Hado

Just about to put Goodyear efficient grip SUV 19 255 55 on my Kluger as well. The OEM tyres last 55K - but are badly worn on the edges. If I had got more wheel alignments they might have lasted a little longer. I will let you know how the Goodyears go. Kind regards Hado

I can't see how the aftermarket nudgebar would interfere with the airbags. They just bolt on the same way as the Toyota version. See my earlier post: Nudge Bar Install tips for a DIY install I have seen both and they are almost identical - they only difference I can see is the Toyota logo on the black plastic covers. I would say they are made by the same supplier in China. Kind regards Hado

I have a set of cheap chains which I had for my earlier car - a Land Rover Discovery HSE - which had 18inch wheels. Coincidentally the wheel radius is similar for the Kluger 19inch wheels and they also fit the Kluger. I have never used them - they just sit in the back to fulfil the law. AWD vehicles rarely have to use chains in Australia. I would like to get Autosocks - size 698 - but they are not yet legal in Vic - I think they have been passed in NSW. Autosocks on ebay Kind regards Hado

Agree - the cargo mat is definitely the best value for money accessory - couldn't live without it.

Plugnplay might be able to help - I just noticed that Flyaudio is now the exclusive distributor of JBL. See Flyaudio news

Calichin I am sure you will be fine - but feel free to give me a call if you need any advice. Kind regards Hado

Is there independant volume for different sources? Yes - you can set the sound for the hands free phone at a different level than the radio. There is also an option for the master volume to reset at restart. So if you have the volume up real loud on the way home at night - it does scare the hell out of you the next morning when you head out for something to feed your hangover :P How does the lcd screen perform in daytime driving? There are three levels of screen brightness shown on the main menu - but if the sun is shining directly on the screen it does washout. This doesn't happen that often and you don't drive around looking at the screen all the time. I haven't noticed this is a particular problem - the screen has a matte finish and doesn't pick up every reflection. Same at night some dim nicely and dont distract, while others stay way to bright even with dimmer activated and annoy? Its similar to the small trip computer screen in brightness at night, but when you turn on the lights it automatically dims to the night setting. Its a big screen so you definitely need the dark night maps on the navigation software, but the audio menus are mostly black so it isn't a problem. I have nothing to compare it to - but I haven't had anyone get in the car at night and say it was too bright. The other thing I like about it, I forgot to mention in the earlier post, was that the quality of the sound is much better than the KXS OEM unit it replaces. I don't drive on many long trips - I only work 5kms from home - so it isn't until I go for road trip that I appreciate the sound quality. The only thing I would add is a small under-seat sub - it has an output for this. The steering wheel controls also work very well - volume changes fast and iPod songs or radio stations change with the < & > buttons. The 'mode' button changes between ipod, radio, dvd etc. The integration with the car is seamless.

I have never tried this - I will give it a go and let you know I know the GPS restarts remembering your destination when you turn the power off during a break in the trip etc. Thanks mate. I know that some systems require a full reboot/startup, where others won't lose anything if you are just doing an engine restart and whats on screen stays on screen. Same for instance if you had the radio or ipod screen up, pain if it reboots the whole unit just restarting engine. regards I checked this and the unit stays on when you restart the engine.

I have never tried this - I will give it a go and let you know I know the GPS restarts remembering your destination when you turn the power off during a break in the trip etc.

Clawed Bluetooth phone function - connects everytime and works fine - intially I had a problem with the sound quality and moved the mic closer to the driver - but in the end I found the mic supplied was faulty or I damaged it during install. I replaced it with a similar $20 mic from Jaycar and it now works very well. No one ever complains about the sound quality and I am told when they are talking it cuts out the background noise - which is better than most systems I have used in the past. Ipod interface - this is my favourite part of the whole system - searchable by artist, album and song etc. I use this all the time - better than the radio - no ads and my music. GPS - this depends on the navigation software you run - I am in the middle of testing the latest update of IGO8 and just updated to the latest R16 Australia map. IGO8 has 3d buildings and shows major street signs ahead. I use the more accurate speed indicator on the the GPS rather than the speedo on any highway trip. Hope this helps. Kind regards Hado

No dash rattles or foot-well rattles that I have noticed (touch wood), and I have pulled a fair bit of my Dash out or apart. But I have only just clicked over 10K on the odometer - so maybe it is not related to year made but kilometres travelled.

