kwach10

Not sure where you are, but try ringing few dealers in smaller towns or Adelaide (depression city!) - I bought my Grande 4wd at Northpoint Toyota, second hand and drove it to ACT in one day (13h). All up $350 extra! Some will want to get rid of big cars even with a loss, so said my salesman, after indicating he did loose some money on the trade-in price. He said a new Grande 4WD should sell with more than 5K off the sticker price, or more for 08 stock (I assume). I bought mine for less than the KRS with similar Km from the ACT dealer - a rip-off town!

some good info (as previously discussed) on why using a good oil is worth it: "The Engine Oil Bible".... Some interesting stuff here, particularly about sludge.... http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html I changed from Toy dealer recommended mineral 10-30 to Nulon full synthetic 5-40, just because they have a 6 L pack at a reasonable price. Next, I will probably use Mobil 0-40 (as recommended by...?) since I can do both Kluger and Yaris on two 5 L packs.

Hi Tonester Sydney to C-rA is up not down, and vice versa. On my second trip to Sydney and back this weekend, I got the following (sitting on 118 k/h most and each way) with only wife on board: to Sydney - 9.9 (previously less when alone) to C-ra - 10.4 this was on 91 RON How about the local rip-off for petrol. Sydney price between 112 to 122 - back home 132!!! On the way back on Hume - between 122 and 125. Someone is skinning us alive in the ACT - and no one cares - it is a moron town (we are getting the first water crap filtration/desalination station!), and not just when polies come for a roost.

Well, not so good in my experience, as far as the wheel spin. During the Sydney down pour last weekend, on few occasions, the fast start resulted in a very brief spin, and that with my new Toyos on the front. Most likely it was the rear loosing it since old Bs on the back have little groove left. How do you disable traction control - I see no button for that in my wife's Grande. By the way, as for real gripping, I recommend Magna/Verada 4wd - a constant 50/50 form Lancer Evo 5 or 6 - and no electronics to interfere.

Too expensive??? Or hard to justify the rip-off price? as per Lexus sibling. In the US you can now get the Highlander hybrid for just over 30K (not sure if on road) - which corresponds to our $ ..you do the figures And they pay more - not less - tax! - our is only 5% at farmer's discount, up to the "Luxury" level So even with unjust exchange rate, we are getting skinned here compared with the US market - the basket case of "free" economy! - I mean - a new comee paradise! Imagine the value when our pacific pesso was over 90c US

The most efficient way to squize more grunt and make stronger note would be to fit a cold air intake. Economy may also improve. TRD may make one in the US, as they do for other Toys, e.g, even Yaris (US$300). I had a look but could not find on ebay. Non TRD may also be an option. After market air filter could also offer some gain.

Getting parts from US is not a bad idea, even with poor exchange rate now. U can search ebay US for few shops that supply them, but here is one I found: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/thetrdshop__W0QQ_armrsZ1 Particularly, if you get few parts, like brake pads or similar in one order, and have it shipped non-express, it can be worth while, considering part prices here, i.e., air filter (paper) element for Kluger is $50.00 !!!, but the oil filter is $20. Some shops have big discounts from time to time - not surprising considering the carp they are in.

sure here we go By the way, I have almost new (probably less than 100 km) original Bridgstone tyre from the spare. I would be happy to part with it for $300, which would give someone an option of a cheap pair of tyres (with their spare) as a replacement for a used pair or a replacement for badly damaged one. I could drop it off around ACT or in Sydney, or on the way to Melbourne (the coastal route) in the second week of April (after Easter)

Two Toyos are now on the front and here are my first impressions: 1. They look a bit skinny compared with B 2. The tread looks very impressive with two deep channels for good water dispersion - so should be good in the rain and snow! 3. The grip is excellent - tested it on a roundabout in the ACT at close to 90 km/h - not a squill but the stability sensor cut me out mid way so not fully satisfied 4. On the road to the coast showed nice control in cornering at speeds close to the comfort zone 5. Quiet even on a rough road. By the way, the wheel alignment showed that my toe was way off both front and rear (thus excessive wear of two tyres), but the camber was OK, with left at just over -1 and the right just over -0.5, so rather lucky considering the lack of camber adjustment bolts. I set the rear toe at just out on both sides, and the front just in. NB. As part of 40K service, the dealer charged me for front wheel balance (scheduled item) - they did not do it as I found out when fitting new tyres!!! So be vigilant - do not trust!

The dealer service report states that the synchro was abnormally worn, but they changed all first gear parts. Now its up to Toyota to assess the cause

The dealer service report states that the synchro was abnormally worn, but they changed all first gear parts. Now its up to Toyota to assess the cause

The dealer service report states that the synchro was abnormally worn, but they changed all first gear parts. Now its up to Toyota to assess the cause

Got my car back on Friday but did not take it. Problems!!! Another 3 days wasted because they forgot to install ABS sensor (?) and the reverse light was constantly on!!! The door trim had grease finger prints all over!!! So much for caring. OK, finally It is back home. The car was cleaned & washed (apparently by Lexus people) All extra problem fixed. Toyota service were happy with their service - I was not! The manager agreed to cover the cost of the next service because of delay, but I had to push. So much for good customer service. I might give them a miss unless with warranty issues (hopefully not) - do no trust! I should be getting a full report from Toyota about the first gear problem - will see.

