Toyota Problems

I would ask Toyota to investigate what appears to be a serious issue with your car, and request that they cover the cost of replacing the engine. If they baulk at that suggestion continue to negotiate with them for part compensation. Carmakers often cover part of the cost in situations like yours.

We have had a number of reports of cracking dashes in Prados, but we have been assured by Toyota people when we have checked with them that it is cosmetic only and the operation of the front airbag in the dash is not affected. If it was affected it would make the car unroadworthy, in fact, it would be a safety issue that should trigger a recall.

Take the offer. Like all components fuel-injectors wear out over time and then need replacing. By offering you part payment for repairs Toyota has in effect acknowledged the issue and are offering to compensate you for it. Remember you've had 100,000 km out of the first set.

I agree the cracked dash is a turn-off to most buyers; only those hoping to get a car for a bargain price would be in the slightest bit interested. I think Toyota would be well advised to rethink their policy on this matter.

No. There is a train of thought that regularly cleaning the fuel system is good insurance, but the fuel contains detergents that are there to help clean the system anyway.

It doesn't seem normal and you did the correct thing in going back to the installer, but not finding any satisfaction there you should take the car to the system supplier, the Australian LPG Warehouse, and have them assess it for you and hopefully fix it to your satisfaction. The phone number is 1300 574 669.

Without knowing more about the roads you were on, the speeds you were traveling at and the load you were hauling it's hard to say what you would get. But the Prado is a big lump of a thing, pushing a lot of air, and I bet it was working hard. It's probably within the ballpark in the conditions.

Your caravan is within Toyota's claimed towing capacity for the Prado, which is 2500 kg, so that's fine. You can tow the caravan in "Drive" on the flat, but pull it back into fourth when approaching a hill and don't let it labour in a higher gear. The gearbox will downchange automatically, but by the time it works out that it needs a lower gear you would have lost momentum and might actually need to go down to an even lower gear. Drive according to the terrain.

The 1998 Landcruiser is a popular candidate for the installation of LPG and people who have installed LPG typically save about 50 percent on their running costs. In typical use, and with the government rebate, you could expect to recover your investment within 12 months. The engines operate well on LPG and without premature degradation, however as a precaution it is recommended that you have valve clearances checked every 50,000 km rather than manufacturer's recommendation of every 80,000 km. The worst-case fuel consumption, dependent on whether it's an auto/manual, would be approximately 25 L/100km.

It's still under warranty so you should persist with your dealer and have him demonstrate, perhaps by driving another car with the same drivetrain, that yours is normal. You could also have a trusted mechanic drive it for you and give you an opinion on it.