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Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • farrizfarriz Member Posts: 10
    I would like to know if I could wash the engine and other parts under the hood of my 92 Corolla.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    You need to be careful about washing an engine, as you don't want to be blowing things apart with too much pressure, or saturating certain accessories with water (like the alternator).

    I much prefer using a brush and a light, easily evaporating solvent, and then brush again with soap and water. You have more control and it comes out real nice.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    check out carcareonline.com - they have an article on how to wash your engine
  • 1438pepper1438pepper Member Posts: 1
    I have a new Corolla LE, Automatic with 2500 miles on it. I am only getting 23.5 mpg city driving.
    My method of figuring mileage is to fill the tank ('til the pump stops) , clear the odometer, drive, then refill the tank and and see how many gallons it takes, check the odometer and do the math.
    I am not a heavy-footed driver. This is mainly comute driving on the Olympic corridor between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Any ideas?
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    I've had my '01 LE (4 speed auto) for almost 1 year now - I get between 30-32 MPG in the city - I have even gotten more than that a couple of times - here's how I figure my mileage: when I stop for gas, I set one of my trip meters to "zero" - the next time I stop for gas, I fill up and let the pump stop automatically (I don't top it off) and then I divide the number of miles on the trip meter by the number of gallons it took to fill up - I also gently accelerate from a dead stop, such as at a red light - I keep my tires inflated to 32 PSI - I "coast" whenever I can - such as when I'm approaching a red light - check out fueleconomy.gov and click on the gas-saving tips for other suggestions - hope this helps
  • nhepker1nhepker1 Member Posts: 13
    I'm hoping that somebody here can help me. Just today when driving I tried to use the wipers on my 99 Corolla. When I turned them to Intermittent they ran at the low speed and when I turn them off they stop at that position rather than going all the way back down. Any ideas on what the problem could be? Is it something that I could fix myself or do I have to take it into the dealer?
  • jsleesijsleesi Member Posts: 33
    When I start the car in the morning, the engin chatters until engin warms up. The Chatter can last for about 5 miles or some times less.
    Can some one can give me some help?
    Changed oil every 3 k miles and taking good care of the car.
    I have not notice any power lose or gas mileage.

    Need your help. Thanks

    jsleesi
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    The new Toyota Corolla & Matrix Owners club now available on Edmunds.com Owners Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.

    I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in M & R.

    Looking forward to meeting everyone!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owners Clubs
  • falis01falis01 Member Posts: 9
    I have an 02 Corolla LE and I have an annoying intermittent squeak coming from the steering column or dash above it. It is a high pitched squeak that is not of a normal car squeak nature. I have taken it to 2 separate dealers 4 times now. The first time, I had to ride with the technician to show him the squeak, but because it was late in the day, I made another appointment for him to fix it. When I brought it back the next week, it wasn't squeaking. I made another appointment with another dealer when it started again, but when I took it in it, it wasn't squeaking even though it was squeaking earlier in the day. Today I took it in for another appointment and of course by the time I got the dealer the squeak had subsided. I have made arrangements to take it to the dealer as soon as it starts squeaking instead of the appt run around, but was wondering if anyone had a similar problem and can recommend a solution that may have worked on their car at another dealership. Thanks in advance!!!
  • deagleddeagled Member Posts: 20
    Celica GT-S or Matrix XRS owners may know about this...

    when rpm's are up around 6500, just after VVTL-i kicks in, I hear a strange noise. the noise is comming from the center console just under the shifter. Almost sounds like someone sucking on a straw. In other words it sounds like liquid being pushed through a hose or something.