Don't mean to be cheeky... however there is one for sale on ebay right now for $150 reserve, no bids... either no one has seen it yet or that's a true reflection of its street value :o It still has 5 days to go - but it may be that they are not worth that much, although I recall Toyota sells them as an KX-R upgrade for around $750. Also the seller is only listing it as a Kluger stereo - when they also fit a range of Toyota models.

I thought KX-R and KX-S shared the same unit. Or are you referring to the Grande? I honestly think an aftermarket unit will be better than the genuine toyota (Grande) The KX-S has a 6 CD unit with Bluetooth and the KX-R has a single CD unit (no Bluetooth). If I get my act together I will sell my KX-S unit on eBay and hopefully a KX-R owner who wants Bluetooth will buy it.

I recall mine being the same - but it doesn't smell at all now. I can't remember how long it took - because your nose gets used to smells - but the strong smell eventually goes away.

Has anyone tried the procedure below to stop the seat belt warning? Allegedly it works for some Toyota models. (1) Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (note: that's "ON", not "READY", so with the foot OFF the brake pedal). (2) Press the ODO/TRIP switch until the odometer displays "ODO". (3) Turn the ignition switch off. (4) Turn the ignition switch to the ON position again. (5) Press the ODO/TRIP switch immediately (within 6 seconds or as soon as the chimes go off) and hold it down for 10 seconds or more (note: some people swore by waiting for longer, up to 45 secs). (6) Continue holding down the ODO/TRIP switch and fasten the driver side seat belt - about 12 seconds (note: some folks claim you have to both buckle AND unbuckle) (7) Check that the odometer displays either "b-on" or "b-oFF". (8) Press the ODO/TRIP switch to change the display to "b-oFF". (9) Turn the ignition switch off. (10)Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (11)Check that no buzzer sounds. Repeat from passenger side if desired

Don't start me - or I will tell you about a meeting with the head of the air stewards (Trolley Dollies) union who said after a briefing on the science which clearly showed mobiles don't interfere with shielded aircraft cabin electronics which are designed to fly through high powered radar fields when landing: "We have got to control them [passengers] somehow!"

Hiro I agree - I'm not suggesting drivers start using their mobiles when refuelling - you should be concentrating on what you are doing when dealing with flammable products. Also in industrial settings the risks are much higher. But using misinformation in order to get the public to do something is also a very dangerous practice. Kind regards Hado

'Forecourt' is the public part of a petrol station and it is specifically used to make this clear you are talking about filling vehicles - i.e. not the tanker refilling the station tanks. You just have to think about how often vehicle refuelling happens every day around the world with very few incidents - there are only about 50 fires caused by static each year in cold climates like the USA. The concern about mobile phone use at petrol stations was based on the belief that there was a risk that the battery may become dislodged and cause a spark that may ignite fuel; although no one had any credible evidence to support this opinion. In fact I first raised this possible risk with the oil industry when discussing the fact that a RF spark couldn't happen and they latched onto it as another reason to keep the ban running - because at that stage the unlikely battery discharge risk hadn't been fully investigated. However, since then, two research papers have specifically considered the spark discharge risk for mobile phones (i.e. pressing buttons, disconnecting the battery, vibrator mode, accidental shorting of the battery terminals and electrostatic discharge) and have concluded that this is highly unlikely. A 1999 report by Exponent Failure Analysis Associates in the USA concluded that “the use of a cell phone at a gasoline filling station under normal operating conditions presents a negligible hazard” and that the likelihood of such an accident under any conditions “is very remote”. The report also stated: “Automobiles (which have numerous potential ignition sources) pose a greater ignition hazard,” and “Finally, other potential ignition sources are present, such as static discharge between a person and a vehicle.” An analysis by the Centre for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility Centre at the University of Oklahoma reached a similar conclusion in August 2001. It said research into this issue “provided virtually no evidence to suggest that cell phones pose a hazard at gas stations.” “While it may be theoretically possible for a spark from a cell phone battery to ignite gas vapor under very precise conditions, the historical evidence does not support the need for further research.” “Until there is evidence to the contrary, we suggest that no further action be initiated in this regard, and that no recommendations for further action are required of the wireless phone or petroleum industries.” This research is supported by the fact that there has been no actual incident of fuel ignition at petrol stations that has been demonstrated to have been caused by mobile phone use, anywhere in the world.

