Where do YOU go for your TCH Enthusiast "fix"?

[Marc in da Bay]

No, not when something on your TCH breaks, damn junkies! (lol)

I mean, other than the TCH section here, where else do you go. What other forums here at TN. Other sites altogether?

I'm mainly asking so I can find the massive amounts of info my mind wants to download about my new car. With my previous cars, it took a while before I found the major network sites. For instance, I found g35driver.com, then 6mt.com, etc, etc...

Are there more quality camry fan/enthusiast sites? Yes, I did a Google search, and I'm clicking through, but you can't just skim...and I figure, I could tap into your knowledge and experience.

It just bugs me how so much "doesn't work" for the TCH for this reason or that, but I'm certain that clever minds have come up with clever workarounds or alternatives. Probably doesn't help that searches for 2011-specific content keeps getting jumbled in with 2010 and earlier.

Anyhow, I guess this was sorta my intro. Heh. Lookin' forward to growing with you guys in the months (years?) ahead. Vrrr...oh wait, whooooooshhhhhhhhh....hhhhhhh....*silence*....crap , I can't rev (LOL!)

[AML]

Welcome to TN! While the TCH may be quite different than the regular Camry, they are still the same car and share many of the same (non powertrain) components. I find myself checking the regular 5th/6th gen Camry forum here as often as the TCH forum.

Also, the 2011s are not much different than 2010 and earlier. Mostly cosmetic and electronic changes. Everything else you read should still apply. No need to be model year specific and weed through the threads looking for 2011 ones because all others will still apply.

[ukrkoz]

asians are religious about having 5 year spans for their models, with only minor cosmetics inbetween. isn't it end of this year when the really new TCHs will roll out? yes, should be this year:

Manufacturer Toyota Also called Daihatsu Altis Production 2006–present Model years 2007–present

anyhow.

i am regular at 3 DIY sites. sorry, two. then major automotive forum that has ALL makes. for hybrids, i am membering also at another hybrid site. did not have much success there though, but site is very very knowledgeable; i simply do not fit in.
couple of lexus sites, as we RX300 here. couple of Honda sites, as we had some. have tendency to go to specialty sites with specialty questions, best proven way so far.

[AML]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

asians are religious about having 5 year spans for their models, with only minor cosmetics inbetween. isn't it end of this year when the really new TCHs will roll out? yes, should be this year:

Manufacturer Toyota Also called Daihatsu Altis Production 2006–present Model years 2007–present

anyhow.

i am regular at 3 DIY sites. sorry, two. then major automotive forum that has ALL makes. for hybrids, i am membering also at another hybrid site. did not have much success there though, but site is very very knowledgeable; i simply do not fit in.
couple of lexus sites, as we RX300 here. couple of Honda sites, as we had some. have tendency to go to specialty sites with specialty questions, best proven way so far.

I agree. I'm a member of sites for Mercedes, Lexus, Chrysler, and Jaguar, and then multiple sites within those makes. Within each make, each site has its own niche and specialty. ClubLexus has a fantastic general automotive forum and I frequent that area a lot for car news in general.

The Mercedes forum I moderate has very many knowledgeable people in mechanics in general and so I often go there for general mechanic advise even about the Camry or Jag.

[ukrkoz]

not to hijack the thread, but clublexus tends to be "we let others work on our precious ones" type of forum. i am die hard DIY type of person. the other hybrid site is about same way, that's why i did not fit in well.
no disrespect to those forums. i picked some serious literature links from them, but that's about it.
diamond star motors forum is great for mitsubishes/dodges. backwoodz honda is a great source for hondas.
craigslist is good for everything else, if you have cash.

[AML]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

not to hijack the thread, but clublexus tends to be "we let others work on our precious ones" type of forum. i am die hard DIY type of person. the other hybrid site is about same way, that's why i did not fit in well.
no disrespect to those forums. i picked some serious literature links from them, but that's about it.
diamond star motors forum is great for mitsubishes/dodges. backwoodz honda is a great source for hondas.
craigslist is good for everything else, if you have cash.

Yeah, sorry for hijacking. lol

For the most part I agree with you about ClubLexus. I think it really depends on which section you visit though. The SUV forums (RX, GX, LX) are generally much less inclined to do their own mechanical work, as I think it just boils down to the typical demographic that purchases and drives them.

On the other hand, although not quite matching the mechanical DIY abilities of somebody like you or me, the other IS, GS, and LS forums are generally pretty active when it comes to modifications. But like you said, even though its active in that respect and they're fairly knowledgeable, much of their work is performed by tuner shops.

I think we have a pretty good blend of members here at TN. Sure the Hybrid forum is a little slower than others. Could probably check out the Prius and Highlander Hybrid forums as well if you really need to find something HSD specific.

[ukrkoz]

here's y'all's "fix" for TCH/HSD junkies:

Articles contained on this page have been posted with permission by their authors. All rights are reserved by the authors. Articles may be downloaded for educational purposes only.

http://www.autoshop101.com/
and scroll down to:

Technical Articles
Toyota Series - HybridHybrid01 Hybrid System Overview.pdf 579KB
Hybrid02 Hybrid System Operation.pdf 877KB
Hybrid03 High-Voltage battery.pdf 318KB
Hybrid04 Engine.pdf 796KB
Hybrid05 Chassis.pdf 345KBHybrid06 Body Electrical.pdf 345KB
Hybrid07 Appendix.pdf 32KB
Technical Articles
Toyota Series - Hybrid Diagnosis Hybrid11 Principles of Operation.pdf 274KB
Hybrid12 Engine Control System.pdf 409KB
Hybrid13 Fuel and EVAP System.pdf 691KB
Hybrid14 Hybrid Vehicle Control System.pdf 714KB
Hybrid15 HV Battery Control System.pdf 401KBHybrid16 Brake System.pdf 190KB
Hybrid17 Electric Power System.pdf 210KBHybrid18 Other Systems.pdf 163KB
Hybrid19 Appendix.pdf 84KB



and for lite junkies, not hard core ones:


http://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/PriusFrames.htm

have fun reading.

[Marc in da Bay]

Nice set of PDF's there, ukrkoz. Thanks.

[ukrkoz]

you welcome, marc. credit goes to folks that did the write ups, permitted them for everyone to use, and to the other site i borrowed links from.

might be a good idea to have them sticky-d. though they are mostly on general geek type knowledge, but at least give good general ideas.