Toyota

[Patricia]

Regards this discussion on Toyota ...(& further to my comments in Sandpaper's topic ...OMG - what a quote)... I actually rang NRMA insurance late yesterday & the quote from them for comprehensive insurance was double what last years premium was...got me thinking - my car is a Toyota Landcruiser....could this have some bearing on the huge hike in price....I realise its a recall of those models affected but wonder if the Insurance Companies are over reacting...at this stage APIA wins hands down.

[bambu]

Toyota is now blaming 'sticky mats and bad drivers' 

[Chris]

Toyota is now blaming 'sticky mats and bad drivers'  

They blamed (and discounted) the 'sticky mats' some time ago.

I'm in the process of buying a Toyota Camry and had to explain to the salesman *why* there was a problem and why simply 'slipping the car out of gear' wouldn't work.

He seemed unaware that there was no physical connection between the gear 'lever' and the box itself and that it was all handled electronically! He also didn't seem to understand that trying to press the power switch made *no* difference because the car is actually *programmed* to ignore 'accidental presses', e.g. when in motion and/or accelerating!

However, the construction of the Australian model is different to those in 'foriegn parts' because they are using many different components. So far I'm yet to hear of any problems with Toyota cars in Australia... but if anyone *has* heard of any and can pass a URL on I'd appreciate it *before* we sign the contracts??

[bambu]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/193/toyota-prius-recall-australia/


Toyota Prius Recall Australia

________________________________________


http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/952857

Toyota




but: checking the list of recalls of all cars and their manufacturers at left in the link, Toyota is but one on the long list:

http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/953189



Me, I'd probably still buy the Camry, but get as long a warranty as possible.

[Chris]

Me, I'd probably still buy the Camry, but get as long a warranty as possible.

Warranty is 3 years 'standard'... up to 6 years 'extended (for various parts)... 8 years for the battery.

We went over today to sort out the quotes properly and leave $1,000 deposit. Very nearly walked out after having been there *two* hours when after sorting out the pricing etc... they *then* decided to 'offer' us Teflon paint protection and some leather protection stuff for the interior plus electronic rustproofing... for an extra $3,000.

We've been going to and fro for the last three weeks and they told us these options *after* we'd all bar signed the papers!! I played hell with the bimbo trying to get us to part with the cash *and* the salesman for not flagging the 'options' far earlier.

Had they told us we almost certainly would have added them. As it is we told them to stuff it and we'd take our chances. Also told them we were within a hairsbreadth of walking out and going to a another dealer!

Aggravating your customers to the point they walk out is a crazy way of selling cars!!!

Still two weeks and we should be able to drive out of the yard with our crappy little Camry Hybrid leaving behind our majestic Chrysler Voyager... and the useless bunch of pillocks who could never service it properly!

We get on well with car people we do... obviously!

[bambu]

No wonder Toyota is 'floundering' these days.

You'd think they'd have rolled out the red carpet for you.

There seems to me to be a lot of arrogance at car dealerships, no matter the brand.
They could all do with a lesson in customer service if you ask me...and a recession where no one was entering their dealerships wanting to buy new cars...have you seen how much they cost?...or used cars.

The Camry will be much better than that another 'bomb' you had...you liked it...but it was always breaking down....and the dealer had no idea how to fix it.

[Crimson]

You'd want that extended warrenty on the Battery in your Hybrid as they can cost upto $8,000 to replace.

You can not tow with the Camry Hybrid either, which should be another consideration.

Toyota is largely a top quality manufacturer but a little expensive.

The component that failed in the US of A was a US Manufactured component not made by Toyota and many other US Makes have suffered even worse safety failures.

Seeing as all modern cars have digital throttle controls the following is good advice.

If you're driving a manual transmission vehicle and the throttle sticks open engage the clutch and the brake at the same time to slow the vehicle. Do not turn the vehicle off using the ignition key as the steering and braking systems rely on the engine running for power to operate.

If you are driving an automatic transmission vehicle place the gear selector into neutral and follow the above, if the gear selector refuses to move, there should be a button on the gear selector plate which will allow the selector to move into neutral.

Remember, all modern cars require engine power to operate the breaking and steering systems so do not turn the engine off or the car will become uncontrollable.

(Yes i am an automotive industry worker )

Regards,

Crimson

[bambu]

Very interesting.

Thanx for the info!

I can't find a car I'm in love with that I can afford so I still have my very old, but looks ok, carburettor model Toyota. 

I fell in love with the new Jaguar on the motorway yesterday! 

[Chris]

If you are driving an automatic transmission vehicle place the gear selector into neutral and follow the above, if the gear selector refuses to move, there should be a button on the gear selector plate which will allow the selector to move into neutral.

With most automatics this is a good option... but as I understand the technology as implemented in the Prius and Camry Hybrids... this won't work.

Apparently there is no mechanical connection between the gear lever and the gearbox... gear 'selection' is entirely electronic so if the software fails and the car acelerates you could rip the gear stick out and throw it away and it would make no difference! Shifting the gear into 'neutral' has no effect... and certainly not when the car is travelling at speeds in excess of 60mph. It's a safety feature to protect the equipment.... !!

A technician told me that the gearstick is supplied almost purely for cosmetic reasons - i.e. people expect one. They could just as easily have put buttons on the steering wheel to control gear changes.

