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It did strike me as odd that I did not recall any impacts to cause this damage. Never had a chip in either of these places during 45,000 miles in my previous Maxima.
Now that I have these badges of honor, I'm just hoping the second ones are a long way off.
This is quite the hot topic, and I'm sure with all the knowledgeable folks on here we can get around this "small irritation" somehow! When I took delivery of the car my salesman offered a "tutorial" of the navigation system from a techie who was a specialist supposedly with the system. He said it would be much more in depth than the usual quick one over when I took delivery of the car. I am going to call and make that appointment tomorrow and see if I can squeeze any information out of the guy. As for our system, if I am not mistaken it is originally made by Fujitsu Ten, which mfgs all of the other Toyota systems as well. From what you mentioned, and what I have seen on other forums, most Toyota model navigation systems with the touch screen interface have the override screen, but since ours is set up differently with the remote console buttons for operation of the nav, it is more difficult to figure this out! I have to admit it is a fun little project though. I never would have figured how to get to the diagnostic screen without the great info on this forum. In any case I'll try like the rest of you to get some information from the dealer and hopefully we can get around this somehow.
Take care,
Clay
Mackabee
There are likely some useful clues in those Cadillac forum posts, particularly if our Nav units have the same heritage as those in the Caddys. I'll take a look on the Cadillac Division site to see if the Nav screen shots and controls look familiar.
Before they discovered the "override" button, the Prius and Sienna guys/gals had developed a hardware "hack". It uses a timer and relay that disconnects the speed sensor signal from the Nav (which fools it into thinking you have stopped for 20 seconds or so). Once the Nav takes a new satellite read (every 20-30 seconds) it realizes your position has changed so restores the lockout. The timer re-connects the speed signal for ~1 second every 15-20 seconds to give you a fresh 20 seconds to work with. All of the the construction details and test results are available on the siennaclub site forums. A minor downside is that the nav becomes "lost" during the time you have the speed signal disconnected. However, once you or your passenger is finished, the connection is restored full time, and the Nav recovers your true position from the GPS.
Regis
Wow, got my wires crossed...for some reason I had Denso on my mind. But, whichever make it is, the intend was to spur looking in a different direction. I have read on this forum about trying the diagnostic screen, but those who got there (I guess you have made it there?) found no means of a bypass. I did read the fix someone made to trick the system with a switch to fool the unit into thinking the car was stopped. I had also read that someone said they though the dealer had some way to turn this feature off, so when I read the info from an insider about a "special" .bin DVD I thought we may have something similar which Toyota uses which opens the ability to set the system. Beyond my knowledge base, but if available I'm sure many of us would like to get their hands on it. I'm thinking of asking my wife (Japanese) to write to Toyota Japan or Fujitsu and tell them we are moving back to Japan and want to bring the Avalon with us to see if there is a bypass (not required in Japan). I doubt they will tell us anything...but like you said, with so many of us looking eventually something will come up!
Ed
I preferred the Ivory interior too, but after seeing a demo w/ivory interior with only 400 miles on it, and noticing how prevalent and visible the scuff marks and dirt showed up on the door sill plates and the lower half of the door trim, wife and I instantly decided on the slightly less handsome, but far more practical grey interior (we have two young kids). Take your pick - both are nice.
Regards,
Deanie
Ed
Hi Ed,
When your wife writes the letter, maybe she can also ask about the Left-to-Right side Steering Wheel Conversion Kit? I've been wondering if this option is something one could install oneself, or requires Dealer service.
By the way, a Hispanic wife would have warned you about your reverse handle; no lava = doesn't wash! Fortunately, as you will soon find out, avalons wash easily (Stoner's helps on inside glass, we found).
Best wishes,
havalongavalon
Do you know for a fact that the Satellite antenna is elsewhere? Jeff, what side of the mirror is the black box? On the LTD it's towards the passenger side. Anyone else know?
I have no idea where the Satellite antenna is but it's definitely no the black box behind the mirror on the passenger side, I don't even have a satellite antenna on my LTD.
Doug
I have very little confidence that Laurel (Carmax) Toyota has a clue about fixing this problem.
