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Toyota Sienna 2004+

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    mnrep2mnrep2 Member Posts: 200
    Don't forget about trying to make a left turn across traffic on a snow / slush covered road, or climbing a hilly driveway, or merging on to a highway. These are just several ways that AWD will TRUMP 2wd EVERY TIME.
    :shades:
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    jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I know CarMax-Laurel Toyota in Maryland had a few Package 8 Siennas a few days ago. Might want to try there.

    The Package 8 should include memory seats but I'm not sure on the power folding mirrors.
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    dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    "Don't forget about trying to make a left turn across traffic on a snow / slush covered road, or climbing a hilly driveway, or merging on to a highway. These are just several ways that AWD will TRUMP 2wd EVERY TIME"

    Not if the FWD has snow tires and AWD does not as I said in my post. ;) :shades: Also being able to stop is always more important than being able to go.
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    beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    Hmmm... I never used snow tires in 25 years of living in Chicago and only got stuck once. Just a thought. Oh - did I mention it was RWD only in those days?

    AWD and Traction Control numb my senses and make me lazy at the wheel. I just got back into RWD!!! Yummy. :)
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    mnrep2mnrep2 Member Posts: 200
    I will aggree that snow tires will make a difference stopping. But the AWD with all seasons will still out do the snow tire equipped fwd in the scenarios that I listed originally... IMHO :)

    Beernut, we are talking minivans here not rwd sport sedans ! But I'm happy for ya :shades:
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    beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    Thanks. Its a coupe, actually. The point is that everybody's needs are different. IMO, anybody that finds themselves in a position where they REALLY need AWD in a mini-van probably shouldn't have gotten themselves there in the first place. We operate over 100 vehicles in the construction field. I was responsible for purchasing many of them and, as directed, bought all 4WD units... very much against my better judgment. Just having 4WD CAUSES our people to drive where they shouldn't - and when they do, they get in trouble.

    Technically speaking, rep2, nothing can be as capable in snow or mud as AWD or some other rendition of 4WD. But... weighing the purchase cost, maintenance, insurance and other doo-dad costs of AWD against one's real need often results in a FWD choice, like it did for me.
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    mnrep2mnrep2 Member Posts: 200
    Gottcha, I travel for a living in the midwest. Do I have to have AWD? No, but when I am in Minot, ND after 8 inches of snow, I like having it. Please no warning about I shouldn't drive in the first place. I understand when it is safe to drive and when it is not.

    Living in the midwest my whole life I have learned how to drive on snow and understand the reality of traction both stopping and going! For me AWD is an awesome option and my G 35X and Mini-Van, have to have it ;)

    So Far in 8 years of owning awd mini vans I have spent a grand total of $400.00 in maintenance of the AWD!!! If I stayed in a hotel for an extra weekend every time is snowed while I was traveling. I would have spent a lot more money than that. In other words the added maintenance thing doesn't really hold a lot of water. For me that is :D
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    dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Front wheel drive and 4 snow/ice tires has gotten me everywhere I need to go in South Dakota for the last 15 years. Weather has never made me change my drivng plans (unless the roads are closed and your drive wheels are a moot point). The roads are always closed before I start having trouble driving, so even a hummer with studded tires is not allowed to drive (they put the steel gates accross the interstate).

    I can't even count the number of AWD vehicles I pass that are in the ditch (often shorty after they pass me - seems they always have to pass the non AWD to show how good their vehicle is in the snow). I know not everybody with AWD winds up in the ditch (and some may be very good drivers) but there sure are a lot of them there.
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    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    there is a wide world, a HUGE wide world, of difference between most AWD systems and any 4WD/4X4. And I'm not speaking on/of the issue of low range gearing.

    There is NO AWD system that is based on a FWD platform that will provide satisfactory service if you are used to driving a 4WD. And there are very few AWD systems that are based on rear drive platforms (no need).
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    beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    Minot? In the winter?

