Toyota Camry Hybrid

njerald

Spin on. Same filter as the I4.

sibbald

Ordered my TCH June 3 th. and took delivery July 9th. Had to go out of town as the local dealer said sometime in September if I am lucky. The out of town dealer was fantastic, check my profile and e-mail me if you want more info. I presently have 1500 km on the car, I am 1/2 way to Klamath Falls Ore tonight and the car is fantastic. Mileage is 5.6 litres per 100 km. For our American friends, that is 42 miles per U.S. gallon and 50.5 miles per Imperial gallon.

Cheers, Tom

smile1017

Thanks for the comparisson of the between the different camrys. With regard to the waiting period, my deposit was with John Elway's Crown. I will try calling Longo. My purchasing window is about 3-6 weeks, and that is why I was ok with the wait period. I guess if i get really anxious when week 3 comes, I can contact Longo. I saw Crown's of expected deliveries and it looks like they are getting 6 in the next two weeks, but alas they all have deposits on them. They said that they will know how low I am on the production list on the 1st. so I guess I will call them to check some time next week.
I requested so quotes through the KBB website and hopefully I can negotiate when the car comes in.

ceguy

Toyota oem # is 90915-10004
I changed the oil for the first time today. Used a fram DG-4967 and pennzoil platinum synthetic. The replacement fram is not quite as tall as the OE but it is a direct cross.

PF_Flyer

Just moved one of the "HurrayI just picked my ne TCH up" posts to the New Camry Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report discussion.

Just a reminder to check the discussion list before youpost to find the appropriate discussion. here's a partial list of new discussions we have here in this group:
Camry Hybrid Audio & Entertainment Questions
Toyota Camry Hybrid Test Drive - What Did You Think?
New Camry Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report
Toyota Camry Hybrid Battery Pack Questions
Camry Hybrid: Where Do I Find Good Service?
Toyota Camry Hybrid Accessories & Modifications
Toyota Camry Hybrid Audio & Entertainment Questions
Camry Hybrid: Bluetooth/Phone Issues
Camry Hybrid Audio & Entertainment Questions

If an issue comes up that doesn't fit one of our existing dicussions, please feel free to create one or click on my username and drop me an email with your suggestion for a new topic.

We're moving away from these large, everything in one basket type of discussions towards smaller, more focused ones. This will help fols find information easier and faster without having to sift through thousands of posts.

Thanks for your help and understanding as these new discussions come up and we move things around a bit!

lmlpxh

I'm surprised you changed the oil yourself. Doesn't the dealer offer the first service as free?

I'm taking our TCH in for the 5000mi service next week. Did you happen to see your MPG dropping off? I can still get 40mpg, but I really have to work at it. My wife usually get 37 but the last tank was 32mpg. I wondering if it was lower octane gas than the stated rating (bad gas) or if the car need to be adjusted/tuned at the 5000mi service.

ceguy

"FREE" I live in Las Vegas. Nothing is free here. I wish it was. I have been in the automotive business most of my life and have always done my own maintenance.

mousepotato

I, too, had a pebble strike my windshield making a very small (less than 1/4 inch) crack in the windshield of the TCH I have owned for less than 4 weeks. My husband was a passenger in my car that day and watched as the 1/4" crack grew to approximately 20 inches in a matter of seconds.

After driving an Avalon for more than 10 years, I have only had one windshield repair completed in less than 30 minutes at one of our local repair-while-you-wait facilities.

Have any other TCH owners discovered the seemingly fragile windshield on these cars? Does anyone know whether this damage can be repaired or must the windshield be replaced? If the windshield must be replaced, I hope that I will be able to request a standard, non-insulated windshield as a replacement.

sallyspal

Its so deflating when something like this happens to your new car. I still get a little pang every time I look at the small crack in my windshield and I know how you must feel. I would imagine that a 20 inch fissure might be beyond repair and that you'd need to replace the windshield. Please keep us posted - if it is replaced, I'd like to know what kind of glass was installed. Good luck!