    Ideas?
  • xr_matrixxr_matrix Member Posts: 96
    The sucking sound under your console is likely gas coming out of the tank at those revs :-)....I know I know, 100,000 comedians out of work and I am trying to be funny.
  • xr_matrixxr_matrix Member Posts: 96
    Would it be possible the ticking noise is your header plate cooling...have you heard this noise before on other vehicles? It is after you shut the engine off right? On a warm day when you run a car hard you will hear a lot of ticking...almost like a clock when you shut off the engine. When I am driving home and I am pushing the car a bit harder than normal, I will notice this ticking noise quite loud as I am turning of the lights to my garage...very normal, just metals cooling and nothing at all to worry about. With your car so new too I suspect it will have like a waxy odour as well...this is again a symptom of new metals cooling rapidly...just a thought.
  • deagleddeagled Member Posts: 20
    I hear this noise only when the car is running. I have heard what you are talking about, but that's not it. I appreciate your input though.
    Thanks.
  • gcboyd1gcboyd1 Member Posts: 11
    I've seen discussions about the '03 corolla's idling high (2,000 rpm) at startup, and I understand that it's to heat up the cat quicker for better emissions. My question regards idling after startup. While waiting at a stop, for example, tranny in drive, the engine seems to jump from about 600 to 1,000, then back down to 600. Anyone else notice this quirk? I'm thinking it's worth a trip to the dealer to check the idle control.
  • dogtrainerdogtrainer Member Posts: 96
    This isn't happening in my Matrix. Sounds worth having checked.
  • dmendeldmendel Member Posts: 16
    I have a 99 LE with 32,500 miles. I was hearing some noise in the front end when making a sharp left turn. I have noticed this for the past couple of months, maybe longer, so had it checked out when getting the oil changed. I was told that I need to replace both front tire rod ends. Sadly, my warranty expired in October, so it is not covered. My question: What could have caused this problem? I have never missed a service on this car -- it is well maintained, and, as you can see by the mileage, not driven very much. Is this something that should have been noticed at my 30,000 service (in August)? Many thanks. (Feel free to email me off the board as well: dmendel@alum.mit.edu)
  • canadaodyownercanadaodyowner Member Posts: 16
    We just picked up our 03 black Corolla CE yesterday. Test drive was smooth and no rattle/noise etc. Unfortunately we noticed few minor clearcoat scatches on each fender (probably wouldn't have been noticeable if it wasn't for the black colour). The sales rep. drove us to the detailer that prep'd the car to fix the scratches. After over half an hour of buffing and waxing they removed the scratches completely and both fenders appeared perfect.

    My concern is if all that buffing had compromised the durability of the factory clearcoat treatment. Should I be worried? I would really appreciate it if anyone can offer any suggestion/advice.
  • mcdawggmcdawgg Member Posts: 1,722
    Write to Corolland.com. You may not have a problem, just replace the tires with good ones.
  • teevee247teevee247 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1994 Corolla with the 1.6 and the 3 Speed Auto. transmission. I have a whining noise that my mechanic says is originating from the differential. The noise only started a few weeks ago and only becomes apparent when you are accelerating (no matter if its very light or heavy acceleration) .And in the last few days I've also noticed that the car seems to torque steer alot more, especially at wot. Also in the last few days, the car has been shaking on the highway, i can feel it thru the steering wheel and and also a little thru the shifter. It only becomes apparent at about 50mph up to 110mph.
  • just_some_guyjust_some_guy Member Posts: 52
    But more with the dealerships. How is it that I know more about this car than the guys selling it? That shouldn't happen. So far I've been told a couple of pretty blatent lies from other dealers but I put those down to simple scams to get more money. The first was a salesslime that told me that the car they had was 180hp. It wasn't, it was 130hp. That might have worked if I hadn't researched the car and didn't look closely at the sticker. Then another dealership tried to change the MSRP on the Nav system option. When I challenged them on it the slime said he'd throw in power windows. Power windows are standard on the model I'm getting. By the way in case I haven't mentioned it the car is a Matrix XRS.

    Well, today I go to a dealer that has an XRS with the Nav system just to see how it works. The dealer is about a 1.5 hours away. Saleslime comes out and opens the car up. I sit in the passenger seat while he starts it up and punches random buttons complaining that the service guys had "locked" the system. It didn't look like it was asking for a password or code to me. Finally he magically gets it "unlocked" and tries to bring up the map functions. Problem is that he doesn't have the map DVD in the drive so the Nav system just says something like "please insert map disc". He says that it hasn't been "programmed" yet. No, the disc isn't in there moron. So he plays around with the radio some. Then he says that "these 6 speeds are hard to get". I was just going to let the guy go until that. The 6 speed is STANDARD on the XRS. It might be ok to say that an XRS is hard to get but not the manual. So I decided to embaress the guy. I asked him where you put the CDs for the CD changer. It's a trick question if you don't know about the Nav system. On most Toyotas the CD changer is in the dash. But with the Nav system there's no room so the changer is under the passenger seat. This jerk pointed to the slot on the dash where the nav DVD disc goes. So I told him he was wrong and why he was wrong, but I didn't tell him where it was. He gets out of the car, goes to the back and opens the hatch and starts looking around. Then I say "Oh, here it is under the passenger seat". So then I remind him of what he said about the manual being hard to get. I ask him what it comes in standard. He says "Um, uh, automatic". BZZZZZ, oh, I'm sorry that's the wrong answer.