    YUK!
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    mnrep2mnrep2 Member Posts: 200
    Minot? In the winter?

    YUK!

    Well not on purpose :P The air force base had a need to see me, and of course along came 8 inches of the white stuff.
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    jason0820jason0820 Member Posts: 21
    I want to do the next oil change on wife's 2005 Sienna, and wondering if the 8,000 lbs. standard Rhino ramps I use on my passenger car is also O.K. for the minivan?
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    beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    A lot depends on the safe condition of the ramps and what they sit on. All things being secure and in serviceable shape, 8k# is a lot of ramp. The Owner's Manual or door-jamb placards should give you the front axle weight. How does that compare to your sedan? How does that compare to 8k# per wheel? The problem I've seen is whether the van is high enough to even get ramps under the fascias.

    Lucky for me, my wife is small enough that she can get right under there without lifting the van up at all. By the time I get back with beer, she's usually done.
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    dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    LOL - Must be nice!
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    linealinea Member Posts: 9
    I have Sienna 2005 and have similar problem. Dealer also could not find any error codes. How was your issue resolve?
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    hightidehightide Member Posts: 2
    Is the all in price of $21950.00 US from a Toyota dealer too much for a certified used 2004 Sienna XLE with 52,000 miles on it? Thanks.
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    taxesquiretaxesquire Member Posts: 681
    I have an '04 XLE - there were more than 26 option packages available (I remember b/c they ran into the double-letters - AA, BB, etc). It was guite a headache figuring out which one we wanted!!! :sick: Anyway, you need to know the options to know the proper price.
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    coupedncalcoupedncal Member Posts: 252
    Another way to look at it this way. You can pick up a brand new 2006 Sienna LE for about that price (+ tax & lic). Ask yourself if those extra options are worth two years of depreciation and 52k miles. Just another angle.
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    solanasolana Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2004 Sienna LE for over 2 years but only during the past months I noticed this problem and I wonder if someone has/had a similar issue.
    1. The temperature dial is in COOL (blue area)
    The air conditioning is off but the fan is on (it is almost Spring all year around in the South of CA, therefore air conditioning is hardly used, but fan YES!)

    2. The outside temperature is about 60 degrees. I turn the fan on. It is night time, no sun. The traffic is heavy and the speed is slow or car is iddle for some minutes. The temperature blown by the fan into the car interior is hot. If I do not open all the windows the inside temperature rises to 90 degrees as if I had the heating on.
    3. Car is under waranty and dealer said that this is the way it works because the air that comes from outside is directed though the ducting that is near the engine and ducting gets hot because of the engine.
    4. I cannot understand why Toyota has not insulated the ducting or found another system to get fresh outside air through the vents.
    I requested an appointment with a factory specialist.
    Any comments?
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    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    You're getting a extra heavy load of BS from your dealer.

    While it is true that the airflow from the system will have been heated slightly, certainly not enough to raise 60F to ~90F. Your Toyota does not have have a shutoff valve to prevent HOT engine coolant from flowing through the heater core mounted within the plenum of the climate control system. But it DOES have a reheat/remix airflow routing vane that should be preventing ANY system airflow from being routed through that heater core.

    But try this:

    Turn the system to dash (cooling) airflow routing (not defrost/defog/demist, full or partial), the coldest setpoint with the A/C on, engaged.

    After about thirty seconds turn the A/C compressor off.

    The reheat/remix vane/door should remain in the full cooling position, no portion of the system aiflow being heated, and with the A/C compressor off the aiflow from the dash outlets might be a few degrees above OAT The lower the blower speed the greater the difference between OAT and system airflow will be.

