Toyota Sequoia

doudoudid · February 2003

is there any reason that the 2nd row of seat can't slide back and forth? is it the same as all the other full size SUV? although the room in the third row isn't that bad, i still like to have the flexibility of rooms.

anyone found that it is hard to get out from the 3rd row seat by yourself? don't know why they designed the way it is, you have to push it forward to tumble the 2nd seat up in order to get out from third row, i almost twist my arm by doing it. the funny thing is they have a better handle at the back of the 3rd row.

md2002 · February 2003

Your right it is hard enough being in sales, but it is even harder when people either are unethical and/or work for a company that is as well.

My deal is simple, and the sales person I work knows to offer a straight up offer. The reason is he has sold 6 cars in the last two years to refferals of mine.

My deal was typical for me. I stopped by last Friday night to check out my Sequoia and to just verify the dimensions to make sure it will fit in my garage (it does).

The GM was not there, but had worked up the offer the in advance so I wouldn't have to wait. They took my old GMC at $5300 and I pd 4% over invoice. With paperwork, transfer of insurance, my baggage to fly out of town & washing of my new Sequoia I was done in two hours.

The only downside was flying out of town for a week with a new Sequoia left behind. But I am very happy. By the way my GMC was ready to go in a big way. Too many problems and too many miles. The only downside I have and I need to call them about it is can I get the JBL 3in1 with 6 Disc changer to replace the stock 3in1 ETR or do I have to go remote changer?

I got FE, DR, GY, RL, SR, CC, AH, CQ, AC, KE, LF, CF, C7 in my Silver Sky Metalic 2003.

pschreck · February 2003

Do you guys have any military presence in your area? I understand that in DC they have Hummers with Stingers on patrol.

pschreck · February 2003

Well we had the most snow that I've driven my 2001 Sequoia through over the past 36 hours. I BLEW through at least 16" of snow on unplowed roads this morning on the way to work. The ActiveTRAC barely made a sound even with the stock Bridgestone Duelers. What a truck! Best puchase I ever made. Of course the Honda snowblower was a very good choice too.

morunner2 · February 2003

Just got our '03 Seq.and already needed the 4WD through last weekends midwest snow. What a great validation of the purchase decision!
My question - I have tried to re-program the auto door lock/unlock feature according to the manual but it stays on the factory default (doors lock and stay locked after putting in drive).
Any suggestions? Thanks!

md2002 · February 2003

I haven't tried that yet, but my new '03 Sequoia is dealer bound Saturday for some of the options I ordered that couldn't be installed prior to delivery.

I also cannot get the homelink to reprogram either after many tries, reading the manual, going to their website etc, nada, nothing.

raddboy41 · February 2003

Do a search on these topics in the Sequioa forums and you'll find more detailed information on programming both of these features. The information supplied in the owners manuals is inadequate, but I know I've posted complete (and working) steps for these in the past 4 weeks or so.

md2002 · February 2003

Thanks. I will do a search. I recall your posts, but I didn't own one at the time and my purchase wasn't supposed to be until June.

Thanks.

morunner2 · February 2003

I would have never figured it out.

dupont1 · February 2003

Being situated in the MidAtlantic, I finally had an opportunity to challenge the 4WD in my 2001 Seq. in deep snow and, frankly, I wasn't at all impressed. Maybe I don't understand the system well enough but here's my problem. I previously learned that for full performance, the VSC must be turned off. Did that, but still, the grinding noise continues and the skid symbol in the dash illuminates. Took the car to the dealer who tested it and could only reproduce with VSC on. Snow came, turned VSC off, and the noise and the flashing skid control still occur. What's the problem here? I can't get nearly the power or control out of the vehicle. Is there something wrong with the 4WD or is this normal operation.

pschreck · February 2003

What kind of tires are you running? How many miles are on them? Are you giving it too much gas? Are you sure that 4WD is fully engaged?

Mine easily went through 16" to 24" of virgin snow on Monday. The roads hadn't been plowed since Sunday and we had some drifting. Heck, we were even going uphill through part of our neighborhood.

