Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

1…264265267269270…287

Comments

  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    Basically the same car is sold in Canada. Canada is approx. 30% French speaking and officially bilingual. I suppose this saves Toyota $$$ by having just one system instead of one for the USA and one for Canada.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    You should see the Prius and 08 Highlander Nav. It has English, French, and Spanish.
    :)
    Mack
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    What about us Italian guys... I feel left out ;)

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    You'll have to do with the Spanish for now. ;)
    Mack
  • finfin Member Posts: 594
    French is second only to English as a second language acquisition worldwide. Only French and English are spoken on 5 continents. French is the official or basic additional language of over 30 countries, such as Canada, second only to English with over 40. The Avalon and many other cars use the language for the diversity, not necessarily the pure numbers as French is only the 10th most spoken language in the world. Saves a bunch of $$ in terms of time spent answering questions....
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    Yeah, I agree! We need to make Toyota an offer they cannot refuse!
  • ctlctl Member Posts: 129
    Ignorant is a bless, plus irresponsible is even better. good vs bad, noble vs scum, nothing new.

    As previously stated Toyota CAN reprogram the prom chips but refuses to do so, as in liability. I am a careful shopper, I hate getting burnt and we were. I understand your frustration, I am bewildered by the comments some people make, as if getting burnt for $400 is nothing. Further neither I nor you needs to be lectured as the response did. I will waste gas all I wish if I want to, I am not a GREEN and until the powers to be decide to get us all off these fossil fuels I will use them. Also it is our vehicle to treat is as we wish also. If it burns out I will buy another, perhaps a Lexus or Benz. I don't pay for these cars out of pocket, my investments and business's do.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "..as if getting burnt for $400 is nothing.."

    Our negative comments are more likely to be the result of someone spending $400 for such a frivalous purchase as is auto-start.

    And then there is the utter stupidity, issue, of not being bright enough to disable the "door ajar" switch.
  • algeealgee Member Posts: 78
    Had the TSB done at the dealers for my '06 Avalon.

    One thing to say! WOW! It sure made a difference to the shifting and the hesitation is gone. They have a list of Vin numbers they check to see if your car is eligible.

    Get it done and forget about the crazy foot position and blocks of wood under the accelerator things that were posted here. My foot is eaxactly where it has been for 40 years or more of driving. They reflash the ECM computer and it takes about an hour

    I can't believe some people were using hocus pocus on the the gas pedal.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Not really wanting to be a naysayer but you need to wait a few hundred miles while the engine/transaxle ECU learns and adapts to the tolerances of the various sensors and control servoes. Most likely it is still operating on the factory default parameters.

    Note: I did NOT say learns your driving style/type/technique, that issue is a RED HERRING.
  • gedgoudaslgedgoudasl Member Posts: 21
    Can we hear from those with the 05 Avalon who have had the shifting TSB applied with favorable experiences. Mine at low speeds seems to hold the lower gear or around 40 seems to want to hunt. Love the car, on a trip to Savannah got 34.5 mpg over a 200 mile leg. Get 33.5 mpg usually over the road.
  • 06graylimited06graylimited Member Posts: 29
    After almost two years of being told by three Toyota dealers here in Kansas City that my transmission is "behaving normally" or "no problems found", I took it to a different Kansas City area dealer, Jay Wolfe Toyota, who recognized the problem and fixed it without questions, denials or waffling. Thanks for helping my Avalon to perform they way it should.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    WILLARD, WOW, very appropriate...............
  • havalongavalonhavalongavalon Member Posts: 460
    Ok, fellow 2005 Av owners, I had it done, and it was worth it.

    Mine is one of the first produced XLS (Jan 2005), had a mild case of mis-shifting (mainly when accelerating after having slowed to near-stop) but bucked a lot when my wife drove it (I still think this was related to her small foot, because I could cause it too by toe-driving).

    Now, 500 km later, I'm very happy with the changed behavior. It now shifts extremely smoothly during acceleration, deceleration, uphill or downhill. I think it is set to shift at lower RPM than before, at about 2200 RPM, so it pretty much cruises all the time at between 1500 and 2200 RPM from 1st to 5th. Leaving it in D or shifting into S-5 hasn't made much difference. And when my wife drives, it also shifts smoothly (so now she wants to drive it more again!)

    I have been driving more conservatively since it was fixed (speed patrol cars are out everywhere this time of month) but whenever I step on the gas harder it responds quickly, strongly and smoothly, so all my 268 horses are still inside. I am getting excellent FE, 20-30% better than average but we did more highway driving lately, still with the first tankful.

    A note of caution, though. When I got the car back I was shocked at how badly it shifted, right out of the service lot -- far worse than ever before! It held every gear too long, and while shifting the engine surged at least 1000 RPM so when the next gear engaged it jumped forward. It was scary how far from spec it shifted, and surprising that it was returned in that state. But once they erased the memory and re-programmed, the result was great. It obviously needed both the software and hardware updates.

