K8Canb

I recently changed my Camry Vienta to 05 Camry Altise, since then I have trouble judging the distance and have already scraped front and rear bumper corners. This was not a problem in my Vienta, although there is not much difference in length and width of both cars the Altise seems a challenge in narrow parking. I have decided to get front and rear parking assist package (supply and install), I sent two emails to Atkinson Installations but never received any reply (may be they are out of business). I am scared of going to Toyota dealer! Could you please recommend a good package and also an installer with indicative total price please? K8Canb

Unfortunately, you may not be able to buy just the cap alone. The reservoir itself ages and get brittle after 10 to 15 years. I had to change coolant resorvoir and windscreen wiper tank in my 1995 Camry Vienta, I bought the parts from Toyota dealer and the cost for both was around $100, I later fouind few of these advertised on Ebay and they were selling for $20 to $30 each. You can also try visiting wreckers for used parts. Hope this helps K8Canb

It is interesting to note that almost every tyre manufacturers have started marketing cheap tyres. Other day I received Bridgestone catalog in mail box and a tyre called "CALIENTE" 205/65R15 is priced $79; also got BobJane Tmart catalog and all major manufacturers have started selling cheap car tyres. Looks like Diamondback tyres selling at $79 at Kmart must have forced all manufacturer to face the competition :P Anyone noticed the avaioilability of cheap car tyres (sub $80 to $95) from most manufacturers? It is better to stay away from these cheepies. K8Canb

I saw this Ebay site http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ULTRA-RACING-4-Point-Front-Lower-Bar-T-Camry02-ACV36R-/150488285690?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2309cd01fa This shop seem to have stabiliser bars for every moving parts in the car! Takle a look. K8Canb

My old Camry 1995 April model developed battery charging problem after two years, I was nowhere near a Toyota dealer, I went to a roadside auto-electric shop and they tested the alternator and replaced a capacitor for $60. The car with the same alternator is still going strong even today. K8Canb

Andrew thanks for your reply, yes, I have already lifted the boot liner but could not find the wheel nut spanner and jack handle. After lifting the boot liner, I could see a well in the right side corner and there is a jack (this arrangement is same as my Gen 3 Camry), on left side there is a well too but there is nothing in that well (except a thich black cable pass through at the bottom of the well. Looks like, the mprevious owner might not have placed the tools when the car was handed to the finance company. Looks like I may have to buy these both items, I will not go to the dealer but try at wreckers. Thanks to others who also have replied. K8Canb

I am bit puzzled, as I am unable to locate the jack leaver and wheel nut spanner in my Camry Altise. In my other Camry (1995 Vienta), these items are located on the spare wheel cover in the boot. Although the Altise owner manual mention some "Tool Bag" in the boot, I have failed to locate this bag or the items I am looking for. Pleaase help. K8Canb

I always use Wolworth's discount coupen so I always go and fill in Wolworth owned Caltex pumps, they never sold E10 at these pumps. However, last week I went to one of my regular Wolworth pump (Hughes ACT), I was surprised to see that they have stopped selling regular unleaded and only sell E10. They also sell 95 and 98 Ron petrol. That means slowly R91 unleaded is disappearing from pumps! I never expected this to happen at Wolworth owned pumps. K8Canb

Yes, here is the offical reply from Toyota Auatralia about E10 compatibility http://www.toyota.com.au/faqs For vehicles manufactured or imported by Toyota Australia: TOYOTA (Passenger Models) Locally produced Toyota models will operate satisfactorily on petrol fuel blended with 10% ethanol (E10) from the following production dates: Camry: from Jan 1987 (All electronic fuel injection models) Corolla: from July 1994 Avalon: All Lexcen: All (Note: Previous production and Corona model not recommended due to incompatability of material) Enthanol blend greater than 10% is not approved All Toyota passenger vehicles fully imported by Toyota Australia will operate on petrol fuel blended with 10% ethanol (E10), except older models: Supra Cressida Paseo Starlet (Note: E10 not recommended due to incompatiibility of material) Enthanol blend greater than 10% is not approved. Hope this helps K8Canb

