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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/18/2020 in all areas

  1. The most important thing to learn to improve fuel consumption - on any vehicle - is acceleration sense and in particular 'driving without brakes'. Hybrid systems do mitigate the losses from braking but they can't recover all the energy. Thus it is still better to avoid the use of brakes and to maintain a constant average speed as long as possible. Every time a vehicle changes speed energy is expended or lost. https://www.todaysmotorvehicles.com/article/driving-without-brakes/ My driving instructor told me, over 30 years ago, that "brakes are for stopping and correcting mistakes". There should be no need to use brakes when approaching bends and ideally you shouldn't use them much at junctions, especially not roundabouts. One of the unsung benefits of this is improved safety. In order to 'drive without brakes' you need to develop an increased acceleration sense and traffic awareness. This implicitly makes you a safer driver. In addition by minimising use of brakes in normal driving you maintain a reserve of braking effort for emergencies. Most drivers use nearly all their braking force when approaching a junction. If something untoward happens they have little ability to brake harder. Using DWB techniques, however, most of the time you'll barely be feathering the brakes and will always have large amounts of braking capacity to call on should the need arise (and you'll likely be travelling slower as well).
    3 points
  2. Hi Mike, I agree that the train of thought from "Industry best practice" is to put new tyres on the rear. However, being "Old School" I prefer the best tyres to be on the driving wheels. With a small, light, front wheel drive car like the Aygo, I prefer to have the best tread on the front as that does the majority of the driving, steering and braking. I might be wrong but without a skid pan to try out the "Rear is best" idea, I'm not convinced.
    3 points
  3. Like I've said before, I'm "Old School" and also old enough to remember one of my first cars....A Mini Cooper and I loved it! At the time, two guys said that the best thing you could do for the handling on a Mini was to fit two new "Rally tyres" (Yes, that's what we used to call them) on the front and go for a squirt around some country lanes...Loads of fun and as safe as houses. The two guys who said it were John Cooper and Paddy Hopkirk, who knew a thing or two about handling a little front wheel drive car. I'm all for things moving on but when these ideas come from "Blue Sky Thinking" and computer simulations then I'm sceptical...Remember that every computer simulation in the world said that you cannot land a passenger airliner on the Hudson River.....A certain Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his heroic experience proved them wrong! If the latest trend of putting new tyres on the back is to prevent oversteer, then they have never been in an Aygo.....I'd pay good money to see somebody try and drift one. There's more chance of Father Christmas knocking on my front door for a lift to Argos.
    2 points
  4. There is such a wide variety of safety and electrical systems in use in vehicles now that I understand emergency services have access to a database showing specific hazards relating each model of vehicle. These are searchable through registration number or VIN so it shouldn't be necessary for them to rely on external badging to identify whether a vehicle is a hybrid or not.
    2 points
  5. That's what I did with my daughter's Aygo as soon as I bought it. I put two new Yokohama Blue Earth's on the front and intend replacing the rear two new budget ones which came with it as soon as I get round to it with the same Yokohama's. In regards to what is the best brand, nobody and I mean nobody has the correct answer, because when it comes to tyres, they are down to the individual driver and what they prefer. Best thing to do when it comes to tyres, do as you have done, ask for input from the forum members, then do your own research on reviews and then make your decision.
    2 points
  6. Don't think they are struggling. I think some owners aren't being realistic in their expectations of what the manufacturer can do. Certainly on obsolete models (Auris and previous generations of the Prius) Toyota won't redesign where the cat is situated. They have made available catlocs and had production of these increased to meet the surge in the demand that has occurred in the past year, and also reduced the price of replacement cats. They have reduced the amount of precious metals used in their cats, making them less attractive to steal. However, catlocs , anti-tilt alarms, and other protection devices are only deterrents, and despite these being fitted, may not prevent some thefts still occurring. Manufacturers have to tread a line between ease of maintenance/repair and providing reasonable security of components. Similar situation where thefts of cars occur due to smart entry systems having weak security. Fiestas and Corsas where entire front ends are dismantled and stolen, etc. There is only so much one can do.
    2 points
  7. Hold is released the same way as Park - by accelerating. Personally I wish Hold was on all the time. I think drivers should have to disable it if they don't want it not the way it currently is.