kc_rusty

Took delivery of my white THC on fri and it had the remote start installed also. My price was $599 and it was on the factory window sticker and I don't believe it was added at the dealer - also had car mats ($199) and the rear bumper cover at $49.95 .. these all appeared to be from the factory not the dealer --- I guess I don't know where or when the window stickers are printed and applied. Dealer stated almost all loaded THC come with extras - sorry Dealer stated I could wait for another batch to come in if I was really unhappy but who knows when that would be, so I just grabbed my ankles and said thank you

Other than that - I love the car

kc_rusty

My TCH locks all the doors when I move out of park. The instruction book states I can change it to a 12mph delay. I tried the seq... Start - move to N press and hold the driver door lock switch on door within 10 sec for 5 sec and release. The locks are supposed to cycle. Nuthing happens - - I must be doing something wrong, Has anyone done this? Sure would appriciate some assistance..
Thanks

jbollt

I have done this, and it worked just as described in the book. I beieve it allows several choices..both on auto-lock and auto-unlock. Re-read the instructions carefully. It took me a few times reading it to understand.

Don't have the manual in front of me right now, but i was successful in turning both auto lock and auto unlock off. It takes two sepoerate procedures, i believe.

Let me know if you still have problems, and I will get out my manual tomorrow and re-read it to help u.

aaeeekg

I've had exactly the same problem. Can't get it to re program.

I did notice on a DVD for the Hybrid (that I received in the mail much to my surprise) that the parking brake should also be on. But still no success.

Will follow jbolt's suggestion and re-read looking for ambiguity.

Let me know if you discover the secret.

jbollt

The instruction book states I can change it to a 12mph delay. I tried the seq... Start - move to N press and hold the driver door lock switch on door within 10 sec for 5 sec and release. The locks are supposed to cycle.


I think the thing you are both doing wrong is this....

The book says "set "POWER" to ON
It doesn't say "turn the engine on"

...This means...foot off the brake, and push the start button twice. THis is the same as turning a key ignition switch to the second notch...1st notch is acc, second notch is "on"...Same as push button start, you just need to keep the foot off the brake pedal to get to "acc" position and "ON" position.

Hope this helps....let me know

aaeeekg

The book says "set "POWER" to ON
It doesn't say "turn the engine on"


Had tried that during my multiple iterations as well.

Will try again though as maybe that was before I got the whole sequence down. (I know there is not much to it.)

aaeeekg

Tried it another dozen times, following the manual precisely and not starting the system (ie did not get "READY" indicator).

No double click confirmation. No change in operation.

Even used my watch to time my actions.

Do you have to do anything to enable this re programming?

aaeeekg

OK I found it. I got it re programmed, finally.


My error was that I assumed the modes where mutually exclusive. They are not. I wanted the doors to lock at 12 mph but they kept locking as soon as the shifter was moved out of P. It turns out (to my surprise) that you have to cancel the option of locking when moved out of P.

There are 4 modes listed. It appears that they can be set in any combination.

I now have the doors locking as the car exceeds 12 mph.
The doors DO NOT automatically unlock either as the shifter returns to P or when power is turned off and the driver door opens. :shades:
Whew !

kc_rusty

Unbelieveable - the instructions are correct except for the section that you must 'unenable the lock out of park option'. Disabled the lock coming out of park and enable the 12mph lock - worked first time. Thanks aaeeekg - how long didi u have to play with this thing? Thanks again.........

Side issue what version GPS map r u running - believe I have 5.1 -- dealer stated they come out every two years???? sure seems like a long time before updating.

kc_rusty

Does anyone have experience good or bad with a firm called warranty direct http://www.warrantydirect.com/
Thet seen to offer a ext warranty tat covers all the hi tech items in my TCH. Wandering if it a waste of money or not. They will cover up to 7yrs/100,000miles

keithl

May I ask where the filter is, I have yet to lcoate it. Miss the old Toyota 4 with it on the front. Was it hard changing it on the Hybrid?

ceguy

looking at the front of the car it is on the left rear corner of the engine. it's not visable just looking underneath the car. I used a set of ramps from checker auto parts that have a 6 inch raise and a long up ramp. My old set hit the front bumper before the wheel hit the ramp. It's the same old spin on filter as the prior year 4 cyl. the replacement is a tad shorter than the OE one. If this bothers you the toyota OE is available from Toyota. OE Part # is 9015-10004

njerald

You've got the part number wrong.

