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Comments
Seriously, O mighty One, I have been driving in S5 for a week now and the tranny performs like a normal transmission. At least there is a way to defeat all those fancy electronics...
On the way home everything functioned except that the air conditioning did not cool the air. I tried starting the car a few times but no cool air till the fifth time I started it and then the A/C was fine. From then on, every time I unlock the car and open the door I get ten beeps. Also every once in a while the horn will honk for no reason. Also the rear doors don't lock or unlock reliably. The addresses in my nav system were erased indicating the battery was dead. No horn alerts were heard that might indicate an intrusion.
The dealer is mystified. They replaced the battery. They never heard of this problem. They contacted Toyota and are waiting for the techies to find an answer. The ten beeps are an obvious "message" but I have no clue what it is.
Anyone have a clue???
Larry
Front : 18"X8-1/2",
Rear : 19X10
please someone tell me if they fits or not
thanks
Is it possible another driver in your family has accidently left their "smart key" in the trunk (or perhaps it has fallen under a seat)?
=============================
Audio display error messages:
=============================
1 CRUISE CHECK - There is a trouble somewhere in the dynamic laser cruise control.
2 LOW FUEL - Fuel level is low.
3 LOW WASHER FLUID - The washer fluid level is low.
4 FRONT L DOOR OPEN - The front left door is opened.
5 FRONT R DOOR OPEN - The front right door is opened.
6 REAR L DOOR OPEN - The rear left door is opened.
7 REAR R DOOR OPEN - The rear right door is opened.
8 MAY BE ICY? - This message warns when outside temperature becomes 3°C (37°F) or less. When the outside temperature exceeds 5°C (41°F), the message will disappear.
It would appear this is an intended feature. Volvos have, since the mid-1990's (perhaps earlier) displayed a snowflake icon warning light under similar circumstances.
The only problem I have had with the car is the remote starter which now does not work. It worked a few times but not now. I did not want the remote starter but it came with this car. I equate the remote starter with [non-permissible content removed] on a bull.
My advise is if you are thinking of buying an avalon go ahead and buy it as you will love it but forget the remote starter.
The past 6 cars I've had (purchased new) and the record of each is as follows:
MB 240- like a crow bar, would run forever with the accel. to the floor, may get up to 85 if a long flat road or down hill. Wanted to get out and push for the accel. In 7 years total repair was an idler pulley on the fan belt. Uncomfortable and a/c would not keep it cool here in TX.
Caddilac- it was a complete disaster. Poor est new car I've ever bought. Too many faults to list here.
MB 190D, better accel and a little faster. Uncomfortable and very small. Only kept it 9 mos, wife could not stand it.
MBE300, a little more comfortable, accel better than a Corvette, high top speed, avg cost for ea service (5K) at dealer was a little over 240.00
MB320E-best of the bunch in all around car. Again, avg cost for ea service was close to $250.00 Had a lot of rattles in a few miles, same as the 300
Volvo S80- most comfortable car, accel just below the E300. Drivers seat better than most lounge chairs. Was able to drive over 800 miles per day and still thought the seat was nice. Maint. wasn't the best in the world, avg dealer visit was about 225.00. But part of that was the rats loved the wiring to the computer system and it was exp to fix (insur covered part of that repair)
All in all, the Volvo was the best all round car.
The '05 Avalon Limited is right there with the Volvo, only difference is that the drivers seat is not as comfortable (but my wife says her passenger seat is more comfortable) and the first (and only) 5K service bill was 65.00 which included the tire rotation.
So far, the Avalon has my vote for the all around best of the bunch.
I'm happy with it. Most important, my wife is very pleased with it.
I too agree that the Avalon is a great car. Our new 05 Avalon is a beautifully designed car. I have owned many other vehicles including a 95 Avalon and it was also a great car. I have had some minor problems with this car but as it is a total redesign and a great new engine, I think that there may be a few bugs to be worked out. I just discovered a power steering fluid leak and the dealer is ordering a new hose, pipe or something to correct this problem. I also had an inside pillar cover come loose and that was corrected last month. I do love the power and handling in this car,and it is great even in snow or icy conditions. Hopefully I will not have any more problems. Would I buy another Avalon, absolutely. I traded in an Acura TL for this car and I do have a lot of respect for Honda automobiles as they also have high quality fit and finish and respectable engineering but I liked the power and size of the Avalon over the new TL, so we went with the Avalon this time.
