wilsact

Hybrids do their best work in stop start city style driving, less so highway stuff. What fuel type are you running? (98, 95, standard 91?)

Tyre pressure?

7.6l/100 is actually pretty decent for a petrol 2 plus tonne SUV.

Cheers 

As already stated Toyota should replace these free of charge.

Mine were originally replaced with the so called upgraded rubber version, they refused the metal ones. Apparently a 10 year warranty for the upgraded rubber ones. Anyway long story short the upgraded ones failed after 5 years, were subsequently replaced with all metal ones at no cost.

Was just very lucky happened pulling on to driveway at home, wonder what the story would have been if a blown engine.

Good luck.

On 02/01/2017 at 9:12 AM, Slugg79 said:

Looking at getting some new tyres for my Kluger and been reading your thoughts online.

Not a great fan of the Dunlop Grandtrek ST30's, find they a bit slippery in the wet (could be a km thing, only got car at 55k on the clock and now up to 72k). Can still get these however, but been recommended the Goodyear Efficientgrip SUV's by a few stores as a good alternative that perform well in the wet. Anyone got these and can provide feedback or any general comments about what might be good.

Family car and no off-roading.

Cheers

Bit late but these are great tyres. Excellent grip dry/wet. Very quiet, and wear is very good (over 70,000kms and still haven't hit the wear indicators)

Cheers

Nah it can fail very quickly and without warning.

Bummer. How many km on yours? I did read that some mechanics had worked out that they could replace without removing the motor? Apparently much cheaper than the factory solution, will see if I can find a link.

On another note make sure your vvti oil line that was meant to be replaced under a 'limited service campaign' has been done correctly. A yellow line indicates the rubber replacement, or if you are lucky it will have the much better full metal line that was introduced on 2009 production onwards. My brother inlaw had his 2008 Kluger almost empty the engine of oil, apparently the dealer where it was serviced had not even fitted the factory rubber correction (or had fitted the same defective part as was reported happening in the US) as a replacement http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/toyota-offering-to-fix-oil-lines-on-nearly-1m-six-cylinder-model/ Lucky not to have blown the motor!

Not the best quality, but they should be good enough.

Please note that the dash panels haven't been clicked back in place because I'm hoping the hazard switch assembly will arrive soon and I'll need to pull it all out again to install that. But you can see how the top right edge of the unit doesn't sit flush with the dash, this is the good enough part of the install when I needed to redrill the mounting holes in the factory cradle to suit the incorrectly placed holes in the head unit.

First pic is the pre-installed Navigation software, iGo.

IMAG1063.jpg

Second is the music player I currently use, PowerAmp. This player has an amazing equalizer which really comes in handy in a situation like this.

IMAG1064.jpg

Third is the home screen with a PowerAmp widget.

IMAG1066.jpg

Fourth is the notification pull down screen.

IMAG1068.jpg

This is the steering wheel controls screen where you assign buttons to their commands.

So you can make any button (related to the stereo) do any of the shown actions.

IMAG1069.jpg

This is the built in 'Amplifier' screen, which is just a crappy equalizer and the balancing (front/rear, left/right fading).

IMAG1070.jpg

This shows part of the settings screen.

IMAG1071.jpg

If anyone wants to see anything specific just ask and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks for that, looks great!! Could I check one more thing please....if you turn the unit on by just turning the key to accessory but not starting engine and letting the unit fully boot up, does it then do a full reboot if you were later to start the car or does it stay on while starting? It seems alot of these units do a full reboot everytime the engine is started, even if they were already booted up in the accessory position. Hope its clear what I mean :)

It does dim a little when you put the lights on. But it depends on what app you're in to be able to answer your question.

Didn't try the navigation program (iGo is the one it came with), but I think it just changes to a darker colour palette.

But just like your android phone, you can change the brightness level.

I'll try and remember to put up some photos in the next day or two.

Thanks

So I just had one of those 10 inch android 4.4 units installed in my 2010 Kluger Grande.

Link to Unit

It was mostly a smooth install only encountering a significant problem when it was all wired up and ready to install for testing. The units mounting holes for the factory cradle didn't match the original. So when you tried to fit the unit into the dash it was out by around 10mm in two directions. After a few attempts of drilling out the holes in the cradle I got in to sit 99% okay (close enough).

