SHIRE.ZRE

By the way, wasn't there recently an amendment introduced to ADR (Australian Design Rules) which now allows the tinting of all back windows (i.e. rear back doors and the rear window) in any tint film, except the front driver and passenger side must be 35%?

OK, I just found the media release clarifying the above:

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 13 August 2009

Car windows under scrutiny.

NSW car owners have been warned that cars with illegal window film on their windows run the risk of receiving an on-the-spot defect notice.

NSW Highway Patrol officers now have access to electronic meters that provide an instant rating of the darkness of glass. When armed with these devices, an officer can quickly, easily and accurately check a car’s window film is within legal limits.

On Friday, 17 July, one licensed AUVIS[1] inspection station in Sydney was visited by four cars that had their window film removed or replaced after receiving defect notices from Highway Patrol officers using electronic meters.

Rob Hamilton, President of the Window Film Association of Australia and New Zealand (WFAANZ), comments “When used correctly window film provides great protection, but unfortunately some uninformed tinters apply film that is too dark and deemed unsafe. Drivers need to receive correct advice when considering window film for their vehicle.”

A visible light transmittance (VLT) rating measures the amount of light that passes through tinted glass. The lower the VLT percentage, the darker the film. Since August 1994 NSW laws require tinted side and rear windows to have a VLT of at least 35%, meaning 35% of light must still pass through the window after film has been applied.

Federal law, however, allows lower VLT glass (sometimes called privacy glass) on new vehicles for any window behind the driver’s position. So if a new vehicle has rear windows with say a 20% VLT, the owner cannot legally have the front side windows tinted to match.

Rob Hamilton said “These automotive film rules are not widely known, which is why the instance of illegally darkened windows is so high.”

The question then is how to ensure the window film on your vehicle is compliant.

Rob Hamilton said, “The solution is simple. Just ensure your tinter is aware of the regulations governing your state. Contact your local WFAANZ member as they know the regulations and will do the job properly the first time. They have access to the latest updates and training and abide by an industry code of practice.”

Window film applicators may face fines or criminal action if installing automotive film illegally. There have also been reported cases of car owners having their insurance claim refused following an accident, as the car was deemed un-roadworthy because of illegal film.

NSW auto film regulations can be found at Automotive: Australian Design Rules

The steering wheel HAS to come off. Toyota were not thinking differently to anybody else. It's not a special case.

Because of the way the indicator works, the stalk has a round part that goes around the steering column that enables the indicator to automatically turn off when you complete your turn.

Well, they were thinking differently to Nissan at least because I have done exactly the same mod on many Nissans and both the wiper and headlights/indicators steering stalks are completely independent from the steering wheel and slot in and out by just removing the top and bottom covers of the steering column.

For now, I will use the push in switch, but when the time comes to replace the steering wheel with a leather type, I might consider an upgrade at the same time ;)

Hi Guys,

In all my previous cars I have used 20% tint with no problems with insurance, rego or the men in blue.

Yesterday I have tinted our ZRE with the same 20% tint, however the tinting place cautioned me about some type of films that are blocking the radio reception when the rear window is tinted, as it has a built-in Am/FM antenna lines going through, so be sure to ask your tinting place if the film they're using is compatible with built-in antennas in the glass.

And BTW, we had a Nissan Tiida that was tinted in 20% and my wife had a huge accident, so the car was written off as a result, the insurance claim was approved on the 2nd day with no problems about the tint on the car either. Obviously it wasn't the cause of the accident and had the accident taken place at night, maybe it would have been a different story.

I would not recommend anything darker than 20% as it would be a nightmare driving at night with it.

I know its easy to take the cover off.

If I go by what I have done on my Nissan, I had to pop the mirror lens off to get the cover off of the mirror housing, so are you saying it's the same on the ZRE?

I would also need to remove the door lining to run the wires through to the fender indicators, so will have to experiment a bit and see how many screws are there that hold the door lining in place.

It would have been good to have the service manual handy for the ZRE, but I guess I will try and figure it out as I go.....as I have done with my other cars ;)

the stalk is a direct plug and play ... it just takes a while to take the steering wheel and everything else off. but it can be done. Lol if i can do it, then pretty much anyone can.

Ranges in price from 160 - 180$ i think, i dont remember exactly how much i paid.

I saw the DIY Guide for the Yaris, but it's a bit complicated with the removal of the steering wheel. What Toyota were thinking LOL :) Why have the steering stalks under the steering wheel in the first place. After closely looking at the ZRE, I don't think I need to remove the steering wheel, as the top and bottom plastic covers seem to separate and should reveal the steering stalk clips, the question is, are these plastic steering column covers on the ZRE screwed on together or just clip on, as I couldn't see any screws holding them together.

In any case, I called Toyota and the steering fog light switch costs $174.00 plus GST. I then pooped in to my local auto electrician and he said he'd charge me $100.00 to put the fog lights in with the independent push in type switch (supplied with the fog lights kit), so cost-wise, it'll be cheaper to do it with the stand-alone switch ;)

Thanks mate. Much appreciated.

I got a set of these today for testing purposes.

Will be fitting them on shortly and will take plenty of photos of the installation process and report back here.

Stay tuned ;)

Is the steering stalk with the fog light dial a direct replacement of the existing one? i.e. direct swap plug 'n play type of installation?

I got myself aftermarket fog lights for the 2007 ZRE Ascent and when I took off the bumper to have a look, I did notice existing wiring looms there for the fog lights, so I presume a straight connect to these wiring looms is possible and I would only need to put the relay for the fog lights and connect the factory steering stalk for them to work. Well, that's the plan anyway ;)

How much does this steering stalk cost from Toyota?

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have a list of all ZRE Corolla colour-codes (paint codes)?

Mine is a 2007 Corolla Sedan in red (I think it's called Wildfire)

Can you please confirm that the colour code is 3R3?

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. Much appreciated.

I would have really liked to make the next cruise and meet some of you, but am already booked for an off-road trip through our Nissan X-Trail Forum.

HERE is my x-trail and I will soon post pics of the Corolla which I have started to modify already ;)

Thanks Guys,

So, based on your replies it seems like a common sound with the Corolla's?

I had a 97 Camry before and it didn't make this sound at all.

Will try the CRC Belt Grip spray and see what happens.

Hi Guys,

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find the answer when I have done the forum search.

Anyway, our 2007 Corolla Ascent is making this really annoying screeching noise at cold start-up every morning when I turn the ignition on. It sounds like an air-con fan belt or something similar.

As I was shopping around for this particular Toyota model, I have test driven quite a few of them and have heard this exact sound in 2 others as well. When I asked the owners, they told me it's normal and only happens in the morning at cold start-up, but to me, it doesn't sound normal at all.

Has anyone else experienced this and can let me know what's wrong?

Hi Guys,

New member here from Sydney and a new owner of a 2007 Corolla Ascent (sedan) in the awesome red colour.

This car actually is being driven by my wife, but I'll be the one doing all the modifications on it just like I did on my own car (a Nissan X-Trail)

Am glad to find an internet community dedicated to the Toyota's, as they're great cars for sure.

Will post pics of our Corolla when I get the chance, we only had it with us for 3 days so far and bought it second hand and it has only done 19,000kms, so it's practically brand new.

I look forward to participating in many discussions.