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Comments
Way to track down the part. Good luck on your project. Do let us know how it turns out.
Is this part number the same for cloth and leather interiors?
The answer is to pop off the back panel by the AC vents (held down by four clips). You will see four Phillips screws. Remove the screws and the original armrest will come off. Lineup the new armrest, insert the screws and fold down the armrest (click). Replace the back panel and now you have a sliding armrest on your TCH.
houtex1: The part number I mentioned is only for the Ash vinyl armrest. For Ash leather, Bisque vinyl, or Bisque leather you will need to work with your Parts department.
Let the mobbing of the parts departments begin.
A friend of mine uses her purse as a armrest extender.
Total cost (including 8.5% tax) $224.45
Another advantage of the sliding armrest should be that when you slide it all the way forward it should cover most of the power outlet box which on the TCH does not have a cover. If you need to leave you cell phone or other valuable, the sliding armrest may be able to keep it hidden.
Second, I have a question: Does the TCH have a stability control system? Both my dealer and some reviews I have read mention that the Hybrid Camry does have the VSA system. However, the Camry brochure makes no mention of it even being available on the Hybrid. So I'm curious if its really on there or not.
There's an indicator on the instrument panel that says "READY" when it's ready to drive. Usually doesn't take more than a couple of seconds.
ABS: It's well-known and standard in most vehicles now. It pumps the brakes electronically faster than a human can when there is a risk of the brakes locking up.
EBD:( Electronic Brakeforce Distribution ) From the load on the vehicle ( passengers and cargo ) sensors determine how to balance the brake pressure in order to give the best braking performance. With just the driver in the vehicle on a straight stop most of the pressure would be directed to the front. With a full load the pressure would be directed more evenly front and back.
BA: ( Brake Assist ) By the manner in which one hits the brake pedal the computer senses whether this is a 'normal' stop or a 'panic' stop. In a 'panic' stop the full force of the brakes are applied even if the brake pedal isn't pushed all the way to the lowest point, a shorter-legged driver for example.
VSC: ( Vehicle Stability Control ) This is the most recent advancement in active accident avoidance systems which the IIHS and the EURO/NCAP are both advocating be the next safety feature to be made standard on all vehicles. The yaw sensors in the vehicle 'keep an eye out' for situations where the vehicle seems to be going in a direction other than where the driver intended. It commonly is explained as helping to minimize understeer and oversteer in order to keep the vehicle on track. This link from the European insurance institute is a great visual explanation:
Euro/NCAP Click on 'Recommendation' then 'See Stability Control in Action'
Essentially VSC senses when the vehicle seems out of control and will take the throttle away from the driver ( slow down even if your foot is on the gas pedal ) and apply the brakes selectively in order to bring the vehicle back into the intended direction. It will not keep a sleeping or drunk or inattentive driver from simply driving off the road.
TRAC: ( Traction Control ) It senses when there is a significant difference in the rotation of the wheels on one side of a vehicle as opposed to the other. When this difference is sensed the brakes are applied to slow the faster spinning wheel. Imagine if one side of your car was going 60 while the other was going 80.
All the foregoing are well-known throughout the world. All or some of these active safety features are on almost all vehicles now.
VDIM: ( Vehicle Dynamics Integratred Managment ) This is the Toyota/Lexus advancement that incorporates the electric steering into the equation. When an out of control situation is detected the steering is made harder ( retarded ) in the direction which will worsen the situation and made easier in the direction which will improve the situaiton.
This Lexus link gives a good explanation Lexus VDIM
An example:
On an icy/newly plowed right exit ramp off an Interstate with a sharp right turn, suddenly the back end of your vehicle is beginning to whip around out of control ( oversteer ). The yaw sensors in the VSC system sense loss of control ( not the intended dirction ). The vehicle is throttled down, more pressure is applied to the rear left brake more forcefully and steering to the right is hindered, which would exacerbate the out of control situation, while steering to the left is assisted ( into the direction of the skid ) to bring the vehicle back on course.
I am looking for an all season tire in a P215/55R17 size that works well in Michigan snow, and still handles a bit of "spirited" driving at times. By my estimate, this would give a very small error over the OEM 16" wheel/tire combo (26.16" diameter for OEM, and 26.31 for the above 17"). If this is wrong, please let me know - I am new at this tire stuff. I would also like to know about offsets for the standard wheels if anyone knows this!
Thanks,
Jeff
Also, does anyone know how to reprogram the TCH to unlock all the doors when I touch the driver's side door handle? Current setting is set to unlock the driver side door only. I understand that it's somewhat of a safety feature but I prefer to let the thief or attacker to get into the car through the passenger door instead of using driver-side door.
