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I too believed the Avy's cruise control resume was too aggressive until I accessed http://mynewavalon.com/ and discovered that you can increase or lower speed one mph incrementally by "tapping" (not holding) the control up or down. This feature was probabally on my two previous Avalons. I seldom used resume because of it's perceived aggressive behavior but use it all the time now to control highway speed.
When I left on a recent trip, the mpg showed 19.4 and 200 miles later was 29.4 when I refilled. After refilling, the indicator went down to 15.4 mpg and at the end of the trip was 27.4. I drove the exact same route, same speeds. Most times when I refill, the indicator goes down to about 7mpg and then it takes the entire tank to build back up to city or cruise avg mpg.
I can't imagine why the engineers had the trip timer to reset to zero each time the ignition is turned off/on.
After five months, I'm finally accepting its shortcomings, particularly the transmission. I fixed my window rattle by slipping a length of weed cutter string under the window gasket. If it wasn't for the engine, I believe the car would be gone.
If you needed to avoid a projectile coming at you, like the flying ladder that captain2 described, I certainly pictured wanting to accelerate while turning sharply (traffic permitting). In fact, also in normal driving the rule is to brake before reaching a curve, then accelerate during the turn. This is to allow for the physics of the motion. Important to remember not to brake during a sharp turn, especially when driving on snow or other slippery conditions.
havalongavalon
The new Avalon isn't really a spiritual successor to the old Avalon. The character of the car has changed. It is no longer the smooth-as-silk quiet-as-a-church every-thing-works-perfectly luxomobile that it was.
It is now harder, sportier and firmer, more European in flavor and has electro-mechanical quirks. It is more Mercedes than Lexus which may or may not be a good thing.
Some may like this new firmer "feel" but I certainly preferred the flavor of the old "soft" Avalon. Make sure the new Av is what you really expect before committing, don't assume it is the same car as the old. It is not the same car.
I think most people will be perfectly happy with the new Av, unless they had an old one which (unfortunately?) set a very high precedent!
If I knew then what I know now, I would have held on to my '02.
Seat belts, air bags, ABS system, etc have directly contributed to a death or injury of people. But the fact of the matter is, statistically, they all (including VSC) have been correlated to lowered the risk of injury or death on the roads. Afterall, the insurance companies who are all about statitics, will not give one a discount because they have ABS, VSC if they dont lower the risk...
The Pilot's control of the elevator was "artifically" limited by the "fly by wire" firmware such that the Pilot was prevented from applying so much "up" elevator that the airframe would/could/might be premanently damaged due to aerodynamic over-stressing.
And yes, the Pilot was at fault for getting the airplane "under the power curve" to begin with but in the end it was ruled that absent that articial limit the airframe may have had to be scrapped but the passengers and crew would still be alive.
"Protect the drive train!"
The statistics indicate that vehicles with ABS are ever so slightly more hazardous than those without. The anomaly seems to be the result of run off the road single vehicle accidents with ABS.
John F. Kennedy was once asked what he thought of his decision to appoint Dean Rusk as Sec. of State. He said, "It reminds me of what the preacher said who was caught in bed with his choir director: 'If I'd knowed then what I know now, I would 'na done it.' "
Recently had a Sonata V6 (a $20k car) rental with a nice little VSC disable button on the dash. Here's my vote to require the mfgrs. and especially Toyota to provide the same on all models they produce. For my part, I feel safer in my no-VSC Touring and relying more on whatever driving abilties I still have left.
I now own a 1996 Jetta and I am looking to get a new car. The cars I have been looking at are as follows: (not necessarily in any order)
1.) Saturn ION2 – 4 door
2.) Toyota Corolla
3.) Scion xA
4.) Chevrolet Cobalt
5.) Mazda 3
6.) Honda Civic
Part of the problem is that I need my monthly payments around $220/mo. I figure I can trade in my Jetta for ~ $1500. I can put about 2K down. I will finance the rest. I calculate that for what I can afford an month I need the car at about 16K out the door. The thing is, I can’t choose which I should get. If I look at cost, it’s the ION. However, I’m really partial to the Mazda 3, but it is a little pricey. Any suggestions. Are any one of these better than another?!?! HELP! J
And as a bonus, your insurance, sales tax, car payments, and excise taxes would be lower.
Also, you won't take a large depreciation hit if you decide to sell in 2 years. With a new car, you will usually have the largest depreciation in the first year or two. Cars nowadays are much more dependable than cars from say 10 yrs ago or older. Just make sure to have the car checked over by a mechanic if you are not car savvy.
