OzSTi

Mine was fixed under warranty few years ago and has been a permanent fix.

Re 17L/100; slogging uphill at 30 km/hr with frequent periods stationary in what amounted to peak hour alpine traffic will do that. Also I disagree regarding downhill driving, I used the gears extensively downhill, even back to 1st to control speed at times and so engine braking was distributed evenly to all four wheels. Is it correct that the current model Kluger has a different AWD system with the rears only employed when the fronts loose grip? Would this set up be inferior in these conditions to full time AWD systems which I believe previous (mine) Klugers have?

I've just got back from a week skiing at Perisher and driving up and down every day from Jindabyne in sub zero temps and snow covered roads reinforced how capable this vehicle is. Did not need chains (AWD)- a great relief not having to get out of the car at -5 deg. New tyres helped - Goodyear Efficient grip. Odd name but proved quite, comfortable and exceptional in the snow.

We had our 2011 Kluger ISS replaced (almost 12 months ago) under our extended Toyota warranty that we had bought when buying the vehicle new.

I thought I'd add a further up-date regarding the intermediate steering shaft replaced on our Kluger a month ago. I can't believe how much nicer the car is to drive now. Prior to replacement I would have said my only issue was the occasional knock turning left but now it's been replaced I realise it must have been affecting the steering more than that because it feels so much better. The only change has been the shaft, it was not wheel aligned again after. ( I had had it done only a few months prior.) Having said all this my wife was oblivious to the problem before and the subsequent improvement but I'm absolutely convinced.

Had my intermediate steering shaft replaced this week under warrantee. The service dept called out of the blue and asked me to book the car in. We had spoken about the issue some time ago and they must have kept a record. Much better now!

I replaced the tyres recently on our 2011 KXS AWD with TOYO Versado CUV in the original size 245/55/19. Excellent! We've just finished a 5000Km trip from Adelaide to Qld and I can report they were quiet, comfortable and felt secure. Much better than the original Bridgestones. About $370- fitted. Highly recommended.

Last week I put new Toyo Versado CUV tyres in the standard 245/55/19 size on our 2011 AWD KS-X. So far I can report they are very quite and smooth to drive on. Cost $370- ea. The original Bridgestones lasted only 28K even kept at 38psi. I'll run these at 40psi.

Interesting, I haven't looked under the back of my car, but was there a smaller / hollow bar there already and they just copied the shape with a stiffer bar and used the same pick up points?

We've had the '11 KX-S AWD from new and right from the outset there was something about the steering I didn't like. It took a while to identify but I could feel a subtle knock turning to the left that was intermittent but persistent. I would generally feel this knock (rather than hear it) every time I drove the car. Last service (40K) I took the service mechanic for a drive and of course it didn't do it but he understood and said he'd have a look and re-grease. Well I'm pleased to say there was an immediate improvement in the way the steering felt. The knock is gone but there is something else about the steering that feels much better I can't quantify beyond the steering is more 'fluid' is the best term I can give it. The service was three weeks ago and since then we've had a week in the Flinders Ranges that gave the car a good test. I'm not sure exactly what he did and I haven't had a chance to get down there to thank them and find out but I will soon.

Our's was a demo with 4,000km. It's now done 5,500km. You're probably right but I've got a place I trust. My issue was quite vague and I really didn't think the dealership would take it seriously. They made the comment that quite a few customers (various makes of car) drive straight from the showroom to them for an immediate alignment and they always have to adjust it. They rotated the tyres as well. Michael

Since new I hadn't been entirely happy with the steering feel from the new Kluger (KX-S AWD MY11). Compared to our old MY04 Kluger the new one seemed reluctant to turn in and load up mid turn. I had the alignment checked today and one of the rears had too much toe. The camber on the front was out with the left having too much and right none at all and also up front there was too much toe in. The drive home from the alignment already felt better but I'll update after a longer drive. I run 38 psi in all tyres.

I get condensate discharge form both the front and back with my 2008 KX-S as it has two units. If you don't have any discharge from the front then the discharge pipe could potentially be blocked causing the condensate to overflow into the front passenger foot well. You may not notice it if you have floor mats installed. This could be causing the damp smell and next time you run the a/c check the footwell for dampness. I've just checked, I am getting discharge from front pipe as well, today at least and I didn't detect any smell this morning. Maybe I get intermittent blockage, I'll get them to check.

Our Graphite KX-S was two days old and we took it to Kangaroo Island for a week and got it very dirty. Once we were back I used Meguiar's clay bar all over then polished with their NXT Tech Wax 2. Very smooth. Pleased to see no damage from our week on KI. Using the clay bar is so easy, takes about the time to polish the car and makes polishing so much easier as you start from such a smooth surface. Very satisfying to do. Michael.

Certainly a/c always set to fresh air, not re-circulation. Doesn't matter whether car has been off for 15 mins or overnight to generate damp smell which does clear quickly.

Thanks for the reply, sounds like the same issue. Glad to hear it hasn't caused Legionaries disease I'll still ask dealer to see what they say. Cheers, Michael.

Regarding the cost of tow-bar, I was told because the vehicle has LED rear lights, they can't just plug into the lights for the trailer plug but have to go into the loom up front meaning much more time etc.

Enjoying the new KX-S AWD but we get a damp smell through vents at start up that only lasts 20 sec or so. Very dry here in Adelaide so I'm guessing it's from the A/C. I've also noticed the usual drip of water you get from the condenser comes from the back of the car not the centre as with the old Kluger. Do our Klugers with rear A/C have two compressors, front and rear? Anybody else noticed this damp smell we get or do I have a blocked A/C drain? Cheers, Michael.

I haven't got my new Kluger yet...but have driven some from Hertz...and the passengers who sat in the middle seat said it was more comfortable than any other middle seat they sat in, I remember their comments because I thought it was odd the middle seat was so comfortable...doesn't look like I would want to sit there...but they liked it. That was my impression too. For such a 'non-seat' it felt ok. Did your passengers sit in it for long? Thanks for the feedback, Michael.

Any comments regarding the middle seat for the Kluger? This is a reasonably unique feature of this car which some surely find very useful and others may not. What are people's experience? The Kluger is on top of my short list to buy but this seat is my only doubt. Thanks, Michael.

It's getting time to replace our late 2003 Kluger but when I first saw the middle seat in the second row of the second generation Kluger I dismissed the idea of buying one. I thought this seat would be inadequate with our three children especially on long trips. I ventured back to the dealership recently and this time sat in this middle seat and was surprised how comfortable it was but I would value input from anyone who has used this seat for 1000+ km trips. Our kids are 13, 10 and 8 and again we'll keep this car for 5+ years. What are people's experiences? Thanks, Michael.

We've had our '04 Kluger from new and it has just ticked over 60,000km. I'd like to tighten things up a bit and wonder if anyone's done anything to one of these? Are there aftermarket swaybars available? Any suspension web sites seem not to even recognise the Kluger. Overseas ones may know the Highlander but is the suspension tune the same? Would the shocks need replacing by now. Toyota service dept. says not but I'm sure it doesn't feel as good as it used to.

Hi All, New member here looking for some advice on our 2004 Kluger which I'll seek in the appropriate section. I should from the outset declare my true passion for Subies... ... and this is the only photo of the Kluger, :)