    If this doesn't work then go to the dealer and ask them to fix the reheat/remix "mixing" vane/door positioning servomotor or push/pull cable, whichever your Toyota uses.
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    solana1950solana1950 Member Posts: 1
    The problem is getting even worse: Last night (outside temperature 45 degrees), I drove the car for 5 blocks. I left it parked for one hour in an outside parking lot. When I got on the car I turned the fan on, just as a test. The air from the vents was very warm. Immediately I opened the hood and realized that the temperature of the engine was very warm in particular the area underneath the windshield. I could not understand how the temperature of the engine could be so warm 30 seconds after I tuned the engine on at 45 degrees of outside temperature!
    Following your advice I tuned the AC on. To my surprise, I verified that the air coming from the right vent was very cold but the air from the left vent was still very warm.
    It is evident that now the AC is working on only one vent but besides that the flow of warm air throght the vent with the fan on and the temperature dial all the way to COOL is still a mystery.
    The dealer will hear from me today again!
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    jzwujzwu Member Posts: 10
    I bought my '04 Sienna CE new in Feb. 2004 from a Southern CA dealer. Let's see how this highly rated van did in the past 2 years and 9 months. It currently has 38k miles on it.

    First, it had 4 recalls so far as I received in the mail: radiator, power steering pump, mid row passenger side seat belt anchor, and sliding door bottom leak. Dealer fixed them all for free.

    In addition, front brakes went down to nothing at 25k miles. I replaced the pads at my own cost.

    At 27k miles all four OEM Dunlop tires went bald. I replaced them at my own cost.

    The right sliding door became sticky and sometimes even I have difficulty to open/close it. My daughters are struggling everyday. CE does not come with automatic doors. It could be worse with auto doors as I heard from some owners.

    Now the mid row driver side seat belt does not click in the receptor so the seat cannot be used (at least no one will kick my seat back for a while). I will go to the dealer to get it fixed. It should be free. Hope Toyota will not screw me up on this.

    I am not sure whether I am just an unlucky owner or not, but it seems most of the problems listed here are not uncommon.

    This is my first Toyota and I have owned Mazda (used), Volvo (used), Honda (new) and Nissan (new) in the past. You probably already guessed that this Toyota is the least reliable among them all. During my ownership of all the cars, Honda was the most reliable.

    So what's up with all the rave about Toyota quality? Or, am I just a bad exception?
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    gregkogangregkogan Member Posts: 3
    Hi,
    I just bought Toyota Sienna 2006. I really like this future and would like to have it on my Minivan. I was wondering if you could to email me how to activate day time running lights on it.My email is: gk1107@optonline.net.
    Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter.
    Greg.
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    taxesquiretaxesquire Member Posts: 681
    We have an '04 that has "issues," but we expect a large part of that is due to an accident that occurred about a year ago.

    FWIW, I don't know that your break pad and tire wear can be blamed on Toyota. That's generally a driver-caused issue.
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    jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    I know that a Sienna Owner's Club somewhere on the internet (I cannot post a direct link, as it is another message board) has complete instructions on how to activate your DRLs, I believe.

    If you do a Google search for "Sienna Club" it'll be the first result, and some poking around after that should lead you to your answer :)
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    dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Have not noticed the slightest vibration after a year with an 06 Sienna.
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    c2rosac2rosa Member Posts: 76
    Toyota May Recall Minivans Pending Result of Probe
    Bloomberg

    By Naoko Fujimura and Tetsuya Komatsu

    Dec. 7, 2006

    Toyota Motor Corp., the world's second-largest automaker, may recall its 2004 and 2005 Sienna minivans with power rear liftgates, pending the result of an investigation by U.S. safety regulators.

    “We will wait for the result of the investigation and judge whether to file a recall,” Shiori Hashimoto, a spokesman at Toyota said today. “The case is now under investigation, and Toyota is fully cooperating with it.”

    The Siennas are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after reports of 14 injuries when the liftgates unexpectedly closed. Toyota is facing challenges to its reputation for quality as Japan's transport ministry earlier this year ordered the company to improve its oversight of defects after a probe into a recall of its Hilux sport-utility vehicle.

