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Toyota Sienna 2004+
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Comments
They are still pricy though - Conner from Tire Rack was quoting someone ~$120 a tire the other day for a replacement sensor (over in Tires, tires, tires iirc).
Steve, Host
If they are all equally low on pressure it will not sense a problem. What it is really for is a relatively fast reduction in pressure.
So, beyond using the existing ABS sensors there is no wiring or added sensors. Other systems do use a pressure sensor in each wheel, these are much more damage prone and can suffer other types of failures.
connortirerack "Ask Connor at The Tire Rack" May 13, 2004 11:24am
Steve, Host
BUT--the way the t&c rear seat had numbered pulls makes it easier to understand how to fold and unfold the rear seat--nice feature. because the toyota is a bit like a puzzle. which won't take long to learn but longer learning curve. Sienna rocks.....for now.
A hestiant saleman told me the Nav system DOES NOT USE GPS! HE said sattelite-based systems have _many_ problems due to "fading"
The Toyota site has a disclaimer for the system indicating that "Discrepancies may be encountered between the system and your actual location."
Please ... can someone confirm that the Sienna system does not use GPS? I find it had to believe as it renders the system very prone to error.
Many Thanks
T
You're right about "a ton of electronic gizmos". One power door repair only would worth the cost of the plan. Just think of it as insurance. Hope you will never have to use it. Good luck!
If there's a lot of interest we can make a separate discussion like the Ody folks have.
Steve, Host
Yes. (at least in my zip code, yours may vary)
DVD is available as a stand alone option under the "options" tab (AFTER the "packages" and "interior" tabs on the 'Build Your Own' section of Toyota's website). The DVD system (with the power inverter which adds the two very handy 110v outlets) has a MSRP of $1599.
Hope this helps.
My worse fear was to become a dad that drives a mini-van, but crazy enough, I dont mind driving this car at all. To go from a 2001 Miata to a Sienna is a huge culture shock, but nevertheless, I'm so impressed by the drivability of this car, and the creature comforts that I've convinced my friends to order one too!
So far 200 miles and no problems! Just a simply delicious car.
GPS-based navigation systems can have problems due to poor signal reception. This is usually caused when you are in an area that doesn't have a clear view of at least a good portion of the sky. Usually this is caused by very steep hills/canyons. Or in the case of urban areas, narrow streets and very tall buildings (so called urban canyons).
To accomodate these conditions, Nav systems in cars usually have a secondary inertial system that employs a compass and is tied into the speedometer to give a rough idea of where you are should you lose the GPS signals. The accuracy of this secondary system isn't as good as the GPS-based one.
Neither system is foolproof. You may see descrenpencies due to the quality of the maps provided on DVD, or bad GPS satellite reception/geometry, or the electronic compass being messed up because of local magnetic disturbances.
I have rarely ever completely lost satellite reception due to urban conditons. Even when travelling on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge (San Francisco/Oakland, CA), I still had reasonable signal reception.
In short, the salesman you were talking to doesn't know much about satellite-based NAV systems in my opinion...
Check in at the Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel (55 Cyril Magnin Street) in San Francisco. When the valet brings your car around it will be 3 - 5 blocks before your rental car "EverLost" GPS system is able to figure out where it is and were it is going. It will keep cycling through a number of satellites before it identifies its location. Those buildings around Mission, Market, Ellis, etc probably define the term "urban canyon." By the time you get to the Bay Bridge (on any deck) you are clear sailing and the Nav system works fine. Same is true as you head out Van Ness toward the Golden Gate (and wine country ;o).
This is my experience on every visit to the Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel.
YMMV
In WA mountainous terrain it will often lose/regain about once a mile.
Most GPS-based NAV systems will allow you to initialize your starting posistion to make it easier for a) the inertial system to get a reasonable idea of where it is, and b) to make it easier for the GPS system to lock on to the satelllites.
Pacific Northwest.
there was a hybrid available now that gas is $2/gal.
The fleet is based in Santa Monica, so you have all the California formulated gas blends to deal with too.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
These navigation unit relies heavily on compass and VSS (vehicle speed sensor) to determine your position, with GPS as aid to "reset" your current location. Some fancier nav unit such as Pioneer actually has G-force sensors and incline sensor for added accuracy.
Here is a good page describing auto GPS navigation in layman's terms:
http://www.denso.com.au/dw/satnav/satnav_gen.htm
For both system, DVD is changed up in the ceiling RES unit where the screen is. The front 6CD changer headunit can only switch the audio to pipe DVD sound to speakers. However, if you have a navigation unit instead of the CD changer head unit, it will allow you full control (play pause menu selection etc).
Aftermarket units are the samething. Only thing you can do in the front is tune to the FM frequency where the DVD player is broadcasting so you hear sound through speakers. You could use the remote control to make changes, but you can't see the changes unless if you have a LCD screen up front hooked up to the DVD (which is illegal in many states).
I have already done all the negotiations and settled on the price, and the day is almost here when I will go and pick up the van.
Thx in advance to your advice.
Many Thanks for the link to Denso.
The Denso site said they were OEM for Aussie deliveries but didn't mention Worldwide or U.S.
I wonder why the systems don't use continuous GPS like the portable units do and then use the "dead-reckoning" system as a backup?
Thanks Again
T
I would like to know if anybody has put a 6 disk changer in the Ltd with NAV. I just got the van and any help would be highly appreciated.
Thankyou
Krystal
Thus, they are ignorant with many features available.
Everybody knows that NAV uses GPS! Heck, at least 12 of them orbiting in space!
I used to live in LA and suffered a similar problem with my VW Golf on some of the roads (134/210 and part of the 110).
I don't honestly know of a way to minimize this problem beyond putting a brace under the drivers side of the table so it no longer is a cantilever and will there for vibrate less. Try cutting a stick long enough that it slightly lifts the left edge of the tray, taking up all the slack in the articulating mounting. Put it about midway along the length of the tray (likely near the safety belt buckle area).
Hope that helps.