The Toyota stopped V6 camry production in 2006 and Avalon 2005 (I think!), there will be some older Camry V6 and Avalon (rarely) will come for auctions even today. Take a look at this web page from Pickles: http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/listing/?ed_item_type_id=100000001&ed_make_id=100000325&ed_model_id=10000746&ed_fromyear=&ed_toyear=&ed_fromkms=&ed_tokms=&ed_city=All&ed_description=3.0&ed_damage=REG&ed_sort=description&ed_search_type=AUCTION&x=45&y=6 As far camry 4 cylinder model it is continued and being made with lots of improvements like stability and traction control etc. Normally the Government departments and fleet companies dispose their cars after they reach two years may be even earlier if the cars clock certain killometers. However, some older 4 Cyl. Camry will be available at Pickles auctions whcin normally will be of finance company repossed type. Alternatively, you can look in Tradingpost, Drive and Carpoing web sites for used car sales. You will almost get anything of your choice, both from private sellers and dealers. Hope that helps. K8Canb

I am looking for similar painting (just two Camry bumpers only) in Canberra, cazn someone recommend a rfeasonable place to get the painting done? Unfortunately things in Canberra tends to be expenssive! K8Canb

I have 1995 Camry Vienta, which has done 2015000 kms. I recently bought 2005 Camry Altise V6 which has done about 96000 kms. The cafr is in excellant condition except there are few cosmetic marks on the front and rear bumpers. I only paid $9500 and another about $500 for the charges pickles charge including their procession/admin charges. So for $10000 I got a good car and that should last another atleast 10 years for me. I bought my car in Pickles auction in canberra, I suggest you take a look at the cars available on their web site pickles.com.au They also sell some cars at fixed prices but I find that the price for fixed price cars tends to be couple of grands morfe than auction prices. However, due to the introduction of Aurion, availability of Avalon/Camry V6 cars at Pickles auctions are becomeing rare but they come now and then. Hope this helps. K8Canb

The tyres are safe in the respect that they meet a minimum safety standard. However, that minimum standard may not be the same as YOUR minimum standard - one man's "poor handling, crap grip, squeals like a pig" is another man's "I only drive around town, rarely get to 60km/h, never take a corner in anger, and don't want to pay $300 a corner for a tyre for my bog-stock 4-cylinder econobox". In short, they are only going to be "dangerous" if you ask more of them than what they are designed for. Remember that 90% of road users are simply commuting from A to B and care nothing about how they get there as long as they do get there, and it is for these people that the cheap Kmart/Bob Jane tyres are designed for. Obviously you can't take those sorts of tyres and expect them to handle well under the punishment of an enthusiast, in the same way that you can't take a performance tyre and expect it to live up to a penny-pincher's expectations for wear life, noise and cost. Thanks K8Canb

I wish I could drive bit slower! Unfortunately in Canberra everyone drives at or slightly above the speed limit, if anyone try to drive slower then the other drivers get angry and sho their anger too. Most roads have 50, 60, and 80 km speed limits. Couple of roads have 100 km limits and that is my worry! The two tyres which are Diamondback are near new and I hate to throw them, may be I will use them sometimes and then change to my normal Bridgestone. Thanks for all for replying and some suggest not to buy these, unfortunately I already have them on my car. If the tyres are not safe then the Government should not allow them to be sold in Australia! K8Canb

Thanks for the reply DJKOR, my issue is the tyres are already came on my car. I bought the car in Pickles auction, as the car was a repossed one the original owner masy have gone for cheap tyres. My problem is I live in Canberra and wet driving and black ice are regular issues here. I hate to throw the almost brand new tyres but worry about my own safety. My drawing has now become slower! K8Canb

