Toyota Problems

Most glass outlets should be able to replace the glass in your mirrors with flat glass reflectors, which will fix your problem.

Try the new Michelin Primacy LC, we're told that it's specifically designed for a smooth ride and low road noise.

You've raised an interesting point, one I reckon needs addressing by carmakers selling GPS systems. That is should they upgrade the system software free of charge when needed while the warranty is in place? It seems to me to be unreasonable to sell a product, that in your case is faulty in that is has given you some false directions, and not upgrade it when an upgrade becomes available. I could no find any way you might be able to update the system other than going back to the Toyota dealer, who as you say wants an arm and a leg to do it.   Based on what you have told me I reckon you could argue that the system is not fit for the purpose for which it has been sold to you, and on that basis you could make a claim against Toyota to upgrade the system for free. Your experience is one that everyone buying a factory-supplied GPS should think about, and they should ask their dealer about the carmaker's policy on upgrades before they hand over their hard-earned cash.

The consumption is higher than I would expect. When new Toyota was claiming 11.0 L/100 km in city driving and 8.0 or so on the highway, but after 280,000 km you could expect it to have worn a little and the compression would be down, so you would anticipate that you wouldn't be getting close to the new figures. Even so your consumption does seem too high.

It can be done without too much difficulty, the biggest problems you could have is with the wiring loom and perhaps the heater hoses. I don’t believe anyone does a simple exchange deal, but someone like the APS Service Centre in Melbourne could handle it for you.

It sounds like the auto trans needs servicing. If you have a regular mechanic you trust have him test drive it for you for an assessment, but I reckon you need to take it to an auto trans mechanic.

Toyota has told us that some customers have reported “dashpad vinyl surface deterioration on some older model Prado vehicles.” They go on to say that “the dashpad vinyl surface is purely a cosmetic finish that can be affected by the general care and maintenance afforded, however the condition of the surface will not affect the structure or operation of the passenger SRS airbag in any way. Toyota provides a comprehensive new vehicle warranty and our customer satisfaction policies provide for Dealer evaluation and individual case-by-case assessment well beyond this period.” If indeed it is only the vinyl covering that is affected there’s no affect on the airbag operation and there’s no reason the car should be deemed unroadworthy as some owners have told us their’s have been. If it is a more deep-seated problem affecting the structure of the vehicle then I think there is a risk to the operation of the airbag and is certainly worth following up. As Toyota told us dealers are able to assess older vehicles like the early Prado, so if you are concerned that the operation of the airbag in your vehicle might be affected by the cracking have your dealer check it.

Early 200 Series Landcruisers did have a problem with a seal on the vacuum pump drive that was letting oil through into the pump.