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Toyota RAV4 Maintenance and Repair

823 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 10:21 AM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 15 of 83

#138 of 823 Re: Update regarding droning noise [quilldriver] by ihammer

Jul 20, 2006 (10:29 pm)

Replying to: quilldriver (Jul 20, 2006 7:04 pm)
I'm interested to know if you have test driven a 2006 RAV4 and if so, did you hear the droning noise? It happens pretty much everytime I drive my RAV4, at least at some point during reach drive.
Anyhow, I am still waiting for some news of what the cause of the problem is and for a fix for it. I have called Toyota corporate 3 times during the past week and a half, having gotten tired of waiting for them to issue a TSB. One of the people I spoke with told me he was going to talk to the technical section to see if he could get any information re the problem from them and that he would get back to me. That was 3 days ago and he has not called me back. I started a long letter to Toyota corporate today, which I will finish and mail tomorrow, basically letting them know that I'm tired of waiting around for them to come up with a fix and that I'm less than enthusiastic about ever buying another Toyota. I am also going to tell them that I filed a complaint with the NHTSA. Hopefully I'll hear something soon because sitting in my car for three hours a day during my commute is just not the quiet time it should be with a brand new Toyota.
I will keep you posted. I really love driving the car - it handles really well and has great power (V6), but I won't live with the droning noise if they don't fix it.
I'm glad you wrote to Toyota corporate - I hope they get a clue! If they fix it I'll be very happy because aside from the noise (and the useless cupholders!) the car is a joy to drive.
Sometimes I regret having traded in my perfect 2004 RAV4 which also was fun to drive and had cupholders which actually held the cups in place. It didn't have side airbags or side curtain airbags or as much power as the 2006, which is why I traded it in, but I miss the quiet normal sounding ride.

#139 of 823 Re: Vibration at Idle [joelh1] by ihammer

Jul 20, 2006 (10:44 pm)

Replying to: joelh1 (Jul 20, 2006 5:09 pm)
Sorry, I have not heard of that problem, but there is no way it's normal! My 2004 RAV4 was a 4cyl and it never had that problem.
I wouldn't take the "it's normal" excuse. One of the people on this forum who's car has the droning noise problem was told by the dealer that that was normal too! Incredible!
I test drove a 4cyl 2006 RAV4 before I bought my 6 cyl and didn't notice any rough idling.
Anyhow, good luck with that issue - I hope they solve it for you. Keep us all posted.

#140 of 823 Re: Vibration at Idle [joelh1] by jarek

Jul 21, 2006 (9:31 am)

Replying to: joelh1 (Jul 20, 2006 5:09 pm)
I have 4 cyl. with auto trans. and with ac all the time on and in any case, in any drive/stop conditions there is no vibration at all.
jerr

#141 of 823 Re: Update regarding droning noise [quilldriver] by jarek

Jul 21, 2006 (9:32 am)

Replying to: quilldriver (Jul 20, 2006 7:04 pm)
Well, I do not think this is a problem with every single vehicle. Mine does not have it.
jerr

#142 of 823 Re: Vibration at Idle [joelh1] by wwest

Jul 21, 2006 (10:02 am)

Replying to: joelh1 (Jul 20, 2006 5:09 pm)
Most manufacturers of I4's have licensed the "balance shaft" patent and therefore use that technique to smooth out the natural vibrations of an I4.
 
Assuming the RAV4 has one it may be out of "time" with the rest of the rotating mass.

#143 of 823 Is this the "droning" sound you guys speak of? by wolfx

Jul 21, 2006 (11:03 am)

600 miles and so far no obvious "droning noise", BUT there is this light hummm...
 
I've had my ears perked for the last 2 weeks listening for anything that could be perceived as droning, but so far so good. However, I do notice an audible vibration when the air conditioning is on and I'm stopped at a light, but the noise drops if I shift to park. The noise is only noticeable when I turn off the radio and listen for it.
 
Is that the droning noise you guys speak of or is it much louder than that? I know it's not the A/C fan because when I turn off the A/C, the noise remains but changes its pitch slightly. Also, like you guys describe, the humm is not always present, or maybe it's because I'm not always attentive to it?
 
Again, this is a very light sounding hummm and does not raise concern (or should I be concerned??). I guess if my ears were sensitive to that pitch, it could be described as droning and annoying.
 
Is this what you all are speaking of?

#144 of 823 Scratches on my new RAV by drohrer

Jul 21, 2006 (12:27 pm)

Well, before I could make the first payment on our new RAV, some idiot decided to key it in a parking lot!
 
The scratches are all located on the driver's door and two of the three are really only "scuffs" (it doesn't look like they took off more than the shiny finish.) The third, about 2-3 inches long goes to the undercoat and maybe even down to steel.
 
Any good ideas on what to do about them? I hate to have insurance cover something so minor (and lose "accident free" status) and yet, we have only made one payment on the car.
 
I am most certainly not a car guy, but it is our first new car in 10 years and I want it to look as good as possible.
 
  
Thanks,
 
jdr

#145 of 823 Re: Scratches on my new RAV [drohrer] by jimd4

Jul 22, 2006 (3:14 am)

Replying to: drohrer (Jul 21, 2006 12:27 pm)
Take it to a good body shop or have your dealer take it.

#146 of 823 Droning by petl

Jul 22, 2006 (11:24 am)

I don't know if this has been posted (sorry if it has). Consumer Reports states in their driving experience with the 4cyl, the engine "drones" at moderate speeds but is not annoying on the highway. Based on the CR comment it appears that all RAV4 4cyl engines may be prone to some droning. Unfortunately, there may be very litle that can be done about it (for those who find it annoying).

#147 of 823 Headlights - not sure mine are working correctly by natkar

Jul 22, 2006 (3:29 pm)

Just drove my new RAV4 2006 for the first time at night and on a dark road and could not see more than 5 feet in from of me! Once I got home and tested the headlights switch I noticed that what looks like the main light in the front of the car only turns on for highbeam. Is this correct? The light that comes on with the main light switch is the smaller outisde light, for which there is the sliding control to lower or raise the height of the beam. Just seems crazy to me that the main light of the car can be adjusted like this and is not fixed.
 
Is there something wrong with my lights or and I just freaking out?

Messages Page 15 of 83

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