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All-New 2009 Toyota Matrix
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Comments
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
For the 200.00 I could get a GPS (like a tom tom ) instead of the compass. I haven't decided yet.
The mirror is only a problem when its real dark out and there is a truck behind me.. since we have more daylight now during my commute it isn't a problem. I don't drive a lot at night right now.
Finally going to trade in my gas hog SUV for a smaller car in the next month or two.
I've been looking at the 2009 Matrix/Vibe, but I'd prefer to have the 2.4L engine. I commute about 120 miles round trip for my job M-F (all interstate), and I'm hoping to get about 30 MPGs on the highway.
What have your experiences been?
Thanks!
I picked up the AWD 2.4l Matrix 09 a few months ago. I drive from Delaware to NY every other weekend. My gas mileage was roughly 24-25 mpg. I also have a heavy foot .
I just change my oil from 5w-20 to 0w-20 synthetic oil. The owners manual said it gives you better gas mileage.
It was right, my gas mileage when up to around 28mpg! Without changing my driving habits.
On my next fill I’m going to try to watch my acceleration and try driving no faster than 65mph and see how it does.
.
I just bought and installed Toyota Auto-Dimming Mirror. I send you a link to a Toyota Dealer that sells 2009 Toyota Matrix accessories ( I do not work for them, but prices are much lower).
http://www.primepartssuperstore.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=74_179_315
Good Luck!
Thank you very much. That is a much more doable price.. :shades:
The mirror came with a small wire. Electrical parts are easy to demage, so I prefered Toyota mechanic to install it.
It does not have a compass on it....like previous generation Matrix/Corolla; however, it still helps me while driving at night.
I've had the car since Feb and the light has always been on showing OFF, unless someone was in the seat then it would switch to ON. This just stopped working a few days ago.
Is this something I should have the dealer look at or is it no big deal?
Is anyone else having this issue?
But if its not working, definitely have the dealer look at it. It's a safety issue they have to fix it. So far I have not had the problem, but I usually don't have passengers in it, but I check it once in a while.
doors. I wonder if there is a TSB issue for sound insulation.
Can anyone advise if there is a way to have the doors automatically lock once you have exited the vehicle without pressing the lock button?
I was reading several of the discussions and I noticed that someone recommended that at the next oil & filter change try 0w20 for better gas mileage - anyone else agree?
One last comment - I noticed that if I put the rear windows down and I am driving there is this godforesaken noise - any thoughts?
Question #2.... I cannot help.
" " #3....Usuallt the thinner oil gives slightly better mileage...but...I suggest you use the right weight oil that the "manual' recommends!!!!
#4....that is a common occurence forom "wind turbulence" and will occur in "ALL' vehicles. The incoming wing has no palce to exit and buffets itself against the incoming wind. It occurs in ALL vehicles.
As far as the window-induced noise - I get it too. Turns out the car is tight as a drum, and it resonates with the some combinations of one or multiple windows down a little ways. Note that you don't get the noise when all 4 are down all the way. So don't sit and suffer - when you get that noise, that means that outside air isn't really going thru the car anyway - just buffeting around at the window. Sometimes I like to forego the A/C, and ride with window down - sometimes even at freeway speeds.
Try opening the windows more, or more of them. My solution is to open the Driver's window all the way, and the other three open about 2 inches. I get air thru, and little noise (only wind noise, no buffeting). Another alternative is to leave the windows up, and crank the A/C blower up a bit, without actually turning on the A/C. This works best on the freeway, as it's quieter (and more fuel efficient) than open windows. I've experimented a bit, and find that the best setting for the Duct Control for this, is to put it in "half-dash vent / half-floor" setting.
Please don't get mad at Toyota about the GPS - after all, they didn't tell you that would intertie with the Garmin. Why blame them 'cause it doesn't work? Does Garmin say it should work with the Toyota?
Hope you enjoy the other fine qualities of the car, especially the nice gas mileage. Fun to drive, no?
I do agree that switching brands to get higher mileage is probably not going to get you much, if anything. Better to read up on the techniques that will help you drive your car for better mileage. And do not waste money buying Premium. Neither the 18L or 2.4L in the Matrix will be able to make better mileage with higher octane fuel. It may even lower the mileage.
You've made a great selection. Drive it easy for he first 500 miles or so. Read link title. Don't panic when your mileage drops in a month or so when the gas gets "enhanced" with ethanol. We all suffer when that happens. Oh - and enjoy the ride.
Whether that 'Techron' actually is anything of value is another discussion entirely.My contention is that while it might possibly keep a fuel injector cleaner a bit longer it certainly will have no effect on how economically (or powerfully) your engine runs. It's only Chevron (or whoever) that would like you to think it does.
