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Toyota Sienna 2004+
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Comments
In the mean time, I found this stuff to dampen the vibration. The Taupe matches perfectly
http://www.duckproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=5&subid- =23&plid=102&PID=1571
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
A newspaper reporter would like to talk with recent minivan buyers who live in Michigan. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com or swebster@freepress.com with your daytime phone number by Thursday, June 17, 2004.
Thanks, Jeannine Fallon
PR Director, Edmunds.com
Steve, Host
Also, pull a little on both the inside and outside handles will trigger the power sliding doors to operate. Lift the handle will also power open the liftgate. Pull on the strap will power close it as well. They all would auto reverse if encountered resistance during operation.
The power is controlled by a switch on the dash near driver's left knee.
The fusebox for this fuse is under the dash and there are no spares. The fuse is not a standard mini fuse like the ones under the hood (which do have spares).
I've been to some auto supply stores, but they had never seen a fuse like that.
Has anyone found where to buy these fuses?
Barry
Source: Edmunds Vans Newsletter and www.safercar.gov
Steve, Host
It appears to happen most when I go to accelerate or have a sudden change in speed. Also have noticed this problem while the cruise is on.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Any ideas on how to keep it tight? I am afraid if I use something on the threads, it will effect the quality of the radio reception.
Given the configuration of the car; the distance of the seats from the sides and that armrests, it would be very difficult to lean on the sides of the car in any case. In addition most modern child seats and boosters have considerable head bolsters that keep the child centered in the seat.
We have the side curtain bags with 3 children and an 8 passenger (which has less room from the outside seats to the sides of the vehicle) and have had no problem with our kids being near the sides.
The benefits of a side curtain are considerable as has been shown by the IIHS tests. Some info can be found at the IIHS web site.
http://www.hwysafety.org/news_releases/2004/pr041804.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/news_releases/2003/pr082603.htm
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_smsuv_cu- rrent.htm
Notice the difference in the results for identical cars (Accord and Camry) with and without side curtain airbags. In the unfortunate chance that you need them, they could be the difference between a deadly accident and debilitating or possibly just walking away.
Personally, I won't buy another vehicle without Side Curtains or Vehicle Stability Control.
The hybrid will be a bit later and will use the same system shown on the RX330 and the Highlander. I believe it will be AWD
We don't know all the changes obviously, but as 05 production will be starting soon we will soon know.
Sienna may be beyond 2005
2005 Sienna changes – most car manufacturers do some minor cosmetic changes for their 2nd year models, and this will include the Sienna. We can always be surprise though!
For me, whether it is model year 04 or 05, I think that I will be looking for options that will improve a little for safety in a Sienna now that my wife have a changed of heart (again) and willing to give up her SUV
Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side and three-row side curtain airbags
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) + Traction Control (TRAC)
Rear disc brakes
If I am happy with the price and options available, I will not wait for the 05. If one can, another 2-3 months won't hurt
We're a family of six, so the LE8 was the way to go. Would've preferred an XLE8, but it's not offered. Need the extra two seats for friends and family visiting. Works great, roomy, comfortable, reliable, and that Toyota quality. Nice van. Go for it. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you.
The outer seats are very easy to flip up with the same lever used to adjust the back rest angle (this is a two step process, fold the seat back flat and then pull the lever to fold the whole seat forward).
We have a LE8 with package BW (7) and are pleased with it, we live in west Michigan and the VSC and TRAC came in handy several times last winter. Get the gray interior.
When I bought the Sienna for my wife, the important options that I looked for was to enhance the safety feature of the car so I decided to get the LE with Package#7 that includes vehicle stability control, traction control and rear disc brakes.
Wife is happy with the Sienna, I feel comfortable with the option I got. Now it is time to have some wishes -
1. Fog Light if it can be installed
2. Rear spoiler mainly for the looks
3. The hood protector, hopefully to protect from debris and also for the looks
I read somewhere that maybe the clear hood protector is a better choice. Can someone direct me to the site I can look at for this one? Although the one being sold by Toyota if I can't get the clear one, will also be ok
Anyone has added the spoiler? Fog lights? Any problems with installing them? Thank you
Toyota Sienna Owners: Accessories & Modifications
Check out Car front end protective bras & film too.
Steve, Host
I understand that you can't post the URL, but can you tell me what to search under? I am not so great with all of this internet stuff, and it would be very helpful. Thank you so much!
Try plugging that into google.com or teoma.com.
Check out the Toyota Sienna Owners: Future Models board too.