Take Care!!
gladiator99
Is this with or without the factory Navigation System? Is the low fuel warning different than the orange light that comes on at the bottom of the fuel guage? I don't usually fill my tank until the orange light comes on and for me that means that I have about 3+ gallons left. Have never seen the Low Fuel warning that you reference.
Thanks,
Doug
My comment is when you buy a dosen eggs and you open the carton and you find 10, this is not amusing. The same thing about advertising 280 HP on the sticker and in the brochure, and almost a year later you got a 268 HP. I haven't heard if the engines are different, but I believe they are identical.
Toyota did us 2005 buyers a dis-service by not abiding by the SAE Standard implemented in Aug 2004, and made mandatory from Jan 1 2005 on. Toyota did not derate until 2006,one year late. This information is from road and track, written by the engineering editor,Dennis Slmanaitis.
We can say most auto manafacturers probably did the same thing,using loopholes, to get more HP,but why didn't Toyota do the right thing and follow the law as changed by SAE by the estabilished time table?
Today on TV, I saw Toyota was not rated in the safe cars list. Toyota also is not listed in the top 10 best cars. These negatives certainly hurt Toyota overall, and I read they are finally noticing they have issues.
You would think I totally dislike the Avalon Limited, I don't. There are some items that annoy you know what out of me,but it still is a good car,regardless how I have complained, I would still buy this car for the value.It has alot of good things going for it. ange 1
BTW, the Society of Automotive Engineers is not a Law maker, so no automaker was breaking any Law by not changing to the new SAE standard.
It is unfair to single one automaker out as a bad apple as you have done.
I would like to add another 2 cents worth to those who trash the Avalon;
Here is an excerpt from the JD Power 2005 'Apeal' survey:
Survey experts at the famous automotive analysts firm J.D. Power and Associates discover which of the newest cars and trucks North American buyers have most appreciated, in its latest APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) study.
TOP-RANKED MODELS
J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES APEAL SURVEY:
Full-Size Car
Highest Ranked Model: Toyota Avalon
1st runner-up: Ford Five Hundred
2nd runner-up: Mercury Montego
Source: J.D. Power and Associates
There is a different ranking for that.
Apeal rank is more about style, features and driving enjoyment and lots of unreliable vehicles (VWs etc.) end up with high rankings in this survey.
If you are suggesting Avalon ranks poorly in quality and reliability then I suggest you look up JD Power surveys over the past 10 years. Avalons and other Toyota models rank very high in all of them.
I don't care whose surveys you look up--Edmunds,MSN, Consumer Reports, etc., they all score Avs as very high.
The APEAL survey is just the frosting on the cake as far as I am concerned.
Regarding Avalon not being in the latest top 10.
I think if you follow up on that piece of news you will note the Avalon is very close to that Top 10 list, and that the point grouping of the top quartile on that list is very close.
Nonsense.
All the new cars have *had some quality problems and complaints.* Alway will. Please show us one that hasn't.
Toyota products have always had less than most and still do.
The 2005 and 06 results aren't out yet, so what we have is an excellent track record over the last 10 (or more) years.
I say good for Toyota, but I also hope that the North American Big 3 can someday equal that track record. They are getting better, but have a ways to go yet. (If they don't go belly up first!!)
I have the NAV and leaving a door open while driving off produces no error message.
Thanks,
A
Wrong.
Consumer reports rated the Avalon " with average reliability, lower than any of Toyota's other cars. "
See
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-10-26-consumer-reports-usat_x.htm
As far as the great HP controversy, nothing about the acceleration, etc has changed in the Av. It's still a quick car.
But many consumers - perhaps not here - prefer to do business with firms that express some real integrity.
Like the man said, I want 12 eggs in my dozen, not 10.
