riftime

I have a Presara (~1,700 kms), refilled today with 56L for 535kms travelled. That works out to just under 10.5L/100kms. Some of it is freeway, some on 80 km/h road, some hard sports-mode driving and 60 zones with traffic & lights. Just after refilling (with Shell Unleaded-95), I went into city and back. On the freeway it averaged 7.0 L, and it wasn't all just 100 easy crusing. After city traffic (and return trip), average was 10.0L/100. ... pretty happy with that.

Hi all, I have a Presara and would like to protect the headlights against chips / cracks. I've heard someone say that with HID you can't (shouldn't) use any protectors. Has anyone else heard that and can explain why? Alternatively I've seen some plastic rubbery adhesive film that can be trimmed to size and placed over the lens providing protection while being fairly invisible. Anyone have any experience with that? Thanks.

I would definitely be interested in at least the first of the three...

Just looking through the technical manual, found the following: The meter CPU uses the fuel sender gauge assembly to determine the level of the fuel in the fuel tank. The resistance of the fuel sender gauge will vary between approximately 15 Ω with the float at the full position, and 410 Ω with the float at the empty position. The meter outputs battery voltage through two 820 Ω resistors that are mounted in parallel inside the meter ECU. The meter CPU measures the voltage between the variable resistor in the fuel sender gauge and the two resistors mounted in parallel in the meter. Voltage measured at this point will vary as the float of the fuel sender gauge is moved. HINT: The fuel level warning light will come on when the fuel level is below 10.5 liters. Average fuel consumption (after refueling) - Displays the value that has been calculated by the meter CPU, which is based on the driven distance and the fuel consumption volume after the ignition switch is on (IG). Driving Range Display Displays the range, calculated by the combination meter which continuously monitors and stores fuel consumption data and the residual fuel volume when IG-ON has been selected. Updated every 1 km Average Fuel Consumption Since Refueling Displays the value, calculated by the combination meter, based on the distance driven since refueling and the fuel consumption volume (fuel injection signals from the No.1 injector). The combination meter determines the vehicle has been refueled through the signal from the fuel sender gauge. Updated every 10 seconds. Based on the red outline above and the variable resistor/voltage combo for measuring fuel in the tank, you need to increase the amount of fuel in the tank for the combination meter to determine that it has been refilled and reset the fuel consumption calculation. Since the flotation device in the tank moves slightly around with bumps in the road and the car going up/down hills, a minor difference in fuel level is most likely ignored and treated as "movement related variance" (which would explain why 8 litres of fuel did not reset the calculation). I expect that the movement related variances are averaged out, and at some point the car realises that it has more fuel than it did some time ago, and hence your range (distance to empty) increases. However, because the increase in fuel was lower than the allowable "movement variance" (below the trigger threshold), there was no trigger to reset average consumption calculation.

Will try, thank you. Other than moving the adjuster to the highest position, how do you "increase tension" in the belt? I see your clearance, interesting that when you make a sharp right turn the tension is high enough to not allow the 1" movement of the buckle. Thanks.

Thank you, worked fine.

Got them all except NAVIGATION one. That one didn't work, said "file not found". Wow, what a load of docs, thank you very much. Thousands of pages of good info.

I know what you mean, but mine (even when arranged properly) still bangs into the pillar when I turn right sharply. I'm tempted to use velcro to hold it in place. Small enough piece to have negligible resistance when someone pulls the belt down, big enough to hold the buckle and possibly self-attach at first right turn... :)

I think I found a fix for the microphone issue (2) below, read on... PROBLEM: 2) Microphone (for Bluetooth) reception not that great. I have to speak very loudly, facing the centre light console for the other party to hear me clearly. Other party often says that I "break up". That sucks, this should be a safety feature, having to lean and face a certain way when speaking is unacceptable. I'll see if there are any settings in the System Setup of the Nav system to increase microphone reception level. If, not will report at next service. My friend has a new BMW 5-series, his built-in bluetooth is just as problematic... B) FIX? You need to enter your Nav system's setup/config mode. You do this as follows: 1. Turn ignition ON (engine can be running) 2. Hold down INFO button and while holding down repeat step 3 below three times. 3. Turn parking lamps ON and back OFF. Your nav system should now be in the setup mode. To exit, hold down the DISPLAY botton for a few seconds. 4. Select MENU (top right on touch screen) 5. Select BLUETOOTH TEL CHECK (bottom on touch screen) 6. Select HANDSFREE VOICE QUALITY SET 7. Change SEND VOICE LEVEL from "0" to higher. I set mine at 5 which I think is max. 8. Press the SET button/icon on the touch screen to confirm your new setting. 9. Exit setup mode by holding down DISPLAY button on the console for a few seconds. The above change has made a big difference to my car's handsfree coms. I've done back-to-back tests to same ph. number and same person to compare the difference. With settting of "0" it was poor. Setting of "5" was reported as very good. Although an improvement, jury's still out on whether it's 100% good, I've only just done this and need to make a few more calls before I can totally cross off this problem. If it persists, I might try fiddling with the VOICE QUALITY TYPE setting as well (just below the SEND VOICE LEVEL setting), but to me that wasn't as intuitive so it might be a trial'n'error approach. I must award credit here to member "Aurion ZR6" who provided me with the reference info on how to enter the Sat Nav's system menu. Refer to thread Presara GPS Unit Mods / Options ??? for more info and external link to reference material used (complete with pictures).

