? I know this is a little vague, but any info on that interconnect could be helpful.
Max
Also, sliding friction is less than rolling friction..
NWBLIZZARD
My "Black Phantom" Avy
Here's my theory: Perhaps Toyota was originally planning to label it as a "2005" model, then changed their mind immediately before releasing it. Unfortunately, the letters were written before this change took place.
Curous in WA
The Prius Nav ( http://www.vfaq.net/docs/Prius_NAV_Voice_commands.html) depicts Post Offices and enables one to control the XM Satellite, two features I would like to see in the Avalon as well.
Father Time told me it was time to get a new pair of glasses, thus a friend (salesman for eye glasses for over 30 years) came over to the house and dropped off his numerous bags of frames & sunglasses clip-ons.
While looking at the navigation screen through the numerous sunglasses, it is VERY apparent that one sees a shadowing effect through any sunglass lenses that are polarized. It may not bother some of you, but does bother me. I explained it to the friend over the phone and he couldn't understand what I was talking about.
When he came back over, I put him in the front seat and showed him exactly what I was talking about. His comments started with "Wow, I'd never have believed it."
Then he showed me some glasses with a different type of so-called high definition sunglass lenses (magnetic clip-ons) from a new company. There is NO distortion, rainbow effect, or shadowing on the navigation screen, or when looking out of some tinted windows. There is no lost UV value.
That is what I chose (he gives them to us free) and I took the frames to Costco (no, you cannnot buy the frames at Costco) the same day with the new prescription. No doubt my friend is re-thinking his supply, because 99+ % of his line of sunglasses/clip-ons/flip-ups have polarized lenses.
Now I'm waiting for Pat (HOST) to severely flog me for putting this post here.
Oh yeah, when I asked the mechanic who was doing the oil change how much oil the crankcase held, he said, "probably 5 quarts". When it became obvious that more was needed, he corrected himself, saying, "Maybe it's six quarts". Maybe I missed it but I couldn't find a list of capacities for the crankcase or cooling system, etc., anywhere in the owner's manual. It's pretty apparent that Toyota doesn't want owners doing their own basic maintenance.