Beep Beep

I am still looking for a place in Sydney to fix this issue. It looks like I have to fix it properly this time.

In the last 2 years I did 3 wheel alignments. And I still have to replace front tires every year (I need to check my records but I doubt I can make 30k out of Michelin Primacy LC)

I'm wondering if this whole pull left issue can be put down to a misunderstanding of what sort of alignments should be done.

I had the pull left issue for a while, and had the alignment done every 10,000km since new, each time with noticeable improvement but not a total elimination of the issue. I did a bit of research and found that I've actually been getting the wrong kind of wheel alignment done. What I SHOULD have done (and insisted on regardless of what the tech or sales ppl said) is to carry out a FOUR wheel alignment each and everytime I send the car in for an alignment instead of the standard front wheel alignment these tyre places always try to sell you.

The one time I did a four wheel alignment (and I insisted on getting a copy of the report), the pull left issue completely resolved itself. My Aurion now tracks straight as an arrow. It doesn't pull left at all now. Heck, I don't even need to apply any pressure on either side of the steering wheel at ALL on the road to keep it tracking straight.

I'm just sayin, that it could well be that people haven't been doing the right alignments on their cars. You can have perfect front wheel alignment, but if your rear alignment is off, even just slightly, the car will tend to pull to one side.

I figured these tyre places only do front wheel alignments because it's quicker and they can turnover customers faster (hence more profit through volume). Four wheel alignments are a ***** to do because of the extra effort. Cost wise it's not even double the cost of a front wheel alignment, so overall they actually make less money doing four wheel alignments. In my mind, this explains why they tend to shy away from four wheel alignments and always try to tell you that the fronts are always the culprits and the rears shouldn't be the problem.

I think it might be a case of people assuming the rear wheels are always perfectly aligned. This isn't necessarily the case, and the alignment does go out (eg, you drive over the curb while turning a bit too sharply into a corner or parking space, etc).

Just my 35c worth.

BB

Actually i plan to have the car parked inside my work's car park during the day but on the weekends, it will be under car cover to protect from the bird's craps.

And has anyone with black car tried to use the car wash drive thru? I plan to do this as it has dryer therefore eliminating the need for hand drying.

If you're looking to use automated car washes, I would recommend the touchless ones which uses water jets. They are far easier on your paint job. The flipside is they are more expensive. I use the top wash for $18.

Paint protection coating is often overlooked too. I have paint protection on mine since New and lemme tell you, it does work. Less prone to scratches, swirls and keeps the shine for much much longer. I re-treat every year.

SuperCharge Gold Maintenance free. I use these for my other cars but not the Aurion because the factory battery is still going strong. The Supercharge has a 3 year replacement warranty too.

I have the Optima Red Top deep cycle.... Only because the red matched the super charger... ah well

Overkill, but it does the job :)

The dealer had a black Sportivo (Saw papers on the dash, implying that the vehicle was sold, so didn't get to sit inside it.) on display while I was participating in the Camry Expo on Monday. In a dark color and in person, it doesn't look as bad as the photos I've seen. If I'm in the market for an Aurion though, I'd probably get the Presara with Ivory interior.

btw, is it just me, or did Toyota remove the power folding mirror feature from the 2012 Aurion Presara? Can't make out the power fold button on the mirror switch panel in the photo below.

Power folding mirror? Don't you activate this feature by leaving the switch on L or R rather than in the middle position? I don't think there was ever a separate button for this functionality.

Oh, and it doesn't actually fold the mirror (i.e. folds the wing mirror closer to the car for parking in narrow spaces), it dips both mirrors downwards so you can see the kerb better.

