jbarhorst2

I got 75,000 miles out of a set of Goodyears (OEM style) and have put over 20,000 miles on the Toyos I bought. They don't even look like any tread is gone yet. Sounds like your alignment is off. Tom

Does your cigarette lighter work?? The same fuse for the cigarette lighter runs the AC control panel also. You may have a coin in the lighter socket or something. Tom

Isn't there a "SET" button next to your seat memory buttons? If so, put the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel where you want them. Press and HOLD the set button. Press the memory button that you want to program. It will beep to let you know it is complete. Repeat the process for each memory you want to program. Tom

It will only go off when you unlock the door without the key or remote.

34. Chemical Engineer.

FYI.... The center differential takes the same gear oil as the rear diff. It does not take the same fluid as the tranny. Tom

There are 3 ways to lock your car: 1.) Take keys with you. Close door. Lock by turning key in door. 2.) Take keys with you. Close door. Lock by pressing lock button on remote. 3.) Leave keys in car or take with you. Press lock button on door. Close door. The only way that you cannot lock your keys in your car is if the key is in the ignition and you press the button on the door. If you leave your keys in the center console you can lock your keys in your car. Do you have an extra key?? Try it out. Play with the system. If you don't have an extra key then just leave your window open so that you don't lock yourself out. Tom

Interesting..... My dealer told me the exact opposite on Interference vs. Non-interference. The newer engines (which have variable valve timing) are the ones that interfere when the belt goes. Can anyone confirm?? My manual states 90,000 miles for my '97 SC300. Tom

You will not be able to powder coat these emblems. Powder takes quite a bit of heat to cure and you would melt them if you tried this. You will only be able to liquid paint these. Tom

The doors will lock if you press the lock button and then close the doors. They will only unlock themselves if the key is in the ignition and the car is not on. You can lock yourself out of the car by leaving your keys on the center console.

If you try to lock the car while the key is still in the ignition, then it will unlock itself. If they key is on the center console, then you can still lock yourself out.

My 2001 AWD RX also has an AT Oil Temp light on the dash. Tom

90,000 is great for timing belt. I changed mine in my SC at 150,000 and it did not even look worn. Tom

The measurement is feet. It is the size of the circle that is created when you turn the wheel all the way and drive in a circle.

Sounds like you need to add a little felt in between the cluster and the dash cover. The plastic rubbing against the vinyl is what you are hearing. Tom

No it wasn't. Maybe it's better than before, but the turning radius on my 2001 stinks. My SC300 is incredible, but the RX is awful. Tom

I know you checked, but are you sure the fuse is OK? It is the same one as for the cigarette lighter. Do you still have power to your cigarette lighter? Tom

Interesting.... Normally a flashing A/C light means that the compressor is seized. Tom

I wanted to change the PCV valve on my 2001 RX, but it is VERY tight in the valve cover. Mine is the type that is threaded and screws into the cover. Any hints on how to get it off. The area is rather tight and I could not get a socket on it. I tried an adjustable wrench, but was not able to get it to move. Thanks Tom

That sounds like you may still have air in the lines. The reason the pedal gets firm when the car is off is because the is no vacuum assist. Are the brakes firm after atarting the car, but before you drive it?

I am the Quality Manager for the Paint Division of an American Truck company. Depending on the manufacturer's options and the OEM's desires, car primer can be many different colors. Each company uses a particular color for different reasons. Most cathodic electrocoats are black or gray. These are also typically epoxy based. These will not stand up to UV rays from the sun. Remember the medium blue GM cars in the mid 80s that you saw peeling. UV rays penetrated the basecoat (color) paint and attacked the electrocoat layer. As the electrocoat degraded, the paint delaminated. Anodic electrocoats will often be acrylic based. If so, they can be made to be many different colors. These will stand up to UV light and can be a final coating. Typically wheel rims, frame parts, brackets, etc. Many companies will also "paint" the body with a primer surfacer. This will fill in any minor imperfections in the electrocoat and will give a nice smoothe surface to paint if applied properly. These also promote paint adhesion by incorporating a UV blocking material. These primers can be tinted to be nearly any color. Popular choices are: black, white, beige, or gray. Companies choose primer colors for different reasons. Some companies choose to primer a light color car with a dark primer so that they can see if they have good paint coverage. The same goes for the opposite. Dark car light primer. Other companies choose to primer a car with a color close to the outside paint so that if their paint is thin in some areas, you won't notice it as much. This is normally in cracks, crevices, and areas with concave angles. It all depends on if your paint is formulated to be black/white hiding, black/red hiding, or black/gray hiding. Each of these will use different amounts of paint to cover the primer. There's more than you ever wanted to know probably. I could go on, but my fingers are getting tired. Hunt and peck is hard work.

If you leave it on RECIRC when you start the car, does it ever go back to normal? My RX and my SC both start out in RECIRC mode to cool the car faster. Once the car is near the desired temp, it switches over to normal mode. Try it out. Tom

It sounds to me like your alternator died and the battery ran the car as long as it could. Once the battery discharged the car could no longer run. Tom

I had to remove mine on my SC when I changed the shocks. The air gun will not work. Use a 1/2" breaker bar with a piece of pipe on the end to gain leverage. Slowly add pressure until it moves. You'll be amazed at how difficult (and how easy) it is. Don't rush it. Quick hard jerks will not get you there faster. Apply steady increasing pressure until it starts to move. It really works. The pipe I used was 3 to 4 feet long. Tom

When I used to drive Cadillacs, I took it in for repair (one of many times) and the guy who worked on it smoked in my car. The dealership used their ozone machine and it completely removed the smell. I was pretty impressed. Tom