I, too, turned off the VSC. My A-TRACS hardly kicked in at all, which indicates to me that the tires were gripping nicely. I still have the stock Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts.

kinnman · February 2003

I have also been a bit dissappointed with the 4WD performance. I was driving on some fairly slick roads the other day in Minnesota. As I turned onto onto the main road, up a slight hill, the A-TRACS kicked in, and the vehicle was actually slowing down - it was an eiry feeling. Same thing happened plowing through some snowdrifts. With the cut in power, the vehicle appears to slowdown. With previous 4WD vehicles (Pathfinder for ex), the wheels would spin a bit, but atleast it kept you at a constant speed. On positive note, I played around in a parking lot and the VSC does work great in maintaining control and keep the vehicle straight instead of spinning out of control.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but doesn't the A-TRACS work regardless of whether or not you have the VSC on? The VSC I understand applies a combination of braking and power to keep the vehicle under control, where the A-TRACS cuts power to keep the wheels from spinning. In other words, you can't turn the A-TRACS off, right?

raddboy41 · February 2003

Sounds like a 2001 vs. 2002+ issue with the overly sensitive TRAC computer. You guys are welcome to borrow my 2WD 2002. It gets around just fine in this white stuff! :^)

jraider · February 2003

I agree with you raddboy41, my 2WD gets around really well in the snow. I was pleasantly surprised. It gets around much better than my 98 sienna did. We decided not to get the 4WD because we had 2 previously and we didn't use it much. My thought was we didn't get much snow.....well I was wrong, this Ohio winter has been tough. However the 2WD can handle the snow very well.

habitat1 · February 2003

I am considering dumping our 1996 Isuzu Trooper after a $5,500 engine repair in November.

My (early) preliminary considerations are: Toyota Sequoia, Honda Pilot, Used Mercedes E320 Wagon 4-matic. Questions for Sequoia owners:

Price target? Appears form browsing these posts that something in the $700 to $1k over invoice is what I should be looking at??

Complaints? Give me the 2-3 things you dislike the most about the vehicle, now that you own one.

MPG? Fortunately, we don't put a ton of miles on the Trooper, but 13 mpg city and 16-17 mpg highway was no fun at the pump. Especially with projections of $3/gallon prices possible by summer.

Other vehicles you compared with? We'd like to go to 7 passenger seating, but probably don't need the size of the Sequoia. However, it appears the other Toyota offerings are either too expensive (Landcruiser) or only 5 passenger vehicles.

Thanks much for any feedback.

pebru · February 2003

About a year ago, I replaced my 1993 Isuzu Trooper (4x4) LS with a 2002 Sequoia SR5 4x4 with the B Package (as offered in the Canadian market -

(see http://www2.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/29/wo/mV6000WT20- 0mx500m7/5.15?v107045e%2ehtml)

I have driven the SR5 for about 11,000 miles mostly on highways but also in stop-and-go city traffic around Vancouver British Columbia ("B.C."). I have also towed the same travel trailer as I did with the Trooper in mountaineous B.C. I usually engage the 4 wheel drive only when necessary, i.e. on dirt roads, fields, in snow etc.

Here are my observations todate comparing the SR5 and the 1993 Trooper with a dual overhead 3.2 liter engine:

1. My SR 5 uses slightly more fuel than the Trooper, despite having a much larger engine and being much heavier and being generally bigger. Frankly I was pleasantly surprised.

2. The SR5 has much more power, particularly at low rpm's. This was particularly noticeable when towing a trailer up mountain roads.

3. The SR5 is much quieter at highway speeds since the engine is turning over at much lower rpms at equivalent speeds, e.g. 70 mph: SR5 2,200; Trooper 3,500.

4. The SR5 does not lean in corners as significantly as the Trooper did, something I had to get used to when I first drove the Trooper.

5. The SR5 provides much more cargo room. I have removed the 3rd row of seats which I do not need. Instead I placed dog kennels and dog training equipment in the cargo area.

6. The flip up tailgate of the SR5 provides shelter from the rain whereas the side-opening doors of the Trooper let the rain into the cargo area.

7. The Trooper was much easier to park in the tight city parking stalls.

8. I miss the cornering lights of the Trooper, particularly on rainy nights.

9. I was very disappointed with the quality of the SR5's fabric upholstery. It is ill-fitting and looks cheap. Toyota Canada said that it is within specifications, i.e. no remedy.

10. The paint on the SR5 is of much lower quality than that of the 1993 Trooper. The SR5 already has many chips on the front and on the roof from road debris down to bare metal! I had many chips on the Trooper after nine years but only once was the entire paint surface penetrated to the metal; usually it just scratched the top paint layers leaving the protective undercoat intact.