    “This size of recall is common among global automakers, said Tsuyoshi Segawa, an equity strategist at Shinko Securities Co. in Tokyo. “If a company tries to hide a defect, it will lose trust among consumers.”

    Gas in high-pressure struts that open and close the liftgates may leak because of a faulty seal, the Washington-based agency said on its Web site. The inquiry covers 142,418 of the minivans, the regulators said.

    The investigation, which started on Dec. 1, involves an engineering analysis after the regulators began the initial probe in August, Hashimoto said.

    In the U.S., Fitch Ratings in August said Toyota's brand image may be hurt by an increasing number of recalls. The company has recalled at least 1.28 million vehicles in Japan so far this year.

    Shares of Toyota rose 0.7 percent to 7,030 yen at the 3 p.m. close on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The stock has risen 15 percent so far this year, compared with a 2.3 percent gain in the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What year was this feature added?

    Reason I ask is I'm looking at some used models, and not sure if the models with the NAV system had backup cams all along, or were they added for 05 or 06?

    -juice
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    gregkogangregkogan Member Posts: 3
    I have Toyota Sienna CE 2006. I already activated Day Time Running lights on it (using advice of the one of the member of the forum). I was wondering if somebody could give me ideas how to activate more staff that installed on this model but not activated or does not require to spend a lot of money to activated it.
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    mazdax605mazdax605 Member Posts: 89
    Hello all,

    Our family just struck a deal on a certified pre-owned 06 Sienna LE yesterday,and I have a question.The dealer is offering a wrap-around warranty to bring the bumper to bumper coverage inline with the powertrain warranty of 100k miles for a price of around $1000.The van has 17k miles on it,and as you know the remainder of the 3/36,and the 7/100k powertrain.I was wondering if I should buy this coverage?The van was a rental before the dealer got it,and that worries me a little,but not so much because of the 100k warranty.Are these vans as reliable all around as most other toyota products?Any help would be appreciated.We pick up the van tomorrow.We need to figure out how much we are going to finance/put down.0% financing is great!

    Chris
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    mr_manleymr_manley Member Posts: 1
    Hello first post so please be kind. I am looking at a 04 XLE Limited (WHT)FW drive w/46k for 21400 @. This is from my Credit Union which is giving me a 4.9% rate, I will have it checked with my Mechanic but it has an as-is warranty which I never liked. My question is that I have done the research on the vehicle and I am going to purchase this type of vehicle an 04 specifically. But that average price is 23-25k for a limited. is this to good to be true? or should I just keep going. Thanks for any input. I would also purchase an extended warranty from warranydirect as with my other car has. I had to move to a minivan just had twins born on the 22nd of December kids=4 (yes there are no more coming.
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    46k is well past the B2B warranty so I'm not sure if you can get full coverage for a reasonable price any more. Usually you have to get it before the 36k warranty expires.

    Just read the fine print.

    -juice
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    alanstonealanstone Member Posts: 7
    You should read through the complaints on this model year at the nhtsa website. Complaints are coming in almost daily and quite a few very serious. These defects are dangerous, especially for small kids. Toyota has taken no initiative to circumvent more injuries.
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    leightonsmithleightonsmith Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know if it's possible to switch a 7 passenger configuration for an 8 passenger configuration? We bought the 2004 7-passenger and love the two bucket seats in the middle row, but now find ourselves needing 8 seats. Can you switch our the middle row bucket seats for a 3-seater middle row? If so, where would we find someone with a 3-seats for sale?
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think the seats are different, the outer ones I mean. They don't have arm rests on the 8 seat model.

    So it may be possible (check the seat tracks), but you would have to buy all 3 seats to do it.