An update: Apparently, my Toyota dealer has not seen this problem before. G-box comes from Taiwan not Japan, so ....? Toyota did not allow a new box so this one is being fixed - new 1st gear, with synchro and b-ring. Apparently, they have been doing many g-boxes from other models so know how to put it back with factory tolerance. Will see!

An update: Apparently, my Toyota dealer has not seen this problem before. G-box comes from Taiwan not Japan, so ....? Toyota did not allow a new box so this one is being fixed - new 1st gear, with synchro and b-ring. Apparently, they have been doing many g-boxes from other models so know how to put it back with factory tolerance. Will see! :(

It comes on to reach preset temperature faster. Once teperature is close to desired recirculation it will switch automatically off. On normal day it goes of in 1-2 minute. Very hot day up to 5 minutes. I dont see why is that issue.........most of other brands with full climate control do the same. Solution..........Dont use Auto mode. I my case, it comes on sometimes, not in the Auto mode (not used it yet), for instance when the sunroof is up. And that makes the airflow much louder at road speed. The annoying bit is the kick-down to 3rd, on the uphill, when 4th does it nicely on the S setting.

Hi After just under 4K, my car (1.3, man) has lost its first gear. Local (ACT) shop says they have not seen this problem before and will dismantle the box. Has anyone had a similar problem? Dan

Thanks for that- in that case I will try to get Toyo - fantastic in a Teo Eco version on my other car. Here is the link to their website: http://www.toyo.com.au/OPHT.htm pretty impressive with the tread wear rating of 640 it should outlast Bridgstones by 50%!!! see also attachment: Just got a quote form a trusted Tyrepower dealer in Melb for this Toyo (they do not have it in their book yet) - $334 each, all included. Not bad! I bet the ACT price will be at least $20 more. Just in - Queanbeyan (NSW) Tyrepower quote is not bad - $339. Been advised that Toyo has a stock of 40 only and they get them intermittently, so a long waiting time is possible once the stock is gone. Consiering the Yen conversion, the price may go up too.

Very odd! I would take it to a good suspension specialist and run a 4 wheel check, with camber/castor and toe; perhaps dynamically if possible. Maybe the whole strut needs bending? When I will be doing a tyre change in a next few weeks, I will ask for up to -0.80 on the left front, with a bit less on the right, with a zero toe. For rears, a toe should be out up to 0.8 on both sides to improve a turn-in. I guess, camber is non-adjustable.

How can it be normal if one wheel is affected - this is just like Falcon few models back. But it may be considered "normal" if you constantly drive on roads which have camber slope to the left, which normally is the case (to drain water). Easy to see if your wheel is slightly right to keep the car on the road - if you let it go, it will slowly go left off the road. To keep car on road by steering slightly right, you will scrub off the outside (if camber is set to positive - typical in front WD) or the inside - if the camber negative. Possible partial solution (to minimise wear) - install camber adjusters, if adjustment not available on car. By increasing (more negative) left wheel camber, the car will stay on the road without the need to turn the wheel. This should reduce, but not stop, the wear. If all fails - turn the tyre over inside-out, every 10K, and swap to back.

Thanks for that- in that case I will try to get Toyo - fantastic in a Teo Eco version on my other car. Here is the link to their website: http://www.toyo.com.au/OPHT.htm pretty impressive with the tread wear rating of 640 it should outlast Bridgstones by 50%!!! see also attachment: TOYO_Open_Country_HT.pdf

Just checked room between the strut and standard tyre on the back. No worries for extra 5 mm! For a total pace of mind, one could install a 5 mm spacer. The best tyre calculator I have seen is here: http://www.alloywheels.com/TyreCalc.asp

Indeed, the room is tight on the back but 10 mm wider (5 in both directions) should be no problem - will investigate. As to the choice - I read Conti 4x4 reviews from US and you will never, never buy it. As for big M, my experience with their other tyres has been very bad - no grip in wet - fast wear! generally - crap! and expensive. My top choice for other applications - Toyo or Falken. Pirellis may be OK, but I am focusing on Koreans - very good reviews for one particular brand and model, and the price should be relatively OK. Will let you know.

When I drove my Grande 4wd from Adel to Canb (ca 1300 km) in 13 h doing 120-130 along mostly flat Malley Hwy, and than Stuart Hwy, the average was 9.3 L/100. On the run to Melb with 4 bodies, going the costal route, it managed just over 10, but on the run down the hill past Cooma, it did much better. On the lone run to Sydney, kept just under 120 k/h, most way, it did under 9. In Sydney peak h traffic, 15+++! My wife gets just over 13 on short city runs!!! I get under 12!!! Having done 3K in the Aurion with 6 spd, the cruise control calibration in the Kluger is shocking, probably because of 1 ratio less, with 400 kg more. As mentioned above, it kicks like crazy to 3rd even on a slight incline and the economy suffers. It actually scared me few times! So, I do what he does – cut the cruise up the hill, and keep it in 5th , which it does easy! Dan

Thanks for this, I am in the process at the moment at looking at 2 new front tyres for my 2004 Kluger. I will now do some research re replacing all four tyres "old" Kluger has 16 inch wheels and tyre options are pletifull and reletively cheap! I would recommend Toyo from my experience on Magna 4wd! They last 60K, if rotated.