c32kompressor

Just a quick update guys. Well I've been adding the Lucas fuel additive in my last 3 refills, and since then I have not seen any dramatic change in fuel savings or power. However, the improvement I have noticed is definitely in my morning start up. It has been smoother than before I had used the product. So I guess it does have some benefits. As for the fuel economy, maybe that'll take a few more fill ups. I'll be driving up to Sydney in couple of weeks so maybe the fuel economy will shine on the open road!!! Fingers crossed!!! But I guess the real test for the fuel efficiency will be on my drive up to Brisbane and back. Anyway I'll keep you guys posted.

Hi Guys, Well today I have just purchased this fuel additive that claims to improve both power and fuel efficiency. I have used Lucas products before on older cars and was satisfied with the results. My Rav4 2.4 CV auto 2008 has 45,000km now and the fuel efficiency that I am getting from it is the best it has ever been since new. It just seems as more time goes by, the better the fuel efficency gets as well. Anyway since the engine has now done a few k's, I thought I would experiment with this product. Last year I drove from Canberra to Brisbane over the xmas holidays and this year I am planning to do the same. The best fuel economy I have gotten so far is about 580Km (highway) before the low fuel light comes on (which means that there is about 10 litres left in the tank). So 580km out of 50 litres is not too bad. I'm wondering if this Lucas product will better that this time. I bought a litre for $18 from super cheap autos and will pour it everytime I fill up in the month of November. I just want to see of there are any dramatic improvements. If so, I'll buy another bottle before my trip and use it then as well to see how well it does in the open road. I'll keep you guys updated with the results. If anyone has used it or any general comments, please do share.

My Rav is now just over 2 years old. It's a 2.4 CV auto and when I bought (new) the fuel economy was horrible. I would get some like 360km before the fuel light would come on. When the fuel light comes on, there is still about 10 litres in the tank. My what I have realsied is that everyday I'm getting better fuel economy. I've used premium fuels from day one. I mostly use 98 RON but 95 RON at servos that do not have 98. Now 2 years on with just under 45,000km, on the highway I can get 580KM brfore the fuel light comes on. So it's pretty much getting 580km from around 50 litres of fuel. I'm pretty happy with that. I think the worst fuel economy I got was till about 15,000km and then it started improving and but after the 40,000km mark, the fuel economy is the best that I have had.

Thanks Buff Hamster. The Yokos really look good now and love the thread pattern as well. I was thinking of Yoko initially as well but more for the Geolander as I didn't know of the Prada. But I think I'm sold on these and once I get them I'll keep you guys posted on the performance. Thanks again.

I've done about 44,000 km on my Rav and need the factory tyres replaces. I'm going be replacing all 4 by the time I hit 50,000. The tyres are pretty expensive and not really sure which ones to go for and the size is also not that common which means less choices. Bob Jane has Bridgestone Dueler A/T for $299 each. Because of the uncommon tyre size it's hard to browse for prices online. I was also thinking of looking into Cooper Tyres, Kuhmo, Yokohama, Toyo etc. Does anyone recommend anything that is pretty good all round. And if anyone has used Cooper Tyres oe knows of prices that would be much appreciated as well. I'm particularly interested in them because in the TV Adverts they comment on the fact that they have 30% more tread which means more tyre life. So I guess a I would like to do a cost benefit analysis on that.

My standard rule of thumb is to at least visit 3 dealerships. When I purcahsed the Rav I actually spent 2 weeks shopping around and visited 4 dealerships. I got quotes from each one, I guess they did fight for my business. I got a pretty good deal as well. So was happy with that. With car dealerships you must always negotiate!!!

$600+ is quite steep. I don't have reverse sensors and find the Rav pretty easy to park (reverse park, pararell park etc). I'm sure you'll also get used to it. But it all comes down to your skills in the end. If you feel more comfortable with reverse sensors, maybe its a good investment now rather than later just in case.

True that the RAV is FWD most of the time, it's AWD always at start up (of the line), and the rear wheels do not only come in when the ecu detect the front wheels slipping, it also anticipates slippage e.g. high speed cornering. It's also true that you can manually lock the AWD by the manual over-ride button upto speeds of 40km/h, but this does not mean that the AWD does not kick in over 40km/h. Its just that the manual over-ride will hold the AWD in place even if it is not necessary.