Awesome, thank you very much. Was looking for these from old posts but I had missed out first time. Thanks again.

Some stuff I've learned about the Presara Sat Nav system in my quest to get an iPod interface added... Firstly, let's start with the sales pitch that the sat nav unit is straight out of Lexus. It is indeed... but it's the older generation. Unfortunately there are limitations with this one... (disappointing). 1. To connect an iPod interface, it is done by getting the unit to treat the iPod as another CD in the CD Changer capability. Unfortunately, you cannot navigate and see content from iPod on screen. The CD-changer interface doesn't allow that info to come in. At best, you'll be able to shift up/down through playlists you set up in the iPod via that sat nav controls. Still no info display though... :( 2. Cannot connect a video input. Despite the colour screen being large enough and capable enough of displaying moving pictures with acceptable quality, the system is "too integrated" and can't be modified to add a video-in feature. So for those dreaming about adding a DVD/DivX player, or even their iPod Video to turn the Sat Nav unit into a multimedia unit, forget it...

Hi all, Sorry to hear about the lemon. I have a Presara mid-Dec-07 build, and I too have found a few problems, but overall I love the car, and look forward to driving it every chance I get. The amount of plastic on the doors and pillars is disappointing (or rather the material/finish is disappointing). Everything I put in the car such as garage/gate remotes, pens, etc. rattles like crazy against these hard plastic surfaces. Also they scuff so easily (at least on black they do). My problems: 1) Build / Quality issue: rear light console not sitting well, when I fiddled with it it fell out. The rear clips were broken, hence the loose mounting. Reported it at 1,000kms service. Replacement has been ordered from Japan, 4 weeks wait!!! Disappointing that a) Assembly line put in a faulty/broken part and B) no spare parts in Australia ??? Got a call 1-Feb saying that the part has come in, need to book it in for repair. 2) Microphone (for Bluetooth) reception not that great. I have to speak very loudly, facing the centre light console for the other party to hear me clearly. Other party often says that I "break up". That sucks, this should be a safety feature, having to lean and face a certain way when speaking is unacceptable. My friend has a new BMW 5-series, his built-in bluetooth is just as problematic... B) I've since found a fix for this, increased "Voice Send Level" from 0dB to 5dB in the Sat Nav System Settings (need to enter hidden config mode). 3) Design Issue? The passenger side belt buckle bangs against the pillar plastic. I like my cars to be rattle/noise free (so I usually drive myself nuts trying to fix them). This one should have been a no-brainer for the Toyota engineers to prevent. Anyone have any clever ideas for fixing it? At the moment I drive with the passenger seat belt fastened to prevent it clunking away into the pillar post. Now fixed, as suggested by Julian, moving the seat belt adjustment to highest level has removed the problem. This is more of a workaround rather than a fix (still a design issue with the car), but am happy to live with this workaround. 4) Creaky Dash: Very rare, just over rough terrain, one or two creaks. Unfortunately the short street I live on is rough enough to remind me of the creaky dash every day. :( 5) Engine-bay Clunk first time I accelerate after starting car. I've noticed many people in this forum reporting this. I saw this described in the owners manual as "normal behaviour" so I took it as such and somehow managed to not get annoyed by it. It must be a "feature" rather than a problem because it is too consistent (and described in the manual). Maybe they should describe the creaky dash in the manual too as a feature... 6) Rattle. This one has me stumped. Sounds like a wire rattling against metal (or the like). Coming from general direction of dash (within or behind) mostly on driver side. At times it sounds like in the engine bay, lower rather than higher. Only happens over rough road (again on my street every time I leave home or return . Couldn't reproduce it when I took the car in, and they didn't find it either. I'll try to see if it's related to the leaf-like sound others have reported with the fan at full speed. When I start the engine and turn it off, I can hear it rattle just once in unison with the engine starting or stopping, but it's difficult to describe it to the service dept. as "the last 100ms of sound when switching the engine off sounds like a single oscillation of the vibration heard when driving over rough roads". I've since been able to trigger the noise by having the fan on setting 1 or 2 and disabling and enabling the A/C. Seems to be related to the A/C unit engaging. Perhaps something under the bonnet. 