On my recently purchased Camry Alrise, I noticed that two rear tryrs are Diamondback and front tyres are dunlop. The diamondbacks are almost new and I just now discoved at K-Mart that Diamondbacks are dirt cheap ($79 each for 205 65 15) that is cheaper than BobJane brand tyres. I am now worried about these Diamondback tyres as I firmly belive in "You get what you pay". I have heard from friends that these are crfap tyres and their grip on wet roads is horrible, however, none of them have actually used these tyres. Just wondering about your thoughts on these tyres. K8Canb

That is fine, if it were to be manual then the clutch condition would have come into consideration. By the way, the stamp duty for the car will not be lot, however, if you still want to save paying the duty, then keep the registration and insurance on your mates name! K8Canb

I am considering front and rear parking sensors or rear camera. Due to my current age and physical state, I cannot venture self installation. Can someone give me an idea of costs involved for supply and install parking sensors and/or rear camera? I have emailed Attkinsoninstalls but not yet heard from them yet. Any other recommendations for a good and reliable installer in Canberra? Thanks in advance. K8Canb

It is better if you provide bit more information like is it auto or manual etc. Getting RACQ inspection is a good idea as it will highlight any problems needing urgent attention. As the car has done 200000 kms its needs some services like replacing timing belt and drive belts etc. Look at the condition of tires, any oil leaks, drive and handling, condition of CV jints by steering end to end and looking for any clicking sounds. Finally service history and log books if any. If well maintained, you can expect the car to go well beyond 300000 to 350000 kms easily. Even if you get the car for free, you may still have to pay stamp duty on its estimated market value. Hope this helps K8Canb

I did consider Corolla, but it has a small motor and the boot space of sedfan is also small compared to Camry. I felt that corolla is not rommy for my physical size. Sorry for the late reply as sometimes my memory has started failing :)

It does state it but i wouldnt bother .. For example when jump starting the car .. You cant jump start with the negative disconnected so i dont understand why they really bother when charging it ... In my other car 1995 Camry Vienta, I have charged the batter many times without removing the negative terminal and nothing has happened. I thought that the new 2005 Camry circuit may be diffrent and require the disconnection. Few people have warned about damaging the alternater, could someone provide more detail;s aboput how the altyernator can get damaged? Here I am charging the battery directly and applying normal charging voltage. Just wondering about the possibility of alternator getting damaged. The jump starting example is interesting as the car cannot start without the both battery terminals connected. Someone with good auto-electrical knowledge may like to educate us on this matter. Thanks to everyone who have replied. K8Canb

No the battery is not flat, as I do not drive the car everyday, in Canberra weather, sometimes it is hard to start in the morning. Couple of occations I had to call NRMA who tested the battery and the charging system which was found ok. I thought that occational charging may help. Memory minder sound intersting, where can I buy that and roughly how much it coast? Thanks for your reply.

The Camry Owner's manual states to disconnect the car negative battery terminal before charging the battery. Is this really necessary? My concern is about possible loss of electronic data such as airbag, engine diagnostic etc. What you experts think? K8Canb

Thanks for the reply and I have noted the points. The two engines (3VZFE and 1MZFE) look similar from out side, except 1MZFE has knock sensor for each cylinder. In some 3VZFEs the diffrfential has its own drain and filler ports and others just share oil from the autotransmission. I am unable to figure out about 1MZFE, it would be nice if someone could educate me on this. I have started liking 1MZFE as it has more torque and drives smoother. Thanks again for the reply. K8Canb

Thanks for the reply, did you mean a major service at 100000 kms for 3VZFE require change of timing belt, pulley, few oil seals, water pump, spark plugs etc etc. However, for 1MZFE I was told that the timing belt needs to be changed at 150000 kms. I am not sure about spark plugs though. I am going to collect my car tomorrow from Pickles and then read the owners/service manual which should tell me more. I never used synthetic oil in my 3VZFE, if it is fine to use on 1MZFE I would like to use. Thanks again for your reply. K8Canb