I've seen several postings that referred to the Body Mechanical ME-13 (going off memory so I'm sure I've made a mistake with the actual name of the document), but I haven't been able to find any document like that on the net nor have I seen anything on this forum (I could be wrong). I've breezed through the owner's manual but I don't recall seeing any instructions on changing the default settings of the door locks.
BTW, on several occasions, the ICE didn't shutdown after I put the car into park. Thought I had to reset it by depressing the brakes or putting it back into drive / move a few yards and putting it back into park but it didn't respond. I've had to shut the car off with the engine on on several occasions. I'll keep you guys updated but I don't think it's an issue.
This car is really neat. I've had mine for 4 weeks now, about 3k miles averaging about 40 miles on the highway, 38 in city. I think the EPA rating is reversed. There's nothing I don't like about this car.
Good luck
I think the correct reprogramming is to hold the lock button down together with any of the other 3 buttons (I used the lock and unlock buttons together I believe). I just held the two buttons down and after a few seconds the car will beep 2 times or 3 times depending on whether it switched to drivers door or all 4 doors. You can repeat to change setting any time.
In any case, the instructions are in the manual, it's not an undocumented trick.
The TCH is a very nice car (I'd done two test drives and quite a lot of research). I'm surprised by how many 'luxury' accessories/touches/whatever it has. (the keyless entry system is quite interesting - you never really have to take the fob out of your pocket).
But that wasn't the point in buying this car.
Emissions. It seems that the TCH is rated as a AT-PZEV. Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.
To see what 'PZEV' is you can read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZEV
But this doesn't seem to spell things out sufficiently, at least for me.
In particular how does a PZEV stack up against a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle)?
Here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_ULEV
it says that the target for a SULEV is an emissions level under 10% of the 'equivalent ordinary' vehicle (however defined).
pat
Just got back from my local dealer after inquiring about a TCH. I know I'll have to pay full MSRP, but then the salesman presented me with a sheet labeled "Processing Fees", which he assured me that were "authorized" by Virginia, and, when questioned, admitted they were just additional profit. He assured me that the amount ($268.00) was non-negotiable, insisting that "state law" said that IF a dealer charged this fee, he was NOT permitted either to waive it nor reduce it, since the law (as he insisted) REQUIRED DEALERS TO CHARGE THE SAME AMOUNT TO EVERYONE) How's THAT for a load of completely bogus manure?
California created the terms so I went to California's driveclean.ca.gov for the definitions:
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/en/gv/faq/index.asp#2
AT-PZEV and PZEV trump SULEV ...
SULEV: Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
SULEVs are 90% cleaner than the average new model year car.
PZEV: Partial Zero Emission Vehicle
PZEVs meet SULEV tailpipe emission standards, have zero evaporative emissions and a 15 year / 150,000 mile warranty. No evaporative emissions means that they have fewer emissions while being driven than a typical gasoline car has while just sitting.
AT PZEV: Advanced Technology PZEVs
AT PZEVs meet the PZEV requirements and have additional "ZEV-like" characteristics. A dedicated compressed natural gas vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle with engine emissions that meet the PZEV standards would be an AT PZEV.
ZEV - Zero Emission Vehicles
ZEVs have zero tailpipe emissions are 98% cleaner than the average new model year vehicle. These include battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Many thanx gc77584 (think I prefer the Gretchen).
pat
Across the river in Maryland, things are different. May dealers are $99. I just bought a Barcelona Red Camry Hybrid from Fitzgerald in Gaithersburg. Took it home tonight (wow is all I can say on the first drive!). They charged me a little over $800 under MSRP, and tacked on nothing but a $99 doc free. Plus, I got a favorable trade. I didn't really negotiate anything, that's just the way they do business.
Email me if you want information on who I dealt with at Fitzgerald. My sales rep was outstanding. You can check out their pricing and inventory at www.fitzmall.com I believe they have two white one's in stock right now, perhaps they can get you what you want.
Now they are going the extra mile trying to help me get a Clean Fuel plate by the July 1 deadline which involves getting the title number right away. We'll see how that goes.
Hybridriver: You do lose a little bit of storage with the siding armrest. On the stock armrest you have an indentation into the armrest so slightly taller objects can fit, that area is used by the sliding mechanism.
http://dealers.vada.com/images/Document/2005/September/VADA_ConsumerProcessingFe- eBrochureBlackFinal.pdf
Wish I had known that Fitzgerald in MD was charging under MSRP, but what's done is done, and I'm happy with my car!
Thanks for the heads-up on Fitzgerald. I'll give them a ring today!
