Dazzling_Darryl

No worries, 58 kms is not enough to get a true idea. For example, I can "hurry" through some of a winding targa roads down here in Tassie and push it up over 7 Lph. Then, when I get back into the towns and traffic it comes back down to 6 or lower (for that trip) Here is another example... If I drive from Devonport to Launceston at or near the 110 kph limit, the mileage eases up to maybe 6.3 or higher as I approach half way (Deloraine) which is 300 or 400 metres above sea level. However, it falls back below 6 Lph as I approach Launceston which is closer to sea level. I think the economy will improve a little bit over time, but not much.

Hi Chris, Congrats on your new Hybrid (Good choice) ;-) I sort of use the pulse and glide technique. I ease up to the posted speed limit and then feather the accelerator to keep it there. I try to keep the car in EV mode as much as I can without being obsessive and I don't have to drive like a grandpa to do it. I have settled on 34 PSI all round as the best compromise between economy and ride and do most of the other recommended things to save fuel like anticipating red/green lights etc.. Cheers, Darryl

I had my 15,000 service a couple of weeks ago and took some Shell Helix Ultra with me. Unfortunately, they were flat out and had pre-done the service invoice for $130 and I had to get back to work so I said just put the durablend in then. :-/ On a positive note the 2012 model seems less adversely affected fuel economy wise by the cooler/wetter weather than my 2010 model did. (different method for quick warm up of the engine maybe?) I noticed a fairly obvious increase of about .02 LPH in the older model (haven't noticed it in our current car - touchwood) Average still sitting on 5.7 LPH after more than 16K and daily use averages much the same as usual. :-)

Hi Steve, I assume you are both aware that if the key is in close proximity to the car you can manually open the boot with the button under the lip (i.e. near the rear number plate)?

Mostly good news then Ron.. My temp gauge stays pretty low too. I have toyed with upgrading the headlight globes but I don't do a lot of night driving so haven't got around to it yet. Regards Dazz

Thanks Ron, I'll have to try that on the H (but lower spec audio so may not work) Cheers, Dazz

Hello you said super cheap sell sheep skin seat covers would you know what size would fit a 2001 camry front seats cheers Neill. Supercheap staff should be able to help. Unless you go custom made they are usually multifit. You just have to choose between the ones with separate head rest covers or integrated headrest. Not sure without doing research as to which one the 2001 Camry has (but you would obviously know)

Hi Ron, I thought you would be pleased with it. I wasn't aware of the mirrors folding automatically in the HL (they don't in the H) Not sure about iphone. I only use a Sony experia, Haven't tried voice commands. I tend to use a combination of the steering buttons and the touch screen (speed dials)

Thanks for the advice about the oil David (I have some Shell Helix Ultra set aside for the wife's i30 CW - I supply the oil for that car service) I might take that with me to the service ;-) I know where you are coming from Steve, if I drive Wife's car i go looking for the button to turn it off... I still look on the left of the steering column in my car sometimes as that is where the button was on my 2010 Hybrid.

Hi Steve, I've done almost 15,000 kms now (must book a service) and I am happy enough overall. I am back to running 34 PSI all around. Tassie's roads are better than those is some States (particularly the one that have had a lot of flooding over the last few years). I couldn't be bothered with the possible insurance/warranty complications associated with any suspension mods (or the cost) Good luck with your investigations though.

Ron, Congrats on the purchase (you won't be disappointed) If you get the Windows tinted nice and dark with Black Azz, Octane or some other dark film and use a reflective sunshade on the windscreen (like I do) the seats should be fine. I have the Black neoprene seat covers on my H and no worries even when it hit mid thirties in Hobart a few months back. I am a computerholic (in fact my Brother in NSW had a Business called that at one stage)

How did you find the responsiveness? I'm guessing some are calling the 2013 build HL2 (Not aware of any differences between the 2012 and 2013 build models but there may be some very minor things)

No Problems Ron, I drive with the eco button on and have averaged 5.7 LPH in hilly Tassie over 13,000kms in around 6 months. Try the car with and without the eco button on (with it off it feels like an XR6 Falcon or similar performance vehicle but you still get low 6's LPH) They handle really well too :-))