    2 points
  8. Judging by many of the videos I've seen: a lot of people seem more interested in filming the theft that using the phone to call the Police (and the thieves don't seem to mind at all) the thieves seem to use a stolen car and/or stolen/false plates on their getaway car the whole thing takes under one minute (including one reported theft where a Catlock was fitted) even if the Police are able to respond immediately (often lucky if it's the same day!), the thieves will likely be long gone when they arrive So while taking any steps to reduce risk is sensible, I wouldn't hold my breath that alarm-based solutions will reduce the risk by much.
    2 points
  9. Is there no warning light on the dash to let you know you are getting low on windscreen washer fluid on the new corolla Always had it on older more basic spec cars
    1 point
  10. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002046948360?year-from=2017&make=TOYOTA&postcode=bd14aa&radius=1500&aggregatedTrim=Excel&model=YARIS&keywords=excel&maximum-mileage=45000&sort=price-asc&fuel-type=Hybrid – Petrol%2FElectric&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&transmission=Automatic&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001085932924?transmission=Automatic&make=TOYOTA&year-from=2017&postcode=bd14aa&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&radius=1500&model=YARIS&keywords=excel&aggregatedTrim=Excel&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-asc&fuel-type=Hybrid – Petrol%2FElectric&maximum-mileage=45000&page=1 the easy way to tell the difference between the facelift versions is the front grille 2014- 5/2017 1 piece chrome trim between the headlights that wraps around the base of the badge 2017-2020 2 piece of chrome trim, one by each headlight
    1 point
  11. Its still a Gen 3/MK3 yaris (2nd facelift), The New mk4 comes out later this year (2020) tbh you looking near the £12k mark, be aware after late 2016 the tax rates changed and the is not road tax Free, some early 2017 cars on a 66 plate are tax free (15" alloys)
    1 point
  12. Mine is an Excel, on 15" wheels with Bridgestone Ecopia summer tyres running at 39psi. I did sit in a Business Edition and I believe the leather seats are exactly the same as the fabric covered ones - both rather too hard for my liking, and lacking adjustment. If you're comparing range, it's probably worth noting that I have the seat heater permanently on the Low setting and the temperature set to 23 degrees. That's warmer than many people would choose, and would go some way to explaining the extreme difference between my winter and summer ranges. If you're prepared to run in less balmy conditions than I prefer, you'll go further. That may be offset slightly by the fact that my car's used for very little other than communting, so I'm invariably on my own and rarely carrying any extra baggage. Not that my wife would appreciate being referred to as such!
    1 point
  13. It's an apple thing incorrect booting/shutdown or not being shutdown at all makes them do strange things, no doubt when you had it on wifi it did an update and updated its apps, that usually takes a few restarts for it to settle down Meh.
    1 point
  14. Woohoo, my new company car will be ready for collection on Monday. Excel in Blue with JBL and the silly camera thing. In before the BIK change so lucky there for now. I ordered with my lease company in June, but it took until first week of August for the order to be placed for some reason, it has been quite a long wait.
    1 point
  15. That’s in the manual. I’d still prefer a proper low level switch.
    1 point
  16. Hi George The Corolla instrument cluster is wild to put it mildly. However to answer your comment you don't have to generally move you hands away from the steering wheel when its on a stalk, you can usually move the lower part of your hand to operate to simply push etc on the stalk. If my thumb was 6 inches long i might be able to operate the cruise controls on the steering whee in my current Corolla hybrid.. I generally have to let go of the steering wheel to operate these controls and i really for a fraction of a second have to look at what i am pressing thus for that very short period of time i am not concentrating on the road. In my opinion a weak design point. Another whinge is storage space which is poor. There is no handy storage for the simple things like coins,sunglasses and small documentation such as security passes. The side door grab handles obscure the door pockets as i am constantly wrestling with whatever i have stuffed in a hurry while driving. I have had to purchase third party addons to make room for all the rubbish most people accumulate. You can purchase a handy sun visor pouch for all ones bits and bobs on Amazon made by of all people Dunlop for around £10 a a bargain in my opinion. That aside the Corolla Hybrid 2 L is a nice drive and the ride especially comfortable on long journeys thanks to the comfy seats. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid GR Sports 2l is a refreshing change from my years being stuck in a Golf.
    1 point
  17. Just done an internet question..... 2 new tyres to fit, should I put on from or rear axle.? Every response was rear, put tyres with most tread on the back.
    1 point
  18. Unclip the lid to the washer reservoir, put your finger over the pinhole and lift off the cap. You will be able to see the fluid level by the amount left in the tube. Now you have the bonnet open, you can check the oil level, coolant and brake levels too. Simples!
