. . . and I have just the opposite experience. After a long trip in my '06 Limited, I am rested and relaxed. After long trips in other cars I have owned, I always was tense and had a headache. The Avalon is truly a joy to drive and to spend long hours in on the road!
Agree-The only other seats I've enjoyed more were in a Volvo S80. I'm 6'2" and weigh over 250 lbs--so if anyone was to "sink" into the seats it would be me! Our 06 limited is a "dream" road car. Bob
Maybe this is another Toyota "safety" feature, and like the nav system only works when the car is stopped. After all, your attention would be taken from driving the car if you were plugging something into the power outlets. :P
OK, end of sarcasm, but not the end of the utter contempt I have for the nav system when compared to others.
I just started having a problem with my '06 Limited I haven't seen on this board yet. Yesterday, when I pressed the nav/ac/stereo control panel, it only opened about a half inch and cannot even be pulled out manually. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, is there an easy fix that doesn't involve going to the dealer? (I hate how long it takes them to do even the most minor repairs.) Thanks to anyone with a suggestion.
a common complaint I hear about heated/cooled seats on all makes - what do you suppose the mfgrs. have to leave out to be able to put in whatever is required to heat and cool the seats - maybe a little padding? My seats are wnoderful but, then again, don't own the Limited.
I thought that the 2007 Avalon prices was supposed to be available Saturday or Monday (7-3-06), but I haven't seen any thing on Edmunds site. Does anyone know when this info might become available and where? Also, I'm not sure if the 6-speed automatic transmission is going to added to 07 Avalons; does anybody?
Note, I oringally put this message under 2007 Wishlist, but it seems as if that discussion has low number of readers. Thanks.
Have 5700 miles on my 06 in less than 6 weeks; & find the drivers seat to be very comfortable. My wife has 5 crushed vertabrae & claims the pasenger seat to be very comfortable for her, even after 3 hours plus on the road.
Yeah, I think they did leave out the padding. I really wanted the XLS instead of the Limited, but the XLS seat bottoms were too short and so I wanted the seat extension feature. With the seat extended, it is about the same as my old avalon with the exception of the softness and the bolstering support. I didn't notice that it felt like I was sitting on a bowling ball until after I took a trip to Louisiana - 9 hours of riding!
Well, I guess that comfort is a pretty subjective evaluation. I don't know if you have the Limited, but all that I can say is that the seats, for me, are not at all comfortable on a long trip. I understand that the seats for all other models of the Avalon are different, however.
drove my Limited 06 500 mile trip. I could not believe milage 32mpg on 89 octane with A/C on. Drove wonderfully. My cousin who is a car nut could not believe the car and all the stuff in the car. The backup camera was a big hit as well.
What do you mean "backup camera"? The '06 Avalon limited does not come with the backup camera option! Do you mean the "cruise control" or are you talking about a different car?
I installed aftermarket into DVD NAV Harness in the trunk..plug and play..pretty much. Get the most out your NAV system..also can play DVD's on the NAV screen if you want.
Hi Neil! I guess you are saying you connected your camera without disturbing the dashboard. And, you connected the camera strictly to the unit in the trunk? Cool!
Also...can one watch DVD's while in motion? Perhaps you could share info like how much? And model numbers and where one can purchase this camera set-up? Thanks! -P
not sarcastic at all - fact. Read your owners manual, it is so full of cautions and warnings that it is a miracle that you don't have email in a release before you can even start your own car. TV lawyers - going beserk (and making work for themselves) and quite ridiculous!
The fuse box is under the dash, left side of steering wheel. The cover swings down and all of the fuses are marked on the cover. There several spare fuse locations. You have to go to Toyota to get their special fuses. Couple of auto stores and radio shack didn't have any.
I installed my Boyo VTL-100 license camera, along with G-Net NavVideo plug and play unit yesterday. It took some time and changes to have the remote control on the dash. The hardest part was getting an accessory connection. The darn fuses are so small you have to go and find a live wire when the start button is engenerized. I tried to find the radio wire at the fuse box but too many to isolate. I ended up trying four different wires before finding a hot wire. I installed a radio fuse in the power source.
