Kesawi

I am potentially setting myself up for a fall here... but simply must ask the question.

If you attach a "nudge bar" shouldn't that protect your car from "nudges" ??

With the 1cm gap I'm thinking that a "nudge" will result in a scratch, dent or both.

Are they really just a platform for mounting driving lights?

I acknowledge that they add some bling to your ride but idea of adding them to protect from nudges doesn't seem to be a benefit.

The 1cm gap is between the plastic cover and the front bumper. The cover is not structural and simply hides the connections to the tow points. Looking at the design of the nudge bar the mounts into the tow points are rigid and attach direct to the chasis, which sould prevent the bar from moving backwards. The lower bars, which run back underneath the car, look like they work in tension to stop the top of the bar rotating back onto the grill. The following link has pictures of the install which should give you a better idea of how it fits together:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3152847&postcount=29

This link shows the damage after a frontal collision with a nudge bar fitted:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304748

The collision was a little bit more than a nudge.

Hi, I had to 'reformat' my pda and lost the password for pairing my pda to the kluger kx-s bluetooth. Cannot remember the password, can I reset the password in any way?

When you go into the pairing mode in the Kluger it will display the password on the LCD.

To the OP, why didn't you just ask the service department when they gave the loaner HC (Hybrid Camry) to you?

For future reference, just in case you need the loaner again;

For display audio units (non-nav), press tuning knob to access Settings then Others/Bluetooth/Telephone/Register Phone

For SatNav units, press Info-Tel then Telephone/Settings/Bluetooth/Register

It wasn't either of the units above in the Hybrid Camry. There was no "Register Phone" option under any of the menus I could access. Will ask service department next time though.

Where did the Lo-Fi view go? This was great for browsing through the site on my old Windows Mobile 5 phone. I'd like to see this back.

so i have question. how often should you clay your car? i had a skim through the thread and i may have missed it.

its just my car looks like ***** after the rain these last two days + build up over the weeks and i wasn't sure if

its ok to go nuts and clay again.

Can't remember where I saw it originally, but it works for me, is after washing the car run your fingers over the car while they're wrapped in cling wrap. If it feels rough then time to clay. I find I need to clay the roof and bonnet every 2-3months, and the side panels every 6 months (horizontal surfaces seem to collect more crap). I also keep the old dirty clay bars for doing the windows.

HAHAHA!

Sorry I dunno how to sort the Bluetooth thing out... I'm guessing you have to put the mobile or head unit into pairing mode I spose?

I would go and buy a Hybrid Camry TODAY if I had someone in lycra (preferably female) doin backflips down the road after me :P

I couldn't quite work out how to put the head unit into pairing mode. Doesn't really matter now as I've handed the car back.

It was a strange experience driving the car as the engine keeps switching on and off all the time.

Picked up the vehicle form a service yesterday and was told the spare couldn't be included in the tyre rotation as it was bald :o 20,000km out of a tyre! Absolute BS

I'm driving a hybrid camry as a courtesy car while my vehicle is in for a service and I can't find the right menu to pair my mobile with the hands free through bluetooth. There's no manual in the car and I'd appreciate any suggestions.

I am a little disappointed with the vehicle as I haven't once seen anyone in a lycra jump suit doing back flips or shooting out of a cannon.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the Kluger KX-S with 19" rims and standard Bridgestone 245/55/19 tyres shows a speedo that is slightly faster than actual speed? So if your speedo says 60 you're more likely be travelling at 58-59?

So you're suggesting that fitting the 255/50/19 Michellin tyres (2% faster) would help bring the speedo back to real world, more closley reporting the actual speed?

This would also mean that fitting the 255/55/19 tyres listed in the chart above (1.4% slower) would make the current difference in speedo/actual even worse?

It's the opposite. If the speedo currently reads fast (ie 104kph when actual speed is 100kph) then a tyre size that causes the speedo to read slower not faster is required to correct it. A 255/55R19 tyre will reduce the speed shown on the speedo by 1.44%. The absolute value of speed correction will vary with speed (ie -1.48kph correction @ 100kph true speed, -0.9kph correction @ 40kph).

I'm constantly annoyed with the armwrest breaking and dash rattles but overall am happy with the vehicle as it suits my requirements.

