kschoelpple

Hello everyone, I've noticed my topic is still making for "interesting reading" after all this time. Just as a quick update: My remark about using special high temperature grade oil seems to have hit the right spot. Have now over 155,000 km on my Toyota and ever since changing to this type of oil no problems anymore. (I'm using Gulf Western). Happy and safe driving. Karl

Hello again everyone, as mentioned earlier I had to buy my own radio which has all functions one could wish for and still works fine now almost 2 years after I bought it. ( just check places like eBay and search for "2DIN car radio"). Regarding some other Bluetooth related problems mentioned here: Whilst there is an international standard for Bluetooth systems (i.e. version 2.0) not all car radio and mobile phone manufacturers stick to it ! For some reason some decide to "do their own thing", or make variations of the standard. That's why you end up with sudden phone disconnection or lack of phone book function and the like. But hey, if you just pay around $ 240.- for a car radio which has: AM/FM/CD/DVD/SD /I-pod connectivity/Bluetooth (which actually works) / USB / GPS and even TV reception, then so what if the phone book doesn't work ? At least you can have a clear phone conversation whilst driving on the freeway without worrying of fines and get on with your daily live. Beats going back and forth to your local Toyota Service Centre over a number of months without getting any great results and having to wait for another new car radio which still might not work as expected. Happy driving. Karl

Hello Everyone, well, it's hard to believe, but the oil consumption has stopped ! Earlier this year my car mechanic changed the supplier of his engine oil. Shortly after a service which I had done, the oil consumption dropped off. Wasn't sure at first, but even now, 6 months after, the engine hardly uses any oil. My understanding is the oil still confirms to Toyota's specifications, it's just that the manufacturer of the oil is different. I guess you want to know what brand it is? Well, at that stage he was using "Hi-Tec" oils. However, for some reason he recently changed to "Gulf Western". I have done about 4,000km with that oil and it seems also to be fine. In total I traveled 24,000km since the problem stopped. I guess perhaps the whole thing is just coincidence and the engine just needed all that time to "wear in". But about 40,000km to wear in seems to be very unusual. Anyway, at this stage the problem seems to be gone and I hope that others with the same problem might find this information helpful. Happy and safe driving Karl S.

Hello again, yes, as mentioned in my entry about Bluetooth problems (same page, just further down), I did remove my original Toyota Radio and replaced it with a third party Radio. This was triggered by the Bluetooth system not working as it supposed to and Toyota keeping me waiting for 4 months for a new radio, only to discover that the new model also didn't work as expected. The one I bought was $ 175.- and has everything I need in a car stereo. I didn't want GPS, but for about $259.- the same kind of car stereo is available with GPS ! And as mentioned, the Bluetooth system does actually work in it (of course everything else as well) ! Just need someone able to wire it up to your Toyota car wiring. ( I did it myself, installed many radios over the years). Here is an example of such radio: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TD712G-7-CAR-GPS-2-DIN-Stereo-Radio-DVD-PLAYER-iPod-TV-/120593740385?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c13f27261 Regards Karl

Hi, I know exactly about your problem. ( I was the one writing this article). As you mentioned there are different standards when it comes to Bluetooth and it appears most Toyota Radios run on v.1.0 or 1.2 but not on 2.0 like some late model mobile phones do. In theory that should mean that just some functions like access to phone book doesn't work, but the rest still should work (at least that is what most manufacturers will tell you). However, the Bluetooth standard is very "soft" and a lot of options are left to the individual manufcturers to decide how they want to use it. (no legal requirement to stick with one system only) This explains why some phones work, and other makes don't. Another thing is that some manufactures don't bother making use of all the functions. Most likely a cost saving or copyright issue. But the interesting thing is, as I mentioned in a previous entry, if you happen to buy a third party radio with as many bluetooth functions as possible, then strangly enough the radio seems to work with all kind of mobile phones! Just as an example, I have tested 5 different mobile phones on my original Toyota Radio, all had different results and 2 wouldn't work with the radio at all. But on the other hand my $175.- 7" screen touch control radio I bought to replace my Toyota radio with, seems to work with all mobile phones I have tested so far. Further more I have more functions and it is much easier to use than the original radio! Go figure that . Hope this is of help. Karl

Update: Had a phone call from Dept. of Fair Trading this week. Apparently Toyota has been looking for a fix, but a few month ago it seemed they have a solution only to discover that it doesn't work long term. (short term fix only). Toyota is still researching various solutions and once sucessfull (whenever that may be ) all affected Toyota owners will be advised. Now as far my options go: a) Put up with it and wait for a solution. B) Contact a solicitor and lodge application with court to force Toyota to take car back with full refund or exchange of car with new one. (been advised that I can't take the matter to a tribunal due to the value of car being over $ 30,0000.- ) I personally can't see the point in an exchange, since I could still end up with the same problem in a new version of the same 4WD. I probably wait 'till early next year and then seek legal advise as to the possibility of a refund. 'till next time Marry Christmas and happy holidays (for the lucky ones getting a break) Karl

Current situation: Just been to my local Toyota service centre, but still no news from Toyota head office. Have taken the matter now to Dept. of Fair Trading. I did consider using the high performance oil as suggested by Bruce in his reply. However, I had another look in the owners manual and such oils are not officially listed / supported. Since I do not want to risk my warranty I have decided against a trial of such oil, unless I get the go ahead by Toyota to do so. I hope this matter will be resolved soon. ....until then,....happy driving.

