Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
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I have a garmin vista for sporting activities, and it won't last a 6hr bike ride on full batteries.
I stress the screen is too small on the portable units. I really wanted a streetpilot 3, and then saw the 2610 come out. Looks like a good unit for me, but was disappointed that the screen size stayed so small!
Oh well, life is full of trade offs.
BTW, there is a full nav system out of an 03 on ebay. $1500
http://www.xpel.com/
"FITS MODELS WITH DOUBLE STACK CARGO TRAY SYSTEM. IT FITS ON TOP OF TRAY IN ITS DOWN POSITION. IT DOES NOT GO ON TOP OF THE TRAY WHEN IT IS ELEVATED."
http://www.premiermotoring.net/cgi-bin/2/webc.cgi/st_main.html?ca- tid=825&sid=5iRDJe0mIA4WC21-00103571228.a0
If you experience knocking, then kick it up to premium grade gas- but most 4Runner owners are using 87 or 89 I think.
And if you don't turn the engine off, would the battery be drained at all, or the alternator would save it?
Here's my question....If I were to go to Toyota and tell them all the reasons why I think I have a lemon, and if I go into all the details about how they have not impressed a new Toyota owner, what will they do for me? Here's a list of the screw ups thus far:
1. ordered vehicle with running boards ($500+ option). On delivery day I show up and they forgot to put them on. Had to bring it back another day and wait.
2. 3 weeks after I pay for the optional running boards, they list them as "standard" on the sport model.
3. Engine fluttering noise- brought it in 3 times so far and have been getting the run-around.
4. Horrible exhaust smell- was told to use different gas (why should I have to when I pay $45,000 for a vehicle???)
5. They broke a plastic seat clip when it was brought in one time, and never mentioned it.
The service manager says hes only heard one other V6 with a ticking noise in the engine. He says he completely agrees with me that I shouldnt have to put up with such a noise after paying so much for the vehicle.
So what can I do? I plan on writing a detailled letter of complaint to Toyota, but what is a fair thing to demand from them?
Is a replacement vehicle an unfair thing to ask for? I have just over 8000km on it and it is 5 months old. Im thinking of asking for a new one, or something along those lines. Has anyone heard of anyone doing that?
Any feedback or info would be of great assistance.
Thanks.
This will depend on the condition and charge of your battery. Even a new battery would probably not last long with a 27' TV. Heating appliances would drain it even faster. Obviously, the less power drain (both start-up and continuous), the longer it will last. Look on the faceplate of the appliance you want to run and determine the power requirement. This will give you some idea of its current draw. Also pay attention to the current capacity rating of the outlet. DOn't plug in an appliance that exceeds the capacity of the outlet.
If you want it to last as long as possible, buy a battery for your truck with the highest possible CCA (cold-cranking amps) and RC (reserve capacity) that will fit in the vehicle. You can also install an additional battery for emergencies. There is no easy answer to your question though.
"And if you don't turn the engine off, would the battery be drained at all, or the alternator would save it?"
The answer to this question also depends on the current draw of the appliance you plug in. The easy answer is to watch your alternator/battery warning light on your dash. If it is not lit with the engine running and the appliance plugged in and operating, you are ok. If it stays lit while the appliance is plugged in and operating, then you are draining your battery. You may be able to compensate somewhat for a higher current load by stepping on the accelerator and increasing the rpms of the engine. Should help with a borderline situation. Don't expect to run your heat-pump for your house off of it though.
If you can find the capacity of your alternator, that would give you an idea of the maximum watts it will support. You are problably limited by the outlet rating (the current-carrying capacity of the wiring from the battery to the outlet, thus the fuse).
YMMV
This line is particularly interesting: tidester, host
I've got a v8 Limited so it's got the 115 V AC. From what I remember, the owners manual states that it ONLY works while the engine is running. So I don't think you can even use it with the engine off like you're talking about.
A little background:
Alternators output AC (as in alternating current) which is rectified and filtered to produce DC (~13.8 V) which is used to run accessories and keep tha battery charged.
My guess (I'm a EE) is that the circuitry that creates the 115 V AC completely bypasses the DC rectifier/filter circuitry and draws from the AC output of the alternator.
It is possible to create 115 V AC from 12 V DC, but that has some drawbacks. For one thing, it would be more load through the DC rectifier/filter. Also it would be less efficient than going from the alternator output. The circuit that performs this task is referred to as a voltage invertor.
If they did give it the ability to run the 115 V AC off the battery while the engine is off (using a voltage invertor), the amount of time you would be able to run a TV (or any other appliance) would be a function of how much current the TV (or other appliance) drew, the charge capacity of the battery, and the efficiency of the invertor circuit.