Kesawi, many thanks for the reply... this is why I love the forums, you state a problem and more likely than not, someone who's reading knows the answer...

Sure enough, changing the phone pairing using the radio's menu works a treat, I think this is extermely silly and unnecessary however I'll have to learn to live with it. Most likely the wife's phone will be setup as default and I'll have to remember to change to mine when I'm privileged enough to drive it on the weekends :(

Glad to be of assistance.

I can see one advantage in not having the stereo switch between phones automatically. If two people get in the car each with a mobile, then how does the system chose which phone to connect with? The driver's phone should have priority, but I'm not sure how the system could be programmed to determine which is the driver's. Also, the passenger may not want to use the car hands free, and it would also be less distracting for the driver.

I can also see one disadvantage. My partner has two moblies, one for work and one for personnal use. It would be nice to have both synced to the hands free.

The inconvenience of loosing the car for all the warranty work and not getting compensated by Toyota.

Agree with the statement. For warranty work it would be good to have a free loan car for the day, particularly if you've been going back repeatedly.

5/ Whats next, warranty runs out in 6 months :o

Enforce your rights under the trade practices act. From NSW Office of Fair Trading Website (http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumer...Warranties.html):

Statutory conditions and warranties are implied by statutes or common law and require traders and manufacturers to ensure that every product provided is suitable for the purpose for which it is supplied.

Products must do their job properly, bearing in mind their price and the way they are described. This is a legal obligation that applies, whether or not a trader or manufacturer decides to provide a written warranty or guarantee (voluntary warranty).

Consumers may ask for a refund if the goods purchased:

• are not of merchantable quality ie so defective that they should not have been sold, for example they don't work, they break down or they develop a serious fault. If an article becomes defective after sale, one of the considerations for merchantable quality would be the price received by the supplier for the goods (eg. a $2 watch wouldn't be expected to last as long as a $300 quality watch)
  
• are not suitable for their intended reasonable purpose made known to the supplier, or
  
• do not match the sample or description provided.
  

For example, a refrigerator is an expensive item. It is not unreasonable to expect it to last longer than 18 months before it’s ready for the scrap heap. Even if the voluntary warranty on the refrigerator has expired, a consumer may still have a valid complaint under the law if it had a structural fault eg. defective insulation not apparent at the time of purchase, which became obvious after only 18 months.

These statutory warranties cannot be excluded or modified by a manufacturer or trader when the product or service is bought for personal or domestic use, even if the consumer does not return a manufacturer’s guarantee card or notice provided with the goods.

The example applied to refrigerators above can be applied to motor vehicles. Motor Vehicles are expected to last at least 10 years. Making a claim this way though will probably be a lot more work and most people will give up (which is what the trader wants).

Got an old 6233 (which was a flash phone for it's time) and it connects automatically without a problem each time I get into the car, seems like I'm lucky...

My wife has an old, old 6230 and that does NOT auto connect.

You need to maually switch between phones with the stero in the KX-S. From memory:

1. Hit the green phone button.
   
2. Turn the left knob until "Bluetooth" is shown on the display.
   
3. Press the left knob.
   
4. Turn the left knob until "Select Phone" is shown on the display.
   
5. Press the left knob.
   
6. Turn the left knob until the name of the desired phone is shown on the display.
   
7. Press the left knob.
   
8. The screen flashes "(connecting" or somthing similar) until the phone is connected.
   
9. Once connected the screen flashes up "successful".
   
10. You may then need to press the red phone button to get out of the menu.
    

The above may not be 100% accurate but you should be enough for you to be able to find your way through it.

Thanks for the heads-up on this.

I'm just about to pick up a new KX-S and have an old Nokia 6151. I have been planning to upgrade it - if it doesn't reliably connect to the new car, that'll be enough of a trigger for me to switch to a Sony Erricson ...

Anyone know if an iPhone has any issues?

Roger.

There was an article in the cars guide section of the Brisbane Courier Mail recently that said most OEM in-car bluetooth systems were well behind mobile phones in terms of technology. It went on to say that people had upgraded their phones thinking that would solve the problem, but it actually made it worse as the newer phones were having compatibility issues with the older technoglogy and protocols in the OEM car systems.

Any idea if the light output is better than OEM? I find my low beam is very poor, to the point that passengers will often ask if I have my lights on.

I have headlight protecters, would this affect light output?