See
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0508/17/A01-283759.htm
The Av strength lies in Toyotas marketing prowess as they take advantage of their reputation in the market.
But just as last weeks WSJ article pointed out the foibles of the Prius and the new Lexus Hybrid SUV that has NO increase in MPG rating - yet commands a 15K+ premium, more cars like the Av demonstrate that Toyota is fast becoming just another car company. In fact, JD Powers survey show Toyota below GM for consumer satisfaction with corporate response to owner issues.
We have decided that the voice recognition feature is not part of the Nav at all, it is rather part of the entertainment system. Replies/reactions to voice commands appear to be random, and rarely correct, but usually hilarious. Som examples:
==================================
Voice Command / System Response
==================================
"Zoom in" / "Preset destination one has not been registered"
"Mark" / "The system is displaying amusement park icons"
"Go Home" / "The system is displaying Chinese restaurant icons"
"Detour" / "Preset destination four has not been registered"
"Yes" / "The system is displaying gasoline station icons"
Strangely, if I select French from the language screen, and speak the commands in French (with my horrible Quebec accent), response accuracy is much better. However, the spoken system responses are in English. Evidently, my Nav can understand and display French reasonably well, but cannot speak it.
Your first link is very revealing. When you go over the list of recommended superior quality cars listed there, Toyota/Lexus are most prominent by a long way.
What does that tell you?
In my book, if superior quality is the standard, and average (lower than superior) is the next one down, is that a condemnation? No Way!!
I would get concerned if a "poor" rating was given, but average? That's OK by me!!
Regarding your eggs/dozen logic? Splitting hairs doesn't count, I'm afraid. It's the same engine no matter who rates it for horsepower or how it's rated dude. They didn't ship it with one less cylinder!!
Now about your second link from The Detroit News. What would you expect to come out of Detroit? Certainly nothing good about the competition. There hasn't been anything good said about any offshore automaker in that newspaper since dirt. Use it for wallpaper in the bathroom for all the good that article is.
You failed to acknowledge the real gist of the article-especially the last few comments:
"Under the old testing procedures, there were small factors that required a judgment call: how much oil was in the crankcase, how the engine controls were calibrated and whether a vehicle was tested with premium fuel. In some cases, the little adjustments added up to a big change in horsepower ratings. The new SAE procedures allow less wiggle room.
John Di Pietro, road test editor at Edmunds.com, said the drop in horsepower ratings for '06 models they have tested are not especially dramatic.
It will be up to the salesman to ensure they understand the engine hasn't actually lost any power, he said."
BTW, here are the Consumer Reports Reliability Stats from your first link: (Toyota/Lexus products are noted with an *)
MOST-RELIABLE AUTOS
Consumer Reports' predictions for most-reliable 2006 models:
Small cars
Honda Civic
*Toyota Prius
Honda Civic Hybrid
*Toyota Corolla
Subaru Impreza
Sporty cars
Honda S2000
Mazda MX-5
*Lexus SC 430
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Sedans
*Lexus GS 300
Infiniti M35/M45
*Lexus IS 300
Honda Accord Hybrid
*Toyota Camry
Honda Accord (four-cylinder)
*Lexus LS 430
Wagons
*Toyota Matrix
Small SUVs
*Toyota RAV4
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Subaru Forester
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Midsize SUVs
*Lexus RX 400h
*Toyota Highlander
*Toyota 4Runner
Infiniti FX35
Large SUVs
*Toyota Land Cruiser
Pickups
Honda Ridgeline
*Toyota Tundra
Source: Consumer Reports
Even brand bashers will have to agree that's a pretty darn good track record!!!
In case you haven't noticed there are some people here who happen to like their cars, and all you do is insult them when you talk like you did. If you believe so strongly in "civility", then walk the talk.
FYI, I personally don't want to hear from you again.
You do have the right to post your opinion based on what you have experienced - and I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad time.
No one needs to accuse you of not being truthful, you're right. And, by the same token, there's no need to be rude in return.
I hope things get better for you and that we will someday see a post from you that everything has worked out for the best.
