K8Canb

From last six weeks my radio (OEM) in 2005 Altise keeps drifting from stations. I have seen this to happen in AM as well as FM bands. The frequency drift is about two to three KHz and the receiption dies or becomes noisy . However if I press the pre-select button then the radio selects correct station and frequency. After few minuted it drifts again and I need to press the pre-select button again to get the tuned station. I am getting tired of this fault. Any thoughts about what may be the reason? Thanks in advance. K8Canb

Thanks for your reply, the dealer says the total time required is 13 hours of labour. Although the car is out of warrenty, this is a major service and there are no known (to me) mechanics who specilise in Toyota Camry. The next best thing is NRMA Service, I am still hesitating to take it to them too. Most non Toyota people will not have special tools required so they use some stop-gap methods I am told. I visit Sydney often so thinking of getting serviced in Sydney if I cannot persuade the local dealer. K8Canb Toyota dealers are not Camry specialists either. Most mechanics will do whatever you want to do with them, just tell them what you want done on top of your regular service. Thanks Andrew I have gone to Toyota dealer for all major services and I do my own for the rest of the services (oil and filter change, inspect and topup fluid levels, look after the battery etc.). My understanding is Toyota need some special tools which the common mechanics may not have. Anyone likw to comment of NRMA Service? K8Canb

I have got my V6 Camry Vioenta serviced in 2002 and they did it in same day. The additional service of autotransmission is extra and that should not takle 1.5 hour when re[placing the timing belt. I have contacted the general manager Service at the dealer and waiting for the reply. I am comnsidering taking the car to NRMA MoterService, Anyone used NRMA for a major service? If so what was your experience? K8Canb

Thanks for your reply, the dealer says the total time required is 13 hours of labour. Although the car is out of warrenty, this is a major service and there are no known (to me) mechanics who specilise in Toyota Camry. The next best thing is NRMA Service, I am still hesitating to take it to them too. Most non Toyota people will not have special tools required so they use some stop-gap methods I am told. I visit Sydney often so thinking of getting serviced in Sydney if I cannot persuade the local dealer. K8Canb

These are the labour estimates given by the dealer for the work needed: Replace Timing Belt and associated kit consisting of camshaft and crank shaft front oil seals, idler, tensioner and associated bearings. 3.5 hours extra hour if tensioners. Replace Water pump 1.0 hour Replace drive belts (I need old belts for use as emergency spares). 1.5 hours Perform Auto-transmission service (as the fluid is bit dark). 2.0 hours need to drop transmission pan. Adjust Handbrake as it is too loose and the lever is almost at maximum top position and even at this position it often will not hold the car on slopes. 0.3 hours Driver side front door makes noise while opening/closing, please inspect and adjust as required. 0.5 hours 90,000km service 2.7 hour 13 hours 2 days work,depending if no further work is required. I am not sure whether these are right. K8Canb

Hi all (particularly those working with Toyota dealership), Give me your thoughts about service time for Gen 5 Camry Altise V6. I bought this car in August last year; the car belongs to WA farmer who has done bit of towing and country road driving. The car had clocked about 97000 km and is in a good condition. 90000 km service was overdue and the farmer took it to K-Mart and got it normal service. The sticker on windscreen says next service 103000 kms. The car is now 100200 kms and I wanted to get 90000 kms service and as the car has been driven in county roads and towing, I have decided to change the timing belt kit (idler, seals and bearings, belt tensioner etc.), drive belt change and water pump change. The auto-transmission fluid is slightly dark so I wanted to have transmission service as well. I emailed the local Toyota dealer and after few days I received a reply today stating that they are booked until 15 February and to carry out the service they need the car for three days! I am concerned as I cannot leave the car for three days. I have got similar service (except transmission service) on my Vienta with 3VZFE (100000 km service), it was done same day, that was in 2002. I am wondering why 1MZFE service with additional transmission service needs three days. Something is not right here. K8Canb

Might have something for you, please see my PM Thanks K8Canb

I have used 6 inch (stock) as well as 6.5 inch wide wheels on my 1995 Camry Vienta and found wider wheels give better driving feel. K8Canb

I am looking for four or five alloy wheels (machined finish) for my Toyota Gen 5 Camry Altise 2005. I checked with wreckers in Canberra and could not get from anyone. Anyone like to part with their alloys sitting in their garrage? If so Pm me with the price and condition. Thanks in advance K8Canb

Thanks everyone replied, today I got the adapter from Repco right near my home! Although it is bit expenssive compaired to Supercheap and others it is ok as I needed it very badly. K8Canb

No, I did not try Toyota dealer as the item I am looking for is not Toyota specific. The adapter should be available from auto shops like Supercheap or similar places. Unfortunately I am in a unique situation of having plugs on both trailer as well as car. I was told that it is usually one plug and another socket. K8Canb