In my mind the Traction Control on a front wheel drive car makes it almost as good as a 4WD or All Wheel drive vehicle in the snow. I can't say what the VSC will do because the car didn't seem to need it at 30 mph and under.
I intend to wait a few weeks, to see if the odor goes away, before I address the problem with the dealer.
I really do like my Avalon. I consider it the best car I've ever owned and I've owned Volvo's, Acura's, and one Cadillac!
It got to the point that I was afraid to take it on a road trip because the engine electronics was frequently failing.
airsept EED
and:
denso demist
Good to know you did it. It is a fairly simple procedure. You paid less than I did 6 months ago for the Awell system which by the way, continues to work flawlessly. I really miss it when I drive other cars now.
For relative newcomers to this forum: I posted pictures in message #5550 backup sensors and buzzer installation in Avalon
Best wishes,
havalongavalon
Been laying low on this site, but you did say something, most don't really think about. Being an owner of an older XL, and disliking complicated and redundant electronic gizmos, I couldn't agree with you more. While I know this really makes some very emotional, is the navigation system really necessary for most??? What is there replacement cost when they break??? How long is there useful lifespan; as long as the vehicle itself(last car I kept for 11.5 years). Then how about those automatic climate controls, with 2 or even 4 zones, to control a space of less than 36 square feet?? How many Avalon owners have dual thermaostats/Zones in there homes??? And to boot, to buy these kind of unnecessary options on a 1st or 2nd year model car, is asking to dance with the dealership.
I am sure some differ and that is OK. I even thought the rain sensing wipers were a waste, but changed my mind about them the other day, when we were coming home in a snow storm and a big box truck splashed slush all over the windshield and we could not see anything for approx two seconds until we activated the wipers.
I guess it comes down to how much money you have to spend, the absolute need for the option, and it anticipated longevity.
Last note: The TWO most repaired items consumers buy in their homes (per CR) are #1 Home computers #2 Lawn/Garden tractors. Are these new cars, including the Avalon, now computers on wheels??
abfisch
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-ft-toyota28nov28,1,4955468.story?coll=la-headlines-busi- ness
I'm voting with my checkbook and we're replacing our rattling 4 year old Sienna with a Honda Pilot.
Another cause is when you are on air, the hot humid air comming across the cooling coil condenses moisture, water. This water tends to dry out and before it does it allows bacteria to grow and eventually give off oders. Some manufacturers use slingers and other means to keep the water from accumulating so the coil has as little water as possible.
I hope the mfgr didn't spray zinc chromate on your coil. This stuff is a cancer causing agent. We haven't used this chemical in cooling water systems for about 15 yrs. Sometimes zinc products are mistakenly used for galvanized metal. Zinc does have some biocidal properties.
I used to suggest using diluted hydrogen peroxide to clean big commerical air handeling copper coils. This has no oder and breaks down into water, harmless. ange1
TO: Limited driver.
The system I installed is called Valor. From Hong Kong. Go to ebay, put in "OEM reverse warning parking sensor." Seller was HK-Plus. They list sensors for all models of cars but the unit is universal. I think listing for each car is just a selling point.
If this has already been received, I apologize.
We discussed beeper locations months ago with johni. I placed the beeper next to a rectangular hole in the metal shelf, behind the left rear seat. The sound carries well into the cabin. This beeper location is shown in a picture posted in #5550.
havalongavalon
However, I happened across a thread in Prius section that discussed the NAV system over ride for their cars.
The link is here http://wiki.ehow.com/Override-Toyota-Prius-Navigation-Gray-out
Can't make any guarantees, but it may be worth a try for those who wish to experiment. I take no responsibility for the results.
Good luck and post back if it works for you.
My 2006, ltd. engine sounds very loud compared to my 1997. As a matter of fact, you had to put ear to front fender to hear car running. New one, Eeeeeek! It's loud engine sound. My brother says it's due to the dual pipes.
From dead stop at red light. Car jumps when you step on gas.
The other day had to try 6 times to start car. Dealership told me that they had a lot of problems with push start, because people don't step on brake first. Told him that was not my problem, I always hold brake down before starting. Dealer said that push button is connected directly to tranny and that there is no overriding it!
I'm also, not happy with Nav. My daughter had GMC Dalanti, and her Nav. turns radio down when directions are being given, also she gets continuous beep when approaching her turn. I like those features.
I'm not happy with hard front seats, after a long drive, feels like one is sitting on a boulder.
I like the body style. I feel too many buttons to learn. Also, I've noticed that you have to have hands on wheel at all times or car will pull to left. I have 118 miles on this car.
If I could have used this car for a week before buying, I don't think it would have been my choice. I do like the adjusting headlights ... very important when climbing steep hill.
zekeman1