Part# was 90915-10004. New part# is 90915-YZZF1.

ceguy

That's odd. I took the OE # right off the old OE filter I removed

ceguy

actually it is 90915-10004. forgot a digit

alp8

no 20-inch crack in a windshield can be "repaired"

it will be replaced

If it costs you more than a $50 deductible, then you bought the wrong car insurance

the insurance companies WANT to replace your windshield. They know that a bad windshield on your car is more likely to cause them more losses in the future. A driver that can't see is not a good risk, thus the low deductible.

The odds that you woudl actually "see" the rock (pebble) that strikes your windshield are very low. I've never seen any rocks hit my windshield. And I've replaced two in twenty years. It happens.

Frankly, far better that the rock hit your windshield than your hood. The insurance company is not going to pay to repair the hood dent or the paint dings. Well, they will with a $1000 deductible or so.

You want a sob story? While driving, I got hit IN THE SUNGLASSES today by some errant road gravel. Talk about lucky.

jbollt

I am almost ready to make a first week report on my loaded Desert Sand TCH, but I have a couple of questions for the group.

When I called my insurance company, (Geico) they couldn't identify the VIN as a Hybrid, and had to manually input the info (air bags, 4cyl, etc) to come up with a quote. It turned out to be a fairly large increase ($197 increase for 6 months!) over the 03 Highlander V6 that I replaced (MSRPs were within $500).

I thought I had read here somewhere that insurance companies were discounting the insurance for Hybrids, but now I can't find any posts referencing this.

I ended up changing ins. comnpanies, and am now paying less than before for same coverage, but my questions to you all are:

When your insurance company input the VIN for the Hybrid, did it show as a 4cyl Hybrid?

Did they mention any discount for the Hybrid?

Did your ins. go up or down with the Hybrid?

I guess it would also be beneficial to know what year and make vehicle you were replacing, (and approx MSRP?)?.

Insurance company?

Thanks!

"The blue glow of EXCELLENT"!

Jeff

cbear9494

Am picking up my White TCH tomorrow after leather seats are installed. Can't wait...got to drive it yesterday. I just got off the phone with my insurance company...USAA.

>When your insurance company input the VIN for the Hybrid, did it show as a 4cyl Hybrid?
I think so...they didn't say differently. If you do a VIN search yourself on some of the free sites it should show up as such...mine did.

>Did they mention any discount for the Hybrid?
No

>Did your ins. go up or down with the Hybrid?
Went up but upgraded from a 2000 car. Not really that much all in all.

I guess it would also be beneficial to know what year and make vehicle you were replacing, (and approx MSRP?)?.

>Insurance company?
If you qualify for USAA (veteran, child of veteran, or govt employee) I've always found their rates better than any other private insurance company by several hundred dollars over the past decade+. Great service as well.

Can't wait to have it in hand finally. One thin I didn't fully know all the answers to were the security questions. Does the FOB count as a security feature? Does anyone know the exact security specs of the TCH that an insurance company would value?

primo2

my ins. co. said that because it was an 07 model and so new...they didn't have the info needed to present an immediate quote...i replaced my 2000 town n country mini van...my coverage dropped by 200.00...got discount for having the security system that comes with the TCH...hope i have been of some help...Primo

willybill

I have American Family and when I gave them the VIN NUmber, the declaration page came back as a Honda Civic. I had to call them about it. The rate went UP but just a little over the Honda Pilot SUV I had.. I sort of expected an increase due to the high cost of replacing components such as a Hybrid battery and 7 airbags. The end result was only about a $20 increase for the six month premium period..

kc_rusty

I'm with farmers and they had no problem with the vin - identified it as a hybrid. Agent stated she believed a hybrid discount was in the works but had no details. I didn't replace a car but added it to our policy with full business coverage - price went down about $60 every 6 months it's now less than my '98 outback or my '94 dell sol

wvgasguy

I tried to get a quote to possibly switch to AARP. They couldn't be definitive on it as the hybrid, nor any 2007's showed up. I told them I wasn't switching until I knew exactly what it would be.

