Toyota Avalon 2005-

Replying to: twobrowns (May 03, 2005 8:04 am)

Replies to this message:
• pricecutter (May 05, 2005 1:30 pm)

Replying to: jcu1963 (May 03, 2005 4:30 pm)

I think you guys are talking about the hooks that are used for the cargo net. I looked in the trunk of one XLS in the showroom and that's the only "L" shaped things I saw.
                              
                             Mackabee

Replies to this message:
• deanie (May 03, 2005 8:17 pm)
  • 3puttmax (May 03, 2005 8:48 pm)
    • havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 9:40 pm)
    • pat (May 04, 2005 5:45 am) and 1 more...
  • tunin (May 04, 2005 2:50 pm)
    • chipmunk47 (May 04, 2005 3:22 pm)

Replying to: gbinplano (May 03, 2005 12:25 pm)

Replying to: havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 5:11 pm)

after having just driven down a hill and reducing speed to nearly stop at the bottom, an inappropriate gear is sometimes engaged for starting uphill with the intended acceleration; and in making a correction the engine may surge at higher than expected RPM.
 
I have an XLS with around 2200 miles on it. I had noticed this in the past and I almost asked about it on this forum at one time. The bottom of my street has a slight downhill grade and then ends at a "T" with another street that is flat (no stop sign at this intersection). I end up braking to a very slow speed and, if no cars are coming, I take my foot off the brake and press the gas pedal as I make a right turn at this intersection. Bear in mind that I barely press the pedal since there is a stop sign about 200 feet from this intersection and I have to stop there anyway. When I press the pedal making this turn, I notice that the transmission sometimes drops to too low of a gear for a second and there is a slight surge and then it shifts to the proper gear. I used to notice this every time I made that turn but now I really don't notice it anymore so I guess one of the following is true:
 
a) The car has adjusted to me
b) I have adjusted to the car
c) I have the stereo too loud to really notice anymore
 
I haven't really noticed any other shifting "issues" and, like I said, I really don't notice this anymore. Overall the shifts are extremely smooth.
 
Overall, I couldn't be happier with the car!
 
Bob

Replies to this message:
• havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 7:34 pm)

Replying to: yurik (May 03, 2005 5:46 pm)

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• ryandse (May 03, 2005 7:34 pm)
  • havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 7:58 pm)

Replying to: tcapr01 (May 03, 2005 1:19 pm)

Replying to: avalonbob (May 03, 2005 7:10 pm)

avalonbob, I'm glad to hear you confirm the finding that "the transmission sometimes drops to too low of a gear for a second and there is a slight surge and then it shifts to the proper gear." A great way to describe what I have noticed, as well.
 
Of the 3 choices you mentioned, both a) and b) are likely to be true. Avalon is supposed to "read" your driving patterns and adjust accordingly, and so will you. About c), the volume of your stereo, I suggest that if the digital readout on the screen shows a volume setting of 50 or higher, your can be sure to be right about that one, too!
 
I share your general pleasure with this car, of course.
 
havalongavalon

Replying to: havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 7:19 pm)

It is easy to drill holes and mount sensors in the Avalon bumper.
 
Would this void any warranty on the car?
 
Frankily, the idea of drilling holes into a $40k investment (yeah, I'm looking at a fully loaded Limited) just gives me stomach pains. Granted, it might be silly for me to feel this way, given I wouldn't have the same problem if we were talking about a house.
 
Well, since I also don't like the idea of having wires hanging out the back, I guess my only recourse would be to just be careful when backing up

Replies to this message:
• havalongavalon (May 03, 2005 7:58 pm)

Replying to: deanie (May 03, 2005 3:19 pm)

So we now have several reports of (faint?) squeaks coming from the front of the dash. Some were localized to the right side, some to the left, I believe.
 
A couple of weeks ago, I heard for a few days a noise that seemed to come from the rear-left of the cabin and sounded like a bird chirp -- 3 or 4 chirps in a row, lasting 1 or 2 seconds, every once in a while. I think these noises happened after going over speed bumps, sometimes. Haven't heard this again for some days now. (No bird droppings found anywhere inside the car, fortunately! ).
 
Does anybody know -- with all the air bags that are packed up and tucked inside cavities around the cabin, could this be a potential source of rattles or squeaks or other noises?
 
havalongavalon