I need help in locating a suitable adapter for my trailer which has inline 7 pin plug and the Camry I bought last year has 7 pin plug. I am looking for an adapter with sockets each side to connect my trailer to the car. I have visited few shops including Supercheap Auto and all adapter have plug on onew side and socket on other side. My local Supercheap tells me that there are no adapters wioth sockets at both ends. I appreciate any help in finding a suitable adapter for my situation. Thanks in adfvance. K8Canb

Sometimes the floor mat may interfear with the accelerator pedal. People use thick rubber mats or ill-fitting mats which obsruct the pedal and you maynot be able to speed the car. K8Canb

I normally get the Toyota Dealer to service the car. The Service Centre usually takes care of all that for me, at the service intervals :) Do you service the car yourself? or do you only do the oil change? I do oil and filter changes and also top up fluids. After five years of Toyota Service (the carhad five year extended warranty), I have decided to go to the dealer only of major services like timing belt, spark plugs and auto-transmission service only :) K8Canb

1 Front bar, 2 side skirts and 2 rear bumper skirts. Thank you Ronyboy. I am already having probl;ems with reaching engine oil drain plug ion my 2005 Altise. I never had any problem going under in my 1995 Vienta. May be ground clearnaces are diffrent. Now getting body kits will further restrict access to under body of Altise. K8Canb

I have a standard height Sportivo rear spoiler for the 36 series in Pacific Blue (8n8), which will obviously need to be repainted before you have it fitted. I can let it go much cheaper than the eBay prices you have listed. PM me if you're interested :) Andrew I ahve sent you a PM. Please someone tell me what all a body kit contains? K8Canb

Ronyboy May I know what is included in body kit for Altise 2005? I am after a rear spoiler, they are available on ebay for around $160 to $180 range (unpainted). Not sure how much for painting and fixing. At the movement I am looking at wreckers (being a pensioner :P ). My car colour is maroon. K8Canb

Thanks everyone who replied to my post, in recent years car servising distances have been increased by most new models. It used to be 10000k or six months now it is 15000k or 12 monts whichever comes first. European carslike BMW servising is 25000k. It scares me bit as the oil should get dirty for suck long distances. Thanks again for everyone who replied. K8Canb

I am curious to know this information, can someone knowledgable please provide the information? Thanks in advance. K8Canb

Hello Everyone, I have two Camry sedans, 1995 Camry Vienta with 3VZFE and 2005 Camry Altise with 1MZFE. The engines on these cars are quite similar construction; except that 1MZFE is a refined engine over 3VZFE and has few extras like knock sensors for each cylinder, aluminium alloy to make it lighter. The timing belt in both the engines looks similar in construction and also made up of similar material. However, the duration for timing belt change is quite different engines. It is 100000 kms for 3VZFE where as 150000 for 1MZFE. That is 50000 kms difference. I am wondering why? Another difference is time to change the spark plugs; for 3VZFE 100000 kms and 1MZFE it is 90000 kms. Any reason for this difference? Thanks in advance. K8Canb

Thanks for your rreply DJKOR and Andrew. K8Canb

I have heard unconfirmed reports about Avalon being included in the recall because of brake master cylinder leaks. Daily telegraph says only Kluger and Lexus are affected. I have heard on radio someone mentioning Avalon is involved in the recall. I know that Avalon and Camry V6 were built on the same manufacturing line and they share few components too. I have Gen 5 2005 Camry Altise V6. Can someone from the dealership contact confirm about the possible involvement of V6 Camry please? Thanks in advance. K8Canb

Matt Black should be fine. K8Canb

The cars even just parked without driving do depreciate, the plastics, rubbers get ages. Although your car has done only 59700 kms, it has missed important services. If you look at your service manual, it lists services as per odometer reading and/or the months that have passed from the day you bought the car (whichever comes first). The new owner must get few important jobs done like changing the timing belt and seals (may be even water pump), oil seals and auto-transmission service, flush and renew coolant etc. This will definitely cost much more than $500. Valuing your car would be difficult as if you check the Redbook it will assume certain kilometres per year and that is irrespective of what your car has done. Your best bet will be to check paper advertisements - like Trading post and find out how much people are asking similarly aged cars and may be similar kilometres run. To give you an idea, I recently bought a 2005 Toyota Camry Altise V6 from Pickles auction; the car had done 95000 kms with all the services done regularly by Toyota dealer. I paid $9500. Hope that gives you some idea. K8Canb

Thanks for your reply, although I live in canberra, I come to Sydney almost every other month. I would be intrested in knowing a good installer. Please also recommend the best make of system. Thanks again for your reply. Thanks also to others who have replied. K8Canb