I test drove the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL before deciding on the Sequoia. The GMC has less road clearance and the running boards and the towing hitch are about 3 inches lower than on the SR5 which limits the type of rough road one can travel with the GMCs. The Yukon provided much less cargo room than the SR5. The Yukon XL has more cargo room but the extra bulk was overkill for my needs.

I have not regretted my decision to buy the SR5. It is a pleasure to travel with it and I have not experienced the brake problems or the dual air conditioning failure reported in other posts.

cliffy1 · February 2003

Turn off the VSC in snow? Why? The VSC governs lateral skids. If you like sliding sideways, by all means, turn it off. If you prefer to stay out of snow banks, keep it on! TRACS will continue to function with the VSC off. TRACS will not cut the throttle when you are in 4WD but the brakes will engage to keep power to the appropriate wheel.

I played with a Runner in the snow. Actually, I worked with it. The Runner has a nearly identical 4WD system. In a field with 2 feet of melting now and soggy mud underneath, it performed very well with the VSC on. The only time it was a hindrance was when towing. I was assigned to pull out a bunch of cars from out storage lot. I put it in 4WD low. The TRACS was a bother and impeded forward movement. I locked the center differential and things got very easy.

In the Sequoia, you can lock the center differential and disable the TRACS by shifting into the "Low/Low mode". If you ever need to pull another car in the snow, this is the mode to use.

pschreck · February 2003

When I had the VSC on, it seemed to be cutting the throttle and I was losing momentum. Once I turned it off I didn't have that problem and just blew right through the snow. Could there be something wrong with my system?

cliffy1 · February 2003

It should only do that if you are about to experience oversteer or understeer. What it is doing to trying to make sure you don't go sliding sideways into a ditch. You may loose some momentum when this is happening so you need to make a conscious decision as to what a lateral skid will do versus what a momentary loss of momentum will do. In my play time in the back lot, I'd keep it on myself.

pschreck · February 2003

I'll have to try it again. I'm certain that the computer thought something was happening out of the ordinary. I was moving pretty good to make up the hill on the way out of the hood. The rear was a little squirrelly.

Of course, it will probably be a while before I come across the conditions that I was dealing with on Monday morning. We just don't get that kind of storm very often here in south central PA.

Regardless, I was VERY impressed with the Sequoia's ability in snow that ranged from 16" to 24". I love this truck and won't hesitate to buy another or a 4Runner when the time comes.

kinnman · February 2003

Thanks for explaining. I didn't realize TRACS actually engaged the breaks. In any case, engaging the brakes or cutting power creates a loss in momentum, which was my point. I agree that there is no reason to turn off the VSC. In fact when I did, just to experiment, while accelerating around a corner, my back end spun around. Then with the VSC on, I tried the same thing and no back end swing. It's a very good system, but I would still prefer to have the option to turn TRACS off.

pschreck · February 2003

If you turn off TRACS, the open diffs will allow the wheel with least traction to spin. Then you will lose momentum.

My experience with the 2001's VSC is that it can be so sensitive that it will retard engine output at the worst time. An example is when you are pulling out from a stop sign while making a turn and go through a dip or gulley in the road. If I turn off the VSC I'm fine, if I leave it on it will almost certainly retard the engine output.

cliffy1 · February 2003

Pschreck is correct but I want to make sure everybody reading this understands that the rev limiter part of the traction control DOES NOT FUNCTION when you are in 4WD. When in 4WD, the only thing TRACS does is modulate the brakes. This can reduce momentum, but noting like it would with the engine power cut.

Further, you CAN loose engine power momentarily as a result of the VSC, even in 4WD. This is very brief and will only happen if you are sliding sideways.

This is not a simple system to explain nor understand.

pschreck · February 2003

Just to clairify, this is just about the best system on the market in my opinion. The only other system that I would consider is the one on the 4Runner.

arcticman · February 2003

maintenance manual my 02 2WD under normal driving conditions is not due for any transmission servicing (at least for the first 120K). No, I won't follow this recommendation. But, I do have to wonder why Toyota would do this. And, any thoughts of why the diff. needs such frequent changes? Is this the norm for other vehicles used for towing? My 94 4runner didn't require such frequent servicing.

petro33 · March 2003

where did everybody go? Are all of your seq running perfect?

md2002 · March 2003

Mine is running ok. But I have noticed and feel the hum and vibration in the front end. I have a call into my dealer about this. Other than that I am on a mission to find something to remove the light scratches on the interior. The back is looking back after a few weeks. All I did was put three bags of trash back there and whamo scratches. Sorry but GM has plastics that can hold up (if nothing else does in their SUVs)

jraider · March 2003

My 2003 Sequoia also has that hum coming from under the drivers feet at 30-40mph. It's less the warmer it is outside. When I go to the dealer for an oil change I plan on asking about it. I have a 2WD. I noticed a lot of people with this problem have 4WD.