As far as octane increasing FE you are likely spot on - those of us saddled with E10 ethanol (EPA regs) (instead of MTBE) will definitely suffer from lower FE despite generally higher octane ratings on all grades of 'gas'.
So, do you have any experience with Arco? Or just belief in your theory that "all gas is the same"?
Whether or not you think it runs differently in your particular experience is kinda inconsequential - the fact remains that the Gas itself is the same, it HAS to be. I do further suggest that advertising can be a powerful thing - whether or not some minor (and likely non-existent and inconsequential) additive has any real effect just might be a self fulfilling prophecy, it (the additives) are only something that Chevron (in this case) is hoping will make you think it is different thereby keeping you coming back for more.
How did Chevron obtain a patent for Techron if it's "nebulous" (your term)?
Why have many oil companies not been able to achieve Top Tier link title status for their gasoline, but a few top companies have? Do you realize that the EPA sets levels of additives in our gasoline, and that these levels change thru the year? link title And that they have changed many times, and will change again and again?
Called anyone who has ever used Arco gas?
And please tell me why we are writing about something other than the Toyota Matrix here? I'm done.
Can't argue anything about Arco, in particular, since we don't have those stations down here in Texas, although it is not logical that it could be any better or worse simply because initially it comes from the same place as that Chevron gas you seem to like so much. I, for one, would not hesitate to buy Arco or any other 'brand' of gas if the price is right.
Anything at all to write about the Toyota Matrix? I like it. You? What do you drive? And what brand(s) of gas do you buy?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
never said that - but you did - see your post #138. Guess because you have had some problems with a particular brand or two - guess then it follows that everyone does. It's logic, I suppose. I only talk about how the gas we use is manufactured and distributed and the commonality of source(s) - that is where my 'logic is'.
As far as my 09 Matrix 1.8 Base model, it continues to hum along quite nicely at 30 mpg overall - my wife is the one that happens to drive it, she is quite happy with it as well. It is ultimately one heckuva practical vehicle! For my part, I feel Toyota has made a mistake in how it has chosen to equip the higher trim lines with the larger engine only - I think the car does fine with the smaller engine and think that 5 mpg or so is a big sacrifice even though gas prices have eased somewhat. I didn't like the unavailability of some options that I would have been willing to pay for otherwise simply because I wanted the extra FE.
I agree with you there - my 2007, of course, has the 1.8 and with a stick shift I manage 35 mpg as a running average. It is docile around town and plenty fast enough if I wind the engine out when I need the power.
I think Toyota made this choice with the engines for the '09s because they are trying to push the Matrix as the smallest of the crossovers in the Toyota line, now that RAV4 has gotten so big. As such, it needs to have more power available for bigger loads and light-duty towing. Of course, they are also guilty of old-school thinking: the buyers with more money deserve a bigger more powerful engine, fuel consumption be damned. "Fuel consumption be damned" may leave our lexicon permanently very soon now....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
maybe - but at the same time it seems Toyota wants to include the Matrixs sold in their Corolla numbers, and not necessarily as a separate vehicle. Is not the Matrix also a Corolla Wagon? 35 mpg overall a damn good number - I think my wife must have a bit of a lead foot!
3500rpm, compare to 1ZZFE (1.8L). I used to own older Matrix & I couldn't feel the torque in that range. I think because of the dual VVT exhaust and intake. I love this
2ZRFE engine. It's a good design for perfromance and fuel economy. Right now I'm averaging 32mpg mixed driving, odo is 9500km
this is reeediculous!
I don't need AWD. don't want the 2.4. can't believe that Toyota has the car configured this way, given the fossil fuel situation. I've owned 6 toyos over the years, loved the philosophy and everything but I can't fathom this thinking. why force people who want safety options into the bigger power plant?
argh....
I didn't want the sunroof because I figured that it would eventually leak.
I figured the car would be alright without stability. The odds of this car rolling over are very slim, compareds to the SUV I was driving.
But try another dealership. They are pretty desperate to sell any cars right now so you may get the upper hand.
And old Toyotas with moonroofs usually don't leak - they do a pretty good job of those moonroofs, they are pretty durable.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Some of the changes the made to the 09s are REALLY great. The sunroof now opens with just one touch of the button, rather than having to hold it until it's all the way open. The AUX jack and Bluetooth are my favorite options, I think.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Independent gas stations buy their gas from several suppliers, whoever is cheapest. I shop for the cheapest gas and it often comes from independent stations. I occasionally get a tank of gas where the car runs fine but gets substantially lower mileage, under the same driving conditions, driving the same route, commuting to work, one week to the next. It happens less often now than it did 20 years ago. There used to be particular stations I would avoid.