What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Happy 20,000 mile day. Although I was stunned by the 11.1 MPG! Are you pulling a trailer or something?

 

It’s probably the remote start function. It really kills your mileage when you cool your car off before getting in…

 

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Me too, I don't drive it enough, mine is a year older

 

I put on the Gloss Vinyl TRD Pro Lettering on my matte hood scoop glare deflector. sorry for the dirty/dusty hood. I was to anxious to get them on that I only cleaned the area where I was applying the letters (with alcohol).

I got these from fellow memberT4Rrunning.

Excellent product!! Subtle, but snazzy!

Easy to apply, as well. Just make sure he knows which glare deflector you have. They're not all the same dimensions.

 

I get bored here and there so today I switched from ICON Rebounds to a new set of OEM TRD Pro SEMA wheel

 

Always nice to have two pairs of shoes.

 

Not much . . . yet. Added cupholder, etc. liners with the red trim. Added console tray with USB port. Waiting for blackout overlays to be delivered along with a rear cargo cover.

 

I would if the other half would let me. But selling the ICONS

 

Toytec 2.5in front lift
Eibach load leveling system w/ heavy springs
285/75/17 Wildpeaks
C4 Dual swing out bumper
ARB diff breathers
Rago dash mount

 

you've gotta be shitting me

 

This is an example of interpreting MPG numbers incorrectly, and leads to all sorts of unnecessary handwringing.

It’s necessary to look at all of the info on that screen. It says, after the car has been started, it’s been on for 4 minutes and has traveled at an average of 17 miles per hour. That paints a better picture of what that MPG number means.

It’s also important to keep in mind, even taking account of those details, it doenst tell you everything.
-I can idle for 3:30 seconds, and then floor it till I get to 100 mph for the following 30 seconds, and that might average to 17mph.
-Or, I can drive at 17mph for 4 minutes.

Both would give different mpg.

 

I wish I had made this up.

 

On an new civic I bought years ago, I had exhaust components replaced when I told them my suspension was squeaking. Well, eventually the found the problem. Under warranty, so it didnt hurt me too much. Gotta wonder how much the service writer gets involved sharing their great ideas.

Best thing is to keep your eyes open, and keep learning about the vehicle, and slowly increase the amount of maintanance you can do on your own. If you can combine that with a reliable vehicle. At some point you’ll rarely see a need to go into a dealer.

You’ll have to rely on others for some things, but it will be easier to spot BS, or mistakes on work you cant do yourself.

 

New wheels. Vision Flow

 

Oh no not at all. That is not the actual mpg. Rather I had just started it and driven a few miles up a slope, I pulled over when it turned 20k. I always keep the screen selection on “After Start”. Actual mpg is currently 19.6.

 

Small cosmetic mod for the rear.

 

Great picture!

 

A service writer is not a mechanic. Their job is to translate your "complaint" into something the mechanic understands and then keep you in the loop as the repair progresses.

If you want to understand why getting the process right is so important, you can read this little ditty from the California Bureau of Auto Repair. More shops should probably read it.

So a service writer would have written something like "customer states he hears squeaking coming from the area around the suspension. Also states exhaust repairs were recently completed" and that would have been your "complaint" (it would be better if the service writer asked if you noticed the squeak before or after the exhaust visit). Their job is to make sure they've captured your complaint accurately--if you read the complaint and do not agree with it, do not sign your repair order.

 

Good explantion, thanks. That would be exactly what Inexpect a writer to be doing. When I wrote my post, I was thinking back to an interaction with a service writer who was a manager. The way he spoke to me about what they found seemed to suggest that he was part of the decision making process. It just could have been a manner of how he was speaking, or that he wanted to look involved to the customer, or because he was the manager. It certainly sounded like he made some calls on how to resolve and bill the problem.

 

Dang that’s a good number.

So… (sorry, i just have to do this lol )… When you say “actual” mileage, what do you mean by that?

 

Can I ask were you purchased these? Thanks!

 

They are the factory ones - at least one of them is. I bought a second one and had them refinished. Note - I believe the right side will work only if you have the side exit exhaust.

 

That makes sense. Thank you!

 

How do you like the Rago? I gave it some thought but installed the Victory 4x4 dash mount.

 

It's great so far, solid and low profile.

 

Similar story for the annoying squeak. I said, Uh, NO! Look again. Same, they came back and it was the hood. When the squeak came back a year later, I adjusted the hood and gone. Must be a common squeak cause but they're always looking to make money. Sad, the pathetic type.

Forgot to mention, another time the steering was shaking and the first answer was, You have dirt on the inside of the rims. Me: What!?! These vehicles are crazy off-road capable and you're telling me dirt will throw off the steering. Is that your final answer? Look again. It was the wheels were not balanced when they rotated them the day before. Sheesh!

 

I installed the Rav4 blind spot mirrors today. I just got back in from driving around. The left side seems like it's working great. I'm not sure yet about the right side. I might have to do some more adjusting.

 

Oddly enough, I’ve been having a weird sound I was sure was coming from my front swaybar bushings. I had accidentally sprayed onto them with woolwax grease a while back and figured that was the cause. i tried flushing the rubber with brake clean (I know, bad…but the lazy is strong), and I thought it helped. But it kept coming back.

i read this post and decided to check the latch. The striker plate and pivots were dry (like i like it, reduced greasy messes and gummed up works 5 years from now). But I looked at all the shiny spots where metal on metal was happening and saw some things that looked like rubbing. So I applied grease using a toothpick to all shiny metal, and so far, all is quiet!!!

 

That is ok,don’t be sorry, the word, “actual” is misused too often.

 

The dealership I won't deal with anymore would rotate tires but then charged an additional $40 for balance. Total BS. Glad to be done with them. I like the term Stealerships because it is way too deserved.