    1 point
  19. Really? I think they controls are better on the steering wheel than on the stalk. I have to admit that this is my first car with cruise control (My first car was a ford fusion from 2007 with no cruise control), so i havent had an experience with cruise control on the stalk. Wouldn't a stalk make it a bit more difficult since u have to look slightly behind your steering wheel?
    1 point
  20. That was probably written in the 70s when we had Granada's and Zephyrs....if anyone remembers them !!! Cars like that were pretty long and the back ends swung round. Can't see a Aygo doing that and if it does, the driver was driving too fast round a corner !!!
    1 point
  21. Yes, she will be called Bianca, after the white mouse in Disney Rescuers and the fact she's white. Keighley is a little far for me to go, I've got a good choice of tyre garages in Huddersfield. I'm going to sign the finance documents on Thursday and I'll get to have a look at her then as she got delivered to RRG Huddersfield on Friday. I was thinking worst tyres should go on the rear, after all Aygos are front wheel drive.
    1 point
  22. I had a similar complaint about the Honda Civic Hybrid and 2nd generation Insight Hybrid. I didn't own them, but was lent some when I managed a fleet of Toyota Prius cars between 2007 and 2011. When stopped with the system on, being in D with the foot on the brake meant the engine stopped unless it need to heat the car or charge the High Voltage battery, but select P (because you weren't going anywhere!), and the engine came on and stayed on. I did feed this back to Honda's fleet people, but to no avail.
    1 point
  23. There is a good point of that, but also Nick has explained too, these days cars are equipped with high voltage systems 24v 48v, 240V + so fire man should be prepared and trained for the latest tech in a cars and the risk involved with. I prefer to keep my car without hybrid badges until that virus gone, and in case of emergency I will note to the fire brigades. Or use perhaps magnetic badge like GB stickers, remove before leave the car at car parks or streets. Regards
    1 point
  24. Hey, My A/C compressor has gone, I removed the belt last year as a temporary measure but could really do with sorting it for the summer as it gets hot here! With the car being old, I was thinking of trying my luck with one from a breakers yard. Problem is, the sticker on the compressor is missing so I'm not sure what I need. My car is a 1996 1.6 16v 85kw XLI with the 4AFE engine. The toyota website gives the part number I need as 88320-2B300. Denso catalogue gives a part number of 10PA15C, equivalent to 88310-2B301. The breakers yards have compressors listed as coming from a 4AFE 1.6 16v, but the power output is different and the part numbers vary. I can't imagine they would have changed much but you never know so just thought I'd ask in case anybody knew! Thanks
    1 point
  25. Completely agree. I can understand that it's disabled if the driver seatbelt is not buckled, or the driver's door is open, but surely the software could easily be set to re-enable it whenever these two conditions are met.
    1 point
  26. I queried the price with Toyo Tech, as to it being a fixed price of £250. They have come back and apologized say they based it on the invoice, which when they looked was for 2 items and not one. So it will be less than the price of Toyota's price. Thanks for the heads up, as I would not have known. And no, my one is still there hopefully till they fit the cat lock.
    1 point
  27. I was thinking of doing this but then I read that the hybrid badges act as a warning to the fire services that there may be a high voltage in the event of a crash. Know I'm not sure whether to take them off or not.
    1 point
  28. I'm not so sure that I want a greater level of intervention from the stability control system to address this one scenario. The car is fun to drive at moderate cornering speeds where the rear drive provides a certain amount of throttle responsive oversteer. I am reminded of a certain driver who was convinced that the brakes had failed on their ABS equipped car because it would not slow down until they were informed that the road was covered in sheet ice! If you do happen to encounter a moose it is unlikely to be on a clean dry empty road which is wide enough to swerve in this way. That is not to say I think the RAV4 has race track handling when driven at speed, definitely not. But it gives the driver plenty of feedback that translates to "back off or crash this is not a sports car".
    1 point
  29. Doesn't look like there is. And yes, it's useful, especially if you do a lot of winter miles on business. Much more useful that some of the rather dubious (IMO) driver "aids" that are fitted.