Have a read of Philips Xtreme Power Light Bulbs (test drive), on Kluger II for a discussion on different replacement bulbs. The Philips Xtreme Power bulbs are definitely brighter than the OEM bulbs even with the headlight protectors.

oh, really your going from Mobil to Valvoline to save fuel? Generally Mobil is a far higher quality than valvoline. What were you using before, and what was your change in consumption? Look you probably can mix them, but its definantly not recommended.

Look I only know one oil I can say will reduce fuel consumption, but in a petrol passenger vehicle, even that struggles to achieve better than 10% or so (compared to 'average' oils). By all means try the valvoline, but i really dont think you will achieve much. Again even the best that I know of doesnt have that great an effect.....

I went from the stock standard semi-synthetic toyota provide as part of the servie advantage program to the Mobil 1 SuperSyn. I as averaging 11-12L/100km before the switch and am now 13-14. Drving style hasn't changed, if anything I've been less agressive with the accelerator. Still running same weight in the car and tyre pressures have been maintained the same. Don't see the point in paying almost double for Mobil.

Honestly? I really wouldnt. For the sake of 1 litre of oil, i really wouldnt. What is the other oil? and why change from the Mobil you are using?

Reason I say is we dont know if the bases are the same, or if the additive packs will mix suitably. Just buy a 1 litre of the oil you intend to use, or 5 litres and have 4 waiting for next time. It is safer to do so.

I haven't really been happy with the performance of the Mobil. Fuel consumption increased when I switched to it, and it's also twice the price of Valvoline SynPower 0W-40 which I'm looking to switch to. I have 3.8L sitting around which I would rather use than throw away (i'm happy to sell it cheap or if need be give it away if anyone needs some). The information on the Valvoline site does say it is compatible with other Synthetic Motor Oils (http://www.valvoline.com.au/files/productpdfs/7.pdf).

I have 4L of Mobil SuperSyn 0W040 oil left over and intend to switch to a different synthetic 0W40 next service. Would there be any issues with using 1L of the left over Mobil oil with 5L of the other oil to make the 6L required for the Kluger?

Interesting to see some of the driver aids they're offering such as "lane departure system, active cruise control and collision avoidance".

Styling is a departure, the fake vents above the fron wheel arches look very much like a Land Rover.

Twin head rest DVD's so third row misses out. Still see no improvement on the dismal in-dash GPS systems that most highend cars come with.

It will be interesting to see how Toyota responds, the 2010 Landcruiser will be more than likely be facelift model based on previous model rotations, but it may have some nifty features.

Well here`s a suggestion! How about slowing down?!? I don`t normally drive around flogging the guts out of mine, and I never have a problem. I only smell this smell if I am putting the foot down as if I am overtaking or entering a freeway. Then I smell it for about a minute, and then it`s all over. But the majority of the time, I never smell it.

Luckily I've never had an issue with it, even when flogging it.

btw - towbar saves the day again, another car has ran into the towbar at the shopping centre whilst i was in the car, no damage to my car, his bumper left 2nd best....thats the 4th time i know of that it has saved me! Get a tow bar!

Any damage to the tow bar assembly or mounts?

By accident, I discovered a way to keep the hill start assist (HSA) activated for more than 2 seconds before it switches off.

1. Activate HSA as usual by pushing the brake pedal to the floor, waiting for the beep and then getting the VSC light coming on.
   
2. Reach down and press the VSC Off button before the HSA deactivates.
   

The brakes will hold the car for longer than 2 seconds (I'm not sure how long as I had to drive off after about 5 seconds).

I don't know whether this has any negative effect on the car at all. I'm interested to know if anyone else can duplicate this.

The difference is Toyota's recent stuff-up could get people killed as it had here

A very unfortunate event indeed. Provided the brakes aren't brake-by-wire, pushing down the brake pedal with both feet as hard as you can should be sufficient to stop the car, even if it can't be put into neutral.

HI Guys,

I found the Lightforce 170 Striker HID online for $430, harness and relay kit for $60. Is this a decent price or has anyone found better.

Cheers

Renno

$670 was the cheapest I found anywhere so $430 is pretty good.

A lot of the issues were rectified in later builds so if you're getting a new one most of the problems have been resolved. Despite some of the issues I'm happy with my choice.