    It certainly took Father Toyota a very long time to come up with this TSB. I recommend that you have the fix done if your 2005 is not shifting really smoothly all the time, because it should.

    Cheers,

    havalongavalon
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    I had TSB done on my Feb 2005 Ltd and it is WELL worth it. Noticed it upshifts more predictally and downshifts without the engine reving to redline.
    Any secrets on getting 32-34 mpg? I get around 30mpg. Just me and the wife traveling (vehicle not heavily loaded), 35 psi nitrogen in the Michelin tires, Mobil 1 all synthetic oil in the engnie and COSTCO premium fuel. We usually try to cruise between 75-80 mph with A/C running about 50% of the time. Comments?
    Thanks,
    NW Blizzard
  • popsavalonpopsavalon Member Posts: 231
    At 75-80 mph, I think you should be satisfied with 30 mpg.
    My 07 will get 34-35 mpg on a regional restricted speed parkway (60 mph), but only 30 mpg at interstate speeds. I have nitrogen in the tires, but always run regular fuel. Down south, A/C runs pretty much all time, especially this summer!
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Go to regular unleaded fuel. You may be burning more gas by using premium which is not necessary.
    :)
    Mack
  • allavalonsallavalons Member Posts: 67
    I had the Transmission TSB done in July. Took it on vacation from Pennsylvania to Florida and back, a little over 2,000 miles and it works like a dream. Shifts are so smooth I've had to keep one eye on the tach to see when it's shifting because there is no perceptible feel or sound.

    It corrected the speed-up lurch with my Laser Cruise too, now it accelerates smooth as silk.

    I got 34 MPG on the trip down cruisuing at 70. I live in Western PA so I go through W. Virginia, Eastern Virginia, North and South Carolina, OVER the Alleghany Mountains so it was 34 miles over mountains. On the way back again at 70 MPG I got about 33.5. (Calculated by both the computer and by manual using miles traveled and gallons purchased.)

    We had 3 adults and luggage for a week (and my daughter is 18 and I almost pulled my back out lifting her toiletries back out of the car.) That is about 1 to 1.5 better mileage than I got last summer traveling the same roads. Also of note was that I was traveling during the hot spell in early/mid August and at one point the temp in North Carolina was 105 and the heat index was 114, so the air was never off.

    It is worth getting even if you have little problem with the hesitation, you get 2 new exhaust manifolds and gaskets, new Oxygen sensors and the upgrade to the ECU brings it to 2007 specs. (they put a sticker under the hood to show it is upgraded) The milage increase, the smoothness of shifts, the fix to the laser cruise lurching are amazing. My only warning is that it is a 4 hour job, and if you don't like or trust your dealer, have it done somewhere that you can trust. Luckily my dealer has been great and has never failed me yet. :) :shades:
  • algeealgee Member Posts: 78
    Well I jave driven 300 miles since the TSB tuneup of my transmission shifting and I still say WOW!. There has been no change since they did it.

    I am a much happier camper. Go get it done.
  • highroller2highroller2 Member Posts: 16
    Well worth it even tho the hesitation was slight. well worth the trouble. drives like a different car. improved gas mileage too.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Nice to see that you are now happy with your Avalon. :)
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Glad your problem is fixed, Western PA, hum, I have property in Milford, purchased it thinking perhaps I would jump out of NYSE, taxes too high, too many liberal programs like the 400 % increase they want "FOR THE CHILDREN", so they can give FREE so called childrens health insurance to people making almost $83,000 a year, like they need help. Makes sense, take money from the poor, give to the rich as in retired. Again, good luck, sorry you ever had a problem.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Okay, I'll bite, whats with the nitrogen, isn't that what took down the Hindenburg as in BOOM & a whole lot of flames.
  • finfin Member Posts: 594
    That big "boom" was Hydrogen.... not nitrogen. We breathe 78% nitrogen daily. Tire nitrogen is almost pure, well over 90%. It does not support combustion (burn or explode).

    Heavy truck and aircraft tires use nitrogen all the time. I use it in my Avalon tires as do several other forum members. Nitrogen does not act like compressed air when it gets hot and cold so your tire pressure remains more stable. The ride is unchanged on a hot interstate at 80 mph or a sidestreet at 20. Very handy here in the southeast with four seasons. And it is less likely to leak slowly.

    Try it.... you can feel the difference in stability if you drive under a variety of temperature conditions. :)
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    We put it in all our new cars as soon as they are state inspected and PDI'd. Race cars also use it.
    Mackabee
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    Thanks for the comments on using regular fuel vs premium. I have 25K miles on my Ltd and it has only seen premium fuel since day one. I have a mental block for premium but am convinced via this Forum to give regular a try and compare mileage.
    Anyone out there collect any data comparing mileage using all synthetic engine oil vs fossil oil? Mobil Synthetic oil technicians claim less wear and better mileage through engine lab testing they have performed (called their 1-800 number and they freely discussed their testing program and results of all synthetic vs fossil).