When I got the TCH my insurance went down about $10/month. It's hard to say what all is involved as I went from a $48,000 MSRP 4wd 315hp vehicle to a <$31,000 vehicle with gobs of airbags. Anyway I don't think Nationwide really has it in their system either but I do have insurance. It will be interesting to see what quotes I get in September when AARP told me they could have a firm (long term) pricing.

jbollt

I actually switched to AARP insurance, thru The Hartford Co. Apparently, they saved me a bundle! They entered my VIN, and it didn't show up, so they input 2007 Camry, 4 cyl, 4 door, all the safety items, etc, and gave me a quote...for a full year policy...$512. Of course, the premium all depends on many factors: liability levels, deductible, zip code, driving record, credit score!..etc, etc.

A week later, the policy is fully paid for, in force, and it is significantly lower than 3 other insurance quotes I received. I just hope it doesn't change upwards when they get the 2007 model year info into their system.

midnightcowboy

Not all speedometers have the same accuracy. It also depends on you tires and how much air pressure they have. Get a portable GPS if you want an accurate speedometer, within .1 mph. Otherwise, there are just too many factors.

Also if your speedometer is off then you odometer off and also any mpg , dte , avg economy and other fuel related metrics.

LOL if that is you only worry you are lucky,

YMMV,

MidCow

P.S. - wait until you get you next elctric bill

midnightcowboy

You missed the key word "former" LOL

wvgasguy

I just hope it doesn't change upwards when they get the 2007 model year info into their system.

I told them that's all that I'm waiting on, a firm number based on my actual car. I've had nationwide now for 37 years and can't complain but I've decided that I'm not going to give them $50 a month that I don't need to.

I'm already looking at the house insurance and plan to switch both as soon as they can commit long term.

ceguy

I switched to AARP last year from Allstate Gave them the cars, the house and the umbrella. Saved me almost half

gagrice

When your insurance company input the VIN for the Hybrid, did it show as a 4cyl Hybrid?

Did they mention any discount for the Hybrid?

Did your ins. go up or down with the Hybrid?

I have Farmers in CA. They had to see the window sticker on my GMC to verify it was a Hybrid. The rate went down by $163 every 6 months. I pay $453 per 6 months in San Diego. I have $120/$240 deductible. I could get it cheaper by going with higher deductible and not having $1,000,000 liability. So Farmers in CA do discount for hybrids. Not sure about other states.

mfletou1

With AllState, they asked the make, model, and trim level. Their system had "Hybrid" as a seperate trim level, and it shows up as "2007 Toyota Camry HYB" on my insurance.

Rate went up about $15 a month, but its replacing a 2002 Intrigue that's worth far less than half what the TCH is so I was pleasantly surprised.

oracle_of_rock

Stopped at a local Toyota dealership the other day and after discussing the pros of a Camry Hybrid, the sales person mentioned that power wise, an 07 Hybrid had almost as much power as my 03 Camry LE V6 (3.0L) -- I wouldn't be able to tell a difference. From what I've read, the hp ratings for the hybrid are slightly less than my 03 V6 BUT we were discussing power as it relates to "real world" issues such as acceleration.

Does anyone have "real world" experience with this power situation?? :confuse: Is the acceleration about the same or is it noticeably less in the hybrid?? :confuse:

I noticed in the 03 Camry 4-cycle models there was a considerable different in the noise levels -- my V6 was considerably more quiet. How about noise levels in the hybrid?? :confuse:

Finally, does the AC work as well in the hybrid as it does in the V6?? :confuse: The dealer didn't have a Camry hybrid to drive at the time but I did drive a Prius. I wasn't impressed with its AC or the AC in the 07 Camry 4-cycle (when compared to my V6/AC combination).

Thanks for your help!!

larsb

Power is PLENTY ABUNDANT in the TCH. My kids were amazed at how they were pushed back in the seat the first time I floored it for them, as was my Mom.

The TCH is DEATHLY quiet, even with the gas engine running.

I am in PHoenix, and we had about 10 days over 110 degrees in July, including a 118 degree day. The A/C never even needed to be set all the way to LO.