I can activate the back up camera anytime and it automatically comes on when gear is in reverse.
One mistake, I got the ABS license frame-camera, and it is slightly warped already.
Test drove the Lucerne--plenty of power w/Northstar V8--at the expense of lost MPG--V6 is 3.8 Liter and no match for the Avalon in performance or economy. Car is roomy, comfortable and nice looking--build quality looks good--attention to details is evident--still--its a 1st year model and that scared me away. Bob
The new Avalon has certainly had 'un-Toyota-like' teething problems - as it was likely to. Keep in mind, however, that the 05 Avalon a truly new car - drivetrain, body etc.. As you would expect for GM products (because they really don't have the money to do anything else), things like the Northstar V8, the 3.8 V6, the asscoiated 4 spd trannies, and basic body structure have been around for years and years, one reason why cars like the Lucerne and most other "Detroit" vehicles are technologically and dynamically inferior. The 05 Avalons specifically - would actually be surprised if it proves out to be as reliable as some of the 'been around for 20 years' Buicks - but it sure will be worth a whole lot more at trade-in time and IMPO a whole lot nicer ride!
I've noticed on the first and second oil/filter changes on my '05 Avalon that six quarts of oil fills to the full mark and not the 6.4 listed in the owner's manual. I watched it being drained. Maybe the 5 quart Mobile 1 jug has a little extra.
Nice Pictures Neil. I tried to find a link to the equipment you are using but I had no luck on finding the camera. Can you provide some help in getting the details. Thanks
Since the Lucerne is FWD I would assume that the NorthStar is automatically derated in torque production capability in the lower gears as was the Cadillac before going back to RWD.
Thanks for everyone's help on the cell phone charger. I took my car in and nothing was wrong with it. It was the charger cord that was bad. Still don't understand why it worked in our van, but I bought a new phone charger cord and it works in my car.
Many cars have several OEM tires. The car manufacturer doesn't want all their eggs in one basket in case there is a supply or cost issue, so they split the business between suppliers.
Last Saturday I decided a swim was in my immediate future. The wife and I drove up to the pool in my 2006 Avalon LTD. As I aways do, I put the key fob in my pocket before leaving. Yep you guessed it. Forgot about the key fob and it went swimming with me. Either I'm real lucky or the darned thing is waterproof. I remembered that it was in my pocket as I was walking in the pool - took it out and held it up real quick. I had parked where I could see the car from the pool and hit the button to start the car. It started right up.
Make sure that ODO is set to ODO setting not the a or b setting before you begin. Also be sure the seatbelt on the drivers side is NOT buckled. No foot on brake. Press START button 2 times and immediately press and hold the reset button for at least 10 seconds. Keep holding the reset button and fasten the seat belt. The ODO display with show on or off. Press reset button to cycle until you see off. Hit the Start button again. Now when you start the warning chime should be off. I think there are actually 2 warning chimes. One that goes for about 5 seconds and the other is a much longer term warning. This is the one that is shut off.
Wow. Well, then my wife and I must have one of the good ones, and we'll keep it!
Rotated the tires at 10,500 miles and found no appreciable wear on the brake pads or rotors, was pleased to find it has 4-wheel discs, should be easy to replace the pads and rotors someday. Love it when there's one more thing I can do myself, that's why I finally sold our Mercedes. Couldn't take those $300. dealership oil changes a.k.a "Scheduled Maintenance A-Services" anymore.
No problems in 11,000 miles and 13 months we've owned our Avalon, we're happy as can be! Also no manufacturing-related problems with my 1993 Toyota pickup, which will turn over 229,000 miles on the way to NJ later this morning. Even at its age and mileage, it's without question that I take it on a 500 mile trip - of course, I do check the oil and other vitals before heading out.
Could you explain this again please, because I tried following your instructions but didn't see the "on/off" display you refer to: where is that? Is the "reset" button the one that we push to switch from ODO to Trip A to Trip B? If so, when I hold it down for 10 seconds or more while the ODO setting is displayed, nothing happens: there was no "on" or "off" display. (And so the seat belt chime continues to sound for a long time.)