    1 point
  30. Hi Andy, I was not posting the mpg figures from my Prius to say this is what you should be achieving in your 2.0 litre Corolla, I know there are differences between the two cars. I dont consider my comments pointless. What I was showing is that it is possible to get very good fuel consumption from Toyota hybrid engines if the circumstances are favourable ie weather, type of terrain, even road surface, plus the style of driving. I have spent more then a few hours on places like YouTube looking at videos of drivers who are passing on techniques they use to achieve good fuel consumption figures. By doing so I have put into practice what I have learnt, and that has meant I too can achieve the “official” mpg figures on the occasions that circumstances are advantageous, and at all times I will get better mpg then if I had not put into practice those driving techniques. The official figures for your 2.0 litre hybrid show 50-60mpg, depending on what wheels you have fitted. Achieving those figures will be possible, I believe, if all circumstances are good, and that includes the driving techniques adopted. I cannot achieve those high mpg figures every time I drive. When I achieved those figures in late June 2019, you recall it was a hot summer, we decided to travel home from Gloucester to Chester using the A roads, never touched a Mway, so 60 mph max, often less. Beautiful scenery, very relaxing, the car engine wholly warm (which is important for good mpg I find), and I just drove the car as I have trained myself to do. If I had done that journey on a cold December day, I expect the mpg to be maybe 8mpg less, possibly more then that. I appreciate not everyone has the inclination to watch YouTube videos, but they helped me get the mpg I do. If that is what needs to be done to achieve the “official” figures, it shows the “official” figures can be achieved, but the driver and other circumstances are very much part of that achievement. I find this forum to be very helpful, and the atmosphere is very good. I have been on one or two forums in the past (not car related forums), where there are some very angry people, who, if you don’t agree with them they can rant and rave. This forum is certainly NOT like that. Here, advice is given freely, and it’s up to each individual to either accept and work along with it, or simply dismiss it, a choice we all have. I believe that concept will continue.
    1 point
  31. Hello mate.!!...wondered if you'd ever appear here...lol. Caldina is nice.!!
    1 point
  32. I agree that most car alarms are ignored but would it be possible to fit this type of alarm, linked to a title sensor, to an Auris or Prius hybrid: http://www.clifford.co.uk/ProductPages/Accessories_516L.html the idea being to have a specific voice alarm message (rather than a generic alarm sound) asking anyone who hears the message to call the police as the individuals are stealing the cat and are criminals. Does anyone think this, along with a catloc and de-badging, might be and effective form of protection?
    1 point
  33. Hi Isobel, First things first......All the best with the new Aygo! Very nice!! Secondly, if you are changing the tyres two at a time, then I'd stick with the Pirellis but if you decide for a full swap, then I have to say that I like the Goodyears. I got a set on mine after having them recommended by @fordulike and @Micra2Aygo and as they live in the North East and the Kingdom of Fife, I figured that if they were good enough for them, with the weather conditions up there, then they were good enough for me. I have to say that we haven't seen much snow or even ice since I got them but we have seen plenty of rain! Up to now they have coped really well and I like them. I would guess that the Pirellis are of a similar quality (You would know that better than me) and if you're happy with them, then your idea of changing two and getting two new ones seems a good idea....Put the new ones on the front and the part worn ones on the back though!!!! Good luck...I'm taking bets that the new Aygo will be called "Bianca".....Seeing as (looking at the photo on the other thread) she is white....Then again I could be wrong, that's happened many times before. All the best. P.S. Stockbridge Tyres in Keighley are very good....That's where I go.
    1 point
  34. We've had a metallic and a pearlescent black car (not Toyotas). Wouldn't have another black car as they seem to show every little nick and mark. Have had a metallic dark grey (Mazda) and that was OK - in fact we've just ordered a new car in two-tone (metallic dark grey with pearlescent black mirrors, pillars and roof).
    1 point
  35. 1 point
  36. I will post on this forum as soon as I know something. They said it would be soon, but don’t hold your breathe.
    1 point
  37. Changing 2 of my 4 tyres from summer to all-season seemed to make a marked reduction in EV range, but if you need winter tyres for winter then I guess there's not much that can be done there.
    1 point
  38. Neville, I will stand corrected on this, but I think the 1.8 Corolla is the same hybrid engineering as the Gen4 Prius, so suspect the cat is in the same physical space and so the Gen4 plate may fit. However, that link you put up, the supplier also does earlier Prius and Auris models, and no doubt they are watching for trends, and now the Corolla has taken off in the UK if you ask the question of them I sure they can get a piece of correctly pressed metal with a few holes to fit 1.8 (and maybe 2.0) Corollas.
    1 point
  39. For the tuning lovers! I have increase my engine horsepower from 136hp to 250hp.
    1 point
  40. Er, perhaps this is something Toyota should be offering to take care of via the dealer network, if customers are (understandably) concerned that their hybrid has become a bit of a liability (due to what could be argued to be a design flaw)? Just a thought!
    0 points
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