7) Squeaky center console. When resting on it, a slight squeak occasionally, hardly noticeable. 8) Minor (low volume) rattle from sunroof when open in the "up" position and driving over rough road. Dealer couldn't reproduce rattles 4) and 6) that I reported so they obviously couldn't fix them. They told me that when they get the part in from item 1) to leave the car for the day for them to have a better look and have time to take dash out if needed. Looks like I'll have a few more items to report by then. Incidentally, I was disappointed to find that taking my car in for the first 1,000kms service didn't actually result in a "service". It's more of a checkup that all is well with the car. They did NOT change the oil. They told me to bring it back for a service at 7,500 or 15,000 kms. I was confused by the "or" and they pointed me to the manual saying that depending on my driving style to do one or the other... Like I said, I'm very happy with the Presara, and glad that I didn't buy the Holden Calais which was my original intention before doing the right thing and comparing a few different cars. The problems above are numerous, but I'm so anal about the car being perfect that other than the Bluetooth microphone reception/transmission issue and the creaky dash nobody else noticed any of the items above. I bought my car from Peter Davey Toyota in Werribee (VIC). Sales person was Alan Lam. I found him (and the way he represented the dealership) very professional, polite (not pushy), and from my personal experience would recommend him for Car Salesman of the Year award (if there is such a thing)... :) ... and I got an excellent competitive price, with tow-bar, mats, and full tank of petrol, 3+3 year extended warranty, and on-rad costs, all coming to significantly less than RRP alone. Furthermore, he kept me updated throughout the delivery process, offered his mobile number for questions/queries and contact 7-days a week AFTER taking receipt of the car, etc. I have a low opinion of car salespeople in general, but I must say that Alan has made me realise that I shouldn't generalise. Hard not to though, especially with the way some dealers treated me. The jury's still out with their service department on the other hand... I look young for my 35 years of age, and some other dealers' salespeople didn't take me seriously when I wanted to buy a $50k car without finance or trade-in. Some weren't even all that keen to let me test drive any!!! Mantello Holden in Roxburgh Park was good with the test drives (gave me new cars to take away for 30mins lots by myself). Unfortunately for them, the Holden quality (or lack of) became evident within a few minutes. My older car (that I'm in the process of selling privately) is a Holden Calais VSII, and I've had no problems with it in the 11 years I've had it. The build quality of that car was excellent for a Holden which is why I initially wanted to buy another Calais. that's all... just thought I'd share my experience with the car and the salesperson in light of the absolute disappointment the person with the lemon aurion has endured.

Yes, that would be useful. I wonder if the resetting is triggered by the opening and closing of the fuel cover/flap moreso than refilling itself. Have you tried just opening and closing the fuel door? I know that it's not ideal, but it might be a workaround allowing you to perform those A to B calculations. Let me know if that works, if I remember, I'll try that myself.

You'd have to buy an after-market unit that allows your LCD screen to be used as a video display for any video source. I believe this device would effectively add a "video input" to your system. Then you'd need some kind of a DVD player, or I suggest something like an iPod video if you're iPod savvy. Check out www.advancedice.com.au/product_details.php?number=970751

My previous car was white. My new Presara is black. Now I know why my next door neighbour (with a black magna) kept washing it so frequently!!! :) No regrets though, I love the black. Other than the dirt, in hot weather, the black really REALLY heats up (as compared to the white). I wonder if tinting the windows would help the interior temperature. It's really bad when entering the car if its been in the sun for 30min or more in ~40 degree days. Thankfully in Melbourne there aren't too many of those days.

Come to think of it, my next door neighbour mentioned that as well some time back. If I remember correctly, it's some kind of an appeal process, asking them to waive/retract the fine in favour of a warning only. Obviously you have to have had a good driving record for them to consider it. I wonder how easy it is to find the exact process to follow.