Don't know if this is really the case but it would explain why the cars that take off can't be brought back under control by the 'usual' means.

However... I'm also given to understand that pressing the Power button and holding it down (in the Prius at least) engages an override which cuts power to the engine. I might try this with the Camry when it's in my driveway or moving slowly on a quiet road... I'd hate to have to be in a panic situation befor testing it out!!

[Chris]

However... I'm also given to understand that pressing the Power button and holding it down (in the Prius at least) engages an override which cuts power to the engine. I might try this with the Camry when it's in my driveway or moving slowly on a quiet road... I'd hate to have to be in a panic situation before testing it out!!

Just found this page which has a series of videos on it explaining how to shut down a Prius in the event of an emergency and demonstrating their use in practice!! Might be useful in other situations but it's mainly for hybrid users...

Note: these videos were taken when the car was being driven under controlled conditions. Whether these 'tricks' will work as effectively when the *software* has taken over control of the car is another question altogether... but at least there are options to try if that should happen!

Videos: Toyota Prius Driving Tricks

[bambu]

Camry Hybrid...the new Prius?

Cars are getting far too computerised ...best we go backwards now.

[Crimson]

A good point there Chris, however, most conventional automatic gearboxes still have a manual gear selection lever which directly shits gear. The secondary button on the gear selection plate should also allow you physically select neutral, this is a standard safety feature built into automatic gearboxes to allow the vehicle to be moved after an accident or mechanical failure.

If you're driving a "manualised" automatic gearbox equiped vehicle the above should still apply as the manual safety neutral selector switch should still be installed.

If all else fails, turn the engine off and use the hand-brake as these are still cable actuated. Unless if you're driving a Jaguar fitted with a push button hand brake fitted into the centre console.

In a Hybrid the gear selctor is pretty much there for cosmetic reasons, however it should still allow you to move it to the centre position to engage neutral whilst the vehicle is still moving. This can be acheived by moving the lever directly to the right from the resting position and holding it there. Being that it is computer controlled there is no guarentee it will work but you can always hope.

Bambu, Toyota now make a hybrid version of the Camry, a nice vehicle to be honest although a bit pricey.

Regards,

Crimson

[Chris]

A good point there Chris, however, most conventional automatic gearboxes still have a manual gear selection lever which directly shits gear. The secondary button on the gear selection plate should also allow you physically select neutral, this is a standard safety feature built into automatic gearboxes to allow the vehicle to be moved after an accident or mechanical failure.

If you're driving a "manualised" automatic gearbox equipped vehicle the above should still apply as the manual safety neutral selector switch should still be installed.

If all else fails, turn the engine off and use the hand-brake as these are still cable actuated. Unless if you're driving a Jaguar fitted with a push button hand brake fitted into the centre console.

In a Hybrid the gear selector is pretty much there for cosmetic reasons, however it should still allow you to move it to the centre position to engage neutral whilst the vehicle is still moving. This can be achieved by moving the lever directly to the right from the resting position and holding it there. Being that it is computer controlled there is no guarantee it will work but you can always hope.

Bambu, Toyota now make a hybrid version of the Camry, a nice vehicle to be honest although a bit pricey.

Regards,

Crimson

Is now a good time to tell you you can't 'turn' the engine off because it doesn't use a key!

The car locks unlocks by proximity sensor and allows to you press the button which powers up the car! Like I said above tho in theory at least the car should power down if you hold down the Power button to override the system, Just not sure if that would work when the car was out of control:)

Actually... this makes me wonder what would happen if, as you drive along, you threw the key out of the window?? An idle thought as I really can't see anyone being daft enough to try it!

I didn't check the handbrake to see if it was 'wired'... good point.. tho other people with Prius problems said it made no difference!

If LeasePlan get their act together in the next week or two I can pass on more feedback about how it drives etc. The thing is sitting in the showroom waiting for me to go get it... grrr...!!

By the way - it comes with a 'full tank of petrol'. Might not sound much but it's supposed to be capable of over 1100 k on the one tank. Be fun finding out just how far it can be stretched!

[Crimson]

I have left a Prius on idle and tskrn the key walk about with me...

The engine start button is tricky, holding it down with the key in your hand is your best bet there.

It works for disarming the troublsome alarms fitted to Prado's which also now have remote key starting as standard.

If all else fails, have faith in God an 'merge' the car into the nearest guard rail and ride it...

As for driving a Prius, the fully optioned ones are nice, solar panel electricity powered air con and self parking are sure fun.

Regards,

Crimson

[Chris]

I have left a Prius on idle and tskrn the key walk about with me...

The engine start button is tricky, holding it down with the key in your hand is your best bet there.

It works for disarming the troublsome alarms fitted to Prado's which also now have remote key starting as standard.

If all else fails, have faith in God an 'merge' the car into the nearest guard rail and ride it...

As for driving a Prius, the fully optioned ones are nice, solar panel electricity powered air con and self parking are sure fun.

Regards,

Crimson

I liked Series 2... but Series 3 has that daft 'bridge' thing across the middle so for a fat guy like me space is very limited! One of the reasons we went for the Camry instead... more room. Also it costs less which was another plus!

You're right about the 'last resort' stopping. I told the sales guy that *if* anything happened I'd ram the nearest tree on the basis that hitting it at 70 kph was marginally safer than hitting another tree... or worse a car... at 150 kph!