    Now here's what I can't get. It's this guy's JOB to sell Toyota's, why doesn't he know about this Toyota. Particularly when the company is running as many ADs as they are. Do they think no one's going to be interested? Or do they think people are only going to care about the color? My job is writing code. I KNOW how to program a computer. Why has NO dealer, INCLUDING the one I've order from, known as much or more than I do about this car?
  • TupTup Member Posts: 200
    After spending time researching to death the MAtrix on the internet, I knew more than the sales people...but then they probably know more about the 17 other models that they sell. Probably the best thing to do is have a broshure or printout of standard features with you. The sales people are in it to make money...many have no interest in a vehicle other than as a means to make money. I think in some places there is a high turnover on salepeople as they burn out. Try being enthusiastic to 30 customers who are only interested in test driving the newest product and are just going to waste your time. Some basic knowledge or interest should be present though and certainly helps. But then not everyone would know that a 6 speed isn't standard on the XRS.
  • canoe2canoe2 Member Posts: 128
    Probably you have a poor connection to your wiper motor and lack of lubrication to wiper arms. Do followings see if it helps
    a) Under the hood, there is a connector to you wiper motor terminal, remove it and clean with WD40
    b) Try to lubricate the mechanical moving parts of wipers
  • rollaman2rollaman2 Member Posts: 10
    Hello,

    My 2000 Corolla LE recently developed a periodic squeaking noise from the front left wheel. The squeak-squeak-squeak goes faster when the car is moving faster. It stops when I apply the brakes (the car is still moving). I appreciate any input. Thanks in advance.

    -Rollaman2
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    Sounds like the audible wear sensor on one of the brake pads.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    I don't think it's the pads. I'm inclined to say check the front bearings.
  • eharri3eharri3 Member Posts: 640
    I checked the oil lever on my Mom's 1.6 this weekend and the dipstick came out bone dry! Turns out she'd been driving around for a week like that with the engine running fine, the only clue something was wrong was that the light came on. It took over 3 quarts to get it to the full level again! My mom asked if driving with little or no oil could have caused permanent damage. My best guess was that whatever residual oil had been left coating the engine had been enough to keep it sufficiently lubricated for a few days, but there still could be damage. But if there was, she might as well just drive the car until the problems showed and then figure out what to do from there than pay for an expensive engine tear down when there might not even be a problem. Anybody else got any suggestions? Should I have told her different?
  • carguy62carguy62 Member Posts: 545
    My father has a '99 LE. Very poor mileage from day one. 21-22 mpg. Granted he does mostly short trips but even his eleven year old Escort does better. Of course the dealer says there is nothing wrong. Any ideas or thoughts? My thinking is there is a bad sensor related to the fuel mix or something along those lines.
  • gsbhasingsbhasin Member Posts: 21
    Has anyone tried pushing their 3 speed Corolla VE or CE to over 85 miles per hour on the Interstate?

    I was going to Vegas from LA and everybody else was like on 95 miles per hour.

    This baby (2002 CE 3-speed) would groan and moan a lot but damn would not go over 85.

    And even at over 75 its like all hell break loose :-(
  • eharri3eharri3 Member Posts: 640
    The gearing probably isn't right for it since you lack an over drive, and revving the engine so high for extended periods of time will accelerate wear. That's one of the few faults I find with Toyota... I don't think any modern automatic should have fewer than 4 forward speeds.
  • pasqualpasqual Member Posts: 22
    My power window and locks stop functioning on my 90Corolla LE from any door.Has anyone had a similar problem with a solution.Hope it's not the master switch on the driver's door, Toyota wants 350.00
  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    i would check an independent garage that has experience working on Toyotas. $350 is a lot for a 12 year old car esp for power windows
  • pasqualpasqual Member Posts: 22
    I feel the same way.You wonder the markup dealers make when they know the item can't be bought aftermarket.
  • aaron300zaaron300z Member Posts: 19
    it's not worth it to fix it. If i were you and you are in the mood for a nice ride, get the 2003 Corolla S model.
  • farrizfarriz Member Posts: 10
    I have a 92 corolla with the automatic transmission shift lever cover damaged. Iam able to shift the gears but I am not able to tell if the lever is in D or 2 or L since the gear shift indicator is damaged. I checked with the dealer he says the part costs only $6 but labor
    will cost around $200. Is there a cheaper way to fix this. I do not have a problem driving the car as it is but when I took to inspection here in NJ they rejected it saying that the indicator has to be fixed. Last time they passed the inspection without any question but this time they want me to fix it.
  • valleyguyvalleyguy Member Posts: 11
    Recently had to replace the engine mounts on my 120k '94 due to the same thing. Made a huge difference. Have it checked out.
  • inkiinki Member Posts: 15
    I've had my Matrix for 24 hours; this morning I noticed that the door ajar light won't shut off even if all the doors are shut tight and locked. The only way to get it to turn off is to walk to the back of the car and open and shut the hatchback. The next I time I start the car, run it, and then shut off, the light comes back on, even if I haven't touched the hatch. Anyone else having trouble with the hatch?
  • inkiinki Member Posts: 15
    Okay, my Toyota is smarter than I am. In case anyone else experiences this oddity, here's the explanation: when you lock the hatchback door, if you turn the key too far to the left, it causes the hatch window to open (it may not appear to be open, but it is unlatched). So that's why the door ajar light stays on even when everything seems to be closed. To properly lock the hatch, you have to turn the key to about 7 o'clock and then stop-- don't let it go all the way to 9 o'clock or the window becomes unlatched and you won't even know it.
  • leafguy2727leafguy2727 Member Posts: 83
    Why are the keys even coming near the outside of the car? Your remote unlocks and locks everything. If you haven't touched the hatch there there is nothing to lock. If you use the hatch all you have to do is close it, it re-locks automatically.
  • inkiinki Member Posts: 15
    I have the base model with no power locks or windows, hence no remote. So, to use the hatch I have to turn the key (pretty primitive, I know). When you turn the key too far to the left it pops open the glass. It's pretty awkwardly configured. But for the 99% of you who have power locks this will never be an issue.
  • canadaodyownercanadaodyowner Member Posts: 16
    Visit http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/Index.cfm and search on NHTSA Campaign ID Number 02V074001 for an unpleasant surprise. I am going to call Toyota Canada tomorrow.
  • xr_matrixxr_matrix Member Posts: 96
    Wow...that is not good!

