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Toyota Avalon 2004 and earlier

3628 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 6:02 AM

You are in the Toyota Avalon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Interior, Sedan

Messages Page 307 of 363

#3059 of 3628 Re: 2003 Avalon - Tires and Rotors [kkovak] by fin

Jun 09, 2005 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: kkovak (Jun 08, 2005 7:42 am)
Rather than a lengthy post, let me "second" the post #3058 above. Original front brake pads, rotors and even the whole front suspension are all a little weak on the 2004 and prior Avalons. The original front pads on my 2003 XL went about 30k with mostly suburban and interstate driving. The second set of pads, from Toyota, have gone 24k already and look like almost new. The rotors are fine. Go figure..... But Avalon is a great car, all things considered. Enjoy yours.

#3060 of 3628 New" 2001 XLS by johncmoore by mikes.

Jun 09, 2005 (10:50 pm)

Replying to: johncmoore (Jun 03, 2005 4:39 am)
"I just bought a 2001 XLS as a replacement for my Solara. I really like the car and have learned a lot from this forum. The car has 42K miles. Does anyone have advice with regard to what I should anticipate/look our for with the car? The car did not have an owner's manual "
 
John, I have both a 96 XL and an 05 Limited. My 96 has 160K miles on it and still has the original front brakes. I have done oil changes every 3 - 5K miles, have replaced the blower fan motor, the timing belt 2x and have done the rear brakes once. The driver seat motor had to be replaced once. I've changed the tranny filter and fluid about every 40K miles.
 
At about 150K I had to add power steering fluid to the resevoir. I hadn't seen any leaks and when I took it in for the next oil change my mechanic couldn't find any leaks.
 
When my oldest daughter rides in the back of the 96 she complains of a rough ride. No one else does and the mechanic says the struts are still fine.
 
My 05 is 4 months old today and has 6.5k miles. So far I've had a TSB on the steering column, NTF, and have had a problem with the driver door not unlocking all the time. A minor annoyance.
 
These cars have been really dependable for the vast majority. Pretty much take care of it and it'll take care of you.
 
MikeS.

#3061 of 3628 Re: 1996 Avalon [zmanjohn] by mikes.

Jun 09, 2005 (10:53 pm)

Replying to: zmanjohn (Jun 08, 2005 5:33 am)
" just purchased a 1996 Avalon and love the car to death. But I was noticing that when I start the vehicle it revs up to 2K rpm. stays there for about 3 minutes and slowly comes down to 750-1K rpm. Does anyone know if this normal?"
 
Yes it is normal. I too have a 96 XL and it has always done this. It lets the engine come up to operating temp. faster which means better emissions.
 
As to finding an owners manual, sorry no help there.
 
MikeS.

#3062 of 3628 Re: 1996 Avalon [mikes.] by zmanjohn

Jun 10, 2005 (5:30 am)

Replying to: mikes. (Jun 09, 2005 10:53 pm)
Thanks for your help Mike. I figured this was normal, but as I said I have no owners manual so I could not look it up.

#3063 of 3628 TRANNY FLUID CHANGES by abfisch

Jun 10, 2005 (8:37 am)

Replying to: mikes. (Jun 09, 2005 10:50 pm)
MIKES:
 
Please can you comment more on the tranny fluid changes you do yourself. I change my fluid on the first 50K, and then thereafter every 25K. It is easy for me to keep those numbers in my mind. I do the PS fluid at the same time for the Avalon as you know the fluid is exactly the same.
 
I have not yet, taken down the pan, cleaned the magnets/filter for the tranny. Hope much of a mess and pain is this to do??? Do you have any techniques you have to share with us who perform the maintenance ourselves to do this??
 
Thanks.
 
abfisch

#3064 of 3628 Re: 1996 Avalon [zmanjohn] by fredvh

Jun 10, 2005 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: zmanjohn (Jun 10, 2005 5:30 am)
The best place to find used items is on eBay. They do have a 1996 Avalon owner's manual for sale at this very time. Good luck?

#3065 of 3628 Re: TRANNY FLUID CHANGES [abfisch] by mikes.

Jun 10, 2005 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: abfisch (Jun 10, 2005 8:37 am)
Abfisch,
 
The tranny filter is very easy to do, especially if you can elevate the car with a rack or if you have a pit to work from. Drain the tranny fluid then unbolt the pan, it has, I believe, 12 metric sized bolts that holds it on.
 
Once you have the filter pan you can throw away the old filter, it is encassed in metal with openings for the oil to flow. Clean out the pan and the magnets and replace a new filter. Reattach the pan to the tranny and fill with fluid.
 
Much easier then my 97 Tacoma V-6 xtra cab 4x4. That truck takes one of 2 filters and until you remember what you did with the info from 3 years ago you have to order both to make sure you get the right one
 
I do all my vehicles at 36K mile intervals.
 
MikeS.

#3066 of 3628 Re: 2003 Avalon - Tires and Rotors [kkovak] by sandydee1

Jun 11, 2005 (8:07 am)

Replying to: kkovak (Jun 08, 2005 7:42 am)
I wrote the following on May 14, 2005 message #745 in the problems and solutions forum:
 
I had to buy two new front tires for my 2003 Avalon after only 17,000 miles. I actually had the lifetime tire option but voided that when I did not have my tires rotated every 5,000 miles. Hopefully, the new tires will last longer than 17,000 miles.

#3067 of 3628 Highway Tire Pressure by boord1

Jun 12, 2005 (6:14 pm)

I'm about to take a 2000mile highway run and have been reading up on tire pressure. My 2000 Avalon with Michelin MXV Plus 16" tires has a Toyota recommended pressure of 32 PSI. Michelin states on the sidewall that the max pressure is 44PSI.
 
Some web sites recommend going to higher PSIs for highway economy. Any thoughts on a good PSI for sustained 70-80mph driving?

#3068 of 3628 Re: Highway Tire Pressure [boord1] by fin

Jun 12, 2005 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: boord1 (Jun 12, 2005 6:14 pm)
Either 32 or 33 lbs. psi is a popular number. Tires will gain 3 or more psi on their own at highway speeds if the road surface is hot, as in summer.... You will not gain anything by using more air. Enjoy the trip...........

Messages Page 307 of 363

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