Couple questions after 1st trip in Avy

[mcshave]

I just got back from my 1st road trip in the 2008 Avy Touring I purchased in December '09. I had a couple questions about things I experienced on the trip.

1. Mileage - I usually use the car for city commuting so this trip was the 1st extended highway miles (about 500) I've put on . My mileage according to the trip computer was about 28.5 for the trip. Is this in line with what others get for pure highway miles (no AC and very little elevation gain/loss)?

2. Strong shudder while braking - during the 1 part of the trip where there was some elevation gain then descent (about 1000 feet), near the end of the descent several times when I applied the brakes I felt a strong shuddering of the front end of the car. The steering wheel was rapidly shuddering back & forth about 1/4 inch and it felt like the front wheels were doing the same. Anyone have a similar experience to this with their Avy? It kind of felt like when I had warped rotors on my Volvo 850 but even then I don't remember such a strong vibration.

Thanks,
Greg

[boosted-fc3s]

1) About inline. I got close to 30 on a few occaisions, but it was warmer weather without the crappy midwest winter gas blend.

2) Sure sounds like warped rotors. Shouldn't be any shuddering. Unless your wheels are also out of balance but you would notice that during travel and braking.

[boosted-fc3s]

2a) Could you feel it in the brake pedal in addition the steering wheel?

[inov8]

Was your Avalon parked outside overnight before the trip? If yes, did the outside temperature fall below the dew point?

[tfelton]

I had the shuttering experience when applying brakes on a long downhill decent while driving in the Rockies the first time. This is in an '08 Ltd. Took the car to the dealer; the rotors were warped and needed turning. It was under warranty. Everything is fine now.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Yes to your question about mileage.

I agree that it sounds like warped rotors. Might have been caused by them heating up after the downhill braking. One thing that I found can cause some brake shuttering is when the lug nuts aren't properly torqued - something that's easy to check.

[mcshave]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, they were very helpful. Unfortunately my car was in an accident today so the shuddering problem is now moot. Luckily the occupants walked away but I'm near certain the car is a total loss Will find out tomorrow.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Whoa! That's not supposed to happen!



Hey!!!! You could always claim that the brakes failed and where the cause of the accident. Then you can blame it on Toyota! You have the documented evidence (this thread) to prove it.

BINGO - Lawsuit! (although you'd have to get in a very long line!)

[boosted-fc3s]

Is there such a thing as "sudden unintended Deceleration?"

That sucks though. I got side swiped 30 days after I bought my first brand new car back in 06.