I also am very annoyed by the scratches, my kids put some snow boards in the back, and when I went to put groceries back there I was amazed at the scratches. I also have a scratch by the many sunglass holders from my wire sunglass. On the Tundra solutions web site there is a thread about scratches, someone said to use goof off on them then put STP sun of a gun or Armorall over them, I haven't tried this yet...too cold here to be outside too long. There is also a thread over there about the hum noise.

stever · March 2003

Snow boards and skis have sharp edges - I have a piece of astroturf carpet stuff in my van that helps keep the scratching down from my skis and board.

Steve, Host

jraider · March 2003

Steve, we have begun to wrap the snow boards in beach towels (too cold for the beach), but your idea sounds better. I just have to supervise as teenagers are not very careful. My son rents his equipment, its his friends who have boards. I like renting better because you don't have to put the boards in your new truck. But my son informed me he is saving up for a board. I can't wait. I'd also like to get rid of the concession stand at the ski lodge, because when I pick the kids up they all have red slushies in their hands ready to get in my new truck!

stever · March 2003

lol, you'll never win until the kids leave home. Last year I leased skis and it was great not having to sluff stuff up the hill. Leased a board this year and darn if they didn't make me take it home and haul it back and forth :-).

And you know about Scotchguard kind of stuff I'm guessing....

Steve, Host

minuteman26 · March 2003

My 2001 SR5 drove me nuts for a while wondering what that was, peaking at about 35 mph. Finally a service adviser said it was tire noise from aggressive tread on the stock Dunlop tires. I thought "that sounds reasonable", and thus reassured, forgot about it. At about 30,000 miles I replaced the Dunlops with *wonderful* Michelin Cross Terrains which don't "hum".

pschreck · March 2003

I have the Deulers. No hum.

raddboy41 · March 2003

Darn!! I put a bag of hammers, loose knives and a bucket of nails in the back of my Sequoia and now I've got scratches!! What's up wif dat?!?!?! :^)GM plastic wouldn't have done that!!!! :^)

seqlady · March 2003

The antenna on my '01 Sequoia is not going down on the way (maybe the cold weather?)...it has about 6" to go and then stops. Anything I can do, or does it need to be replaced?

lorainemax2 · March 2003

My '01 did the same thing. Had the antenna replaced under warranty.

Actually started a long time before it did that by not fully extending...which was fine with me because then it didn't hit on the garage door, the parking garage etc....

cliffy1 · March 2003

Forgive me, but I didn't catch the beginning of this one. Is it a constant hum or one that comes in and out? I ask because my 2003 Tundra is experiencing this. It only happens when it is cold and I can feel it through my foot on the "dead pedal." It is not constant but rather, seems to be a a timed interval. Hummmm.... (two second lapse) Hummmmm.... and on and on. The intervals have a connection to the speed I am going.

md2002 · March 2003

That sounds about right for me as well. Any ideas other than a bucket of hammers, knives and loose nails in the back of the cargo area? LOL

Now I bought an SUV for a reason, cargo space, 4WD, and ability to get around in the crappy weather we get in Upstate NY. I am realistic that any new vehicle will get scratches and show signs of wear inside. What I don't care for is cheap materials in a vehicle that costs $42k. If for nothing my GMC had a couple good qualites, not many, but a couple. One was the plastics still looked good after 4.5 years.

oac3 · March 2003

My '01 (now wife's) used to "hum" at ~35mph with miles under 20k. Now with >38k miles, there is absolutely none. Of course, it mayhave something to do with my replacing the Duellers with Michelin M/S tires at ~25k miles.... I won't swear that the hum is due to tire noise, because I feel it in the gas pedal ONLY when the speed is at 35mph; at higher NONE, at lower NONE. Weird. Otherwise, I am a happy camper....