Steve, Host
Sounds like the system used in the first generation Honda Odyssey. Maybe Toyota got it from Honda - don't know why Honda dropped it.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
Currently waiting for delivery of our Limited AWD w/ the HO pkg(Navigation and DVD). Does anyone know if there are port(s) to allow plugging in a game system (xbox, or playstation or game cube)? Thanks in advance
backster
Thanks for all the good info provided here. I have a question: Does the power seats that come in XLE or LE packages have memory setting for two drivers? I thought I read a post that this was going to be a hot feature in the 05'Honda. So I went to look at the brochure for Toyota and could find no mention of it.
Seems like such a basic feature to me, that I wouldn't have even thought about looking for it until someone else brought it up.
Those 2 missing feature was one of the few complains almost all XLE/Limited owners had. As I heard, Toyota will add power passenger seat for '05, but I'm not sure.
I will always wonder: Why there is no single car out today in the world with 'ALL' features combined (I'm not counting $100K Mercedes). Toyota itself has so many good features, and they're dividing them between the models. To name a few:
- Avalon - rain sensing wipers
- Matrix - when a bulb burns out you get a message exactly which bulb to replace
- Camry - power adjustable pedals
- Sienna - HID lamps, laser cruise, backup sensor and camera
The Avalon has both, power seat for psngr and memory seat for driver.
You read somewhere that gonna be a hot feature for the '05 Ody? Why should this be a 'hot' feature? Most other minivans already have them. All domestic had them already for years (Chrysler T&C Limited, Ford Windstar/Freestar Limited, Oldsmobile Silhouette GL, and will be on the Buick Terraza.)
Be aware, there's no spare tire, and the Dunlop run-flat tires are expensive to replace ($200+ each).
Also, is it possible to disable the parktronic or at least the sounds that it makes on the XLE Limited? Thanks very much.
You can disable the dynamic cruise control and go with traditional cruise control if you want. This is necessary when driving in heavy fog and rain. But the default is for the laser cruise to be selected when you turn cruise control on each time.
The advantage is you can set a highway speed you'll want to travel at and if you get into heavier traffic it'll automatically adjust and when the traffic improves, get back up to your preffered speed. Kind of a "set it and forget it" kind of thing. There's a big warning that the dynamic laser cruise control is not a subsitute for inattentive driving and that you still need to pay attention.
We love it, but are careful not to let it lull us into inattentiveness (which can happen quite easily if you are not careful). The first time the system brakes heavily and sounds the warning tone can be quite disconcerting.
You can turn the parktronic system completely off if you want. There's a button on the center console to do so. However, there's no way to just turn the sound off and keep the display which shows the approximate location of the obstruction. It's an either all or nothing system.
just my 2 cents. still a good van, but it makes it hard for me personally since i am spoiled by my current cars. almost to the point that i might wait to see if the 05 has it before i buy.
cheers,
al.
The biggest problem with it IMO is that it only allows limited input while the vehicle is moving, although that can be fixed. The Points of Interest (POI) database is somewhat lacking as well. Some places you'd think should be in there aren't. One especially useful feature is that it does a very good job of providing micro-level guidance once you're near a turn. It splits the screen and keeps the regular view on half the screen, and "draws" a picture of what you're going to do at the upcoming intersection/on ramp/etc. very clearly. I've never had any trouble deciphering the guidance even at complex intersections. Another feature I think is particularily nice is the route preview. It runs a cursor along the route on the map to show you which roads are included in the trip.
We didn't want the Nav and figured the DVD entertainment system was no way worth the cost - for once I'll side with Mr. West that you can score a pair of decent laptop DVD players or even the kind that hang between the seats in front of you for one third the price. In either case, we already have a car TV (with VCR) that plugs in just fine. The 115V outlet in back WOULD be nice though...just not worth 1600 bucks!
I do like the backseat audio - wherein the kids can listen to their noisy CDs while Mom and I can either talk or listen to the radio.
After a weekend roadtrip I'll concur with the comments about the laser speed control - nice, but limit use to when traffic is very light or passing is not an option. Each time you come upon a vehicle that must be passed, it slows you down to match his speed first, then you get over and it downshifts and slams the throttle open - unless you get over a couple hundred feet behind the guy. But it's easy enough to turn off when you're frustrated. I noticed it also senses when a person pulls in front of you and is going faster than you -- it doesn't slow you down then. That's a smart feature. Still lots to learn about.
I think the audio system is great. Listened to a range of music on our trip and it performed very well. RDS is cool if you live in an area with a decent selection - or are passing through an area.
I don't know if anybody else mentioned it, but my insurance cost on this van - brand new - is $70 less per six months than my 2000 LE. I figure it's all the safety and security features. But yes, I'm getting a little back from my insurer.