    Thanks,
    NW Blizzard
  • finfin Member Posts: 594
    Now on my third Avalon... Use mid-grade (89 octane here in GA) for the best of everything. You get more power and better mileage than regular. The extra mileage will offset the price difference. Moving up to premium will produce a little more power but the gas mileage is the same as mid-grade. That's been my experience..... :)
  • algeealgee Member Posts: 78
    Happier is more like it. Still don't like the horrible Nav. system. :D
  • ktk07ktk07 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased my first Toyota in March. Very nice car except for this thing called "outgassing". I'm surprised that more folks don't complain about this. I am getting very tired of cleaning the inside of my windows, only to have this film reappear within a short time. Previously I had new GM and Chryslers and never had this problem. I can only imagine what this film is actually doing to our lungs. This is really a disgusting situation.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    My current '06 Avalon does it and my other previous Toyotas did it too ('03 Av, '00 Solara). Never really bothered me that much but you can help avoid it by leaving the windows cracked in the hot weather. My '99 S10 gets a film on the inside windows too, probably because it doesn't get driven that often and is always sealed up.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Well I'm real sorry, it is your fault you trusted Toyota and purchased the product without trying it out first on a cross country trip so you would know it stunk, besides it is a totally frivolous item, who needs it when you have maps and Mapquest etc, at least that is the logic some people apply to situations like yours. I was told it stunk and did not purchase it, I'm sorry you got stuck with such a poor product. A Garmin Nuvi 660 is really a great product, tells you the street name , has blue tooth and more at about $500........
  • algeealgee Member Posts: 78
    Well, this comment you have made makes about as sense as most previous ones you have made. I will assume it was an intelligent try at sarcasm that failed. Who wants a Nuvi when they can have (well should have) a far better built in Nav. system taht can be changed along the way. ( Lets see, I'm in Nevada and want to change my route. Where do I find the Mapquest? Oh yes, every gas station has one)

    I did laugh at your presumed sense of humor.
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    It was sarcasm plain & simple. If you read this blog you will find people ATTACKING other writers who have had problems either in their opinion or actually. Either way I never attack anyone, only defend my statements. I must assume you took this seriously OR had a bad day. I do not care what people put in their vehicles or why, I do care if they get zonked by a VERY profitable Asian company whom I would never even deal with if the USA carmakers put out a comporable product. I suggested the Nuvi 660 as an alternate, it is an excellent unit, rated no. 1 by Consumer Reports and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. If I answered this as you did in your response to my actual apology for your getting zonked, I'm sure PAT the host probably would not care for it, although lately I'm wondering if he or she is monitoring as a lot of fur is flying, as in,

    Well, this comment you have made makes about as sense as most previous ones you have made. I will assume it was an intelligent try at sarcasm that failed.

    Sorry you felt the need to attack.................
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    A little sensitive JL? Have you looked lately where most domestic cars are made? There is no such thing as an "American car" anymore. Most Hondas and Toyotas that are built here are more American than the domestics. Stand by for the Chinese attack. :)
    Mack
  • angeange Member Posts: 158
    My 2005 had the TSB done several weeks ago. The laser speed control on an incline still downshifts 2 gears and accelerates like a hotrod; when you try to return 5-10 mph and again upshifts 2 qears when it reaches the set speed.

    I still notice a rough shift going from 1st to 2nd at normal start from a dead stop. When stoping the downshifting from 2nd to 1st is not quick and the tachometer speeds up about 100 rpms and seems to give the car a little push. I have noticed when driving real slow, less than 30 mph and slowing down the engine compression helps slow the speed, however when you stop typically I seem to get free wheeling. I have noticed more brake dust on the fron rotators since the TSB.

    Congratulations to the successful fixes on the transmission shifting. Shifting 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and to 5th are smooth for me, no compaints.

    Am I the only one that has the 1st and 2nd gear rough shifting after the TSB?

    I have heard dealers want $35.00 to put nitrogen in auto tires. I am not sure what the measurable benefits are. I was told the tires ride smoother and last longer. Even more uniform tire wear was listed as a benefit. Does anyone have any noticable value in using nitrogen in car tires.

    ange3
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Is that per visit or unlimited? We do the unlimited on our vehicles for something like $129 . Every new car gets the nitrogen and it's offered to the customer at point of sale. If customer declines than no nitro is put in the tires during the first service visit. Apparently there is some benefit to it since race car drivers, airplanes, and others use it.
    :)
    Mack
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    I think it would be good if both of you dropped the sarcasm - and the attacks.
  • finfin Member Posts: 594
    Nitrogen filled tires: The major benefit to cars is tire inflation pressure stability. As a tire heats from driving, pressure rises. Sometimes by 4 or 5 pounds psi on a very hot interstate. This will change the way the car rides and steers. Higher pressure also changes the tire profile as it rolls so the tire wear pattern changes. Nitrogen eliminates all this as it does not expand like compressed air when heated.

