New Camry 96 owner!

[Groovu]

Hello!

I just got a Camry as my first car. Most of it looks great except for a couple of minor things. (Weared roof, couple of dings and scratches.) I'm wondering if any of you avid owners have any tips for me?

I'm not looking to pimp the exterior of my car, I'm looking for stuff to enhance the car's performance, stuff like increasing mpg.

ps. When I was with my driving instructor, she was doing this fancy shift thing with a 96. On the free way, so would crank the gear changer all the way down and make the car change into a lower gear. Is there any reason to do this and how?

[t3chnique]

increase mpg?

intake for sure.

correct tire pressure

seafoam maybe?

[Zviator]

Originally Posted by Groovu

ps. When I was with my driving instructor, she was doing this fancy shift thing with a 96. On the free way, so would crank the gear changer all the way down and make the car change into a lower gear. Is there any reason to do this and how?

auto or stick ? 4cyl or 6 cyl ?

[iovaykind]

When the overdrive button is turned off, it keeps the Camry at one gear lower than the max, which allows for the RPM to be higher, but this makes the MPG lower.

[JohnGD]

If you don't start with modifications (intake, exhaust, turbo, etc), probably get a complete tune-up (use NGK Iridium plugs, do valve clearance checks and stem seals) and timing job. Then replace the strainer in the transmission and clean out the pan. Change out the coolant and all cooling system hoses. And probably get two new oxygen sensors too (these unheated sensors are like ~$25-40 if you don't mind splicing old connectors).

Lower gear? Or lower gear ratio? "Gear changer all the way down" suggests an automatic down to "L"? You are not going downhill and relying on engine braking are you? To get best economy just use D with O/D button on, and let the transmission do the rest.

Originally Posted by Groovu

Hello!

I just got a Camry as my first car. Most of it looks great except for a couple of minor things. (Weared roof, couple of dings and scratches.) I'm wondering if any of you avid owners have any tips for me?

I'm not looking to pimp the exterior of my car, I'm looking for stuff to enhance the car's performance, stuff like increasing mpg.

ps. When I was with my driving instructor, she was doing this fancy shift thing with a 96. On the free way, so would crank the gear changer all the way down and make the car change into a lower gear. Is there any reason to do this and how?

[bigbird]

dont shift manually with the auto tranny. up shifting is one thing but down shifting is bad for the tranny when done using the shifter and its is in no way faster then doin it with your foot. ask your instructor to refrain form doin that from now on if shes doin it in your car.

theres not much you can do for performance. unless your willing to spend the money, stick with sound options, intake/exhaust.

[Groovu]

increase mpg?

intake for sure.

correct tire pressure

seafoam maybe?

Could you give me a price on an intake that runs well, but won't hurt my wallet?
Tire's, check.
Seafoam?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Groovu View Post

ps. When I was with my driving instructor, she was doing this fancy shift thing with a 96. On the free way, so would crank the gear changer all the way down and make the car change into a lower gear. Is there any reason to do this and how?
auto or stick ? 4cyl or 6 cyl ?

It was an auto, cylinders I am not sure about.

If you don't start with modifications (intake, exhaust, turbo, etc), probably get a complete tune-up (use NGK Iridium plugs, do valve clearance checks and stem seals) and timing job. Then replace the strainer in the transmission and clean out the pan. Change out the coolant and all cooling system hoses. And probably get two new oxygen sensors too (these unheated sensors are like ~$25-40 if you don't mind splicing old connectors).

Lower gear? Or lower gear ratio? "Gear changer all the way down" suggests an automatic down to "L"? You are not going downhill and relying on engine braking are you? To get best economy just use D with O/D button on, and let the transmission do the rest.

Thanks for the tips!
I couldn't really tell what she was doing. She was driving on the freeway, and would pop the stick all the way down then pop it back up. I asked her what she was doing, she replied "It let's me accel faster."

dont shift manually with the auto tranny. up shifting is one thing but down shifting is bad for the tranny when done using the shifter and its is in no way faster then doin it with your foot. ask your instructor to refrain form doin that from now on if shes doin it in your car.

theres not much you can do for performance. unless your willing to spend the money, stick with sound options, intake/exhaust.

I guess I won't be doing what she does.


Thanks for the help people!
Another question, where's the overdrive button?

[tankf2008]

o/d button is on the shifter

[deezeejoey]

What the heck is your instructor doing driving YOU around? your the one that supposed to be driving. lol

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

If you don't start with modifications (intake, exhaust, turbo, etc), probably get a complete tune-up (use NGK Iridium plugs, do valve clearance checks and stem seals) and timing job. Then replace the strainer in the transmission and clean out the pan. Change out the coolant and all cooling system hoses. And probably get two new oxygen sensors too (these unheated sensors are like ~$25-40 if you don't mind splicing old connectors).

I agree. A tune-up would probably be the best way to spend your $$ initially. It doesn't make sense to mod a car if it's got old fluids and worn out parts. The only thing I disagree with may be steam seals IF you have the V6. It's an expensive job (unless you do it yourself) and most people just let it go, which is fine as long as you keep an eye on your oil level. Don't forget to inspect the tires, a good set of tires can be a night/day difference.

It's also a good idea to do a complete interior and exterior detail of the car. Wash/clay bar/wash or rinse again/wax for the outside, and vacuum and wipe down the interior. A clean shiny car makes a big difference. The other day I was washing my car and my neighbor commented "Gee, your car looks newer and newer!"