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When I log into the official Toyota web site to 'build' my car I note that there are only two options available in N. Cal. They don't seem to be true options since one or the other is mandatory. The higher upgrade package has both the NAV system and the leather seats. The lower package has neither.
When I put in a zip code in NJ or even NV I notice that there are a variety of upgrade packages including an intermediate configuration that seems to be just what I want (i.e. leather seats and no NAV).
Does anyone have any info about this situation? Is it possible to avoid the NAV feature while getting the better seats. Do I have to go to Reno to get the car that I
want? That seems more than a little annoying. I just don't think I want the NAV.
It's expensive and it will become obsolete fairly quickly and I don't get lost that
often anyway.
Ps. One other question. If I ditch the NAV gizmo, do I still get the full display with all the other screens available (i.e. the panel that shows how power is being routed as well as the instantaneous MPG display)????
Thanks, BP
Hybrid vehicles without NAV display less information about power distribution. The non-NAV dislay tells you where power is going between battery, ice, and wheels, and the charge level of the battery. It's adequate for my needs. And of course the display inclues MPG (current and for the tank), miles remaining on tank, outside temp, average speed, miles traveled from current start, trip miles, etc.
Based on the complaints on these forums about the Camry NAV, I'm pleased to be using a portable Garmin GPS unit.
enhancing games. The other regions have five option packages while CA just has
two packages.
I think it's a bit of a rip off. As you note, there are good portable NAV options these
days.
I don't know what leather seats and a moonroof has to do with NAV. They should
be independent choices as they are elsewhere in the country.
Grumble.
Thanks for confirming that the NAV-less display has the basic Hybrid output display. I thought that would be the case but I just wanted to confirm.
Originally, I was looking for an '07 non-hybrid with VSC and no moon roof. No way. The two came together. Period. By chance, I found a hybrid, which includes its version of VSC, without a moon roof. I've never seen another. It's been a great car. In mostly semi-rural driving (now Sonoma county) I consistently get 38-40 mpg.
Please use, IMO, next time you say stuff like this.
I have Nav in all of my 3 cars and I am quite pleased with their use and utility. For some of us geography-challenged, it does come handy. And I prefer factory Nav over the AM ones... just me tho'. With factory Nav, you get not just directions and POIs but additional functions (bundle) including BT, Audio, Service info, TPMS, etc... etc... Plus you lose many of the steering wheel controls without the Nav unit installed... The info you get from the Nav unit and the many functions it displays give the driver a lotta materials many times better information than those with non-Nav units.
GREAT JOB ON PAINT MATCH ORIGINAL TOYOTA PART # BLACK PAINTED TO YOUR COLOR. PRICE FOR FRONT AND BACK PAIRS $70.80 PLUS $10.62 FOR SHIPPING. GREAT DEAL FOR PAINTED MUDGUARDS AT $81.42 SHIPPED TO PA.">
HIDs (6000K) and Fogs
New chrome mesh grille
Rear spoiler and new 18" rims
How do the HIDs work? What was involved in their installation and what difference does it make in visibility? Is it street legal?
How do the HIDs work? What was involved in their installation and what difference does it make in visibility? Is it street legal?
Thanks for the compliments...
The HIDs are 6000K and are NOT street legal, but you'd be hard pressed to find a cop pulling you over for your lights... I had it installed by a local audio shop, but the kit required modifying the bulb housing to fit the HID kit. I have HIDs on my other 2 Lexus vehicles and you really cannot compare HIDs to halogens... Its apples and oranges.... My Lexus cars had 4300K lumens, which are 15% brighter than the 6000K on my TCH but still plenty better than the stock halogens. Visibility is at least 5X better than my stock halogens, IMO.
I have a 2008 TCH. I heard there was a modification to allow the electric motor to remain on for a slightly longer period before the ICE kicks in. Does anyone know anything about this or had the mod installed?
Thanks
So if there is such an upgrade, I want know too.
Heavier wheels and tires will affect your mileage, and the bigger tires are likely to increase rolling ressistance, once again decreasing your mileage.
Load ratings will depend upon what wheels and tires you buy, but as long as they are quality wheels and tires it shouldn't be an issue.