Hi Ron, I live in North West Tasmania, which as you probably know can get fairly cool. I have had a Camry H since late September last year and had a 2010 Hybrid Luxury for 2 years before that. Even if the battery is near full and most of your initial driving is down hill, the petrol motor will start just to warm itself up (which seems to happen quickly) Because it is only warming itself up and topping up the battery (not under load) it doesn't have a big impact on the fuel economy while it is doing this. Don't buy a diesel as my previous car before those two was a brilliant little i30 DIesel Hatch. Love the torque of the diesel but they do seem to take considerably longer to get the engine temp and heater temp up to an effective level. The 2012/13 Camry Hybrid is an awesome car (you won't be disappointed) When you are going home the electric motor supplementing the petrol will make hill climbing a breeze. Hope that helps!

Hi again Eric, It seems a bit weird that the elements would be in place but not the wiring for the heated seats. Like a lot of things these days I would be surprised if it was an easy conversion. I have had lambswool/sheepskin covers on a number of occasions (wife has them now on her i30 Wagon) and have never had an issue with odor. She loves hers and definitely a cut above the neoprene for comfort. Worth paying a bit more for good quality ones though (If you can afford it custom made might set you back $200 a seat)

Hi Mr H, I have the Neoprene covers on my H and I must say I am a little disappointed. I like the feel of the Neoprene material but they don't fit as snugly or neatly as I would have liked/expected. So don't be too disappointed. For a similar price I could have got airbag friendly Sheepskin/Lambswool seat covers which are warm and comfy (they would be my recommendation) Supercheap and Autobarn both have a good range which go on special from time to time. I had the Luxury Model in the 2010 Hybrid and must say I miss the leather, although I agree heating in the winter would be desirable.

Must be very flat area that you live in (Still averaging 5.7 after 13,000 Kms) Around 50/50 City/Highway with quite a few short trips in the mix, 7kms to work each day..

Glad you like it.. Very happy with ours too :-)

Sony Xperia Sola works great with my Hybrid H (But I realise that is a fairly basic Phone compared with the Galaxy S3)

Thanks for the Pix .. look pretty good in white with those decals on it :-)

Simply one of those things I didnt pick up (or chose to ignore lol) when test driving. Like with anything in life, you do make assumptions when you are presented with a new product. I could comfortably assume that a Landcruiser can go offroad and a Hilux can carry a load - but I wouldnt necessarily test it on a test drive. I made the same assumption that when buying a Camry that it would be a fairly comfortable car, so on the test drive was more looking at the room, visability, power/acceleration, features and getting my head around driving a hybrid. I also did extensive research reading reviews and no where did the overly firm suspension really get any attention - so simply it was not something I noticed until I lived with the car for a while and noticed the harshness on the roads I travel. I dont regret my choice at all, as the Camry Hybrid is a brilliant car - I am getting stupidly good economy in a car that is roomier and faster than most other cars on the road. I just figure that Toyota should get real world feedback on the vehicle, if I was them I would love hearing from owners in ways the car can be improved. I am also hoping that any tuning changes could be applied to other cars retrospectively. Great Answer Steve... I drove from Launceston Tasmania to Devonport on the Frankford Highway yesterday at a "good" speeed.. The surface is only average but my "H" handled it pretty well, ride wise. This winding back road is the type of road they use for Targa Tasmania and my "H" gobbled it up with much aplomb .. Nice ;-)))

I'm running 35 PSI in the Front and 32PSI in the back (I will monitor it for wear but don't think at 32PSI in the rear I should have too many probs)

I adjusted my tyre pressures to 32 PSI in the back and left the fronts at 35 PSI and went looking for rough surfaces ;-) Definite improvement :-) They recently dug up our road to put a drain across and resealed it after, but it is slightly raised like a mini speed hump. The H used to shudder if I went over that at speed (but a lot better today) Plus other rough bitumen was less harsh.. So thanks Steveoh (Hats off to you)

I've been running 35 PSI all around in My H since reducing it from the 45 PSI with which it was delivered to me.. I'm going to reduce the rears to 32 PSI and leave the fronts at 35 and see how it goes.

Contact Toyota Australia and get it clarified.. I imagine that you thought you would get the 60,000 service cheap when you bought the car... Edit: Maybe you should read the service book etc.. if you got one and see what the fine print says :-/