My saleswoman called to tell me she just saw a Camry Hybrid come into the lot. She said she thought it was mine, but she needed to check the computer to be sure it was the Camry Hybrid LE and not the Camry Hybrid XLE! :confuse: Of course, she had only seen one before & I was her first Camry Hybrid sale. I won't fault her for not knowing a product she doesn't need to know (since at the moment, the cars are few and sell themselves).
FWIW, I paid a $225 processing fee, which is bunk in my opinion. But with the high demand, there wasn't much choice. I wanted to give this dealer my business as they are the closest one for service (all else being relatively equal).
WillyBill
Buckhannon WV is not a bad drive from Pittsburgh, Cincinatti, Charolotte or DC
How is the reception?
These are all questions we would like you to answer whenever you are able.. A picture of the receiver and antenna would be appreciated. You can post the pictures easily on www.greenhybrid.com it's another excellent forum for TCH owners.
Enjoy the Blue Ribbon TCH.. I love mine!.
WillyBill
This is the kind of thing that once you notice it, it can bug you forever, so I wonder what the chances are that Toyota would provide a better fan if notified of the problem. Guess there's one good way to find out...
Will post as things become apparant!
TCH sliding armrest pictures
Did I read somewhere in this forum that the cost of the replacement armrest was $184?.
Thanks
WillyBill
:confuse:
The cynical side of me thinks that Toyota may have done this deliberately to help boost the mileage - can shaving just a few miles per hour save much fuel? Realistically, its probably just a malfunction, I'm just wondering how widespread this might be.
I'll report back sometime this weekend.
WillyBill
:surprise:
Ok, several things to consider.
1) It's a japanese plot to throw off our milage calculations and cheat on the EPA ratings, giving them an unfair advantage over American branded (not made as many are now Canadian and Mexican) products
2) If it was the other way around then I'd blame it on all the nuts out there pumping their tires up to 50 psig, thus increasing the rolling diameter. However in this case it seems like perhaps when they calibrated the spedo's they must have actually had 50 psig in the tires, so who's nuts now?
3) I don't think there is any such thing as a reliable pole mounted speed indicator
4) Another driver along side? Who's correct? (Unless it was a cop who cited you)
Bottom line, there probably error in just about every speedo made, except for the few cases in high performance cars where they would calibrate them more accuratly, or with the cop cars where the speedos are calibrated.
In a car with a 15 mpg rating it's probably not significant (for one because they don't care), however in a car with a 40 mpg rating then a 5% error is indeed a 2mpg difference. Hummmm
Between 47 and 45 mph the difference in drag and friction losses is negligible. Between 77 and 75 it's also negligible although both are less efficient than 45 mph.
EDIT
After thinking about it, according to the pole-mounted indicator, which was positioned at a tollroad exit, I wasn't going as fast as I thought I was. Being that I was exiting the freeway, I was just coasting at the time.
From the first few days, I noticed that the damping in the rear shocks was not as good as in the front ones. I can feel this each morning as the car jumps 1½ inch down from my driveway onto the street. The car is normally stable, even at 75 mph, even with my wife and daughter sitting in it.
Last sunday night, I had two more passengers, for an estimated total load of 700 lbs (no luggage, and I won't tell who weights how much
- I felt that if this ever happened after a bump in a curve, the car would jump sideways, and
- due to the very sharp (too much) cutoff in the low-beam lights and the car's bouncing, I was alternately throwing light and dark at the mirrors of the driver preceeding me, who probably felt like I was being pushy on him.
Do other TCH owners have the same problem ?
As kdhspyder had pointed out, that "time" should be smaller compared to non-hybrid car due to the help of instantaneous torque boost from e-power.
I find it's true when accelerate from cruising at 80 km/hr (~50 mph), I can feel lots of power appeared right away, performance is quite comparable to my wife's 04' bimmer, or maybe better. (Next time we'll race from 80 to 110 km/hr when we have a chance and I'll let you know
Before taking some long trips this weekend, I just had paint protection film (Ventureshield, not 3M) installed by a professional installer (http://www.clearbraoregon.com). Amazingly he was able to offer coverage of whole hood and whole fenders with single pieces of film, and I decided to pay big extra $$ for the complete coverage -- w/o knowing in advance, no one can tell there is a film on the hood or the fenders even at 1 foot distance!
Ventureshield is probably the only paint protection film capable of full hood coverage (not all installers stock the widest film to do this, though). I think many folks here might haven't known it is possible to do the whole hood and hence would like to share my experience. It does cost big $$ but well worths it.
BTW, my buying experience at the dealership (Royal Moore Toyota of Hillsboro, OR) was also great. Friendly sales people, no sales pressure, and they offered a very decent trade-in value on my former car.