Scottg

The results from higher octane fuels depends a lot on the car and its engine management stratgies. Some, like the old cast iron V6 Holdens, gained lots, others nothing. One thing with the more expensive fuels is that they generally use better detergents, so may keep things cleaner. My 2013 KX-R FWD is sitting on a lifetime average of 10.8 l/100k, best I've seen was 8.2 on the highway. Most of my miles are city, so I'm right pleased with it - probably a little better than I was getting from my VE, and only marginally worse than the Captiva diesel before that.

I can't say I've ridden in the back in summer, but with the rear A/C was certainly appreciated by our teens last summer. The ability to shut it off from the dash is handy, too! The front aircon copes well with Perth heat, some idiot bought a dark grey Kluger and it gets fairly warm sat in the sun, but the A/C has no problem winding the temp back down. As good or better than the VE Dunnydore I had prior.

Unfortunately factory ones weren't an option on the Klug, Toyota only supply fronts. It's not me that dribbles ice cream etc. on the seats (not that I'm admitting, anyways!), so rears were a necessity. Fitting them is about on par with other aftermarket covers - lots of reaching under seats and cursing! The fit itself is great, I threw the driver's one on ages ago without bothering to tie it, and it's still in place. The backing of the covers "hangs" onto the factory upholstery quite well. They use both cloth ties and Velcro (hook and loop) tabs, the latter where ties wouldn't work or would be visible. There are lots of ties - the sit-on bit of the fronts alone has nine! Despite what the man in the store said, back and front are about the same difficulty, not helped by my worn out joints that make reaching under seats from front and back at the same time "challenging". The extra padding helps the somewhat flat seats a lot, though this less of an issue on the driver's seat, lots more use has softened the cushion nicely (no comments about a Homer Simpson butt grove!) Help this helps some.

What is it about Klugers and 16TSs? I had a 16TL as my first car, 16TS a few cars later, followed by a 18GTS wagon and a 20TS. About the only car I've had that could hold a candle to the 16s was a Peugeot 504Ti I had around the same time. The 20 came close, mind. Looks like Regie is back on track at last, though. New Clios look nice.

Cheers for that. I'll be up for one, I think. Anybody else?

Someone said to me once "brakes are cheaper than gearboxes" As long as the anchors don't struggle slowing the combo, I'd let them do the work. Changing down under hard deceleration is as hard on the box as under acceleration. So if it's not needed, don't. But dropping a gear for engine braking at the top of a hill, when there's little load on the drivetrain shouldn't cause any undue harm. My two bob's worth, plus GST, anyway.

Now that's something I might just be interested in. Excuse my ignorance of Kluger model numbers, but is yours front or all wheel drive (mind's fwd, tight@rse I am!). Absolutely agree that they need some serious tightening up down south to stop them handling like a boat!

Back on topic... Her indoors has a 05/13 GTS, LHS taillight has cracked on the top surface, kinda looks as if it's been overtightened on the ends. Not to worry, Toyota can pay for that one, I hope... We've got a very intermittent rattle that shows up at around 2500 rpm under moderate load, I suspect it's the cam timing gizmo as it changes with load, but so far it "won't play up" for the dealer. I'll give them their due, they have never doubted (to me!) the existence of the noise, nor had any issue spending time at their expense looking for it. (I've owned Holdens, I know what poor customer relations is all about). As far as fitting, I'm not exactly lithe (100kg and less than 180cm/6'), long of body and suffer duck's disease, and I find there's plenty of room. Getting in and out can be a touch challenging and inelegant in tight parking spots, but I don't do courier runs in it, so that's no real worry. After the turbos, the 86 may feel a bit slow, but they sound so sweet being wound round the clock. We ended up with an auto (t' missus spends an hour or more in peak hour parking both ways every day, so unfortunately the manual didn't stand a chance), and I've got to say it's the best four pot auto I've ever driven. I'd still prefer a base GT manual, though... Good luck, and enjoy!