    -juice
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    daveb13daveb13 Member Posts: 8
    I have a 2006 Sienna and my gas gauge appears to be off. The gas light goes on and the needle is on Empty but when I fill the tank I am only able to put 17 gallons in. I believe the tank is 21 gallons and I know there is a reserve but I don't believe the reserve is 4 gallons. The dealer has told me that this is how it is. I find that hard to believe. As a result, the range on long trip is only 340 miles before the light comes on. Seems like I should be able to go farther. Has anybody else had this issue?
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    gregkogangregkogan Member Posts: 3
    I have the same 2006 Sienna. I think the dealer was right. My light comes on the same way when 3-4 gallons left in the tank.
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    sjbrodysjbrody Member Posts: 39
    Our 2005 Sienna Limited has a 20 gallon fuel tank and also has the trip computer. The gas gauge is VERY accurate (1/2 tank indicated = 10 gallons left in the tank) and when the low fuel light goes on, you have about 1 gallon of gas left and the trip computer says you have 0 miles to empty. No previous car has ever been this accurate. The moral of this story is, at least with our car, that if the light goes on, find a gas station FAST!

    Spencer
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    sjbrodysjbrody Member Posts: 39
    Oops! I checked the owner's manual and after much searching, I discovered that the tank capacity is 21 gallons, not 20.

    Spencer
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    bearcrkrdbearcrkrd Member Posts: 167
    I thought it was 20 gallons? It's too cold out to check my manual right now! My 2006 works about the same. I get about 17 or at most 18 gallons, and that's after driving 10-25 miles after the light comes on.
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My Consumer Guide says 20.0. Hmm, you sure?

    Range is one very important criteria for me.

    -juice
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    dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    My manual says 21 gallons, and yes there are 3-4 gallons left after the light comes on. The range is pretty good on the Sienna. I easily get 25 mpg and if conditions are right I can get close to 30. That is a 5-600 mile range.

    As far as changing from a 7 passenger to an 8 - it cannot be done. The anchors on the floor are different. We considered an 8 passenger so we coul fit our 3 kids in the middle if we wanted and not have to always have one in the way back. The problem is the seats are not quite as comfortable, so we went with the 7. We always have enough room for cargo - even with all the seats up - there is a ton of room behind the third row.
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks for the info...
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    taxesquiretaxesquire Member Posts: 681
    I haven't noticed an issue with my Sienna light coming on "early," but it may be a widespread issue. I am very annoyed that my '04 Acura TL's light comes on when I've still got over 40 "miles to empty" left! It's a little annoyance, but an annoyance nevertheless!!! :)
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    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    In MT, WY, etc, you might be in serious trouble with only 40 miles left.
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    mnrep2mnrep2 Member Posts: 200
    It is usually a prudent idea to put gas in once you hit the 1/4 tank level. The fuel pump is cooled by the gasoline itself, as you run the car with the level lower, the pump can run hot.

    That strategy allows you to never worry about running out of gas :D
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    oneonta62oneonta62 Member Posts: 2
    Hi. We purchased a 2006 Sienna 6 months ago and have 4500 miles on it. when we moved to a house at the end of a steep street two weeks ago we noticed that the van was very weak to go up the street. We had a snow storm last week. We drove the car after they cleared the roads and the van simply stopped in the middle of the road. We had it towed and the dealer said that we abused the car and the transmission burned out. Toyota declined the warranty claim based on what the dealer reported and we are in shock as we have to pay $4000 to have the transmission replaced. Could anybody please help with what to do in this case? Thank you very much.
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    coupedncalcoupedncal Member Posts: 252
    Please consider taking it to another dealer. If that doesn't work, have a lawyer friend write a "friendly" letter to the dealer and toyota usa. If that doesn't work, you have the option of going to small claims court. That will get their attention. There isn't much a person can do to abuse auto tranny these days.
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    wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    How, what, exactly, did the dealer tell Toyota?

    What was the dealer's "evidence" that the transaxle, at only 4500 miles, had been abused.

    Seems to be a long stretch by the dealer.
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    ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's ridiculous. It's not like you'd ever race a minivan, and driving up your driveway on your own way home is hardly what I'd call abuse.

    Time to lawyer up.

    -juice
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