Toyota Tundra Owner Experiences

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Comments

  • ratboy3ratboy3 Member Posts: 324
    I think I may need a crowbar to open the back door without first opening the front door on my Tundra.

    I do have issues with it, be it petty issues, issues nonetheless. The suicide door style of the rear door can make entry for the rear passengers difficult in tight spots. A little bit of choreographing is needed to board the truck.

    Open the front door, the front passenger hops in right away, making space for the passenger to slide into the spot the front passenger left and then open the rear door (phew!)

    Loading groceries is another issue. Grocery carts don't fit between the doors when opened, if you somehow manage to get the cart between them. Yeah I got the whole truck bed to put the groceries in but the Arizona sun will sure cook my stuff on my trip back home. That's my truck hard at work, going to my work place and the store.

    The delay in the start. I haven't noticed. But thanks, now that I know it, I'm gonna sit there later in the truck and time it! ha!
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    The chevy terradyne has a sliding door like a minivan.
  • ratboy3ratboy3 Member Posts: 324
    ha! I checked it out. Looks like a space ship.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    Transformers...more than meets the eye!
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Is this something new on the 4.7 L Toyota engine. My X-boss had a LC and I road in it many times even drove it a few times and it did not have a delay in the start up. In fact it started as soon as the key was turned. Is the delay only when the engine is cold or every time you start it?

    I have also owned 3 Toyotas (no V8 engines, 2 trucks and 1 car) they did not have any delay.

    Is this BS in the owners manual?

    Or is it just some sales crap to cover up a poor starting truck.

    If it looks like sh-t, smells like sh-t you don't need to taste it before you know its sh-t. A delay in start up to allow oil to coat the engine is pure fantasy.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    Are you posting to rate your Tundra or....
    I think I understand why Silverados post on Tundra topics. The horrible problems they're dealing with probably drive them crazy. Like this one.....


    165 of 176: Coil spring rubbing (larry18) Sat 12 Aug '00 (02:20 PM)

    My 2K 2wd 3dr SB LT has had a squeak in the front
    end when going over bumps at slow speed since 500
    miles. I took it in and the dealer checked it out
    and replaced the spring cushions on both sides.
    After a few days the noise returned. I have had it
    in four times and now am told the GM rep says to
    send it to a dealer with a porta-power to expand
    something so the spring will have more clearance
    from the frame. Apparently the top portion of the
    spring is rubbing on the frame. After reading all
    the posts about vibrations I am not sure I want
    this done to a vehicle with 7K miles on it. The
    front end service tech's own words were that it
    "sounds like a '76 model with 300,000 miles." At
    times the noise can be heard over a block away.
    Certainly good advertising for Chevy. My concern
    is that rubbing is severe enough to cause premature
    failure of the effected parts
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    I have a few legitimate questions on the start up delay - If you can't or don't want to answer them that is OK with me. If the truck really is designed to not start up right away it should be detailed out in the owners manual. Which I doubt it is. They usually don't put made up BS in the owners manual.

    Tell me what is worse - Non-Tundra owner posting a question about the Tundra in a Tundra topic OR a Tundra owner cutting and pasting problems about a GM truck in a Tundra topic.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    Have you ever seen a Tundra owner post in a Silverado site? Just curious.
  • rooster9rooster9 Member Posts: 239
    Most of the Tundra's vibrations are being caused by the wheels being out of balance. What makes it more difficult to fix is that the tires are slipping on the wheels, making them become off balance again. When Daystar comes out with their front bushing kit, all the Tundra vibrations hopefully will be solvable.

    As for the hard starting, what I've been reading is that it is just the way Toyotas are. They all have been known to take a little longer to start, especially when it's cold out. I've been hearing that they won't start until the oil pressure is built up high enough.

    As for the doors opening on the go, that's bs. I think you're referring to the rear doors becoming unlatched. They still can't open. Bring them in and have them adjusted, then they're good as new.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    Z71bill has been told these exact things many, many times. The truth is; he's just another of the hundreds of disgrunteled Silverado owners. A few of these guys are heck bent on trying to make waves with Tundra owners. The old saying "misery loveth company" holds true.

    Once again, just for Bill:
    The rear doors cannot come open without unlocking and opening the front doors. End of story!

    The 1/2 second delay in start is designed into the fuel/ignition system. This ensures a swath of oil on the cylinder walls prior to combustion. The aim is engine longevity (something chevy and ford or unconcerned with)!
  • f150rulesf150rules Member Posts: 195
    I bet based on all the fantasy Tundra owners post about and the actual small size of the Tundra, Tundra owners must all be Hobbit's!

    Tundra of the Rings!

    If the Tundra has any ingenuitive gadgets like some kind of start delay for "better lubrication" , they would have stole it from Ford like they tried many other things.

    You people must really be non-mechanical nightmares. Nobody who knows mechanics will buy some convoluted crap about a delay start to "help lubricate" the engine before starting. The majority of engine wear comes from "before" the engine starts. There isn't a starter made that can pull enough oil volume from the oil pump to the top end and apply any kind of benefit from it.

    But hey, if it helps you feel better about the Tundra's higher cost, then keep dreaming.
  • f150rulesf150rules Member Posts: 195
    Melodramatic man. Still won't address my questions? We all would like to learn all that mechanical knowledge you have. Can you not answer the questions?
  • rushfan2112rushfan2112 Member Posts: 27
    ...to talk about the higher cost. He should know what he's talking about when it comes to overpaying. After all, the F150 costs more than the Tundra. Read post 217 for the facts about cost.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I was hoping to confirm my thoughts on this. There doesn't seem to be a single Tundra owner who has a complaint about the three issues that were brought up. There is some hearsay and conjecture by people who fancy themselves mechanics but nothing more. Those people seem to equate delays in ignition with hard starts which we all know is a fallacious argument.

    Lets recap shall we? The vibration problem was real in the early production but a fix has been found and the problem is no longer an issue. The Tundra has a built in delay for some reason which no body claims is a mechanical problem. The third door can't be opened without first opening the front door and no body here has ever had first hand experience with anything approaching this.

    Again, thanks all including F150 and Z71 for not coming up with any theories on why Toyota would build in a delay in ignition.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Just one other comment here. I start and drive many Toyota cars and trucks every day. Every last one of them cranks over several times before starting. It is a characteristic of all new Toyotas. If it is a problem, it is a very wide spread one.

    Not being a mechanic, I have no theories as to why Toyota would do this. Logic would suggest that there is some benefit that Toyota sees in this and to me, it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that starting the flow of oil could be a benefit.
  • ratboy3ratboy3 Member Posts: 324
    For the hell of it I went out and test drove the new Beetle. I noticed that the controls on the doors (power windows/locks) in this car are lit. That was nice. Hopping back into my truck, I saw that only the 'Auto' power window button was lit. I guess I'm stuck with the dome light or just feel my way around when the sun is down.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    One nice thing about the Toyotas is that everything is pretty intuitive. You'll get the hang of them very quickly and there wont be any fumbling around. I'm glad to hear this is the only complaint you have. Its pretty minor compared to many other products.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    Regarding the lighted controls; unnecesary, but I think they would look cool. The complaint I have on the controls is the passenger window switch must be held up/down. The driver side can be rolled down with one push but requires you to hold it in the up cycle. Maybe Cliffy can tell us the reason behind this.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    that question has been asked many times by others including Big 3 owners. The answer is to make the switch idiot proof. In the up position, should it be automatic with a single press, can you imagine how many people would be choked or arms trapped opening a flood of lawsuits. So the manufacturers are actually protecting the owners from themselves in this one...
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Actually, it is a matter of cost. The 4Runner has auto down and up for the driver's and passenger's side. It has a jam protector similar to an elevator door to prevent arms and heards from becoming stuck. it just costs more to have this.
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Bamma - you are right - not many Tundra owners post in Silverado topics.. But then you don't see many midgets playing in the NBA either. Could it be for the same reason?? (My apology to any midgets I may have offended).

    Rwell
    I have not posted anything about the rear door problem in the Tundra.

    Still waiting on information about start up delay - is it in the owners manual?? As far as the "build oil pressure" theory - that is hard to understand - the Tundra does not have any oil pressure at idle - how in the world would it build any running the starter.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Perhaps you could enlighten us as to why you perceive this as a problem. You make the assumption that a truck should start on the first crank when this obviously is not how Toyotas are designed. You have not shown an alternate theory nor have you told us what is wrong with a built in delay in starting.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    This guy is son of rublue. He is upset by his $32k Shakerado and is here to vent.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    that whenever the big3 owners don't have an adequate response to any issue, they post about the Tundra's size. I drove a Silverado, a F150 and a Dodge, and I still chose the Tundra. Although a bigger truck would have been nicer, it was not worth the compromises to me. YMMV.
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    The start up delay sounds like sales BS. Something you tell a customer when they ask - why does't this new truck start up right away -

    If this is really a benefit / design feature why wouldn't Toyota tell customers about it? (put it in the owners manual.

    How is it that you know this information? Do you have official Toyota engineering specifications that explain this great slow start feature? If you tell me that this is the official position of Toyota engineering I will take your word for it.

    I need to explain why I want a truck that starts up as soon as I turn the key? Why don't you ask the next 50 customers that come in to look at a car or truck if they want the engine to start up right away - or would they rather have a delay set to prevent the engine from starting. What do you think they will say?

    The three Toyotas I owned did not have a delay. The last time I drove a Toy LC with the 4.7 L V8 it did not have a delay. The delay start up to coat the engine with oil / build oil pressure is just an attempt to cover up a design flaw in the Tundra.

    242 of 243: I have noticed (bamatundra) Tue 15 Aug ' 00 (08:43 PM)

    that whenever the big3 owners don't have an adequate response to any issue, they post about the Tundra's size. I drove a Silverado, a F150 and a Dodge, and I still chose the Tundra. Although a bigger truck would have been nicer

    Bamma- How did your scribbled post end up on my post?

    Nice to see you admit a bigger truck is "nicer"
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I have just noticed something

    Who has always posted "shakerado"??? BAMA

    Who a few posts back also refered to them as shakerado? RWELL

    Two in the same??? I dont know


    Ryan
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    When you quoute another poster, please post the entire context. You chopped off my post, entirely changing the meaning. I said " Although a bigger truck would have been nicer, it was not
    worth the compromises to me. YMMV.
  • bamatundrabamatundra Member Posts: 1,583
    I don't know about Rwell, but I can post for myself. I am not Rwell, but if you want to believe that I am - that is OK with me. I happen to agree with just about everything that Rwell has posted. Obyone can probably confirm that we are not the same person - he seems to be more perceptive than most.
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Hey I didnt make any judgements just seemed like you both using the same word and all. Kinda like that F150 guy and whoever you compare him to. See now you know how he feels. My point has been made 2 people can have similarities doesnt mean they are the same person.
    So quit this damn nonsense accusing someone of being someone else it gets flippin old

    Ryan
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    What's really getting old is the endless stream of moronic posts by Silverado owners in a topic titled "Toyota Tundra owners: rate your truck!"
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    YOu missed my point your always running off at the mouth before you read and comprehend.

    I passed judgement about you and Bama saying the same stuff it was supposed to be an analogy towards F150 and whoever you compared him to. WHat i said was SARCASM i know you two arent the same (kinda are but maybe thats a toyota owner thing) and F150 and this other guy arent the same

    Ryan
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    "your always running off at the
    mouth before you read and comprehend."

    Actually, I'm typing off at the keyboard! ;)
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I am not the one who made any statements about benefits or problems with a "delay" in starting. You are the one who claimed it was a problem with the Tundra and I have challenged you to tell me what that problem is. Another participant has a theory and it sounds plausible to me. You have forwarded no alternate theory.

    Now, as to your statement the a 4.7 Cruiser started on the first crank, I will say your memory is flawed. Every Toyota on my lot will turn over 5 to 7 times before it sparks. The only exception is our new hybrid electric car. To me, it makes sense that the oil pump is starting its job before the heat of ignition begins. Whether this is the reason for the "delay", I don't know but it would make sense.

    As to your asking me to check the owners manual, that is absurd. The job of the owners manual is not to tell you features and benefits. For instance, it does not tell you things like braking distances, 0 to 60 times, how a transmission cooler functions (nor does it even mention the existence of a transmission cooler) nor does it tell you the ground clearance and the benefits of skid plates. An owners manual simply tells you how to operate the vehicle and certain specifications.

    I wont even bother to ask you again to tell me what is wrong with a 1/2 to 1 second delay in starting. I know you have no answer. Your criticism is gratuitous and therefore needs to be ignored.
  • paul153paul153 Member Posts: 1
    I'd like to buy a Tundra with a V8 but only want to use regular gas in it. Is this OK?
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    The Tundra owners manual calls for 87 octane gas. There is no need to use premium.
  • rwellbaum2rwellbaum2 Member Posts: 1,006
    My hat off to you, I couldn't have said it better than you did. Great job!
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Bamma -I did not copy your post - when I ran spell check it was at the bottom of my post. So I added a comment below yours.

    You must have been writing it as I was doing the spell check?

    Cliffy - Is there a section in your owners manual that tells you how to start your engine?? I would guess yes (although I would bet it never gets read - most people know how to turn a key). I agree the manual will not give performance specifications - but something like this slow start feature - if it was indeed designed into the truck - would be in the fine print.

    My alternative theory is - the slow start up problem in the Tundra is a design flaw.

    It has been almost 1 year since I drove the LC, but I think if I would have had to crank the engine 5-7 times in a 50K truck before it started I would remember it.

    I have said enough about the start up delay problem. It must not be much of an issue to owners - kind of like the 99 Silverado door lock feature - it automaticly locks the doors - but does not unlock them when you stop. It was a pain at first - but after a few weeks you get use to it and after a few months don't even notice it.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I didn't say you had to crank it 5 to 7 times to start it. I said the engine turns over 5 to 7 times. This takes between 1/2 to 1 second. Why you view this as a design flaw is beyond me and I too am dropping the subject.
  • discoinlovediscoinlove Member Posts: 1
    Do not think this is a small truck, I am a lady and my husband and I bought one of the Tundra 4x4 and it is NOT for ladies...very strong hands needed on this truck. It is not a pleasure to drive. Very rough on the freeway and it takes 2 hands all the time to keep it on the road, I do not recommend this for the ladies, better to get a light SUV if you want 4x4. Nice Truck, wish we could sell it back now, only 4 days sold. :((
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    Another happy tundra owner
  • tundra_guytundra_guy Member Posts: 49
    I want wax my black Tundra. The products never end. With Cleaning Clay,carnauba wax,car polish, sealant. They all say Easy to use I say B.S. Can anyone help me out here??
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    In all 25 years that I've owned vehicles, I've never seen a product easier to use with the best results as Zaino. Especially for the darker colors. Costs a little more, and the results are impressive.

    www.zainobros.com
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I agree with obyone that stuff is great.
    Its worth a few extra dollars

    Ryan
  • tundra_guytundra_guy Member Posts: 49
    They have a lot of products. You don't need them all do you? What do you recommend? Thanks!
  • rooster9rooster9 Member Posts: 239
    Check it out, the Tundra went from #10 in June to #8 in July!
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    At minimum, Z1,Z2,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z18. I can't emphasize enough that the instructions given by Sal must be followed including the washing with Dawn and the claying to remove old wax. Also the use of 100% Made in USA cotton towels to prevent scratching. I bought a bunch of WHITE bath towels at Ross's.
  • tundra_guytundra_guy Member Posts: 49
    That a lot of stuff I'm going to try it. Looks like it will be worth it I hope.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Zaino is popular with at least three message boards that I know of which Edmunds is one, ls1.com is another and GM truck and SUV is another. The members swear by it. Didn't check tundrasolutions.com but the words been spreading. Let me know how it turns out...good luck!
  • ryanbabryanbab Member Posts: 7,240
    I used to use a wax that my grandpa got from a toyota dealer it was made by 3m that stuff was very nice. This zaino is the best it blows everything i have ever used away. I persoanlly used Z1,Z2, & Z5. This did the job for me im sure it would look better with using all of em but after i wash my truck usually within a day it rains so its relaly not worth it now. Try it out for yourself though its worth the time and money trust me especially if you have a dark color truck

    Ryan
  • redsilveradoredsilverado Member Posts: 1,000
    i totally agree with obyone, get all the product
    that he specified and you will not be sorry. i'm
    on my 2nd coat of z5 right now. first application

    was z1, z5 then z2. stood back and was truly
    amazed. if you have the spider scratches that are

    inevitable then you'll be blown away at the
    results after just one coat of z5. since the
    first time with zaino i've noticed people
    checking out the truck alot more than when new.
    just did the wifes Alero and same results. one
    word AWESOME.

    good luck
    ...red
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