I dont think I have ever worn out a set of pads ( especially the rear ) within a year no matter how hard I have driven. Personally I would change to the Bendix and not use the OEM ones if they are wearing out that fast and as the others have said you may have to order from Australia and have them sent over.

nahh the genuine pads have twice the "meat" on them when compared to bendix pads. brand new bendix's look half warn compared to stock pads. This is why you will rarely see Hilux or Landcruiser owners put anything else in there vehicles other than genuine pads, aftermarket ones just dont last as long. sure some expensive aftermarket pads may have better heat tollerance or better pedal feel but in a normal non high peformance road car that probably isnt a concern they just dont compare to Toyota Genuine.

Not to mention, going with aftermarket pads which take longer to wear down (i.e. made of harder material) can be murder on your disc rotors. Yep, been there, done that. Completely rootered a front & rear set of DBA gold slotted rotors on my Landcruiser just cause I went for the bendix 4x4 hardcore pads after being convinced to do so by someone who talks out of his big fat *****. Damn pads were only on for 25,000ks before it warped the rotors and made braking an interesting experience. Weren't much difference in performance even while the pads were on either!

Does changing over to an aftermarket air filter like K&N actually make any difference? I've used K&N in my landcruiser and it did make a bit of difference in terms of slightly better fuel consumption and responsiveness. However, this was for a diesel and being a high compression engine, the more air you can feed it, the better it runs. Hence the greater airflow provided by the K&N filter was of direct benefit. The OEM disposable paper filter usually installed as part of your regular service sucks balls.

The other thing about the 1HZ diesel is that it's as built tough as a reinforced brick **** house. The block is damn near unkillable.

For a low compression engine like the 2GRFE, I would've thought there's not much benefit to putting on an aftermarket filter, even if you supercharge?

I might be wrong, but I think putting aftermarket filters might not be the best thing for an already pretty sweet sounding and performing engine like the V6 in the Aurion.

PS. Weren't re-usable high flow filters originally invented for dirt racing/offroading because normal filters tended to clog up with dust and dirt too quickly?

Does changing over to an aftermarket air filter like K&N actually make any difference? I've used K&N in my landcruiser and it did make a bit of difference in terms of slightly better fuel consumption and responsiveness. However, this was for a diesel and being a high compression engine, the more air you can feed it, the better it runs. Hence the greater airflow provided by the K&N filter was of direct benefit. The OEM disposable paper filter usually installed as part of your regular service sucks balls.

The other thing about the 1HZ diesel is that it's as built tough as a reinforced brick **** house. The block is damn near unkillable.

For a low compression engine like the 2GRFE, I would've thought there's not much benefit to putting on an aftermarket filter, even if you supercharge?

I might be wrong, but I think putting aftermarket filters might not be the best thing for an already pretty sweet sounding and performing engine like the V6 in the Aurion.

By the way, why did they make the ski port lockable anyway?

The idea is because you can lock the boot with the key (which then locks out the boot release lever), if the ski hatch was not able to be locked, it would defeat the purpose of locking the boot in the first place. Provided you were locking it to secure something smaller enough to fit through the ski hatch.

Ah... This, I did not know. I would bet money that quite a number of Aurion owners wouldn't know that if you lock the boot with the key, the boot release lever won't work.

I still won't be testing this feature out though.... the damn mini key in the keyfob is small enough as it is without me needing to fumble around and inserting it into some small hole. You know, big hands and all.

60/40 split fold rear seats instead of fixed rear seats

By the way, why did they make the ski port lockable anyway?

So whoever you've bundled in the boot won't escape.... Toyota has really taken on board the gangsta responses to their product improvement surveys. :P

I agree, a locable ski port is counter intuitive and seems pointless. I mean, when do you REALLY need to actually lock it? FFS if you're worried people might steal stuff from your boot, I think they're more likely to break into your car first and rummage through the cabin. Besides, once they're in the cabin, Lockable ski port or not, all they gots to do is pull the lever to pop the trunk.

Boot security EPIC fail, IMHO.

I only just paid attention to this now. What the heck did they do to the bonnet?

.... and that mini grill thing. What a mess.

LOL tried to replicate the IS-F's Bonnet?