Hi all, Had a few very hot days in Melbourne last week, took the Presara out of the garage, temperature shown as 24C (probably garage temperature). Outside however, full sun, it was something like 41C. It took about 20min for the car to start showing an increase from the 24C display, and about 3 hours of driving around in that heat with a black car before it climbed to 41C. Is it normal to take that long, does anyone else have the same problem? My previous car (Holden Calais) was fairly quick in showing the temperature changes, and that's 11 years older! Thanks. Rob

I'm not laying judgement, but I'd say that getting done for 64 in a 60 zone is a lot more ridiculous (and revenue driven) as compared to getting done for 120 in a 70 zone. I'm quite fortunate that I haven't received a fine in quite a few years, but it's only a matter of time even though I don't generally speed. The small tolerance limit will get me sooner or later, it's so easy to go a few km/h over the limit without realising it, perhaps down a hill? In some circumstances I think it's more dangerous to keep looking at your speedo than at the road. And before anyone comments that there are certain ethics in radar use and speed-camera use such as never placing them down hills... my last fine was getting done by a radar gun at the bottom of a steep, long hill with a friggin tailgater right up my rear end all the way through. Cop didn't want to hear about it.

... oh, and I used standard unleaded. However, I have noticed that if I only had short trips, traffic mostly, mine too was hovering around 11.5 - 12.0.

Anything particular about the driving conditions? Such as heavy loads, heavy traffic, average speed being less than ~30 km/h? How many kms has your car done? I've been driving it hard (in sports mode) the last two days, consumption is at 9.5 L/100kms, but some of it was freeway. Do you feel the gears changing all the way to 6, and revs begin low in normal driving mode? Sorry about the silly question, but is the hand/foot brake disabled ? ;)

I agree if we talk music. However, I listen to a lot of audio books (comedy, etc.), many of them span more than 1CD worth, iPod is great with 30Gig HD, as well as remembering where you left off if you want a break from listening to a book. Also with the iPod I listed to the book while walking or doing something (other than driving). Nice to be able to resume from where you left off when driving rather than create duplicate copies and fast forward trying to find the point you last listened to. So anyway, I do understand the legal aspect, as well as the MP3 capability and 4-CD changer, but my question was more along the lines of "can it be done and has anyone done it". An AUXILARY audio input is such an easy thing to incorporate into the design, disappointing that it's not. Many cars have that, even the Commodores. Surprising that the Lexus doesn't have it as standard (which Presara would have inherited). Nevertheless, the Presara is still an awesome car, albeit without an audio AUX input. ... still trying to get used to not having to stick a key into ignition :)

Hi all, Although it's very nice to have an inbuilt GPS unit in my Presara, I also find a few items frustrating. One of them being the driver acknowledgment each time you start the engine. A few others as well that I won't get into here. I've looked through some older posts, and for some of the older GPS units there seems to be some trick to get to some setup / config screen. I tried it, didn't work on my unit. My Presara was built mid-Dec-07, does anyone know the secret sequence to get to that screen where all the config options are ? Furthermore, I am quite annoyed that there is no iPod adapter option. It should at least be an option for every car, if not standard ;) I'm not keen on FM transmitters, quality is never the same and I hate the additional gizmo. Anyone have any solutions they've been successful with? Thanks, Robert

Hi all, My first post... just bought my first Toyota ever 2 weeks back, it's a Presara (black exterior, black interior). What a nice car, such a pleasure to drive. Just clicked over 1,000 kms, time to book it in for the first service. I have a general question which I'm guessing applies to all Aurions, not just the Presara: The low fuel indicator light came on, the computer was telling me that I had about 23 kms of range remaining. I filled up, only 55L went in... I persisted, but the pump kept cutting out and in fear of overflowing and getting petrol all over myself and the car I stopped. Inside the car, the fuel indicator jumped to Full. I had a quick look at the specs, the tank is 70L capacity. If I had 15L of fuel left in the tank, why was the warning light on, and why did it think I only had 23 kms range left? There was no traffic, mostly cruising at 80km/h so the consumption was pretty low... Does anyone know at what point the low fuel warning light comes on (i.e.: when a certain amount of fuel is left in the tank), or by some other variable trigger? Furthermore, have the Toyota engineers taken a very conservative approach, trying to scare the driver into thinking he/she is about to run out of fuel whereas in reality there's still significant fuel left? If I had 15L of fuel left, I could have easily driven at least 100 kms more, but the trip computer was saying only 23 kms. There is one other alternative... that the pump cut off way earlier than the tank actually being filled. If that's the case, why did the fuel indicator jump all the way up (and past) the FULL indicator ? Is the last 10-20L of fuel in the tank so insignificant to the fuel indicator ? Curious if anyone has a better understanding of the above to explain it to me. Thank you in advance Robert