I recently did a late night round trip Melb/Bendigo/Melb to pick my 16 year old daughter from a concert. The total distance was 565km - using BP 91 octane - mostly 110km dual lane freeway driving - set at 110km on cruise control but using the GPS speed (which shows about 116-117 on the speedo) I got 10.6L/100km. Not bad considering going to Bendigo is all uphill and it included driving through the city to get to the freeway etc.

There is still a trigger lock if you want to use it....your fuel cap. Trouble is in most states it is now illegal for fuel pump nozzles to have/use a lock "open" function. With the introduction of self service stations in the early 80s - the 'lock on' function was stopped to prevent possible accidental spills by customers walking away from fuel pumps and pumps falling out. Although in the much more litigious USA, this is still allowed because people sit back in their car to get out of the cold. (Which can cause a static fire when they touch the nozzle again if the conditions are right.) The Service Station Association (SSA) in Australia is run by lawyers and troglodytes. It took me ten years to stop them making false claims mobile phones could ignite petrol fumes on the forecourt. It wasn't until the British Petroleum Institute produced a report - using the same information I gave the SSA ten years earlier - that they stopped making this false claim - but they still have the warning signs!

This is the problem - everytime I turn off the HID spots it seems like I have two yellow candles or oil lamps for headlights - I'm addicted to bright white light B)

All Looks as if the Smart Key system is available as an after market upgrade. See: Dashboard Button and Smart Key System Claims to do the following: 1. Passive Door Locking By simply walking over 1.5 to 2 meters away from your car, doors will automatically lock and ARM the security system. 2. Unlocks Doors Automatically As you approach your vehicle and arrive in range of 1.5 to 2 meters, the system will automatically identify the driver who has a valid access key and unlock the doors immediately. 3. Immobilizer Function The PKE system still includes an immobilizer function. It can provide the user with the most comprehensive protection against vehicle theft. Once users enter the vehicle and attempt to start it, the device will verify the driver's access key. If a valid access key is identified, the LED will turn off allowing the driver to start the vehicle. If not, the horn and lights will sound and flash an alarm, and the vehicle engine can not be started. 4. Engine Push Start Button Could start or stop the engine by simply push the start button. Completely abolish the ignition keys. The system will verify if there is legal access key in the car before allowed to start. It can guarantee the safety. Kind regards Hado

All Another new China product: intelligent car window closer I assume this plug and play box closes the windows for you if you forget to close them when you lock the car. There were some earlier forum questions about if this is a programmable option. Again we would have to get someone to import them. Kind regards Hado

All I just noticed that one of the China suppliers has produced an after market HID Xenon projector headlight for the Highlander/Kluger which replaces the whole headlight unit. China projector headlights Maybe this sort of after market HID Xenon light would be legal, because it is not just a bulb replacement? I also wonder how long before we see a supplier make them available in Australia? Kind regards Hado

Unable or just not willing to break some rules? Is there anything in ADR about autolocks? Can't be any logical reason to ban it that I can think of. Would be interesting if someone could get a hold of the configuration device to see what really can or can't be done on the Aussie Klugers. I doubt they would make a special logic chip just for the AU Klugers. I drove a Hyundai van last week for work and when I drove out of Avis and got the speed up I heard a clunk. Didnt know what it was until I went to get out and noticed all the doors were locked. Took it for another drive and sure enough the doors locked when you started driving. When you used the drivers control to unlock them while driving they instantly relocked. I guess there is no issue with regs if rentals are using them! That`s correct. Also, during my many test drives last year, I tested Hyundai i30`s and Dodge Nitro`s and Jeep Cherokees.....all had the auto lock feature. Most new cars also sold in the USA market have this feature - its to reduce the likelihood of car jacking