I have a 2005 Avalon XL. I purchased it in Feb.2005 and occasionally it is hard starting. By that I mean turning the key it just cranks and doesn't start. If I turn the key off and retry, it works. This happens a couple of time a month. The dealer cannot duplicate this problem when I leave it there for check-up. Anyone else ever experienced this symptom???
I deactivated the alarm using the following instructions...it works.
1) Turn the Car On, Do not start the engine (Leave you foot off the brake). Cycle your trip reset knob until you it reads ODO. Turn the ignition back off. Wait a couple of seconds.
2) Make sure seat belt is not fastened
3) Turn the ignition back on, do not start the car (Leave you foot off the break) As soon as you see everything light up, press and hold the trip reset knob and do a long 12 second count.
3) Keep your finger on the trip reset knob. Fasten your seat belt, as soon as you fasten your seat belt, you should see the ODO display go from XXXX miles to "b-on". At that time take your finger off the trip reset knob and press it again. It should cycle to "b-off". You should be all set and turn the ignition off and unfasten your seat belt.
I have 3 weeks with my Avalon, I decided on the '06 limited because it has a lot of features normally found in more expensive vehicles, particularly for the driver's seat extension (I'm 6.0 and weight 224)and ventilated feature. Everything was ok until my first long trip.
The seam on the bottom of my seat becomes so hard as if you were siting on top of a rope.. beyond that I also began to notice a piece of metal (perhaps the edge of fan's metal casing)very uncomfortable. I haven't contacted the dealer yet. The short term fix is a seat pad, but it's a shame to put a pad in a car so elegant like this one.
Am currently shopping for a LTD for the seat feature,this seems to be cropping up more and more lately.I wonder if it makes a difference how the tilt of the seat is adjusted. Assuming all the LTD seats are made the same you would think more people would find them uncomfortable.I was at a dealer recently and looked under a XLS and a LTD seat but could not see much.Maybe some fans are mounted lower or higher than others.
Got it - thanks. I have another "programming" question for anyone who may know the answer to this: when programming a new seat/mirror position onto the keyfob, what is the difference between the first set of instructions on page 62 of the Owner's Manual (which says: push the seat button #1 or #2 on the door and the lock or unlock button on the keyfob at the same time), versus the second set of instructions for "resetting" the fob's programmed driving position (which says to push the "set" button on the door and the lock or unlock button on the fob at the same time)? When or why would it ever be necessary to use the second set of instructions (for resetting), if following the first instructions will automatically cancel and override any previous seat position that had been programmed into the keyfob? Is this just a redundancy (two ways of accomplishing the same thing), or am I misunderstanding those instructions?
Try it and see. On my '05 IIRC I had to do page 62 before the key would change when I did page 61. Page 61 did not erase the previous setting, page 62 did. Strange.
Does it happen with the other keys too? My Dad's did the same thing. The extra key and valet key wouldn't start the car at all. They ended up recoding/resetting all the keys.
Comments
Bob
After all, your attention would be taken from driving the car if you were plugging something into the power outlets. :P
OK, end of sarcasm, but not the end of the utter contempt I have for the nav system when compared to others.
Yesterday, when I pressed the nav/ac/stereo control panel, it only opened about a half inch and cannot even be pulled out manually.
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, is there an easy fix that doesn't involve going to the dealer? (I hate how long it takes them to do even the most minor repairs.)
Thanks to anyone with a suggestion.
My seats are wnoderful but, then again, don't own the Limited.
Note, I oringally put this message under 2007 Wishlist, but it seems as if that discussion has low number of readers. Thanks.
Good luck and continue to enjoy your Avalon!
dan
Netwon
http://www.toyotanation.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/6295/cat/594
I installed aftermarket into DVD NAV Harness in the trunk..plug and play..pretty much. Get the most out your NAV system..also can play DVD's on the NAV screen if you want.
Also...can one watch DVD's while in motion?
Perhaps you could share info like how much? And model numbers and where one can purchase this camera set-up?
Thanks!