The actual operation of the unit has been rather impressive. The touch controls are very responsive and the screen quality is more than sufficient for it's purpose (visible enough in direct sunlight). The steering wheel controls were recognised and worked flawlessly.

I do recommend the upgrade but I must also state that the unit is extremely light. So I suspect the built in amplifier is somewhat useless. I can't confirm this though as I installed a 5 channel amp and all new speakers (not that I would class the original parts as speakers) at the same time.

Would love to seem some pics if you get a chance please. Also with such a large screen does it auto dim at night (i.e when headlights turned on etc), and is it dim enough not be distracting?

Thanks

Hi,

The full wiring is there, but you do need to order the factory stalk with fog light switch for it to work (try and source one from a wreck maybe??).

It is just a matter of removing the plastic blanks where the fogs are meant to be, and reaching up you will find the wiring taped there. Plug the fog lights in, fit the new stalk and fitted just like factory.

That all sounds great will track down another stalk with fog option.

Do you know if the wiring is also there for the Auto lights option as well ?

I never tried this mod. I know you would need the dash light sensor, but I guess if wiring is there could be just a matter of connecting the dash sensor and stalk with auto switch?? Can't confirm this one though sorry.

Hi,

The full wiring is there, but you do need to order the factory stalk with fog light switch for it to work (try and source one from a wreck maybe??).

It is just a matter of removing the plastic blanks where the fogs are meant to be, and reaching up you will find the wiring taped there. Plug the fog lights in, fit the new stalk and fitted just like factory.

Don't use cruise in heavy rain!!! It can be dangerous

Anyone ?

HI mate,

Can't help you out with much in your questions....but as far as I am aware the auto oil is one of the sealed for life types that are meant to last for the life of the transmission.

Whether that is a good or bad thing remains to be seen. I know some service centres advise doing the auto oil every 40,000km or so.

Mine was replaced under warranty, but the problem showed up again I think from memory about 20,000km later. My 2007 Kluger is now coming up to its 130,000km service and the knocking noise/feel has been with it most of the time since I have owned it. Other than that and the cold weather dash rattles it has been a good vehicle. They do not have a fix for this knocking issue sadly though. Obviously (hopefully:) Toyota are confident it will not result in a severe failure. I would hope after their US recall problems, and VW Australia's recent DSG transmission highly publicised dramas, that Toyota have made sure this will not end very badly. PS this issue is well know to RAV4, Aurion etc as well.

Try the Philips +100 bulbs. Have found them to be very good.

Cheers

I should have clarified the Philips +100's do not use more power or generate more heat, but they do produce a lot more light.

I have tried various brands, and these ones seem the best and deliver on what they promise. In saying that I still have driving lights fitted as I like their added safety on country roads.

Cheers

Try the Philips +100 bulbs. Have found them to be very good.

Cheers

What a pity no 8 seater model (seriously how can little old OZ possibly have compliance issues that stop it selling here when it is deemed ok for US sale??? Typical ridiculous pen pusher government fools strike again it seems) and no hybrid.

Think both of these would have been big selling points over the competition, especially as fuel consumption becomes more and more important. Don't get me wrong the current 3.5l's fuel consumption for a 2 tonne suv is not bad, but will only slight improvements cut it from 2014 onwards....????

Very nice.

Lets hope they bring in the hybrid-:)

There is an old thread (lost a few pages back) in relation to this issue.

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/37637-intermediate-steering-shaft/

Sadly this is a common problem and they do not seem to have a fix. See my post below.

My 07 kluger has now clocked nearly 120,000km and the clunk has been with it almost the entire time, other than the short time after they fitted the replacement under warranty. Never let me down though, very reliable. Only other annoyance is the cold weather dash rattles, but really has been very reliable. Most seems good quality, still on the original brake pads and discs, all electronics, trim, paint good, and engine and transmission etc feel like new! So far feels like it would do another 200,000km without breaking a sweat so in no hurry to offload it.

Obviously toyota are not too worried about steering failure from this knock or I am sure there would be a recall.

Posted 25 June 2012 - 10:56 AM

Hey all. I will re-post this link for those that missed it. It is one of the better fuel comparo's that I have seen as they allow for pretty much everything. So much dodgy info around about the different fuels so good to see some actual real evidence.

I also guess you have to ask yourself if you are prepared to risk e10 in a pricey vehicle? Have heard a few horror stories!