No Toyota I have ever owned (4 of them now) has ever had a less than awesome A/C. The TCH is no different - it will suffice for any situation I have seen in 4,000 miles of driving it so far.

kc_rusty

I needed to retrieve a package from the trunk of my TCH last night and used the key to open it - wanted to test to see if its worked. This morning I tried to get in the trunk with the remote, the inside latch and the pressure plate on the trunk. No luck - but the key stilled worked.
Went to the dealer's service dept and explained it and it appears I left the key position in the vertical position when I removed it thus enabling the valet mode I'm sure I read about that somewhere but I guess it didn't stick.. Won't do that again... Too many bells - Too many whistles

keithl

Does anyone have "real world" experience with this power situation?? Is the acceleration about the same or is it noticeably less in the hybrid??

I noticed in the 03 Camry 4-cycle models there was a considerable different in the noise levels -- my V6 was considerably more quiet. How about noise levels in the hybrid??

Finally, does the AC work as well in the hybrid as it does in the V6?? The dealer didn't have a Camry hybrid to drive at the time but I did drive a Prius. I wasn't impressed with its AC or the AC in the 07 Camry 4-cycle (when compared to my V6/AC combination).


The Camry Hybrid is a tad sluggish off the line, but as soon as the ICE kicks in the acceleration is good. There are a few factors that affect this, first the EV motor is good to get th eacr rolling, but the ICE has more power. Once the car is rolling the TCH is better than most 4 cylinder car sI have ever driven and as good as many America 6 cyl.
Also the TCH uses a CVT and they are not great with low end torque, but once the sucker is rolling it is very good.

As for noise the 4 is a tad noiser thana 6, but toyota builds very quiet cars, this TCH is really at least as quiet as my 06 TL was.

The AC is the TCH is the best AC I have ever had in ANY car!! I suspect the fact that is does nto need moter RPMS to work it can crank out cool air on demand. This is the first car I have ever had to raise the temp on the AC to 72 becasue I was getting too cold! ECO mode struggles to keep the car cool on a bright sunny day, but once I tinted the windows ECO mode works effortlessly!

ck90211

I too have USAA, and when I called to get quote for a new Camry Hybrid the premium is higher than what I got (online) at Geico online. Is Geico just doing to bait (low quote initially) and switch (increase the price once I sign up)? Or is Geico really cheaper than USAA? I have USAA for 10+ years and always thought they were the best/cheapest around. Perhaps I am wrong all these years. :confuse:

jbollt

Geico wanted to charge me about $197 more per 6 months for the TCH over the 03 Highlander I replaced.. It sure didn't seem like bait and switch to me! I switched to a different carrier, and I had been with Geico for some time! I went with AARP's Insurance plan, but not everyone is over 50.

cbear9494

Hmmm are you sure the coverage levels were the same? USAA beat my Geico quote by quite a bit. I don't know about bait and switch. Perhaps you could run the Geiico quote by the USAA folks and see what they say.

-C

aaeeekg

I have one more data point for everyone.

I had Farmers on my trade in, a 97 Chrysler LHS, which I also still had full coverage on for some reason. When I got the premium notice listing the Camry (loaded Desert Sand by the way) it was only $75 more semi-annually as compared to the LHS. I was happy already. The following day I got an updated notice showing a change to reflect it as having "alternative fuel" rating as well. This premium dropped further.

From this I conclude that Farmers offers a 10% discount between an 07 4cyl Camry and a TCH. My premium dropped from $400 to $361.

Karen_S

A national newspaper is looking to interview consumers who have decided to purchase a fuel-efficient car, such as a hybrid or a subcompact car, versus buying a pickup truck. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, August 9, 2006 by 2:30 PM PT/5:30 PM ET containing your daytime contact information and what car you purchased and what pickup truck you were considering buying.

midnightcowboy

I am paying $4,914.72 per year for car insurance. Am I paying too much?

Thanks,

MidCow

larsb

not if the following situations apply:

1. You've had 12 DUIs in the last 3 years.
2. You've had 16 "at fault" accidents.
3. You are a 17-yr-old male driver.
4. You have 1200 unpaid parking tickets.

:shades:

kdhspyder

'Scuse me????

Do you have a rental fleet at home???

$1800 total for 3 vehicles, MR2, Highlander V6 4WD, Prius.