Oh, and the scratches. My wife has had a couple dings backing into an old lady driving an Accord, and another lady driving a Sienna. In both cases, the Seq had nothing but scratches (small ones), while the poor old ladies in the sedan and minivan suffered considerably more. I feel the scratches are part of the wear and tear. Normal for me, and no worries....

gatorjcb · March 2003

I finally took the plunge several weeks ago and put a deposit down on a SR5 4x2 special order. I ordered it with these options CQ, PM, AH, AC, KE, LF, DR, CF, DJ, 8E, QA.

I now find out three weeks later that the special order did not include the Load Leveling Suspension option QA. The dealership is telling me that SR5's cannot have the QA option, that only the Limiteds can. The Sequioa brochure, Toyota website, Edmunds, KBB all list QA as an SR5 option.

I am being told this is a true special-order as opposed to an allocation change and that it's going to take 12 to 16 weeks to deliver my Sequoia.

My question is -- Has anyone here been successful in ordering an SR5 with option QA?

My guess here is I'm getting jerked around.

mdell2 · March 2003

I am interested in buying a Sequoia. I will move to Boston and do a lot of driving in the city. Sequoia is a huge SUV with a large turning radius (42.3 ft.). Will that be any problem drive and park it daily in crowded city street?

kw6 · March 2003

I found at least one CA dealer who has an SR5 with QA. That is one of my required options, as well. My friend's plastic truck (read: Avalanche) has it, and it really makes a difference. I also wanted PM (leather and steering wheel audio controls), but that would take 120 days to get. My dealer (who doesn't require a deposit) has promised me the first 2004 in town. I am hearing from other boards and such that there will be interior changes for 2004, including the addition of NAV and a sportier dash. I really want one NOW, but the fall isn't that far away.

lorainemax2 · March 2003

Don't know about the sportier dash. The Sequoia and Tundra share basically the same dash layout and the one in the pictures of the '04 Double Cab look pretty much the same as what we have now.

kurssat · March 2003

I will be picking up my Sequoia SR5 4x4 tomorrow with the QA load leveling suspension. I did have to special order it and it did take about 16 weeks. We tried modifying one of the allocated Sequoia's but toyota would not do it. Toyota also limits the number of options you can order on a special order so my advice is to not order things like locking lug nuts and get those items later from the dealer. You will pay a little more for those items but you will be able to get more of the important options like load leveling or DVD systems etc.

shek3 · March 2003

I special ordered my SR5 and it did take about three months.........I was told by the dealer not to bother ordering the QA package because I wouldnt get it and it would just hold up my order. I did order the 15 other most important options I wanted(I was told 15 was the limit) and like Kurssat I didnt waste them on things I could do myself after I got the truck. The truck did come exactly as I ordered it(PM, DVD, 17" wheels plus 12 other goodies) Mike

cliffy1 · March 2003

15 is the maximum number of option codes we can put into the system. There are usually ways to package things or get them at the dealership (like wheel locks) if your order exceeds the limit.

csd2 · March 2003

I Have a 02'seq and within the next week or two will be getting a DVD system installed. I am considering the all in one unit with a 10.4 screen that will go in the middle behind the sunroof were the light is now.

   Does anyone have any other suggestions beside this option?
   How do they attach the unit to the inside ?
   Will there be any issues with the sun shade or the use of the sunroof(the unit will be in the space were the sun roof goes and the shade). The unit is large and just eye balling it the unit might be over the top of my one child's head who is in a car seat, but the screen is near the back of the unit so it will not be to close to her face.
   The head rests could be an option for the screens but with the two little one they are into investigation of everything so out of sight is out of mind.
    Thanks in advance.

kw6 · March 2003

Like I said earlier, waiting for a special order now means it may never show up. Why order an 03 when the 04s will be coming out not long after you get your special order 03? Of course, you always gamble that your color won't be available in the next model year. Personally, I am hoping that there will be some color changes.

pschreck · March 2003

I believe raddboy put the LCD headrests in his Sequoia. If I remember correctly he posted a link to his webpage some months ago.

gkatz1 · March 2003

If you don't fell like slicing, swapping or perhaps losing your height detents on your factory headrests, you might want to opt for these. Very nice:

http://www.vizualogic.com/headrest_prod/models/toyota_sequoia_tun- - dra.html

Crutchfield has them for $600 a piece. Not a bad price in my opinion.

Toyota Sequoia

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