Recent content by MicaBlue03

CarChip and 4Runners I've got a couple of these and like them. I mostly use them when diagnosing problems. I've got a friend who leaves one in all the time and it helped him get a ticket dismissedbecause the recording of speed was continuous and time-stamped, helping him demonstrate to a...

50 PIS sounds very high I try to run about 36 PSI as a compromise. Good, even tire wear, nice handling, not too rough on bumps. I wonder if starting at 50 PSI when cold might, on a day that turned hot, bump you over the sidewall-listed max tire pressure. I remember that some folks discovered...

Clunk partly solved by Mobil 1 grease I wish this situation was clearer, with consistent advice and results. I greased all my zerks with Mobil 1 a few thousand miles after purchase, and the clunk started up after another 20,000 miles or so. Recent re-greasing with the same grease has mostly...

Possible reason for GX-T4R difference Maybe I'm missing something but it seems the GX460 has an engine that doesn't come in the T4R, and that could be part of the difference/source of the problem. With the 4th gen 4Runners the weight difference between the 4.0L V6 and the 4.6L V8 was 150-200...

Why programming a key clears yaw/decel memory Many (including me) frequenty talk about "programming a new key" for the 4runner and other vehicles with immobilizer or alarm-equipment that makes use of a chip in the ignition key. The chip in the key is actually a small device that responds to a...

CAN-03runner, your experience makes sense. Any device (aftermarket or dealer scanner, code reader, tester, etc.) that is CAN-capable would tend to have the same risk with the 4Runner, where its attempt to communicate with the pre-CAN 4runners *could* cause the yaw/deceleration sensor memory to...

Extractors do get all the oil from the V6s I've done a regular drain through the oil plug (parked on a level surface) and have used an oil extractor (see my earlier post) several times each. On the V6 engines at least, the extractor reaches through the dipstick hole clear to the bottom of the...

mike508, a couple of things come to mind, though I'm not sure they'll be any help for you. Your OBDII protocol is likely CAN (think it stands for controller area network), and therefore newer than what's in my vehicle. It's an additional confirmation your problem wasn't caused by connection of...

On the question of going through your own insurance company vs. going after the other driver's company (assuming you're not at fault) I've generally heard that it's best to keep your own company out of it if possible. This has been my experience as well. You can look up "subrogation" online and...

Transmission temp gauge? Friends who have done a bunch of towing with auto trans vehicles all recommend a transmission oil temp gauge. It's a way to see how hard you are working the transmission, and to stay away from overheating the transmission oil. It's not always easy to predict or sense...

This sounds more confusing than it needs to be. I'd follow the advice from banker1 and make sure you get it in writing, preferably from the sales or service manager. Both the key and remote have their own individual codes and must be "enrolled" with the vehicle's computer to work. Unless...

kurt_dogg, it sounds to me like the system isn't getting good data from the yaw/deceleration sensor when that sensor is really cold. The sensor is in the center console and can cause the traction & stability control to be disabled, though ABS likely still works. It could be a bad sensor unit...

IIRC, there is also a pin on the OBDII connector that you can ground at or after startup, which will turn stability and traction control off until you restart. The process is meant as a service procedure to use when you're going to put the 4Runner on a dyno for an engine or brake check. It's...

I suspect you're right about the MPG. Another advantage of the 2WD mode is that the vehicle drives a little better that way. Some folks have said it's a little "stiff-legged" and that sums it up for me. It's not a big difference, though. It may be that the lack of 2WD with the V8s started...

Not just transfer case The V6s also have a front driveline disconnect mechanism (in addition to the transfer case) that's the V8 models don't have, because they're driving the front wheels all the time. I don't know if all that could be added to the V8s, but I can't imagine it would make sense...