new Yaris complaints

[texasrolla]

Hi,

I just bought a brand new Yaris LB, and I have a few complaints.

(1) Steering is too sensitive and heavy on the highway. THis causes fatique on long journeys. Someone told me Toyota might be able to "reprogram" the computer to make it lighter feel. Is this true?

(2) Engine is too quiet, and the gas pedal is too light weight. My car has stick shift. I can't hear or feel the engine speed, nor feel the position of the gas pedal. So sometimes I don't give enough gas and stall the engine, sometimes too much gas and my passengers think I'm showing off. Is there a way to increase the weight of the gas pedal?

(3) Ride is too bouncy. My car came with the 15" rim and wider tires. Would 14" rim and skinnier wide improve comfort?

(4) Seat-belt/key-in-ignition buzzer is very annoying. Is there a way to disable it permanently?

(5) Idle RPM is lower than all my previous cars. The Yaris idle speed is about 600 RPM. It feels too low. When I press on the gas, there's a slight hessitation before the engine revs up. Can I increase the idle RPM to, say, 750?

P.s. In case you're wondering, I've been driving stick-shift for 20 years in half a dozen cars or trucks. My last car Altima is 15 years old; so I'm not used to driving high-tech cars like the Yaris. I bought the Yaris because I just want a fuel efficient car that gets me from point A to B as reliably as a toaster. I had a '92 Corolla. Althought my Corolla is similar size to the Yaris, the Corolla drove much different, much more comfortable. The Yaris is like a sports car in terms of handling and comfort, which is not exactly what I had in mind when I bought it. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me to make the Yaris more comfortable.

[ToyoDoc]

Originally Posted by texasrolla

Hi,

I just bought a brand new Yaris LB, and I have a few complaints.

(1) Steering is too sensitive and heavy on the highway. THis causes fatique on long journeys. Someone told me Toyota might be able to "reprogram" the computer to make it lighter feel. Is this true?

(2) Engine is too quiet, and the gas pedal is too light weight. My car has stick shift. I can't hear or feel the engine speed, nor feel the position of the gas pedal. So sometimes I don't give enough gas and stall the engine, sometimes too much gas and my passengers think I'm showing off. Is there a way to increase the weight of the gas pedal?

(3) Ride is too bouncy. My car came with the 15" rim and wider tires. Would 14" rim and skinnier wide improve comfort?

(4) Seat-belt/key-in-ignition buzzer is very annoying. Is there a way to disable it permanently?

(5) Idle RPM is lower than all my previous cars. The Yaris idle speed is about 600 RPM. It feels too low. When I press on the gas, there's a slight hessitation before the engine revs up. Can I increase the idle RPM to, say, 750?

P.s. In case you're wondering, I've been driving stick-shift for 20 years in half a dozen cars or trucks. My last car Altima is 15 years old; so I'm not used to driving high-tech cars like the Yaris. I bought the Yaris because I just want a fuel efficient car that gets me from point A to B as reliably as a toaster. I had a '92 Corolla. Althought my Corolla is similar size to the Yaris, the Corolla drove much different, much more comfortable. The Yaris is like a sports car in terms of handling and comfort, which is not exactly what I had in mind when I bought it. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me to make the Yaris more comfortable.

1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No
5. No

Yaris is a cheap fuel efficient car. Nothing more, nothing less.

[humanoid]

Did you not test drive the Yaris before you bought it?

[texasrolla]

Yes, I did do a short test drive. But I didn't really notice these annoying things until I put on a hundred or so miles. I thought at first it feels wierd because I'm not used to driving a fresh new cars with tight every thing. I also drove a new Corolla and a new Sentra. I didn't buy the Corolla because it wanders left and right on the highway. The Sentra was noisy, but in hindsight some engine noise is probably a good thing when shifting is involved. But the Sentra gives crappy MPG. Hopefully, after some more miles, the steering and suspension will loosen up. I got a cushy Walmart seat cushion, and I was amazed how much more comfy the car feels now. Yeah, seat cushions are ugly, but it's worth it. I think I might try lowering the tire pressure. It's probably set very high for efficiency. I really wish there's something I can do about the steering. I can't comfortably steer with one hand on the highway like I can easily with my Altima. It's wierd how at low speed, the Yaris steering is very light. But on highway, it gets much heavy. At least, compared to my Altima. I wonder if more toe-out will help.

[humanoid]

I think the steering is heavy is so that you get more road feel? Speed sensitive steering I guess. I'm also guessing the Yaris has power assisted steering while the Altima has full on power steering.

[Dorkinheimer]

I already owned a 2007 manual Yaris, and although it went well, I never got used to the high rpm at highway speeds, never got used to the gas pedal and brake pedal soooo close to one another, that when I wore winter boots, my foot touched on both pedals at a time. The gas pedal is way too close to the hump and when pressing on the gas pedal, I also was pushing into the carpet of that hump.

The throttle/clutch combination was very touchy, especially in a hill, and I drove manual cars since many years and never had so much trouble starting in a hill, or even on a slight slope.

Basically it's a damn good little car, but would need a 6th speed for the manual and either a 5th speed for the automatic, or else spread the speeds a little better.

When pressing on the throttle, the lag is too great, so you may stall the engine.
At the other end of this problem, when you finally let go of the throttle when changing gears, you still hear the motor rev which is annoying. So basically, the motor lags before and after you press on the throttle, not giving gas when you need it, and still giving gas when you don't want it anymore.

But still, I loved my Yaris, and would get another one.

[youngfarang]

Originally Posted by texasrolla

Hi,

I just bought a brand new Yaris LB, and I have a few complaints.

(1) Steering is too sensitive and heavy on the highway. THis causes fatique on long journeys. Someone told me Toyota might be able to "reprogram" the computer to make it lighter feel. Is this true?

(2) Engine is too quiet, and the gas pedal is too light weight. My car has stick shift. I can't hear or feel the engine speed, nor feel the position of the gas pedal. So sometimes I don't give enough gas and stall the engine, sometimes too much gas and my passengers think I'm showing off. Is there a way to increase the weight of the gas pedal?

...

P.s. In case you're wondering, I've been driving stick-shift for 20 years in half a dozen cars or trucks. My last car Altima is 15 years old; so I'm not used to driving high-tech cars like the Yaris. I bought the Yaris because I just want a fuel efficient car that gets me from point A to B as reliably as a toaster. I had a '92 Corolla. Althought my Corolla is similar size to the Yaris, the Corolla drove much different, much more comfortable. The Yaris is like a sports car in terms of handling and comfort, which is not exactly what I had in mind when I bought it. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me to make the Yaris more comfortable.

"as reliably as a toaster" is a good way of putting it.

Yes, the Yaris is a nice appliance.

1) Don't think you can change the steering system with a computer program. I remember the Yaris having very light steering, at lower speeds.
Maybe cruise control could help with the fatigue you're experiencing (?)
Does the car have it ?

2) This car is maybe better suited to an Automatic transmission. . .The light pedal feel goes well with the automatic transmission throttle response.

*3) One thing about the Yaris: It was the only car ever to make me nauseous when driving fast through canyon curves.
Have you experienced this ?

Overall, it's a nice car to drive. There are lots of 'modifications' you can do for your comfort like the Seat Cushions you bought.
Maybe even change to softer shocks for ride comfort . ? .

[1086 Francis 2]

The seatbelt buzzer can be disabled, but it has to be done through a Toyota scantool, and will probably need to be re-done if the battery is disconnected. Just go back to the dealer, and tell them you want it disabled. I don't think the key buzzer can be disabled, though.