5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Ok, I'm kinda freaking out. I just bought my 02 camry le v6 14 days ago with 81,144 miles on it. First week, everything was great, the car performed very well and all was good. Oh, and this is a Toyota certified used car. Abotu a week ago, I noticed the first problem. I am getting a repetitive squeak coming from the front passenger side. I usually hear it when going slower when I can hear better, and it seems to stop when I use the brakes. I am pretty sure it has something to do with something in the suspension/brakes, because today it seemed like my allignment was off, and the car was ever so slightly pulling to the right. That's for starters. Also, I seem to be noticing a bit of decrease in performance AND fuel mileage. The car doesn't seem to excelerate as quickly as it did when I got it, and my fuel seems to be going quite quickly. I have been using premium gas. I have used around a full tank so far, and I've driven less than 300 miles. I also got that sulfur smell a couple times when I was on the highway. I have no idea what the hell is going on, and it's really making me angry, because I was under the impression that a certified car undergoes inspection before sale. Now, since I have only had the car for two weeks, it is still under the 3 month/3k mile bumper to bumper wararnty. So I have scheduled an appointment for next wednesday. Has anyone had similar problems? Are they going to charge me if that squeak has to do with the brakes? In the certified manual, the warranty says it excludes brake parts like pads and rotors. Aaaghh, I'm so frustrated. I was so happy to finally have what I though was going to be an incredibly reliable car, and i already am having issues.
The sulfur smell is from deposits in the catalytic convertor. Try using a name brand fuel from now on. It may take some time for the smell to go away but it will eventually subside or go away completely.
Quit using premium fuel. Your car doesn't require it and certainly does not need it. Premium fuel burns slower and you are more prone to incomplete combustion.
Incomplete combustion can cause two problems that you described: Sulfur smell from exhaust and worsening fuel mileage.
A pull can be from several factors. One tire with lower pressure can cause a pull to that side. Check your tire pressures. Road crown or ruts in the road can also cause a vehicle pull. A freshly paved road or a concrete road are the best ways to check and see if the vehicle itself actually pulls. A tire can also cause a pull. You can cross rotate the front tires. If the pull goes to the left that means the left tire is causing the pull. It won't hurt anything but is annoying.
Your anger really isn't justified. You didn't buy a new car as your title states. You purchased a USED car. Although it's a Toyota Certified used car, it's still used.
You will have a nice fat maintenance bill coming up also. You'll soon be due for the 90,000 mile service and timing belt replacement. You should replace the waterpump at that time also as preventative maintenance as it's fairly common for them to leak past 100,000 miles and it is timing belt driven.
Good luck. I hope the dealer is helpful and takes care of you.
The squeek is most likely brakes. The pull could also be from the brakes being stuck. As for the sulfer smell, I agree with TRD and try a different brand of gas. We had a Forester that didn't like Exxon gas, but then again, I kind of have to say that.
toyota certified? does that mean it has warranty? if it does, take back & have fix.
Yes, he can take it back, but most probably the dealer is going to ask “what exactly do you want us to fix?” and then they will tell him that it is within spec.
I mean, can the dealer fix a very small decrease in fuel efficiency?
Or can they fix a *perceived* decrease in performance?
As already written above, the pull to one side could be just the pressure in the tire. And the noise could be rolling noise from the tires, or brake pads rubbing.
To the original poster >> it could be all normal. I just got a used ’05 Camry and after one week of use I am noticing all these small issues that I didn’t see in the beginning. But it is in the nature of the used car.
Thanks for all the suggestions. As for gas, I use BP fuel. I have been using premium because I was under the impression that it keeps your engine cleaner, thus lasting longer. As for the squeak, I hope it's not brakes, because my 'bumper to bumper' warranty doesn't cover any brake parts. Ah, I guess I will find out next wednesday. And as for the 90k service, I probably won't get there for another year or so, but the service manual says 90k or 72 months. Am I supposed to do whichever comes first?
Thanks for all the suggestions. As for gas, I use BP fuel. I have been using premium because I was under the impression that it keeps your engine cleaner, thus lasting longer. As for the squeak, I hope it's not brakes, because my 'bumper to bumper' warranty doesn't cover any brake parts. Ah, I guess I will find out next wednesday. And as for the 90k service, I probably won't get there for another year or so, but the service manual says 90k or 72 months. Am I supposed to do whichever comes first?
Your "bumper to bumper" (which isn't a bumper to bumper) warranty does not cover brakes but the car should have initially had adequate brakes when you purchased it. It had to qualify for Toyota's "Certified" Used Car warranty. If it needs brakes, that means that the dealer falsely certified the vehicle. They should repair them at no charge.
I am also under the belief that all the maintenance must be current for the vehicle to be certified (I can't remember for certain though).
When performing maintenance, it's by time or mileage. Whichever comes first. If the car is 72 months old but only has 40,000 miles on it, you still do the 72 month/90,000 mile service.
You don't need to run premium. It actually burns slower than 87 octane and can leave more deposits in the combustion chamber. The detergents included in premium may keep the fuel system and intake valves cleaner but will leave your combustion chambers, convertors, and exhaust (oxygen) sensors even more dirty. Use 87 octane and add a fuel injection cleaner or Sea Foam occasionally as preventative maintenance. Adding those cleaners into the gas tank dilute them so they aren't very effective at cleaning something that's already dirty, but it is helpful.
EDIT: BP has good fuel. I would continue to use them but just use regular unleaded. I use BP also and have no exhaust odor problems with my Camry. I suspect it will take some time for the convertor to burn off any contamination that is already there, so don't sweat it.
Ok, I'm kinda freaking out. I just bought my 02 camry le v6 14 days ago with 81,144 miles on it. First week, everything was great, the car performed very well and all was good. Oh, and this is a Toyota certified used car. Abotu a week ago, I noticed the first problem. I am getting a repetitive squeak coming from the front passenger side. I usually hear it when going slower when I can hear better, and it seems to stop when I use the brakes. I am pretty sure it has something to do with something in the suspension/brakes, because today it seemed like my allignment was off, and the car was ever so slightly pulling to the right. That's for starters. Also, I seem to be noticing a bit of decrease in performance AND fuel mileage. The car doesn't seem to excelerate as quickly as it did when I got it, and my fuel seems to be going quite quickly. I have been using premium gas. I have used around a full tank so far, and I've driven less than 300 miles. I also got that sulfur smell a couple times when I was on the highway. I have no idea what the hell is going on, and it's really making me angry, because I was under the impression that a certified car undergoes inspection before sale. Now, since I have only had the car for two weeks, it is still under the 3 month/3k mile bumper to bumper wararnty. So I have scheduled an appointment for next wednesday. Has anyone had similar problems? Are they going to charge me if that squeak has to do with the brakes? In the certified manual, the warranty says it excludes brake parts like pads and rotors. Aaaghh, I'm so frustrated. I was so happy to finally have what I though was going to be an incredibly reliable car, and i already am having issues.
I agree with the other posters about the brakes. I even read in the manual if your car starts to make that sound your brakes are going bad and you need to carry it to Toyota dealership (or wherever you get your brakes done). Mine did the same thing about 4 months ago and once they fixed my brake pads, everything was fine.
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I traded my Camry for a Caddy...
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