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Toyota Solara Care and Maintenance

30 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2012 at 10:26 AM

You are in the Toyota Solara Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Solara, Convertible

Messages Page 3 of 3

#21 of 30 Re: Time to switch who services our car? [meegwell] by solaraman2003

Jul 15, 2010 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: meegwell (Jul 15, 2010 11:13 am)
Generally speaking, I don't believe you get anything more from a dealer than from a Goodyear, Sears, or any other chain store.
 
THE most important thing is the competency of the human being doing the actual work. If you can find a mechanic (human being) that you can trust, OR an owner/manager of a shop that you can trust, then that's the person to go to. A good owner/manager would only hire competent mechanics, and should oversee the work of his team.
 
I wouldn't care if the mechanic had a small one-car garage. I wouldn't care if he had no garage at all. If he were competent, and I had a lot of trust in him/her, I would use him/her.
 
And YES, there is no question that the dealer is going to charge more. He's being backed by his chain and he has much more overhead to deal with. But it absolutely DOES NOT mean you're getting more value for your money. You are definitely going to get a bigger bill, however.
 
There are probably some very special situations where I would advise that someone go to a dealer. The one benefit I can think of with the dealer is that they might have access to other resources that the average mechanic does not. The other reason you might want the dealer is if the car is still under warranty and the problem item might be covered under that OR covered under a TSB from the manufacturer.

#22 of 30 Re: The best oil for my Solara [meegwell] by solaraman2003

Jul 15, 2010 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: meegwell (Jul 15, 2010 3:59 pm)
I believe CASTROL is the best. I won't buy anything else, regardless of how cheap it might be or if it's on sale. I just buy the CASTROL when it's on sale and throw it in my garage for when I need it.
 
Also, I would NOT go to any of those quick-lube places - EVEN IF they have a big CASTROL sign outside. Why? How do you REALLY KNOW that the oil they're pumping into your engine truly IS CASTROL?
 
I use CASTROL right from the plastic container !

#23 of 30 Solara Replacement Tires by crazedcommuter

Nov 12, 2010 (2:23 pm)

I just replaced the stock Michelin 215 60 16's on my 2008 Solara with Goodyear Eagle GT's. At 38k the Michelins were worn past the wear bars even with 6k rotations. I hit a good sale at Sears and opted to try the Goodyear's since they were $45 a tire cheaper than the stock Michelins.
 
 First noticible difference was how light the steering felt on my first road test. The car seemed quicker to respond to inputs and stuck like glue through the twisties where the stock Michelins would let loose and squeal. The tread pattern is more aggressive so the ride is a bit rougher but I can't notice any increase in cabin noise. Gas mileage has decreased 2mpg in the first 350 miles. Not sure if it will get better after break in. Ran them in heavy rain last week on the interstate up to 80 mph with no hydoplaning or loss of road feel.

#24 of 30 Re: Solara Replacement Tires [crazedcommuter] by moms_max

Nov 16, 2010 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 12, 2010 2:23 pm)
Wow... great post! I am facing replacement in the near future ~ will keep my eye on the Eagle GTs. Altho if I get any worse gas mileage with my '06, I'm gonna spit....
 
Thanks for the info!!!

#25 of 30 Re: Update:Solara Replacement Tires [crazedcommuter] by crazedcommuter

Apr 23, 2011 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 12, 2010 2:23 pm)
I just had the tires rotated for the second time at the 11,000 mile mark. Handling and traction are still excellent with the Goodyears with very little wear. MPG is still 2 mpg less than the stock tires. They do ride stiff but cornering is much improved over the stock Michelins. I made it through 5-6 inch snows last winter in the DC metro area. We got hit pretty hard but the Solara made it through ok. My son also got these tires for his 08 VW Bunny and has had no issues with traction or wear. Am very satisfied at the 11,ooo mile mark .

#26 of 30 Solara Replacement Tires by crazedcommuter

Mar 01, 2012 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Nov 12, 2010 2:23 pm)
I just replaced the Goodyear eagle GT tires on the 08 Solara. They were worn to the wear bars at 36,500 miles and losing wet traction quickly. They were rated for 50,000. I decided after researching several sites to go with the BF Goodrich TA Advantage in size 215 60 16. These tires are much quieter than the Goodyear's and my mileage has increased over 2 mpg for the last 2 tanks of gas.
 
These BF Goodrich's are also a softer, more compliant ride than the stiffer Eagle GT's. I drove the Advantage TA's at highway speeds in the rain last weekend from NJ to WV and they handled fine. No hydroplaning and no sliding around at the toll plazas. Right now I have about 1,000 miles on them and they are rated as a 65,000 tire. I'll report back after I run some miles on them.

#27 of 30 Brake Pads and maintenance by crazedcommuter

Jun 14, 2012 (9:22 pm)

I just replaced the front brake pads on my 2008 Solara at 82,000 miles. Am very pleased with the wear I got from the stock pads. Rotors were ok and did not need turning. I ordered the OEM replacement pads and hope to get another 80k miles out of them too. Just changed the oil with 5w20 Castrol Synblend and a Purolator pure one filter. Car is running like a top and averages 30 mpg combined city/Hwy.

#28 of 30 Re: Brake Pads and maintenance [crazedcommuter] by nikhorse

Jun 27, 2012 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Jun 14, 2012 9:22 pm)
I need to change the front disk and brake pads out of a 07' Solara and was wondering if any special Toyota tool was needed?

#29 of 30 Re: Brake Pads and maintenance [nikhorse] by crazedcommuter

Nov 24, 2012 (10:16 am)

Replying to: nikhorse (Jun 27, 2012 12:35 pm)
I had a coupon for brake service from a local garage plus one for an extra $25 off any service so I had them do the work. I was watching thru the shop door and the pads took approx 20 min to replace and looked like no special tools were needed.

#30 of 30 Spark Plug replacement by crazedcommuter

Nov 24, 2012 (10:26 am)

I just replaced the factory spark plugs at 92,000 miles. Did the job in my driveway which took about 30 minutes. I bought the specified iridium tipped NGK plugs from Advance Auto along with the boot grease for about $32. The job was very easy if you're careful. Afterward I noticed a 2 mpg increase and quicker throttle response.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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