LATEST NEWS: All sorted !! But not with Toyota's help. I had enough of all the waiting and was not to happy with the radio as it was anyway. Installed a third party radio with 7" screen and all the functions you could wish for ! B) It has CD and DVD player, SD-Card slot, USB connection, I-Pod connection and menu function, large menues, Bluetooth connection for both Audio (Music) and mobile phone. And guess what, it actually works straight away! It even has a TV receiver (works only with optional Antenna). I guess great if you are stuck in traffic a lot. And the price,....... ....$ 175.- delivered to my door ex manufacturer!! For about $90.- more I could have bought a model with GPS as well !! Shame one can't get that sort of thing ex Toyota despite spending over $ 70,000.- on the new car. Happy driving. Karl

.....the story keeps going ! Thursday 30th. September 2010 --> after waiting for over 4 month I finally received a new car audio today! Looks the same as the old one, but volume knob is easier to adjust. And that's about it !! Tried the Bluetooth system and guess what ? Yes, same problem as before. People can't hear me when driving and using the handsfree facility. What a joke. This problem was known since the day I got the car and now, 7 months later still not fixed. Apart from that there is still the issue with the oil consumption. (see my other entries about it) I think I will go out and by myself a third party car audio system with Bluetooth and then sent Toyota the bill for it ! It appears they just don't care about individual customers anymore. Anyway, safe drivng. Karl

Latest News: Had a phone call this morning from Toyota. There is an issue with this particular type of motor, which is known to Toyota. Apparently the return feedpipe which connects to the oil pump has a problem with a gasket (....so the story goes). This is being already fixed during assembly of the motor in the factory for some time now. However, for some reason this hasn't worked in my engine or the fix wasn't applied correctly at the time. <_< So now I've been told to 'wait a bit longer' so Toyota can investigate the mater further. In the meantime I'm supposed to keep topping up the oil. (since I haven't got any other hobbies and nothing else to do, why not? ) <_< So as they say: ....watch this space

Hi Bruce, thanks for the reply. I will certainly try the other oil on my next service (about 6 weeks away). Needless to say I didn't get an official reply yet from Toyota, despite that the oil consumption test finished over two weeks ago. (Also still waiting on a new stereo, in order to fix the Bluetooth issue, - but this is another story. Besides, it only has been 5 months on that issue ) ! <_< However, it is still amazing that Toyota could simply resolve such issue by quoting such oil in the owners manual. Instead they just list a general, common diesel motor oil. (which I made sure was used by my mechanic) Once again, thanks Bruce. It's people like yourself who more often then not, find solution which otherwise would go unnoticed for a long time. Karl

Thanks to everyone who replied. It seems to be somewhat bewildering that a problem which is known to Toyota for over 2 years, is still causing trouble in a car which was only manufactured in January this year. By that stage such a problem should be well and truly eradicated. Also the fact that not more Toyota owners have responded makes me wonder if I am just "the lucky one who got the Friday afternoon model" ?? Anyway, fact is the oil consumption test was completed today. Looks like the engine is using 4.5 - 5 Litres of oil between the 10,000km services. Looking at the owners book it mentions that oil consumption of up to 1 Litre / 1000km can occur. Which I think is absolutely unacceptable. Might as well not bother with any oil change, just wait 'till the oil is used up and refill then. <_< (just kidding) Considering that my old Troopy used less than 1 Litre between services and had 400,000km done by the time I sold it, yet this "great new 4WD" is really disappointing. I guess I just have to wait now what the official response of Toyota will be, once this oil consumption report has been assessed. Happy driving. Karl

Has anyone else got unusual high oil consumption with their V8 Turbo Diesel, or is it just me ?? :( Within a few weeks after delivery I noticed my new GXL Wagon was using oil. Not just a bit, but 1.4L in the first month alone ! (about 4000km). Now, 4 month later, my 4WD is undergoing yet another oil consumption test at my local Toyota Service Centre. It appears it is mostly obvious after driving long hill climbs. (i.e. Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains). Just topped oil up again, this time with 1.1 L just after 3000km. Finally heard today (3rd. party) that this is internally known within Toyota, but yet nothing done about it! Anyone else with information or similar experience ?

I had a 76 series Troopy with the straight 6 cylinder engine. No turbo, no electronic gymics, I loved it. Recently "upgraded" to a GXL Wagon (78series). Sure, it has the powerfull V8 turbo diesel, but it is fully electronically controlled. I can't fix anything on it if there is a problem and living in the bush that could become a problem down the track. The interesting thing is that new one is "more basic" than the Prado, Kluger and LC 200, yet still lots of electronics. It supposed to have a Bluetooth stereo - but doesn't work (see my topic under Bluetooth problems). Driver seat is just moving far enough back for me, and I am 180cm tall, but what about taller drivers ? Living in the bush I would have prefered a basic vynil floor, rather than carpet in which every bit of dirt is getting stuck in. But there is no choice if you order the GXL. Speaking of which, after waiting for 5 months and having various delays caused by an incompetent dealer and Toyota politics, I had to settle for a different colour model than what I wanted - very dissapointing ! Less space than in the Troopy and as others already mentioned: Plastic Dashboard which also, thanks to the air-bags, restricts leg room. Anoying if you are on a longer trip and just want to have a quick nap on the side of the road. Anyway, happy and safe driving. Karl

....Latest News. Just spoken to Toyota (again) <_< Apparently the fix is to replace the whole stereo system with a new type, which was only just released. However, being a brand new model, it will take approxiamtely 3 months until new units will be available here in Australia. :( Karl