    If your Avalon is fully loaded you will definitely notice a difference on a hot interstate at 80 mph. We drive all year in the deep south, nitrogen is great. The $35. is well spent and that should include free lifetime (for that set of tires) refills. Any mileage increase in passenger car tires using nitrogen is hard to prove but "yes, it's possible". Can't hurt, anyway... Hope this helps. :)
  • andrejakandrejak Member Posts: 5
    I apologize if this is already listed in an earlier post and I just missed it but does anyone know the TSB number for the 2005 Avalon transmission fix. I want the one where manifold gaskets, Oxygen sensors and ECU are changed/updated. Thanks in advance
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I just read this on the news. Jim Press was the top ranking American at Toyota Motor Sales. He was with the company for 37 years! He's going to the "new" Chrysler and is resigning effective September 14th. I really like him. Everything I read is positive and he did a lot for Toyota. He will be missed and Chrysler is gaining a top notch executive. Hopefully he will do the same for them that he did for Toyota.
    :)
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    I live in the Seattle area and we have a secret weapon- the rumor on the street is that Starbuck's is planning to invade China! Russia is also on their list!
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Is Seattle's Best Coffee a subsidiary of Starbuck'S? We serve it at our dealership and it tastes pretty good. Personally I've never cared for Starbuck's other than most are inside bookstores so once in a while I'll grab a cup and read a mag or something.
    :)
    Mackabee

    The Chinese are already here! Wait till we start getting their poorly made copies of current cars. Some German automakers are suing them for copying their designs.
  • ski1003ski1003 Member Posts: 41
    I had the fix on my 2005 Avalon and it turned out great. The TSB number is TSB EG029-07. No more shifting hesitation and I use to have a starting problem on occasion and that has not happened since they installed the fix.
  • andrejakandrejak Member Posts: 5
    Thanks ski1003. In the process of looking up TSB EG029-07 I realized that it was for the 2006/2007 Avalons, but found that TSB EG033-07 is for the 2005 Avalon. Thanks for at least getting me started on my search :)
  • havalongavalonhavalongavalon Member Posts: 460
    andrejak,

    Confirming that the "ECM Calibration: Enhancement to Shifting Performance and Smoothness" for the 2005 Avalon in the US is TSB# EG033-07 dated June 20, 2007.

    North of the 49th parallel, the corresponding Toyota Canada TSB# is 2792, dated several weeks later.
  • gohawaiiangohawaiian Member Posts: 84
    Just wondering if any of the modifications made as part of the TSB for the '05 (and later) Avalons could be relevant when performing future servicing on the car - for example, if you plan to have a tuneup done elsewhere than at the dealer who did the TSB, do you have to advise the mechanic that certain changes (to the ECU?) were made as part of the TSB? Are there any other routine servicing procedures (for example, on the transmission) where an outside mechanic will need to be made aware that this TSB work was done?
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Well, this comment you have made makes about as sense as most previous ones you have made. I will assume it was an intelligent try at sarcasm that failed.

    Sensitive, read the above, I believe this was totally uncalled for. As stated I do not attack people for their opinions or writings UNLESS it is personal towards me, even then I was nice considering the statement was an insult to my literary skills as a professional writer. And yes I know all about the foreign parts, assembly etc, it was a general statement. I checked out MANY vehicles prior to the Avalon purchase, including Benz, Lincoln, Buick, Volvo......
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    "Well, this comment you have made makes about as sense as most previous ones you have made. I will assume it was an intelligent try at sarcasm that failed."

    Jl, sir. I believe the above was made by algee and not me. If I offended you by my use of the word "sensitive" then I apologize. Please let's continue with our discussion of the Toyota Avalon. So what do you think of Mr. Jim Press jumping ship to the new Chrysler?
    Mackabee

    P.S By the way, Pat is a very nice lady. I know her personally and have also met her lovely parents. Wonderful family!
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    "Seattle's Best" coffee is a seperate company. Starbuck's is in bookstores but mostly they have their own coffee shops here. Try their "Americana" selecton- not too bad. We refer to their competion as "Seattle's Worst" coffee!

    NW Blizzard
  • dcalliesdcallies Member Posts: 33
    My text button (displaying the current song - artist or station letters) for the FM radio doesn't work. It works fine for my cd's but is not displaying when I have the FM. I know the radio stations are broadcasting text and if they didn't, my 05 use to say "no message". Was this dropped by JBL ?

    Any idea's ?
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles