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Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
My HL has over 3000 miles and still drives like it was when I got at 7 miles. Great SUV!!! Should I change the oil now or wait till the 5000 mile mark?
Also has anybody tried to lay the front seats down?
The top of my front seats hit the bottom of the back seats when I lay the front seats down. I did remove the head rests.
brought about by the combination of an EPA installation rate limitation and the complexity of the part's installation. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS!
Is it possible that the Dealer will pay a higher invoice price for a car? I need to know so I can prepare as to what do do when I go back to pick up the HL.
I have 2300 miles on my HL, and will change the oil soon. I reason that all the microscopic particles common with a new engine are suspended in the oil, and it will be good to get them out. I feel 5000 miles is much to long to leave them in the engine.
I have an unlimited with a sunroof, so they certainly are available.
To all: I appreciate the positive responses and general good attitudes of all that write on this board. I read the Ford Escape board (I was once interested) and there is so much "hate and discontent" expressed. I think we have a great vehicle with few problems, and we all seem rather content and not "snipping" at one another.
Happy motoring.
My question is: Are there any special installation instructions that need to be followed when installing a new radio? My main concern is having the alarm or other computer/electionic devices get messed up because of this installation.
Thanks, And for any perspective Highlander buyers out there, I strongly suggest getting the upgraded JBL radio system.
Are you sure about the warranty? I live in GST territory and our HL (if we ever get it!) will have the PIO gray leather. I specifically asked if this interior is covered by the national Toyota warranty and was assured it was. Either way, I'm taking the option as I don't plan on leaving my area anyway. FYI, two of the three dealers I had approched with this question told me it WAS covered by Toyota national. The third said it wasn't. Just curious, that's all...
Cliffy's right. Toyota isn't obligated to honor their warranty on a non-Toyota part. Unless your PORT facility owner has an understanding/contract with the parts manufacturers (and believe me, there are often deeeeep pockets there), then the regional guys will honor the warranty on the extras, but perhaps you might be up the creek w/o a paddle later out of that particular region.
Dianne
smallz: I don't see the photo and the "Access forbidden from external hosts" error still comes up. I'm thinking that you can only get to your pic from your Yahoo profile? There are still some pic posting sites that are free...for the time being, for example:
zing
picturetrail
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Were you be a long-time reader at Landcruiser area, you'd see one particular person, Yossarian, continually posting half-truths and misgivings about Landcruiser specs and manual data, and he continually got into it with Cliffy, but cliffy kept re-stating what WAS true because he didn't want anyone to go in there and see poorly presented summations of calculated data and think it Gospel. That's all I wanted to do here.
Di
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Don
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=230403&uid=130209&members=1
gwkiser: no apology necessary! There's a bit of a fine line between giving information and soliciting, but we do get lots more good info here than ads from our friendly salespeople. Have you checked out aftermarket leather from your local upholstery shop? :-)
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
"Maybe I'm wrong, but I think most of us would like to hear more consumer experiences and less dealer give-and-take?"
In my opinion, you are wrong. There's enough band width here that we can "hear" both. I, for one, appreciate both Cliff's and Dianne's comments. While each and every post doesn't affect me today, they may be relevant tomorrow.
I always have the option of not reading a post if I so choose, but I really don't want a "host" deciding what posts are relevant or when we are being solicited. Nearly every post I've seen here from the dealers have been direct responses to questions asked. You've got a pretty docile group here, (i.e. no slurs, profanity, etc.) why not cut us some slack until someone goes over the line.
-Steve
sbell4 Apr 9, 2001 4:51pm
As far as solicitation on Town Hall, it's addressed in the Terms of Use Agreement.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Wind noise: My Limited has made this noise twice. Both times the noise was right above my head (left side of vehicle). Both times the noise occured when I was hit by a BIG, sudden, gust of wind while going between 85 and 90 mph. What was amazing is how stable the HL was in this situation. It would be nice if Toyota could get rid of the noise. Anyone talked to Toyota yet?
Again, I have never run into this and am positive that non SET and GST dealerships would not file a warranty claim on non factory parts. You would be on your own to settle up. This may account for what you were told by the 800# people.
... and Steve, relax a bit man. All these comments were legitimate concerns that Dianne and I are well equipped to answer.
about the content - from a consumer standpoint, I find the honesty of the would-be solicitors in here refreshing. I consider the PIO leather discussion substantial to the value of this group, and I'm looking forward to hear the outcome. Although I don't have leather (or want it), people might have an issue if something's not covered that they think is. Dianne and cliffy are the best sources for this type of info, IMO.