Good luck. Post pics when you get them on your car!
tom
On my TCH, I was tempted to go minus one for snow tires but opted to stay with the stock sizes.
They were garenteed for 5 years. I had them on for 4 years and they still worked fine.
Hope this helps
---Captain Marty
I think the battery could be used more, and the car would get better fuel economy, but at the expense of battery life, which I'm sure Toyota doesn't want.
The car is perfectly capable of running just off the ICE (in fact, if you ever run the battery down this is precisely what the car does) and the car becomes a bit slower.
tom
Thanks for the help
37.2mpg lifetime after 45,500 miles in the hills of WV
I'm sure as things improve so will the use of the batteries and we'll have higher mileage cars.
tom
Bottom line though the batteries are never fully discharged (or anywhere near it). The computer is designed to kick in and out of this state to keep them in this range to provide the longest life.
I'm sure they would help keep a lot of the splash and rocks off the lower body panels, but is there much (if any) penalty to fuel mileage?
Anybody know how?
you can also see that some dealerships like to order cars with the same set of options and some dealers never do have those--very strange since I am sure whatever they get comes through the Gulf States wholesale operations...
there are many options available here -- and some can be dealer installed afterwards like the moonroof or leather seats
my question is about the two leather seats options
one says there is lumbar and liquecell--it retails for 1429
but there is another leather trim with power driver and passenger seats
and that is for 1300
both allow the C/C with heated seats---
does anyone know the difference?
one of them is 1300 option w/o heated seats
and the other is a shade over 1400 w.o heated seats--
that is listed as separate C/C package
is one for power seats and the other is not
or is one for dealer installed seats?
are the heated side mirrors turned on ALL the time--do they come on when the defroster setting is used---
I don't remember a switch by the remote switch that moves them---
maybe it was there--just don't remember it--have not needed to heat them up in short time we owned the car
IMO this is a real shortcoming.
And, if so, any detriment to the car as a whole? [damage to dash, etc].?
I love everything about my 2007 Camry Hybrid except the fact that the Toyota Lawyers will not let customers use the Navigation system while the car is rolling. I have looked at many forum postings on this subject. I have tried many of the secret menu hacks... But none of these software overrides work with the latest Map DVD.
I have found a workable hardware solution. I have installed a switch to temporarily interrupt the speed signal to the Nav system when I need access to the menus. (Don't just cut the wire. There are times when you NEED the speed signal.) I just installed the switch inside the center console storage box. Flip the switch and you get full control of the menus. Flip it back for normal driving. You can find pinout information here: http://www.oemvalue.com/installcamry07.htm#pluglayout (Look for R12 pinouts.)
This software hack only works on the older DVD's. As soon as you upgrade your maps the software menu overrides are locked out. (As on my 2007 TCH.)
I have found a workable hardware solution. I have installed a switch to temporarily interrupt the speed signal to the Nav system when I need access to the menus. (Don't just cut the wire. There are times when you NEED the speed signal.) I just installed the switch inside the center console storage box. Flip the switch and you get full control of the menus. Flip it back for normal driving. You can find pinout information here: http://www.oemvalue.com/installcamry07.htm#pluglayout (Look for R12 pinouts.)
Thanks for any help here!
Hitches for Toyota Camry Hybrid
I had a local U-Haul store install it for about 2 hours labor charge. It has worked well. Very hidden, has not dragged on anything as of yet. I have used it for a Segway hauler and a little platform trailer. Going to buy a bike mount soon.
Good Luck !!!
Thanks for the link - the hitch is actually cheaper than I thought it might be.
It's only a little wider than half as wide as the bumper. So there it sits in the middle 1/2 of the bumper as far as the width aspect goes.
It's right up against the bottom of the bumper, no space wasted. It is under the curve of the bottom part of the bumper so that it does not stick out farther than the bumper. It really is pretty much "hidden" as a hidden hitch should be. Not completely out of sight, but it sits really low and unobtrusive.
As I said, I have never had it "scrape" on anything - it's actually sitting up higher than the bottom of the muffler.
I'll get a pic posted when I can. It's a good looking install though - hardly noticeable at all.