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Toyota Avalon - Remotes, Remote Start, Door Locks and Security System Questions

116 messages,  Last post on Mar 05, 2013 at 4:18 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Security System, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 13

#23 of 116 Re: Remote or Door Lock Issue [tasmanmotors] by scoti1

May 26, 2005 (11:03 am)

Replying to: tasmanmotors (May 26, 2005 8:41 am)
Some owners of certain model 1997 - 2002 Toyotas (including Avalon) experienced a condition called engine sludge. This usually is a problem that only occurs when you don't change your oil, but people reporting sludge in these models often also reported the problem at very low miles and claimed to have properly changed the oil and maintained the car. After several years of owners having to pay out of pocket for repairs (to the tune of $3000 or more) Toyota came out with their sludge policy that provides a free fix for 8 years unlimited miles. I think, even as a buyer of a used car, you are covered under this policy. You just need to properly maintain your engine and be able to provide proof. The best proof is probably letting the dealer do your oil changes. Also, I would also recommend doing oil changes at much less than the 5,000/7,500 miles recommended in the manual. Toyota later dropped this interval to 5,000 max. Watch for signs of sludge -- smoking tailpipe is one. It also may appear that your car is using large quantities of oil. Check engine light should come on when this happens.
 
There is a lot of information on the net and on Edmunds about this problem. Several other makes are now also having trouble with sludge. (Chrysler, VW,).
 
About the door lock. If you unlock your car but do not open a door right away, they will lock back again. Could this be what is happening to you?

#24 of 116 Re: Remote or Door Lock Issue [tasmanmotors] by fin

May 26, 2005 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: tasmanmotors (May 26, 2005 8:41 am)
On the engine sludge problem, I will "second" the answer posted above in #766. My '99 XL never had the problem, thru trade-in at 92k miles, but some did. Take care of the car..lose no sleep...

#25 of 116 Re: sludge causes [rzrseg] by deepan

May 27, 2005 (4:33 am)

Replying to: rzrseg (May 26, 2005 10:58 am)
what was your maintenance schedule. i.e how many months /miles before the oil change.
 
IIRC the sludge is caused by several factors combined.
poor maintenance/no oil changes for many months
poor design of the PCV
short trips where the engine doesnt warm up etc..
 
the PCV was addressed in 01 sienna and upwards (they have the same engine). The part is $10 and chnaging it was easy on the van. the engine does poorly when not maintained well.

#26 of 116 Re: sludge causes [deepan] by rzrseg

May 27, 2005 (10:53 am)

Replying to: deepan (May 27, 2005 4:33 am)
Nothing unusual. It only had about 24,000 miles on it and if I remember correctly I got the oil changed around the 4000 mile mark(s). However, it did tend to sit for periods of time and then had little drives for the most part. It kinda has the same schedule now unfortunately (live close to work but usually ride my motorcycle).
 
I'm planning on doing a full tune up including PVC valve and probably the timing belt and such when I dig into it for the valve noise. I keep track of my mileage now, I'll see if anything changes when I get done...assuming I can put it all back together.

#27 of 116 Re: Remote or Door Lock Issue [scoti1] by tasmanmotors

Jun 01, 2005 (8:05 am)

Replying to: scoti1 (May 26, 2005 11:03 am)
Thanks for info. on the sludging. I've never had a car that had a problem with it before and then again, I do get engine flushes periodically. I will definitely keep an eye on this one.
 
And as for the door lock, yes, it did happen when I unlocked the car with the remote and popped the trunk. I did not open any doors, but I was packing the trunk. This is the first car that I have owned that auto locks the door when just sitting there. Just caught me off guard. Gave me a concern. I don't want to walk away from the car for a moment and have it lock my kids in it.
 
Thanks again, and thanks to everyone else who wrote in. Appreciate it very much.

#28 of 116 remote door lock by sanandton

May 26, 2005 (10:58 am)

The automatic door lock/relock feature is a real pain. I believe it affects more Toyotas than the Avalon. It happens on my Wife's 2000 Avalon as well. I believe it only relocks if you don't open a door (apparently, the trunk doesn't count) within a short time like 20-30 seconds.

#29 of 116 sorry about the ditto post by sanandton

May 26, 2005 (10:59 am)

was posting while rzrseg's reply was posted.

#30 of 116 Is Smart Key safe? by dcjm

Jun 16, 2005 (5:25 am)

Might sound silly, but I am concerned about the Smart Key (2005 Avalon) and the fact that it gives off an RF signal. Is it possible that this is a health concern? They say it is like the RF a microwave oven puts out (according to Toyota). The manual states to check people with pace makers. Maybe being paranoid, but just not sure having it in your pocket all the time is okay. Anyone know more about this?

#31 of 116 Auto door locks....HELP by rkasten

Jun 20, 2005 (11:36 am)

I own a 2000 Avalon and would like to know how to set the auto door locks so they do not lock when you put the car in gear. The car just recently started locking the doors after I had clean the interior. I accidently hit some sequence while cleaning causing the doors to lock when the car is put in gear. The manual said to contact your Toyota dealer for this but it can't be that difficult. Any help would be appreciated.

#32 of 116 Re: Auto door locks....HELP [rkasten] by fin

Jun 22, 2005 (7:07 am)

Replying to: rkasten (Jun 20, 2005 11:36 am)
From the 2003 Avalon owner's manual (yours is probably the same):
 
Turn everything off. Close doors. Sit in driver's seat. Selector in PARK.
UNlock all doors with the switch. Turn ignition ON, do not start.
Within 10 seconds push door lock to LOCK and HOLD for 5 seconds.
The "open door warning light" will flash.
1 flash is mode 1.
You want mode 2. That's 2 flashes. No auto lock/unlock.
There are 4 modes, in sequence. If you miss, it repeats.
If you miss the procedure, start over. No problem.
Hope this helps......
Might want to order an owner's manual if yours is missing.....
 

Messages Page 4 of 13

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