Thanks Steve, for keeping everyone aware of why we're all in here!
I have a friend looking at the HL, and he's looking at the 2002 Explorer as well
When I bought my Honda, the dealership added window tinting done locally, not by them. It peeled a few weeks later on one window, and they had me take it to the installing shop - Honda did not do the fix, but paid for the repair. My guess is that Toyota PIOs done outside the dealership with non-Toyota parts works the same way - the dealership is covering the warranty. The key to the 800# message could be that by "accessories" they mean TOYOTA accessories.
In which case, the 800# people are not misleading you. Dealer-installed accessories, however, are probably a whole new ball game.
You can do things there regionally that we don't do here in SoCal. I think that's a pretty fair trade off for all of the things your regional PORT facility does to you on other cars... like toyoguard, and other additions you have no control over. Thankfully, the heat is on those guys now with the advent of the internet and people sharing their stories about how they got things stuffed down their throats that they really didn't want. It's with the growing number of vocalists here comparing notes and sharing information that keeps folks (hopefully) from paying $2000 for warranties and $600 for undercoating and $200 for $10 pinstripes.
I sure wish we had fender flares, raised white letter tires, but they are not mainstream here. I wonder if CA buyers reading here would like these things? I mean, it all starts with asking! I'd be interested for CA buyers or lookers to share here or with me via email if the flares and/or the upgraded tires might be of interest to them? SoCal regions consider all requests, and if there are enough... well, what the heck! Perhaps again, with the powers that be reading this area, we'll also have the extras you get too! I like the flares - they sport up the HLs and the leather would be great too if it could be arranged thru Ultra Trim or Classic. Their leather quality is very good.
SBell, thanks for looking into the semantics of the warranty issues.. it was good of you. I know it's appreciated.
Di
All manufacturers are required to label tires with UTOG [uniform grading] test results for Treadwear/Traction/Temperature. However, the standard only provides a general comparison of the tires manufactured by an individual company, and is strictly a guideline. As an example, the ratings for the factory tires are as follows:
Bridgestone H/T 687 UTOG 300 AB
GoodYear Integrity UTOG 440 AB
Due to the 225/70R16 size, your choices for replacement tires will be limited. There are two excellent posibilities to consider:
Bridgestone H/L 683 UTOG 460 AB
Michelin Cross Terrain UTOG 520 AB
The Bridgestone is a great tire that handles and rides well, and is really good in the rain. You should be able to exchange the originals at a Bridgestone dealer for about $200, mounted and balanced. The Michelin is a premium tire that was designed specifically for SUVs, and should provide you the best all-round performance that you can buy. I am really impressed with the ride and handling of the Michelin, and I think it will be a much better tire in snow and ice than the Bridgestone. The Tire Rack will deliver them to you for $130 each but you will pay approximately $60 for mount/balance. If you drive in severe weather, seriously consider mounting either Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin Arctic Alpin tires on an extra set of wheels. The increased traction and safety is well worth the cost.
Be especially careful about installing larger tires for the 'look'. Wider tires will not perform as well in inclement weather, and may cause you performance and mileage problems. The original tires have a diameter of 28.4 inches and I am very careful about changing that diameter with new tires. A small change in size may adversely affect your fuel economy and performance, and will change the speedometer calibration [a half-inch larger diameter will cause a 2% change]. Keep in mind that the computers in your vehicle monitor every system, and it is very easy to foul up the operation. You may spend $500 only to find that you have a negative result.
A last note: the best way to dramatically increase the longevity, handling, and safety of your tires is to invest in a quality tire gauge and check the [cold] inflation pressure at least once a week. Adjust the inflation to the Toyota specs found on the driver's door label, and be sure to rotate your tires at least every 6,000 miles. You will be amazed at the money you save, and the improvements in performance. Just comments from an HL afficianado!
So the obvious question I would ask is - can they be removed easily? I know it sucks to have to go to that extreme, but I would probably only use them a few times a year at best, so if they come off, it sounds like a quick fix to me.
If I know I might be using them I can always put them back on again. This was an easy thing to do with my 98 Rav4, but I haven't heard anyone talk about being able to easily remove their roof racks on their HL, so I'm concerned that this could be a problem. Please advise.