Solara Questions - ASK ME! - Page 7

PXLpainter · #91 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 05:08 PM

3000 mi for dino oil changes - 5K for 100% synthetic (i.e. Mobil 1)

Check out the windscreen threads - got pics posted as well. If you're really handy with power tools (routing plastic panels and metal braces with a cutting tool) then go for it yourself - otherwise get the dealer to do it for a couple hundred bux and hold them liable!

Dan River · #92 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 06:02 PM

Great. Thanks. I'm new to this but I really appreciate the help!

saraeeller · #93 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 11:21 AM

jeff -

thank you so much for the detailed, great information. omg, i couldn't ask for a better explanation.

what's weird with this whole spark plug thing is that my owner's manual says that they need to be changed at 30K or 35K, can't remember which one, but the dealership told me the same thing about the 90k. and now with you... i'm beginning not to believe what this manual has me to do.

i'm at 41K - at this point in time i have changed the brakes, replaced the tires, obviously kept up with the oil changes, and have replaced the air filter with a k&n. i do need to replace the cabin air filter, but am i missing anything?

i do apologize for asking such probably retarded questions... but i do want to make sure that my car does last and i love being able to ask someone that seems so damn knowledgeable about this. thank you so much for your input!
~sara

saraeeller · #94 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saraeeller

jeff -

thank you so much for the detailed, great information. omg, i couldn't ask for a better explanation.

what's weird with this whole spark plug thing is that my owner's manual says that they need to be changed at 30K or 35K, can't remember which one, but the dealership told me the same thing about the 90k. and now with you... i'm beginning not to believe what this manual has me to do.

i'm at 41K - at this point in time i have changed the brakes, replaced the tires, obviously kept up with the oil changes, and have replaced the air filter with a k&n. i do need to replace the cabin air filter, but am i missing anything?

i do apologize for asking such probably retarded questions... but i do want to make sure that my car does last and i love being able to ask someone that seems so damn knowledgeable about this. thank you so much for your input!
~sara

and to update... sorry mustang67408 - thank you!!!!!!!

mustang67408 · #95 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saraeeller

and to update... sorry mustang67408 - thank you!!!!!!!

No harm , no foul.
We are all in this together

Sorry Jeff. Didn't mean to but in.

It sounds like you have the bases covered.
The only thing you did not mention was the transmission fluid. I like to change it at least every 15k miles or so. A trans flush now and then can not hurt either. Depends on your driving habits.

Has the trans shift pattern been updated? There is a TSB for this if it is a 5 speed auto and a 3MZ engine (under hood sticker says what engine family).

saraeeller · #96 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

No harm , no foul.
We are all in this together

Sorry Jeff. Didn't mean to but in.

It sounds like you have the bases covered.
The only thing you did not mention was the transmission fluid. I like to change it at least every 15k miles or so. A trans flush now and then can not hurt either. Depends on your driving habits.

Has the trans shift pattern been updated? There is a TSB for this if it is a 5 speed auto and a 3MZ engine (under hood sticker says what engine family).

can i ask a stupid question? do i just bring this bulletin to the dealer and be like do it? cuz i do know exactly what it is that it's talking about. i have felt the transmission "slip" per se...

no, i have not had the trans flushed either... the money i don't want to spend to have that done even though i do need to do it.

and this is great information!!! thank you so much for the help!

mustang67408 · #97 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saraeeller

can i ask a stupid question? do i just bring this bulletin to the dealer and be like do it? cuz i do know exactly what it is that it's talking about. i have felt the transmission "slip" per se...

no, i have not had the trans flushed either... the money i don't want to spend to have that done even though i do need to do it.

and this is great information!!! thank you so much for the help!

You didnt hear this from me......

Just go in complaining of the exact problem described in the TSB, Be nice.
it is covered 8yr/80K miles, if they argue..... then show them the TSB

If you were closer, I'd be happy to program it for you, no questions asked.

