Hado

Has anyone priced or tried Toyo Open Country H/Ts their websites says the make them in the OEM size 245/55R19 103S? See:Toyo Tyres Australia

Had my front windows tinted with 35% at one of the big chains in Melbourne. $55 per window They tried the line that I needed tinting all around for UV protection - but I had already read this post and knew better :P They used a carbon based film called 'incognito' to match the privacy glass as much as possible.

All I know this question has been asked before, but I just wanted to set up a poll so we could track the results First time I have set up a poll so a I hope it works Kind regards Hado

I noticed on the USA Toyota site in a quick guide to the Highlander that the mic for their OEM bluetooth phone system is in the middle of the roof next to the overhead map light controls. Next time you are in your car - look up - and you will see a small grill in this spot. I wonder if the mic is still wired in or could be replaced?

I agree it is a risk, but once one of us has sucessfully done it - others will be able make a more informed decision. :D The operating system is WinCE 5.0: GPS Specification Operation system WINCE 5.0 CORE Support map Tomtom,IGO,Route66 ect. Processor SAMSUNG High performance processor S3C2440A-40 EMS Memory 64MB SDRAM Storage device 128MB Display output CVBS+S-VIDEO output Audio output stereo CD Qaulity Main Frequency 400MHz Support Audio Type MP3/PCM/WMA Support Video Type ASF/AV/WMV/DIVX Chipest SiRF STARⅢ Frequence 1.575GHZ Channel number 20 channels Tracking sense degree -159dbm Position Accuracy 10m 2D RMS 5m. 2D RMS, WAAS enabie Velocity 0.1m/s Data Renewal Rate 1HZ Re-catching time Average0.1S Hot start time Average 1s Warm Start time Average 38s Cold start time Average 42s The biggest fixed height 18,000m The biggest velocity 515m/s Power Speci DC12v, Current<500mA Consumption 4.5w(12v/360mA) Normal power consumption 3w(12v/250mA)

The Auspacks unit looks similar and forum members who have installed them in their camrys seem satisfied with them. The gps map and software are all run from an SD card. I don't know why most of the OEM units still use DVD maps - just so they can charge for updates I suspect. If you have a close look at the pictures there are two SD slots shown under the screen - one for multimedia - DivX movies and MP3 etc. - and the other for the GPS map and software. Now that SD cards have much larger capacities you will be able to run a large music collection on one - no need for an Ipod connection. On my 7 inch portable gps - a 1G SD card runs all the gps software and maps. I uses IGO 8 and v15 Australian maps - no problem with new roads like eastlink. There are also lots of skins to download for IGO 8 which change the functions that show on screen and newer versions even have a picture of your car rather than a arrow as the position cursor. Here is an example: Skin page I have the car cursors downloaded at home and will check to see if they have a highlander. The system on my portable is WinCE 4.2 so you can also run other software such a Tomtom etc. If you want to change software - you just have another SD card with it installed. For example, I have Ozexplorer on another SD card with all the HEMA 4wd maps of Australia in my glove box and if I go offroad I can just change to this software. Before the Kluger I had a Land Rover Discovery. I have asked the manufacturer about the operating system for the highlander gps and have yet to get an answer. Hopefully it will be WinCE 5.0 because we would be able to run newer versions of the gps software.

Kesawi It apears to use the switch bundle that is in the USA sport model highlander. We would have to source this part and maybe asking the USA forum is one way to get the part number - this is my next bit of research. Most of the USA discussion appears preliminary and they haven't got hold of the manufacturer - their prices are much higher for a similar unit. If you search for a highlander gps on the internet you get lots of resellers of Chinese goods with big mark ups. No one sems to have installed one. I have got the wholesale price - direct from the manufacturer. And no need to buy 50 - just one. There is a bit of anti-chinese sentiment in the USA forums as well - they don't seem to understand just about all consumer goods are made in China - including most of the parts of the computers we are looking at this forum with right now. I have a 7 inch portable chinese made GPS and it works well - uses the latest maps with red light/speed cameras and speed warnings - this is why I couldn't go backwards to the Toyota version. It cost only $200. I'm not technically skilled enough to do the install - that's why I want to see if others have done it or to try and get some support/suggestions. I am willing to take the risk of buying he first test model. Kind regards Hado

All I have been researching an aftermarket gps for my kx-s. I don't like the Toyota OEM version which doesn't let you use the latest maps or gps software like IGO 8. Nav n go website - igo8 description I also want something that is more than just a double din slot replacement i.e. a grande style gps replacement. What do you think of this gps replacement? I have more photos from the manufacturer. I can get it for $600 delivered. Also, has anyone had experience installing this sort of gps? Kind regards Hado

Just noticed a thread on the US forum which says the replacement armrest has a different part number: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=311707 Does anyone know if the part numbers have been updated in Australia as well?

Just cleaned my new - two weeks old - kluger after going to Mt Buller last weekend. 1. Washed with Meguiar's Soft Wash. 2. Clayed using Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System. A fair bit of grime appeared on the new white clay. (I'd never done this step before and was very impressed with how easy it was and the result.) 3. Touched up a visible scratch on the rear gate which the new car was delivered with using Meguiar's Scratch X. 4. Polished with Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 Liquid. (This step was much easier due to the smooth clayed surface to work with.) 5. Polished alloy rims with Meguiar's NXT Generation All Metal Polysh. 6. Sprayed Tyres with Meguiar's Nxt Generation Insane Shine Tyre Spray. Then it rained <_<

My Kluger is only a few weeks old and I checked the armrests this morning after reading your post and they seem very flexible. Seems as if there is no fix to the part in newer models - this is just a weakness in the part.

I have just purchased a KX-S which arrived on Friday. I had the same problem. An employee noticed the first call that I made back to the office. He said it was hard to hear me and my voice was distorted. In my previous car I had a motorola car kit installed with a seperate mic and speaker. I have a Nokia N95. After checking forums on the weekend I think I have found the solution. During a phone call turn the volume adjust knob up. You will now notice the volume max is only 14 - not 60 as with the radio/CD playback. This should fix the problem - I tested the adjustment with the same employee and he said the incoming call from my KX-S is now much clearer than before. My voice was now louder and no longer distorted. :D I also noticed on page 25 of the manual there is a section called 'setting the volume' which is in the chapter on hands-free operation. It just isn't very clear. The manual also says you can adjust the volume of the ringtone in the same way - adjust it while it is ringing. Let me know if this works for you?