Lexus IS-F? No, more like Aurion WT-F. :P

Interesting!

I like the fact that the blind spot monitor and auto lock at speed is now available.

Would've been nice to also have adaptive cruise, SDHC card slots and auto close of windows/moon roof via key fob or smart arm.

What I'm not sure about is there's no mention of bi-xenon headlights although there's auto high beam function. Hmmmmmm...

Oh.. and DRLs or angel eyes might've been good too.

As for exterior shape... meh... so so in my opinion. Not really for or against.

Definitely on my shortlist when the current lease is up!

Both Presara and ZR6 have Xennon HID with AFS. Aurion will never have bi-Xennon..why? the high and low beams are seperate lamps I believe that radar guided cruise along with the return of LED rear lamps will make a showing in the update.

Whoops, sorry Adamsy, my bad!

I should've been a bit more clear in what I meant.

I meant that there was no mention of DUAL HID head lights, i.e. HID low beams and separate HID highs.

Bi-xenons would've meant that both high & lows would be in the same head light, which would mean a radical re-design of the front assemblies etc.

Interesting!

I like the fact that the blind spot monitor and auto lock at speed is now available.

Would've been nice to also have adaptive cruise, SDHC card slots and auto close of windows/moon roof via key fob or smart arm.

What I'm not sure about is there's no mention of bi-xenon headlights although there's auto high beam function. Hmmmmmm...

Oh.. and DRLs or angel eyes might've been good too.

As for exterior shape... meh... so so in my opinion. Not really for or against.

Definitely on my shortlist when the current lease is up!

I sacrificed looks for practicality :( At least i can open my windows during the rain so my car doesn't fog up on the inside :D

Rainy Days i always turn the air conditioning on to, Air Conditioning works to cool or warm my mate thought that A/C is for cooling only.

Not to mention A/C dries the air in the cabin. With moisture being removed, fogging up of the windscreen and windows on the inside isn't going to be a problem. If it's too cold, turn up the heat, but make sure your A/C is on.

A/C is definitely not just for cooling. Otherwise it'd be called Air COOLING rather than Air CONDITIONING.

Looks like an awesome, ball tingling, satisfying, tight ride IMHO!!

And yeah, I suppose the car's not too shabby too.

I didn't know the word 'co ar se' would be censored.

Yeah, the auto censor is ******* ****** ********! It does ********* occasionally, with good ********** and **** most definitely ******.

***** ******* **** **** ?!

On a second thought I could try find a wrecker who has a vw cc and try and salvage the sensor from it.

jrhowie, late model Passat Highline models (Sedans not wagons, wagons have remote electric opening and closing tailgates instead) have this option too, just in case you have strike out trying to getting a sensor from a VW CC. There are more Passats on the road than CC's. It may sound like an interesting gimmick feature to have, but to my surprise I've found it pretty darn useful. Especially when you have both your arms full when you're heading to the car. It saves you fumbling for your keyfob remote boot release all the while juggling what you're carrying. All you simply have to do is just walk to the car, wave your foot under the rear bumper and the boot pops open. Voila!

I would LOVE to have this feature on my Aurion too, so I'd most definitely be interested in finding out if it's possible!

BB

What you're describing sounds similar in concept to the remote boot release that's on my VW CC. I wave my foot under the rear bumper (must have key FOB in pocket of course) and the boot pops fully open without me having to physically touch the car.

I don't know if this can be retrofitted to the Aurion though. Hopefully someone in this forum can help you out. Good luck, dude! ^_^

BB

Russian-spec Camry A.K.A. Aurion. Came across these two, while surfing through drom.ru (Something like a Russian Cardomain.).

Base/ Mid-spec

http://reviews.drom....ta/camry/57391/

Premium/ Luxury-spec

http://reviews.drom....ta/camry/57161/

Russian-spec grades;

-Comfort (AT-X?)

-Elegance (Prodigy?)

