junebug1701

I haven't driven a 4 cylinder RAV, but my V6 has the same drive-by-wire throttle system. I've never noticed any delay, in fact I've heard complaints from others that the pedal is too sensitive--just barely touch it and off you go. How much of a delay are you feeling? How about when cruising and you speed up for passing? Do you get a delay there as well?

This TSB was just recently released for the US market. I don't know if the procedure will work on your car, but it might be worth a try: http://mojavetrail.webng.com/T-SB-0097-09B...thMicVolume.pdf

My RAV4 came with one of these and I had never even seen one before. I must admit, it works very well. Here's the explanation from the Gentex site: ---------------------- Gentex uses its proprietary, solution-phase electrochromic technology. We sandwich an electrochromic gel between two pieces of glass, each of which has been treated with a transparent, electrically conductive coating, and one with a reflector. 1. A forward-facing sensor recognizes low ambient light levels and signals the mirror to begin looking for glare. 2. A rearward-facing sensor then detects glare from the vehicles traveling behind you, sending voltage to the mirror's EC gel in proportion to the amount of glare detected. 3. The mirror dims in proportion to the glare and then clears when the glare is no longer detected. 4. The interior mirror's sensors and electronics control the dimming of both interior and exterior mirrors. http://www.gentex.com/auto_how_nvs_work.html

The fuel pump could have been damaged. If it's the original pump, the low fuel condition could have added extra strain. The fuel serves to cool the pump as it's working. Without sufficient fuel it could have gotten hot.

I installed the QuickLIFT struts from Redline Tuning on my RAV4. They are excellent quality. Here's what they look like: http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20279

I agree, I like the spare where it is. In the US, only the "Sport Appearance Package" version does away with the spare on the door. It comes with run-flat tires, and no spare, so you still get the handy storage compartment. In the UK, some of them come with run-flat tires, and some come with a puncture repair kit and air compressor! Believe it or not.

That's correct, and is why a rubber balloon filled with helium starts to fall after a day or so. The tiny helium molecules leach right through the rubber. As for my tires, I'm sticking with 78% nitrogen.

You're right, used in the Lexus RX350. But I think the engine appeared first in the 2005 Avalon, and as those and the '06's start to get older, this problem may crop up more often.

I just wanted to alert everyone here about a possible design defect in the 2GR-FE V-6 engine. There have been many reports about an oil line leaking/rupturing causing catastrophic loss of oil in Avalons, Camrys, and RAV4's with the V-6. Here is some information I've cobbled up from several forums: There is a TSB out for the newer Avalons concerning a small pinhole leak from the rear bank VVTI oil feed hose which can grow into a larger leak, and in some cases, cause catastrophic failure due to lack of oil in the system. The problem is that Toyota has ONLY issued a TSB for the Avalon, even though this EXACT same condition can (and has) happened on ALL Toyota vehicles using the 2GR engine. This is causing a MAJOR headache for dealerships (especially the people that handle the paperwork), along with the customers that go through this problem. Try calling a Toyota dealer and ask for the parts department. Ask the guy for Part 15772-31030 "Pipe Sub-AS". When they tell you its on national backorder ask them why. From what I can tell the V6 engine, a 2GR-FE is also used in the Avalon, Sienna, RAV4, Lexus ES and RX 350 models, Highlander and Previa. The part # 15707-31030 is the one with the rubber connection. The replacement part that was installed in all of the RAV4s Limited V6s on 04/2008 and later is metal and the part number is 15772-31030. Here is the Avalon TSB: It's a little hard to see from the picture, but that hose that is circled is whats causing the problems. its the connection between two preformed metal hoses and banjo fittings, one of which goes up and over the valve cover to the VVTI (as you can see in the pic), and the other loops around the back side of the bank and is connected to the block's oil feed. Here's a picture of the line with the rubber hose from a 2006 RAV4: And here's the same part on a 2008 RAV4 built after the 04/08 upgrade. Notice the all-metal line: So any of you V-6 owners who are curious should go out and check to see what version you have. It might help to pop off the plastic engine cover to see more clearly. If you do have the rubber hose keep an eye on it and your oil level. Hopefully, Toyota will issue more TSB's for the other models. Here are more examples from other forums: http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/rav4...rav-4-v-6-lost/ http://www.camryforums.com/forum/showthrea...19036#post19036 http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Avalon...ing_light.shtml

Toyota has addressed this problem here in the US and have issued a TSB that corrects it. Hopefully they will have also issued a TSB for Oz. It might be a good idea to print this one out and show it to the dealer. Here is the TSB: http://www.rav4world.com/tsb/2007/TSB-0067-08.pdf

Actually there is a 3 minute "buffer" for the windows to operate after switching the key off. Problem is, it gets canceled when you open the door.

From everyone I've talked to, these are supposed to be the best: http://www.redlinetuning.com/QL-TOY-COROLLAS-03+.html I'm planning to install a set on my RAV--that thing has a heavy hood!

YES!! Stop using it immediately and have some refrigerant oil added at once! This happened to me and it would come and go. After a few days the compressor seized up and it was a very costly repair. Apparently this happens when there is a slow leak and just refrigerant is added. You have to replace the oil that leaks out as well.

Mine fit, but they're clip-ons! I noticed that Toyota calls it an "overhead storage compartment" in the brochure, no mention of sunglasses.

I would have to add these: 12 volt accessory outlets that can be ignition controlled or always on--chosen by driver. Better lighting of controls, i.e. power window, power door lock buttons, power mirror buttons, stalk controls. Pneumatic hood support struts--no prop rod. And a light under the hood would be nice. Greater adjustment range for tilt/telescopic wheel and driver's seat.

Are you talking about the seat belt warning? You can have that turned off at the dealership. They plug in their OBD tool and can disable it for the driver, passenger, or both. People that usually get that disabled are those who have to get out of the car to open or shut a gate. There are also several parameters they can change regarding how long the interior lights stay on, how long before it re-locks if you don't open the door, etc. They can change some of the A/C parameters as well--for instance, if you don't want the A/C compressor to automatically come on when defrost is selected they can turn that off.

If Toyota called on you for suggestions on how to improve the RAV4, what would you tell them? What annoying things would you take out, and what features or functions would you add? So far I've got: Automatic door locks at 15mph. Better cargo area lighting.

For best performance, you need to populate both slots with the same memory. If you want 1 GB, you need a 512MB module in each slot. If you want 2GB (the limit of this model) you need a 1GB module in each slot. For reference, (and great prices), check out this site: http://www.kahlon.com