Good luck.
Would suggest, however, that your experiences are certainly an exception, that you take your issues to Toyota directly (there are such things as lemon laws), and sell the car before your blood pressure goes off the scale!
You might want to spend some time on an Acura site or two, though, you could be signing up for the same misery. do a 'rattles' search and see what you find!
I find it just as amazing that you are so defensive.
You quote the good - and there is some nice write ups on the Av - but you dismiss the ugly.
The only point being made was that the Av is a good car - but with a very high rate of problem cars being delivered.
Toyota won't address those issues for those people unfortunate enough to have taken delivery on a problem car.
Do you know one of the reasons I know that?
I read this forum!
If you have a problem free car, then good. You should have a problem free car.
You paid dearly for it and you deserve it.
But this forum has a plethora of complaints from Av owners - not the "brand bashers" you claim are defaming your toy.
If you're trying to protect the seats from kids/dogs...do what I do - don't let them in the car! (Joking...but if the kids got the seats dirty, I introduced them to the art of cleaning my seats with any good quality leather cleaner before they could ride in the car again.
zekeman1
Take a look at the 05/06 Avalon's reliability rating in CR - it's "Average". The "O" has no red in it as most Toyotas usually do. I have an Avalon XLS and I've documented my own build quality problems on this forum. I still love the new Avalon (hated it before - too cushy & slow) and would buy it again if I turned back the clock, but...
I think Toyota needs to take a bunch of managers & assemblers from its Kentucky plant and from its parts suppliers to Japan so they could learn what it is that the Japanese do to make cars with build quality that shames the Avalon's and reliability that makes every german carmaker (and some Avalon owners) weep.
Regards,
Deanie
P.S. THE 05 & 06 AVALON ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL - AS IS THEIR HORSEPOWER! 280 W/PREMIUM FUEL, 268 WITHOUT! GET IT? It's just semantics! The fuel type recommended in the brochure is the fuel Toyota must use to calculate the car's HP according to the new regs, and in this world of $3.00 gas, Toyota understandably wanted to recommend regular not premium. But premium still produces the same 280 HP in the 06 as it does in the 05.
but other Avalons not as loud. Regional tech to check car in future, will post outcome. Any thoughts appreciated. When driving at higher rpms noise goes away or blends in with engine sound.
My reason for commenting about HP is; I ordered consumer reports on the lexus 330 and the avalon. My big deciding factor was, lexus has 245 HP and the avalon 280 HP.Quality was not a factor as I expected good things from toyota regardles of of what car it was. ange1
This is something that I saw in the owner's manual, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how to make the console slide forward. It looks like it is a solid unit.
The simple diagram in the book doesn't help me at all. :confuse:
Note that you can only open the cover in the full-rearward position.
Both say good things about the Avalon, and the one notable item was the CR Overall Rating of 89 which is the same as their Highest Overall Rating for full sized cars. CR did say reliability was average, but in reality this is probably premature because no new models have had time to establish any long term reliability.
2006 Toyota Avalon
MSN Ratings
Expert8.0
User9.6
Overall Test Score 89
Consumer Reports Overview
Highs: Acceleration, powertrain, quietness, interior room, access, cabin storage, controls, fuel economy.
Lows: Agility, steering and brake feel.
The redesigned Avalon offers a lot of car for the money. It has a limo-like rear seat that can even recline. The quality of the cabin materials is almost as impressive as that of Toyota's luxury line of Lexus models. The Avalon rides very comfortably and quietly. But because of its relatively soft suspension, the car tends to float a bit when encountering road undulations at highway speeds. Handling is responsive but far from sporty. The new 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 feels smooth, punchy, and quiet. The six-passenger version is no longer available. First-year reliability of the redesigned model has been average.
Overall Rating
(Large sedans)
Highest Rated 89
Sedan XLS 89
Lowest Rated 43
Consumer Reports Recommended Alternates
▪ 2006 Ford Five Hundred
▪ 2006 Lincoln Town Car
▪ 2006 Acura TL
Island Avy :shades:
zekeman1