PXLpainter · #98 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 12:06 PM

Hey thanks for helping out in this one Mustang!

As far as the tranny issues go, you can only get it re-flashed if you have a 2004/2005. If you have anything newer like me, then you're screwed and Toyota will just laugh at you.

The slushbox they call a tranny in these things is the biggest joke I've ever seen. Hell, my 74 Pinto had more torque and shifted better!

Seeming that there isn't any way around it, I'm going to look into doing a 5-speed manual swap!

Good luck with your '05 - I hope it works out for you!

se2006 · #99 (**permalink**) 07-06-2007, 07:13 AM

What were people thinking when they bought their Solara covertibles?? It is not a performance car but a very good looking cruiser. If I want performance I drive my 350Camaro.

PXLpainter · #**100** (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by se2006

What were people thinking when they bought their Solara covertibles?? It is not a performance car but a very good looking cruiser. If I want performance I drive my 350Camaro.

Is that a question or just a commentary?

upinarms · #**101** (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 08:14 AM

Hi Jeff; i am a new member and want to thank you for your generous offer to offer help and advice. I have an 02 Solara Convertible which has 90K miles on it (i just got it and love it). I asked the dealer to do the 100K complete service on it before taking it home, and he did it, but when I checked the receipt, I noticed he didn't do a few things, so I have questions about what he didn't do. 1. i need to change the a/c filter....where is it and is this something i can do? 2. i don't think he changed the trans fluid. how do i check to see if it needs to be done? and this also takes care of the differential oil, is that correct? Finally, i don't think he changed the transfer case oil. How do I check this? Any help would be great when you get the chance. I need to learn more.

PXLpainter · #**102** (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upinarms

Hi Jeff; i am a new member and want to thank you for your generous offer to offer help and advice. I have an 02 Solara Convertible which has 90K miles on it (i just got it and love it). I asked the dealer to do the 100K complete service on it before taking it home, and he did it, but when I checked the receipt, I noticed he didn't do a few things, so I have questions about what he didn't do. 1. i need to change the a/c filter....where is it and is this something i can do? 2. i don't think he changed the trans fluid. how do i check to see if it needs to be done? and this also takes care of the differential oil, is that correct? Finally, i don't think he changed the transfer case oil. How do I check this? Any help would be great when you get the chance. I need to learn more.

First - I would take it back to the dealer and demand that they do all those things as they are supposed to be covered under that 90-100K service! If they didn't do it because they have records of it being done recently, then they need to pass those records on to you.

It's important that they do since you just bought a used car and need to know that has been taken care of. Also, if the previous owner(s) kept service records, those should be passed on to you as well.

FWIW - the A/C cabin filter is located behind the glove box - you have to take the glove box out to get to it. They should do that for you anyway!

Good luck!

jafo619 · #**103** (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 11:10 PM

I was hoping that you might be able to shed some light on my recent Power Door Lock Problems...I have a 2004 Solara SE V6 with 60k miles on it. My problems began when my passenger door stopped unlocking with both the alarm button and/or the power door lock switch. Now both doors do not electronically open. I have to use the key to open the driver door and then have to reach over to unlock the passenger door. I think I hear the relays clicking inside the driver door but thats it...I hope you might have an easy fix for this problem...

Thanks in advance...

mustang67408 · #**104** (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jafo619

I was hoping that you might be able to shed some light on my recent Power Door Lock Problems...I have a 2004 Solara SE V6 with 60k miles on it. My problems began when my passenger door stopped unlocking with both the alarm button and/or the power door lock switch. Now both doors do not electronically open. I have to use the key to open the driver door and then have to reach over to unlock the passenger door. I think I hear the relays clicking inside the driver door but thats it...I hope you might have an easy fix for this problem...

Thanks in advance...

Sounds like the door lock actuators.

PXLpainter · #**105** (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 07:09 PM

^^ Yeah - doesn't sound like a simple "fix" I'm afraid. Might have to have the dealer check it out.