-P
TV lawyers - going beserk (and making work for themselves) and quite ridiculous!
ange
I can activate the back up camera anytime and it automatically comes on when gear is in reverse.
One mistake, I got the ABS license frame-camera, and it is slightly warped already.
My total cost less than $600.
By all means, but make sure you look at the Consumer Reports review of the Lucerne (in the current issue). They didn't have much good to say about it.
Bob
Tedj
I tried to find a link to the equipment you are using but I had no luck on finding the camera.
Can you provide some help in getting the details.
Thanks
and some have the Michelins? I think it may be a region
thing but not sure.
But glad it did!
Thanks,
jaws37
Make sure that ODO is set to ODO setting not the a or b setting before you begin. Also be sure the seatbelt on the drivers side is NOT buckled. No foot on brake. Press START button 2 times and immediately press and hold the reset button for at least 10 seconds. Keep holding the reset button and fasten the seat belt. The ODO display with show on or off. Press reset button to cycle until you see off. Hit the Start button again. Now when you start the warning chime should be off. I think there are actually 2 warning chimes. One that goes for about 5 seconds and the other is a much longer term warning. This is the one that is shut off.
Thank you,
jaws37
Rotated the tires at 10,500 miles and found no appreciable wear on the brake pads or rotors, was pleased to find it has 4-wheel discs, should be easy to replace the pads and rotors someday. Love it when there's one more thing I can do myself, that's why I finally sold our Mercedes. Couldn't take those $300. dealership oil changes a.k.a "Scheduled Maintenance A-Services" anymore.
No problems in 11,000 miles and 13 months we've owned our Avalon, we're happy as can be! Also no manufacturing-related problems with my 1993 Toyota pickup, which will turn over 229,000 miles on the way to NJ later this morning. Even at its age and mileage, it's without question that I take it on a 500 mile trip - of course, I do check the oil and other vitals before heading out.
- P.
"reset" button the one that we push to switch from ODO to Trip A to Trip B? If so, when I hold it down for 10 seconds or more while the ODO setting is displayed, nothing happens: there was no "on" or "off" display. (And so the seat belt chime continues to sound for a long time.)
1) Turn the Car On, Do not start the engine (Leave you foot off the brake). Cycle your trip reset knob until you it reads ODO. Turn the ignition back off. Wait a couple of seconds.
2) Make sure seat belt is not fastened
3) Turn the ignition back on, do not start the car (Leave you foot off the break) As soon as you see everything light up, press and hold the trip reset knob and do a long 12 second count.
3) Keep your finger on the trip reset knob. Fasten your seat belt, as soon as you fasten your seat belt, you should see the ODO display go from XXXX miles to "b-on". At that time take your finger off the trip reset knob and press it again. It should cycle to "b-off". You should be all set and turn the ignition off and unfasten your seat belt.
The seam on the bottom of my seat becomes so hard as if you were siting on top of a rope.. beyond that I also began to notice a piece of metal (perhaps the edge of fan's metal casing)very uncomfortable. I haven't contacted the dealer yet. The short term fix is a seat pad, but it's a shame to put a pad in a car so elegant like this one.
seems to be cropping up more and more lately.I wonder if it
makes a difference how the tilt of the seat is adjusted.
Assuming all the LTD seats are made the same you would think more people would find them uncomfortable.I was at a
dealer recently and looked under a XLS and a LTD seat but
could not see much.Maybe some fans are mounted lower or higher than others.
I have another "programming" question for anyone who may know the answer to this: when programming a new seat/mirror position onto the keyfob, what is the difference between the first set of instructions on page 62 of the Owner's Manual (which says: push the seat button #1 or #2 on the door and the lock or unlock button on the keyfob at the same time), versus the second set of instructions for "resetting" the fob's programmed driving position (which says to push the "set" button on the door and the lock or unlock button on the fob at the same time)? When or why would it ever be necessary to use the second set of instructions (for resetting), if following the first instructions will automatically cancel and override any previous seat position that had been programmed into the keyfob? Is this just a redundancy (two ways of accomplishing the same thing), or am I misunderstanding those instructions?