[ScorpMan]

Thanx for your advice Vasu. I started with 30 as recommended, but the ride feels to stiff and the car crashes in almost every pothole. Right now i ma driving on 27, and it feels okey now. But i will try out some other pump with 30 again and see if things feels okey.

I have been in favour of regular fuel from Day1, be it petrol or diesel. In the first tank to tank method, i got 10.6 KPL, 95% A/C 100% City driving. Is it okey for a manual? Going through your previous posts i feel it should have been higher, especially when i drove it very conservatively, mostly in 50-60's, keeping RPM below 2K. And, you are very right about thr remaining fuel after light comes on. It takes around 38Ltrs. for tank full after that.

[rhandle]

My Corolla has done 129000 kms in 4 years. Automatic transmission is still strong. The only things replaced now was A/C condensor unit, tyres and new battery.

I just cant think of selling this car. Still feels and drives like new.

[ScorpMan]

Originally Posted by rhandle

My Corolla has done 129000 kms in 4 years. Automatic transmission is still strong. The only things replaced now was A/C condensor unit, tyres and new battery.

I just cant think of selling this car. Still feels and drives like new.

1,29,000 in 4 years. Man, you have really taken the juice out of her. Good to know that she is still going strong and feels new. But, why are you selling her ?

[rhandle]

Originally Posted by ScorpMan

1,29,000 in 4 years. Man, you have really taken the juice out of her. Good to know that she is still going strong and feels new. But, why are you selling her ?

Nope we are not selling her. I have never kept cars which have crossed 120 000 kms. I was skeptical. We went almost all out to replace it, but every time I would drive it to the dealer to sell it off my mind would ask me WHY? So we decided to keep this vehicle and get the work done on it.

The only car I sold last year was Swift... since it met with an accident.

So still have the Corolla, Safari and Gurkha with me. Hope to get Fortuner this year to replace the Swift for my wifey.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

I have a small query regarding service intervals. Corolla has a recommended interval of 1 yr/10000 km. That was fine when I used to drive around 18K per annum. However, now I drive at an average of around 7K per annum. Thus, following a 1 yr interval would mean 3K still to go. Should I follow 1 yr (regardless of mileage in that period, which would most probably be 7-8K) or 10000 km (even if it means a service interval of 15-16 mths).

I agree with trrk that once a year or 10,000km is what you should be doing. I drive about 7000-8000 pa on each of my cars. I go for once a year oil + filter change. I change the coolant & brake fluid once in two years. Other things (excl. rubber parts) can be on the distance scale as specified. Rubber parts, esp. belts use your judgement. I have followed this for over a 12 years, with no hiccups so far. The chap who bought my Esteem (6-1/2 years, 62000km) clocked well over 400,000 with no engine job before he sold the car.

[rhandle]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

I have a small query regarding service intervals. Corolla has a recommended interval of 1 yr/10000 km. That was fine when I used to drive around 18K per annum. However, now I drive at an average of around 7K per annum. Thus, following a 1 yr interval would mean 3K still to go. Should I follow 1 yr (regardless of mileage in that period, which would most probably be 7-8K) or 10000 km (even if it means a service interval of 15-16 mths).

If you want to keep the car without any issues get it done as per prescription. Toyota is a car which will never fail you if you take enough care.

I had been driving actually more than 30K annually so never had a issue thinking about this. My simple work had been to follow the recommendations religiously.

[akj53]

Toyota recommended service, parts and or consumables change schedules are on a 10000 kms or 1 year, which ever is earlier basis.

Rubber parts also age with time so they should also be changed as per recommended time schedule.

[R2D2]

Guys,

Are any Corolla/Corolla Altis users using Synthetic engine oil and/or gearbox oil? If yes, what brand and viscosity?

I plan to shift to synth someday after I clock >7K kms on my Altis if only to see if it is a major improvement over the toyota genuine motor oil that does duty in my engine. Had the old 9th Gen earlier and stuck to Toyota GMO for the 3 yrs I had it. Its value for money and helps keep the warranty.

Regards,

R2D2

[ScorpMan]

Better stick to Toyota GMO, till the time it is under warranty.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Guys,

Are any Corolla/Corolla Altis users using Synthetic engine oil and/or gearbox oil? If yes, what brand and viscosity?

As the last post said, stick to Toyota GMO. OK, Toyota gets the money but you do not need anything more. This is from a Toyota service advisor, who I trust. Perhaps by buying synthetic oil, the only beneficiary would be the seller of the oil.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by vasudeva

As the last post said, stick to Toyota GMO. OK, Toyota gets the money but you do not need anything more. This is from a Toyota service advisor, who I trust. Perhaps by buying synthetic oil, the only beneficiary would be the seller of the oil.

Thanks Vasudeva.

I have bear no grudges if Toyota gets the money for the oil. Guess I'll stick to TGMO for a while. My car isnt used much...only about 8K kms per year.

With GMO, I can change oil every 6 months (affordable when compared with synth) and be happy that I have fresh oil in the engine. I may drag a synth for the full year that they recommend with mineral oil.

If in one of my crazier moments I do decide to experiment with synth you chaps shall surely hear about my experience.

Rgds,

R2D2

[vasudeva]

A small piece of advice solicited:
Apparently due to a previous dent or some nick, the left side front speaker (OE part and not aftermarket) in my Corolla got damaged in the sense that one of the screw became loose and broken. That was creating an occasional rod/iron type clicking noise on some uneven roads. I got that checked with Toyota service, got everything tightened, told me about this problem, but fixed it anyway. That rod noise went away for a day or two but resurfaced again to my irritation. Finally yesterday, I got the speaker removed (on Toyota service advice) to check whether this was the source of that rod/iron noise. It seems it is because that noise has disappeared.

That is great, but now I have a problem. The speaker has to be replaced or if I fit it again, it might make that noise again.

My request for advice: should I get the new replacement speaker from Toyota (cost 3K roundabouts) or from aftermarket. I think it might be JBL. Also since I have to get it changed anyway, what small improvement can I make. Do not want too many wires, woofers, or other gizmos hanging out from all sides, or spend too much. Further, only one front speaker needs to be replaced and not the right front speaker (both are installed hidden in the front door).

[vigsom]

The cheapest option without a quality compromise would be to get a pair of Pioneer Dual cones(you will need to check if the stock speakers are 5.25" or 6.5") and just fit them in the stock location.No extra wires at all .

They would sound better than the stock speakers,which I am sure must be some Thai make.

The right side stock speaker can be kept as a "spare".

[Victor]

Vasudev and Tbhpians, it was really great to read from your experience and understand the car from your perspective. The driving practices like "light foot" etc have surely been a good learning.

I bought a 2007 H4 auto 15 days back and was having some problem while braking so thought of bouncing it off this forum.

When i crossed a speed hump, the tyres used to squeal my hunch is that brakes were holding the car while flywheel was providing the power. Is it advisable to put the car in N while crossing and again move it to D. It might reduce the brake wear all of you were discussing however i would like to know if it will have any adverse effect on transmission.

Any other best practise in driving will also be hugely appreciated

[Axe77]

Wow! Is that a typo for 40,000 or has it actually done 400,000 kms?

Originally Posted by sgiitk

The chap who bought my Esteem (6-1/2 years, 62000km) clocked well over 400,000 with no engine job before he sold the car.