Anybody else with this problem?? :confuse:
zekeman1
-Clay
A secret word to allow full Nav operation while moving . . . . an interesting concept I would not have thought of.
It's worth a try. The worst that can happen is that we give the knowledgeble Totota/Denso Techs who monitor this forum a little mirth to brighten their day.
I tried the words "override" and "test mode" for starters.
"Override" was not recognized and "test mode" downshifted the CD changer by 1 CD.
Would anyone care to contribute some other words/phrases to try? Perhaps a few Japanese words as well.
Since it is a Japanese unit, perhaps "Hirake goma" (Open sesame) :surprise:
-Clay
Mike
its fully loaded and installed toyota Parktronic sensors
iwill post up my review of my first 1000 k :shades:
YIKES.....I think I will call her Christine....
Laura
zekeman1
I would like to look into getting an after market GPS. Has anyone tried to do this?
My wife is a Hospice Nurse and I think a good navigation system would make her life easier as she drives around central texas.
Carldec
as a computer guy, i am kinda bummed at how dumb it is to have a screen in the car that does so little... someday Apple will make some car sterio gear and gps/nav/info systems will be as cool and innovatve as what is happening in mp3 music players. :shades:
carldec
Mike
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Replying to: beeman4u (Oct 03, 2005 1:10 pm)
Hi again!!
I too have an Avalon XLS without the HID headlights. I sure wish Toyota had included the HID lights, however there are some aftermarket replacement lamps which can help to get brighter lighting for a reasonable cost. If you log on to www.sylvania.com you can go to their product comparison page and see how much brighter their selection of aftermarket bulbs are. They have the standard halogen bulb, the xtravision bulb, the cool blue, and the silverstar bulb. The silverstar gives off the brightest light and according their photos of light output, is close to that of the HID lamps,however the bulb life is somewhat shorter than a standard bulb. I personally am considering changing my low beam bulbs to the xtravision bulbs which should give a good increase in light output.
They also show an aftermarket HID kit (X1010) which is priced from $299.99 to $499.99. I don't know if this is a separate complete light or a replacement light assembly. I had the HID lights on my 02 Acura TL and they were very bright in comparison to the 05 Avalon. Just thought I'd pass on this info. for those of you who might desire more light from your avalon's headlamps.
Regards
Gladiator99
regis, "Navigation / GPS Systems" #381, 9 Oct 2005 11:20 am
http://lexus.com/models/is/demo_popups/dvdDemo.html
Too bad toyota did not offer the same help but the two systems (Lexus and toyota GPSs) are quite similar so this may help those who are having difficulty understanding how their system functions.
That is called the.......VEHICLE SHIELD PACKAGE........P4 Package.............isn't it? This is my understanding, but just want to make sure.
Thanks for sharing.
Here in extreme north east ohio ( up on Lake Erie) I purchased a Tst package from my Toyota dealer. Included was the machined on teflon coating - rust proofing( very important in my area as salt use turns the roads white), scotch guarding of all carpets ( this works by the way as grease was tracked onto carpet and was removed without a trace), leather treatment ( which gives the leather a nice patina and increases the comfort) I was charged $775.00 which I was told was a discount. I also had black mud flaps installed( Gives a nice contrast) and I had dual graphite colored pin stripes added ( Matches the interior and sets off that Blizzard. The teflon increases the depth of this color. In my neck of the woods the blizzard pearls are very rare. Best of luck with your new Avalon.
Jack
I put a rug in the trunk and I feel it has helped. What road noise I did hear came from the rear. I can remember when cars came with insulation in the trunk...my Avalon Touring came with a very flimsy liner and no insulation...but I am very pleased with the ride and handeling...with the tires at 32# and rug, the car's tires are wisper quiet...have personally owned BMW and numerious "performance cars"; my family currently owns 2000 Acura TL and 95 Acura Legond and the Avalon Touring more than holds it's own. One test for suspension/handeling/steering is taking a turn (like a clover) at speed...does the car hold it's line or do you need to correct? Avalon touring definately first rate for a front driver - get the tire pressure right and the Touring is the best model in the line IMHO.