Way late, but my 5c (+GST) worth would be - First - Throw the Panda Poo tyres as far as you can. The difference between cheap tyres and good (ie not just the cheapest non-Chinese) is night and day.More grip, quieter, smoother, no going out of round overnight. Shocks. Good quality shocks (KYB as mentioned, or take your choice) will be better than what the car came with new. A rule of thumb is to replace your shocks with every second set of tyres. Nobody does! Crappy roads will shorten their life as well. Soggy shocks bring boat like handling, and make the car feel like it's rolling more as it will heel over quicker to a given point. New gas shocks will reduce roll a bit, but more importantly, the car won't lurch into a corner. Springs. Probably worth doing with the shocks, and may influence your choice of shock - shorter springs may require shorter shocks, not sure on the Camry. I seem to remember the Sportivo was already a touch lower than the stock Camry, so don't go too far. Running out of suspension travel ain't good, nor is dragging the belly over speed bumps. The Falcodore/200SX/etc boys who run no travel at all must have all manner of fun when the suspension bottoms out on a bump going around a corner. Sway bars (anti roll bars if you like). Most front drivers will benefit from a harder rear bar, as it makes the read end work harder. Resisting the car's natural tendency to roll will put more load on the outer rear tyre, taking some off the front, thus reducing understeer. But... Go too far, ie too big a bar, and it will want to swap ends on you, usually in the wet. OK, I'll shut up now

What he said :), plus all the thrashing about aerates (sp?) the oil. Oil pumps don't pump froth real good, so oil pressure can disappear, and air doesn't lubricate much, with resultant financial pain. I'd be giving the mechanic a call, I'm sure he doesn't want to be involved in repairing consequent damage out of his pocket Splash lubrication is fine on lawnmowers, but...

Hi all, Like it says, easy one, I hope. The stock stereo in my '13 KX-R returns back to the beginning of the USB thumbdrive each time the car is turned off. I was wondering if this is normal? It remembers where its up to on a CD, mp3 or otherwise, but not on a USB. PITA having to navigate through multiple folders each time you start the engine. The stereo will go eventually, but I'll put up with it for a while. I asked the dealer, and "they all do that, sir". Anybody else got the same thing? Cheers.

Thanks David, sorry for the slow reply - haven't been near my laptop recently, and I can do without typing on the phone... Thick thumbs, and ten of 'em 2000 ks on the big beast and all goes well. Upgraditis threatens (stereo, maybe some suspension work to quell the lean ), but I must get the little clubbie back on the road first.

Hi Sam, I just went through this with my KX-R. Ended up getting a set from Seat Cover World (how corny is that?), through my local parts mob. I haven't had time to fit them up properly yet, but throwing them on they seem to fit fine. Only front and middle rows are supplied, but the rears will only be used rarely on mine, so that's no drama. http://www.seatcoverworld.com.au/fabric/custom-fit/toyota/toyota-kluger.html They're quite close to the original fabric in looks and appearance, much better seat covers of old, and are fully airbag compatable. Cost was a few coins short of $200. According to the bloke behind the counter, the rears are a swine to fit, nothing wrong with the covers, just a design feature of the Kluger . After Christmas, I'll give it a go...

Hi all, Just a quick post to say hello. I have just joined the ranks of real Toyota owners for the first time :o. "Real" Toyotas, you ask? I had a VP2 Lexan once... I suspect that doesn't count! The Toyota in question is a '13 Kluger KX-R 7st FWD. I've been a (mostly) Holden driver for many moons, but have got sick of putting bits back on Commodores, and the less said about those Korean Holwoos... Sorry, I got a bad one! Other than the Lion cars, I've had Fords, Mazdas, Renaults, a Peugeot, a Fiat, um, part shares in a Lancer, ditto an Excel and a half share in a VW beach buggy. My mid life crisis, and everyone needs one, is a Westfield SEiW Clubman, a little Lotus Seven inspired kit, steel frame, 'glass body, (over)powered by a Nissan ( ) SR20 motor. First wife was good enough to pay for that, in exchange for the house My better half/girlfriend/partner or whatever the PC term is owns (borrows from the lease company) a '13 Toyota 86GTS auto. I'd rather a manual, but then I don't have to endure hours of battling the three lane parking lot Perth's "freeways" have become of late. It's got to be just about the best drive I've experienced, other than the Westie when it's all in one bit! Pics to follow. Sometime!