Hybrid News

Has anyone had success installing a Viper Remote Start 2 way security system 5900 into the TCH? BestBuy said no way because of the Smart ket system and because it’s a Hybrid. Would it be better just to get the Toyota version. And is there anyway for me to buy it online and install it myself or is it extremely complicated. Is there any better version I can get? I found a Viper 5900 for only $200, so I would like for it to work but if not I am open to alternatives.

Does anyone know if there is a part that can be purchased for a leather door armrest instead of the cloth one?

I got my ‘09 TCH with leather installed at the port (not at the factory) and one of the differences between port vs. factory installed is the door has the fabric arm rest at the port and a leather arm rest from the factory. I’ve had the car for about 6 weeks and the fabric is already starting to wear on that arm rest on the driver’s door.

Any thoughts?

Well I just got home from the dealer with a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Only has 5,000 miles and was in the local dealer’s "Cab" service so it was driven very lightly as only a worker drove it. And they listed it wrong and they had to sell it to me for only $23,995 which was perfect and was in my budget and has never been wrecked.
All I have been able to get is 30 MPG but I am trying, but it’s double my Explorer.

Does anyone know if there is a way to see what the actual tire pressure of each tire is from the inside of the car? Some American cars have this capability and it sure would be nice on the Camry. Even if it were hidden on some diagnostic screen.

Hi guys,

I need a power source, a strong one. I don’t feel like running a pair of wires to the battery so I am wondering what some thoughts are on tapping the main fuse box in the engine compartment?

I figure there must be a high current line direct from the battery to the various fuse boxes. According to the wiring diagrams (which I stink at reading), there is a 140A line running to the engine compartment (or somewhere up there) with a fusible link. It then appears to split off but I cannot find the specific fuse box in the diagram. The device needs about 10A to start and then runs at about 3.6A after that. There are two of them so 20A start, 7.2A running.

Any thoughts?

We had some waves of rain and one night cold air all the way from Gustov to southern new mexico.

It was into the low 60’s on the way home from town the other night. Normally the TCH would easily go into the EV Mode but that night the engine ran all the time, the 8 miles to home.

The next night we went to town again. This time it was humid but warmer. I thought it being humid would make it hard to get into he EV Mode.

I was wrong, It went into the EV Mode just as easy as on a warm night. The temperature was 73 degrees during this drive home.

With a cooler October and Winter coming on. I would suggest anyone living in a cold north area might order their TCH with a engine heater. It definitely helps pre-warm the engine if you plug it in a few hours earlier before starting the car.

I tested mine the other night when it was cool out. A hour later the scan gauge showed the engine at 125 degrees.

Most people don’t look in this other forum on this website, so…

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f…47/#post185786

PM or email to flopshotgolf@hotmail.com

I just received the October, ‘08 Consumer Reports magazine — it has a very in-depth analysis of hybrid ownership costs. They compared "regular" versus "hybrid" in several vehicle categories and manufacturers using their new "five-year owner-cost" formula.

Interestingly, the Prius only saved $2,000 over 5-years — but the TCH saved $4,250 (the largest savings of any of the hybrids in their analysis). Unfortunately, the Highlander and all the Lexus models were in the red after 5-years.

They mentioned other factors that might further improve the picture (such as the increasing resale value as hybrids are "hot")…

…feeling really good…

and I cant figure out why. weird smell. almost like dried spit. (dont know why I know what that smells like) I checked the ac filter, smelt all through the cab, used carpet fresh, and now it smells like carpet fresh and dried spit

are you the host on this forum??? just curious… it seems your always first to answer. Just wondering

Well, I like my TCH, but I recently found out that they really, really pooched something.

So the Navigation system locks out when the car is in motion. Yes, pain in the arse, but it is a known issue. I wish it didn’t - I’d pay Toyota and extra $1,000 to be able to turn this off (not through some janky hack).

But the WORST thing…they disable being able to navigate a MP3 disc while in motion! You can’t browse the folders or files. (You can only blindly switch folders).

And of course, you can get to the screens via voice command (which can compensate (weakly) for the Nav portion being locked while in motion.

There is no reason to lock this, a.) it’s not the same distraction as typing stuff in to a map/browsing the POI, b.) it’s entirely reasonable to want to browse a MP3 while in motion (by you or passenger) and c.) there is no work-around! (not integrated into voice command system).

Toyota design / quality control really missed it on this.

Argh…I really wish they would have put some thought into it before that try to save us from ourselves.

Couple of questions:

1. Is ScanGauge II still the way to go?

2. Has anybody used the BlendMount? How was the install? Does it work for you?

Ok, that’s four questions . . .

http://www.blendmount.com/

Hello everyone,

Recently I am hearing a screeching or rubbing noise doing a hard turn (at slow speeds - think parking lot). Often I can also feel it in the steering wheel. In addition, I often hear this zip tie kind of noise coming from the steering wheel column (this seems to occur at each start and then randomly while driving).

I am going to check the pressure on the tires and have a rotation coming up, so maybe it will go away.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Mike