Obviously running a high-current device like a hair drier would drain the battery really quickly.
Hope that helps,
Eric
I may be wrong, but I thought the frequency of the alternator AC output varied with engine speed. If so, it is unsuitable as a direct source of 60 Hz AC.
What is your knowledge of this issue?
For your mechanical issues- engine noise/fluttering, that is on toyota.
But broken tabs etc? Thats all the dealer's fault and they should make it right. Also, the dealer should refund you the money for the running boards within such a short period of time- they knew it was going to become standard. You need to get them to owe up and pay up for all the complaints.
As for waiting for service or delays at the dealer, get in line.
100W isn't much. I think the input draw of the DC converter for my laptop is 192W (120V * 1.6A). The output is only 65W DC (18.5V * 3.5A), so that wouldn't even run. The only thing I've plugged into the 115V outlet is a cell phone charger, which worked just fine.
I had a GPS device which had a DC plug for a vehicle, that went to the 12V 120W outlet in the center console.
New question: Just bought an 03 Limited 4X4 with V8, x-reas, etc. We decided to test the DAC feature and went down a steep hill (gravel) in 4LO, first gear and with the Traction Lock on and the DAC on as well. It made some funny sounds like a thumping noise?? Believe me, it crawled down there--which is good as this hill is snowy and icy in the winter-- but is this noise normal?
The noise was actually intermitten in that it did not do it all the time as we descended.
Thanks, Clay
However I have noticed on most other 4R's that they simply have the turn signals on in the bumper. I like this feature. Seems like it would be very easy to activate them somehow.
HAS ANYONE DONE THIS?? If so please share.
Thanks.
There are several ways to do this. The easiest is to use a cassette adapter. I am using one in my 4Runner now and it works OK. I use the 110 outlet to plug in the XM receiver because I can't find the 12v adapter (my teenager has undoubtedly run off with it). My XM receiver is in the center console, which is probably not a great spot for it, but that is where the 110 outlet is. The disadvantage of this setup is that there are wires all over the place and the sound quality probably isn't the best XM can deliver, although it is OK for me and I am fairly fussy about sound quality. You can install a cassette adapter system yourself.
My system was originally professionally installed in a Highlander and used an FM modulator. It looked nice--no visible wires--but it required tuning the radio to a certain FM frequency. Worked OK for me but might be subject to interference from a nearby FM station. I also got a slight spark plug whine when the vehicle was stopped or going very slow--hard to hear but it was there. Again, the sound quality seemed to be OK, but I am sure it was not the best XM can deliver. My FM modulator and the permanently installed antenna and power cord stayed on the Highlander when I traded it on the 4Runner, which is why I am currently using a cassette adapter. Probably best to have a modulator system professionally installed, although someone moderately handy could certainly do it.
Unfortunately, the '03 4Runner with the 6 disc changer doesn't have an aux input on the factory stereo. That is how I would prefer to install the XM system. That method would have given the best sound quality and would have no visible wires. There are adapters that can add an aux input to OEM radios while still providing full functionality of the OEM system, but I am not sure they work on a 4Runner with the 6 disc changer--in fact I think maybe they don't.
I am waiting for the new SkyFi radio with the smaller antenna (the size of an Oreo cookie) to reach stores. Then I am going to replace my current first generation Sony XM radio, which has terrible ergonomics, with a SkiFi unit. At that time I'll research the XM radio websites to try to find an adapter. If I can find one that works with an 03 Runner I'll go that route and have it professionally installed. If not, I'll probably go the FM modulator route again.
Simply put, this SUV is absolutely MAGNIFICENT. It is stunningly handsome and elegent looking, both inside and out. Its ride and handling characteristics are highly refined, tight, sure-footed, agile, responsive--just superb! The i-Force V8 is quite powerful, and oh-so-smooth and quiet. But while this engine is indeed quiet, I'm also extremely fond of the rather classic V8 "warbling" exhaust notes and tones this engine emits as it purrs and prances. Just gorgeous! Her transmission is silky smooth, with excellent shift characteristics, without any annoying clunks, clangs, hesitation, roughness, or shuddering when downshifting or upshifting, even under more aggressive acceleration or decels. This truck's 4-wheel, ABS disc brakes have a bit more brake pedal travel than my previous 2002 Explorer, but they are nonetheless extremely competent brakes that do an outstanding job of slowing or stopping this 4500 lb. vehicle.