    As the Matrix is essentially the same vehicle mechanically and built in the same plant in Ontario, I would recommend that current Matrix owners tell your local service manager about this and he/she may suggest bringing it in for a tension check on those bolts. I would if I was the service manager...It would only take 10 minutes for each vehicle...and there aren't that many out there yet!
  • leafguy2727leafguy2727 Member Posts: 83
    LOL never thought of that!!!
  • just_some_guyjust_some_guy Member Posts: 52
    I've seen another post either here or on Usenent with a link that says this ONLY affects Corrolas and Vibes made at the US plant. I think I remember reading somewhere that no Corollas are being made at the Canada plant right now.
  • TupTup Member Posts: 200
    Yup, just the nummi plant...however, Corollas are being made in Canada. In fact I think all corollas sold in Canada are made at the Cambridge plant.
  • canadaodyownercanadaodyowner Member Posts: 16
    I received this reply from John Granery within 24 hours of sending my question. Impressive. Thanks John. Here it goes:

    Thank you for your query to Transport Canada's Road Safety web feedback. The 2003 Toyota Corolla US safety recall issued by the NHTSA on March 26 applies only to vehicles built at the NUMMI plant in California. All Toyota Corollas sold in Canada are built at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada plant in Cambridge, Ontario. Canadian Corollas do not have the axle assembly problem, and Toyota Canada is not issuing a recall. Road Safety is everone's concern. Thankyou for participating in our Road Safety Programs.
    John Granery
    Transport Canada.
  • jciprianojcipriano Member Posts: 4
    I bought my matrix the end of February, XR model indigo ink blue. Had some problems, the passenger side window did not work (power windows). So that turned out to be a wiring problem. The CD player made scratching noises constantly, so the whole thing was replaced. Now, I just recently got my windows tinted, and my back windows will not roll down properly. Seems to be the rubber molding on the inside of the car, is causing too much friction with the windows. That needs to be fixed yet. Anyone else having these problems? or do I have bad luck? The dealer told me they have no other complaints so far with any matrix they have sold. Other than that, it's a great car.
  • TupTup Member Posts: 200
    No problems here with the Matrix. The rear hatch does sometimes make a short squeek when it's opened after being closed for some time. Also, there's a small rattle from the passengers side area but I know how to stop it so it's just a matter of taking the time to wedge someting to prevent the rattle. Other than that it's been fine.

    Normally when they tint the windows they take the door panel off...could they have caused your rear window problems.
  • 1matrix1matrix Member Posts: 47
    Can any Matrix XR owner confirm whether this vehicle comes with a "lockable illuminated glove box" and "interior mirror-mounted maplights"? The U.S. version of the 2003 Toyota Matrix brochure and Toyota's website seem to list them.

    However, a previous response I received said reading lights only come with the moonroof option. Is that true?
  • jciprianojcipriano Member Posts: 4
    Hi 1matrix,

    I don't have a lockable illuminted glove box, but I do have interior mirror mounted map lights, that comes standard with the XR. I'm not aware of any moonroof option (probably a different cdn package).
    I know there are different options and packages in the states.
  • mpynempyne Member Posts: 120
    who else has a corolla thats pulling left. funny my geo metro drove straighter than this. my car is started to make me not happy
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