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/investigations/8287254/petrol-that-saves-you-money

Hi everyone,I just wondering does your kluger roll forward while reversing up slight slope, its can be bit tricky when reversing because you need to drive with two feet , you got to put your foot on the brake slightly while putting your foot on the accelerator,to stop it from rolling forwardI have never exsperienced that before while driving a auto, this is my fourth automatic car, all other autos I have driven your put them in reverse and take your foot off the brake and the car wont move until you accelerate, but when you put the kluger in reverse and take you foot of the brake the car will roll forward until you accelerate, I dont think theres anything wrong with transmission, but it can take a bit of getting used to,so I would like peoples thoughts about it, cheers david

Hey,

Press the brake in hard for a few seconds and the hill hold will activate. It will beep to confirm activated. It works in both reverse and forward gears. It will then hold for few seconds on hills when you take your foot off the brake to allow time to put your foot on the accelerator.

Cheers

Timely article......

http://www.news.com.au/business/cool-and-green-hybrid-car-sales-surge-to-australian-record/story-e6frfm1i-1226441599395

I have a mate who works with a large company who run many vehicles including many camry hybrids. They love them and they have been the most reliable vehicles in their fleet which includes many other petrol and diesel vehicles. They are looking at replacing all diesels in the fleet with Hybrids over the coming year due to the much lower running costs. Gee when they first introduced them years ago, many workers still thought you needed to plug them in over night, but now they have a very high satisfaction level with their drivers.

The main problem with Hybrids is that there is so much misinformation and poor understanding about them.

For instance do a quick google or read up on the Toyota website and see how many battery packs have needed to be replaced worldwide by Toyota.

Only a handful. This is not new tech, the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

There are prius cabs in Australia that have done half a million faultless km's on the original battery pack.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius

Toyota even warranty the battery and hybrid components of their cars for 8 years or 160,000km!!! http://www.toyota.com.au/camry/features/the-camry-advantage/hybrid-battery-warranty

Much longer warranty than offered on most components in a car, so they are pretty confident they will last the life of the car.

Also when comparing fuel use don't just go off the flawed ADR stated numbers. Sure some diesels will match a Hybrid in highway or cruising consumption, but will get no where near one in stop start driving. Something alot of us do as 90% of our driving unfortunately.

Now think about the other benefits. No alternator, no plumbed aircon or heating that doesn't work when stationary or cold (they have electric ones), and the list goes on and on.

Hybrids add some complexity, but they also eliminate many other components that can fail during years of ownership.

There is a reason that BMW, Mercedes, and Audi as well as many others are now investing heavily getting on the Hybrid bandwagon.

Don't be afraid of this tech people, the day is fast approaching when itl be common place on even volume selling cars.

Hi David,

Just dug out the papers to confirm. Was replaced under warranty Sep 2010 so coming up a couple of years now. Kluger had 66,633km on it at the time. Says they replaced defective Intermediate steering shaft with part T/4522048180. Kluger has now just hit 97,800km. Will mention it at the 100,000 service but not expecting much luck as car well out of warranty now. Was hard enough to get it replaced whilst under warranty!!!

Dash rattles on mine drives me nuts in winter, really bad in the bitter cold down here. Just wasn't keen on the warranty fix of pulling the entire dash apart to replace the defective clips!! Not an issue once weather warms up though, and people in the warmer areas wouldn't have any dramas with it. Only seems an issue once the temps head South of 10 degrees or so, really bad when its a minus temps night. :) Overall happy with the kluger, just a pity these couple of things have been an issue.

My 2007 model Kluger had the intermediate steering shaft replaced just before the warranty expired back at the end of 2010.

All good until the last couple of weeks when it has started making the dreaded clunking noise on left hand turns yet again. Might explain why the problem is still occuring even in later model Klugers, as it seems even the replacement unit won't fix the issue for good. Does anyone know what happens if you just put up with the clunking issue? Will it eventually fail completely, or is it more just an annoyance? Have been very happy with the kluger over the last 5 years other than this issue and the very annoying cold weather winter dash rattles. (though I am in Canberra so those in warmer climates would never have to worry about the dash rattles, as it isn't an issue in summer here;)

or one here for genuine option:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Genuine-Toyota-Kluger-Highlander-satnav-navigation-gps-rrp-3500-/251039477437?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a731e6ebd