My new 4Runner Limited was originally shod with 17" Bridgestone/Firestone tires, but I prefer Michelin Cross Terrains because of my excellent past experiences with these tires in all conditions. Among the new 2003 4Runners that were on my chosen Toyota dealer's lot, I noticed that the stock tires varied, and were either Michelin Cross Terrains, Bridegestones, or Dunlops. So, I was quite fortunate that my chosen Toyota dealership happily agreed to swap my new 4Runner's Bridgestones for a new set of Michelin Cross Terrains from another 4Runner on the lot, but this did not occur until I had driven the Bridgestones for a couple of days. I can tell you that the Bridgestones were probably a bit more quiet at highway speeds than the Michelins, and they probably imparted a ride that was a bit softer overall. However, I have previously logged about 45,000 SUV miles on 16" Michelin Cross Terrains in extreme snow, ice, and very wet roads; before my 4Runner's Bridgestones were replaced with Michelin Cross Terrains a few days ago, I had the experience of driving on the Bridgestones in heavy rain and standing water at highway speeds (I drive about 350 miles/week as part of my job), and I definitely felt the Bridgestones were beginning to hydroplane and "float" in road conditions that the Cross Terrains would typically handle with confidence. The tread channels and overall tread design/pattern of the Bridgestones seem narrow and insubstantial compared to the Michelin Cross Terrains, the latter of which I feel are the best SUV tires for the buck. That said, keep in mind that the wider and deeper tread pattern of the Michelin Cross Terrains may tend to cause more of "whining" or "singing" noise at freeway speeds when compared to, say, the Bridgestones.
Next, I'll mention that the new 4Runner Limited's cabin and interior appointments are beautiful, tasteful, elegent, sophisticated, and luxurious. To borrow a phrase from Donald Fagen of Steely Dan fame, my truck's interior is a "total biosphere". (Can you say "Lexus" with Toyota badging?) The DVD/GPS Nav. system is something I initially thought of as little more than gingerbread and gimmickry, but now that I've lived with the GPS, I am totally sold, and I can't imagine being without it ever again.) That said, be advised that the owner's manual for the dvd/GPS Nav. system is poorly translated from japanese to english-- and, it would be very, very easy to kill yourself and others by becoming distracted by the damnable computer screen menus on this electronic wonder unit, in which even the tone controls require that you LOOK, read, study, and push multiple touch-screen options while possibly driving down the road... and oh, by the way, are you also talking on your cell phone while playing with this touch screen and associated "hard" buttons?! BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL, AND PULL OVER AT THE SLIGHTEST FRUSTRATION OR CONFUSION!
Finally, I'll mention that I happen to be an audiophile, and the sound quality of my new 4Runner's surround-sound audio system is simply stunning for a stock audio system! The bass is deep, tight, and articulate; the highs are crisp but not edgy or fatiguing; and the mids are startlingly life-like and natural. 2 channel CDs sound fantastic.
Thanks for listening. I look forward to learning much from this forum, and in closing let me again say how totally thrilled and in love I am with my new 4Runner. Best regards-- KH
The JBL sound system is great. Read the Edmunds full test of the 4Runner and look at the seperate stereo evaluation. They say the JBL/4Runner system is one of the best they have ever heard.
I don't know what KH paid, I paid $29K and got a great truck that is Lexus quality. Rock solid quality and a great price.
the 4 Runner is the best SUV in this price range and I wouldn't be happy in anything else.
BTW, I have stopped using the auto setting on the AC and use recirculate. I no longer get that smell.
Thanks all!!!
My dealership offers a premium protection plan that includes periodically using Krex graphite engine lubricant,and Krex fuel system and injector cleaner. Anybody have experience with these products? (With my previous Ford truck, I seemed to have very good results with adding Chevron Techron fuel system/injector cleaner at every oil change interval.) I'm especially curious about the graphite treatment, since I'm a high mileage driver and I plan to keep this beauty for a good while. (I put 46,000 miles on a new 2002 Explorer over the course of 22 months, before selling it due to a lemon transmission).
Finally, I plan to have the first oil change at 1000 miles due to concerns about excessive metal shavings being generated during break-in. Any thoughts here?
Will also mention that this is my first white vehicle, but I must admit that after detailing it today with Zaino products, the white truck looks very, very sharp. Thanks. KH
I'm just wondering if anybody has any experience with adding on a changer (MP3 or CD) themselves, and as to whether there are inputs in the factory receiver or whether I'll need an FM modulator. This applies for upgraded JBL system with or without the in dash changer.
thanks
JD
I really like the leather steering wheel and audio controls. I have been told that the NEAT package is only installable at the factory.
Aaron
We have driven both and like both. I guess the main concern in long term value in the Lincoln. I honest feeling that the Lincoln is a nicer truck, and, with cash back and 0% financing, the payments are starting to be much closer to that of the 4Runner we are also considering. Anyone have any comments on the Aviator, Lincoln, and the resale value and long tern ownership of them?
Thanks!
Aaron