I bought a black 2006 Corolla LE (auto trans) on tuesday to replace my old 1993 Oldsmobile 88. I am really loving the change! it has 77,000 miles on it and is in great condition. I am around 6' tall and find it to be comfortable. Gas mileage is going to be great, the meter has hardly moved since I got it.
Front visibility is much better than my olds, I was finding it difficult to look behind me when I turned my head but I removed all the passenger head rests and it greatly improved, I'll keep them in the trunk in case I get any guests. I am finding the shifting to be a bit jumpy but am getting used to it. The front tires are almost worn out but the back ones are still fairly good, I'm going to get them rotated soon.
I have some questions
-I am missing the top cover for the fuse box, any idea where I can get one?
-The dealership did a full checkup and oil change, when should I do my next oil change and other services?
-Is there a way to turn off the daytime running lights while parked?
-I heard online that removing the #31 fuse turns off the daytime lights, can anyone verify?
-Anything else I should know?
Welcome, Rocke86. Your 2006 Corolla LE, will last you a long time, just maintenance it properly, like changing it's engine oil at proper intervals. For the Top of your Fuse Box, you could try Junk Yards. It would be much cheaper than the Toyota Dealers.
-The dealership did a full checkup and oil change, when should I do my next oil change and other services?
The owner's manual specifies engine oil changes every 5,000 miles or 6 months. Unless you operate under some very unusual conditions, that interval should serve you very well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rocke86
-Is there a way to turn off the daytime running lights while parked?
Not unless you completely disable them. There's no way to turn them off just while you're parked, and have them on while you drive. Well, I should say that differently: there probably IS a way (via changing wiring or re-programming computers), but it's nothing that anyone has tried or documented before. Typically, folks just disable the DRLs entirely if they do it at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rocke86
-I heard online that removing the #31 fuse turns off the daytime lights, can anyone verify?
Negative. The most common method is snipping a wire. If you're a real perfectionist about it, you can cut the wire and install an inline switch, so you can chose to have them on OR off. Myself, I just cut the wire. There's a DIY with a LOT of pictures on 9th_gen_corolla.com (without the "_" in the website address).
Quote:
Originally Posted by rocke86
-Anything else I should know?
I would advise against rotating the two good tires to the front if there's a dramatic difference in tread depth between the fronts and the rears. All tire manufacturers recommend that if you're just buying two tires, move them to the rear. In other words, if you're going to have a mismatch in tread depth, have the best tires in the back. Why?
If you're going to lose traction (most likely by aquaplaning, but could be in snow or ice also), you want the front tires to lose traction first. If the fronts lose traction, you'll slide forward but the car will remain mostly controllable (let off the gas, turn the wheel back straight until you gain traction again). If you lose traction in the rear tires first, and you're in a curve in the road, or on a cloverleaf or something, the rear end will slide out from under you and you'll likely spin backwards off the road. The car is for the most part uncontrollable now and you're in a bad situation.
For sure, in either case you may run off the road. But going off forwards usually ends up much better than going off backwards. Michelin's website has a dramatic video demonstrating this...the difference between having your best tires on the front vs. on the rear.
Here's my recommendation: if your rear tires are still in very good shape (close to new), I'd buy two of the same and put them on the front. The difference in tread depth won't be significant and the fronts will wear down until equal with the rears, then you can rotate normally. If the rears are even close to half worn, I'd move those to the front, buy two new tires of your choice for the back; don't worry about matching them to the fronts, just buy the best tires you can afford. Then buy two more new tires, to match your new rear ones, for the front later on. Ideally, you'd buy a quality set of 4 new ones now.
I just wish the steering wheel would telescope and rotate a bit more upwards. I have to bend my legs sideways to get it under the wheel when entering, but am fine with the space once I'm settled. I was surprised how much more spacey it looked when I removed all the passenger headrests to get rid of some blind spots.
I've tried looking for the fusebox cover(under the hood, right side) but couldn't find anything. Is there a part number for this to help me find it?
I think I may put a switch for the drl lights at some point but not that big of a concern.
Thanks for the tires tip, I'll look into getting 2 or 4 before winter.
Fuse cover is part number 8266202110 (with out stability control), should be about $30 at the dealer, I would get this ASAP as you do not want any water on the fuses. A junk yard would have it much cheaper.
Also, your tranny fluid is probably black and possibly burnt. I would do a couple of drain and refills 100 miles apart, and then every 30,000 miles. It is T-IV fluid and the dealer will have it when you pick up your fuse cover. You need 3.2 qts per drain and refill. Plug is same socket size as oil drain plug.
Thanks for the part number! I found it on Toyotapartscenter.net for $23 + s/h. I'm going to look around a little more but is a hard to find part.
Should I have the transmission flushed and replaced by a professional? How much does that normally cost?
You could save money by doing it yourself, it is really easy, the hardest part is measuring the amount you took out so you can put the fresh stuff back in. Just remove the drain plug from the pan, let the fluid drain out, reinstall plug, and add the amount you took out (about 3.2 qts) through the tranny dipstick holder. You will need a tall skinny funnel to fit in the tranny dipstick tube. It is best to do this when fluid is warm, on a level surface. Shift through all gears afterward and check fluid level when hot.
Ordered the fuse box cover, I hate electrical problems, its one of the reasons I switched cars now instead of waiting.
I checked the trans fluid(orange dipstick to the left of of the battery right?). It is a blood red color, also my dealer service log says it is still good. The only thing marked down is tires that need attention soon.
Thank you mikered30 for the fuse cover part number I got it today and it fit perfectly. I recommend Toyotapartscenter.net to anyone looking for parts, had part 4 business days from ordering with ground shipping.
Now I'm looking at tires before the winter, I decided I'm going to do all four. I think the tires are still the originals which I heard aren't very good in the winter. I'm looking for good all season tires. Oddly I do not have ABS brakes so I may want to invest in a more expensive tire with good grip so I can avoid locking them as much as I can. I'm an employee at walmart so I should be able to get a 10% discount and free install if I buy with them. They also have a balancing service would that be worth it while I'm there?
Thank you mikered30 for the fuse cover part number I got it today and it fit perfectly. I recommend Toyotapartscenter.net to anyone looking for parts, had part 4 business days from ordering with ground shipping.
Now I'm looking at tires before the winter, I decided I'm going to do all four. I think the tires are still the originals which I heard aren't very good in the winter. I'm looking for good all season tires. Oddly I do not have ABS brakes so I may want to invest in a more expensive tire with good grip so I can avoid locking them as much as I can. I'm an employee at walmart so I should be able to get a 10% discount and free install if I buy with them. They also have a balancing service would that be worth it while I'm there?
No problem, glad it worked. You will have to get the tires balanced before they go on the car.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