-Elegance Plus

-Premium

-Prestige (Presara?)

-Prestige Plus

-Suite

Russian Camry website http://www.toyota.ru...amry/index.tmex

Vehicle Brochure http://content.toyot...pp.26.09.11.pdf

Accessories Brochure http://content.toyot...mry_new_acc.pdf

Wow. Hey that's no BS pretty damn fine looking, if ya ask me. DAYMNnnn...

I just went to the Asian Toyota site, used Chrome to translate the site didn't know it could do that :P

Yes the Athlete looks like and amazing car!! has more gadgets than our top of the line Holden or Ford. Most of their cars are AWD and RWD I cannot believe it till I saw it. Whats wrong with Australia, After seeing that I will not be upgrading my Aurion, my last payment is next week and I was seriously going to buy a TRD! But not now after reading your comments and going to the Asian site. They also have 255KW RWD sedans that weigh 1550! with crazy technologies I just cannot comprehend.

I cannot see Australia getting these affordable, Powerful, High end quality cars even tho there under 60k because the Government supports GM they wouldn't want our money going to another vehicle manufacture, overseas or here, even if it meant lower Co2 or less deaths on the road.

Not to mention ADR compliance. :P

Huh? Are they out already??? Could have sworn i saw a truck carrying new Aurions that looked slightly different to the current Aurions go past me. I thought they were due out in March?

Yep, they're out. Couple of dealers in Perth already have demonstrators available for test drives and such.

36psi is about the norm for sedans at the size of the Aurion with a reasonably tall sidewall tyre. 40-42psi is too high and it will wear the centres.

Unless you're carrying a full load I.e. 4 passengers + luggage on a trip somewhere.

Might have something to do with how the previous owner(s) drove the car. I've always run new cars in (regardless of what people say about "modern" cars).

I did this with my Aurion and have always been getting really good fuel economy since then.

Currently averaging 7.1 L/100km outside of the Metro area and ranging between 10.5 - 12.8 L/100km in morning/afternoon peak hour traffic to/from and within the CBD.

What pertol do you use?

I started off with using 98 RON when I first got the car, then switched to 91 RON (standard unleaded) to see if there was really any difference. Surprisingly, I found no difference in terms of performance and fuel consumption, at least for the way I drive it. Since I didn't find a difference between the two fuels, I continued using 91 RON unleaded to this day.

Economy wise, its definitely cheaper running on 91 RON if you have to pay for fuel. Mine's a novated lease vehicle, so it doesn't matter whether I use 91 or 98 RON as both are covered with the issued fuel cards, but I choose to use 91 RON because I don't see any benefit to using Premium. This is especially when the vehicle is always maintained in top mechanical condition with the lease included servicing, maintenance, repairs etc.

The Aurion is my daily drive to/from work in the CBD and everywhere in between, and I go for country drives every so often in it too.

The fuel consumption I mentioned before were from using standard 91RON unleaded.

Might have something to do with how the previous owner(s) drove the car. I've always run new cars in (regardless of what people say about "modern" cars).

I did this with my Aurion and have always been getting really good fuel economy since then.

Currently averaging 7.1 L/100km outside of the Metro area and ranging between 10.5 - 12.8 L/100km in morning/afternoon peak hour traffic to/from and within the CBD.

Worst ever fuel consumption was 14.8L/100km because of very heavy traffic, and near gridlock due to accidents and very bad torrential storms. Hell of an interesting drive home though! I"m also happy to report that the Aurion is very well sealed from the outside elements. Stayed nice and dry all the way with the climate control working perfectly without missing a beat. Even pulled back the blind for the sunroof and watched the heavy rain falling on the glass while waiting for traffic to move....

I thought "Twin Engine" for a sec, and was pretty gobsmacked. Imagine that!

2 x 2GR-FE, one to drive the front wheels, the other driving the rears. Now THAT would be one helluva beast, not to mention a monumental, epic project. :P