Hey guys, I moved from Perth last year in October. I've been to the toyota meets there. Had a red Sportivo then. Got that traded and currently have a RAV. Wouldn't mind going to any Toyota Meets that Canberra has to offer. Cheers

Hi, Initially I did try and change my driving style by being very light on the pedal...but that it very frustrating and I don't think that I achieved a lot of benefit from it. What I can see is that as the kilometres are racking up, the fuel economy does get better. I can almost average 10km/Litre now. It's a little bit more than that but close enough when you combine the ciy/highway cycle. With the RAV I guess after the initial fuel consumption shock, things get better lol. I wonder if the same is true for the CR-V and others like it. A frind of mine has an X-Trail and he too, went through the initial shock with the fuel consumption but with his car it has also gotten better with time. I also found that the RAV performs and delivers the best fuel economy with Caltex's Vortex 98. Since the car was new I used BP Ultimate, but now I try and use the Vortex as I feel that overall the car performs and delivers better performance and fuel economy.

Try www.redbook.com.au They can give you a range for trade in values and private sale values.

Hi Sandshoe, I'm glad you had fun on your travels. Good to see people using their RAVs to their fullest potential. I just wanted to make a similar comment on an issue that you have noticed. I have 08 RAV CV that I bought brand new and it has just over 30,000km atm. I have never towed anything with it but go travelling within often. I too have noticed that sometimes when the cruise control is on, the car downshifts to 3rd (as mine is a 4 spd auto) on uphills and when the road levels up, it remains in 3rd for a long time before going to 4th and overdrive. Like you said, if you manually shift it from D to 3 (in my case) and back to D it shifts up. But on its own it can stay stuck in 3rd for a while. It doesn't happen all the time but rarely. The thing is, the car is never loaded either and its just me and my partner in the car. So there is no real load. I'm just guessing that the RAV feels that there might be another hill coming up, so just stays stuck in a lower gear LOL. Other than that, it's a great car and really good for travelling long distances.

I forgot to tell you that as for the fuel consumption, I keep my tyres at 38 psi instead of the 32 psi that is recommended. The result in ride quality is a bit stiffer but not unbearable at all. Also feels like there is less body roll.

Hey, The fuel economy can shock you when the car is new. I know that I got a shock lol. But over time it does get better. For example, the first week I had the Rav, I only got something like 320km from 50 something litres of petrol (I also only have used 98RON sicnce new) This was mostly city driving. But after it did about 12,000km the fuel economy improved. Now that it has done 30,000km, I get I average about 10.5 Litres/100km. The best I got on highway driving is about 11.6 Litres/100km. So its does improve over time. Tyres are another story. At around 16,000km I got a screw in my front tyres sidewall. These cannot be fixed and as I had to replace only one tyre, I had to by the OEM Bridgestone that came with the car and these are expensive. I got 1 for $320!!! So, then I got the spare and put it on the front as well so that both the front tyres were brand new. But remember, when you need to change all 4's, you don't have to put these tyres. Yokohama, Toyo, Kuhmo all have tyres that are substatially cheaper. I got a quote for a Kuhmo and that was like $220 per tyre. So when I change all 4's I'll go for some other brand. One of the best things about the Rav is the handling. There is body roll and understeer when you corner at speed, but the steering feel is direct and better than the other SUVs that I test drove. The steering feel is really like a car. Another option with tyres is that, when its time to replace all 4, you can get a rim and tyre package from Tempe tyres and give the whole car a new look. At least that is something I'm thinking of doing when I have to change all 4 tyres. Well, good luck with your hunt for a new car, and I can assure you that if you get the RAV, you won't regret it. Beside Toyota has some promotion at the moment, so you might get a good deal. Another thing is that when you buy a Toyota these days, they come with the Toyota Advantage Plan which has fixed price servicing for the first 60,000km or 3 years. When I bought the car it meant that for these services I only pay $150. I think they might have pushed it up to $170 now.

I'm not too sure how to answer your questions as not too sure about the mods you are considering. But there is this other RAV owner that had done a few mods for towing etc. Here is the link: http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=58487 :)