Help with niggles on a Avensis 2004

[AbsolutelyClueless]

Hi,

My car is due for its MOT very soon and it has got a few niggles which I would like some advice on so I can sound more knowledgeable than I actually am when I speak to the mechanic. Perhaps some of the issues below will get sorted after its full service (done 12k recently since having the Toyota Avensis since 2019) but any pointers would be appreciated.

1. During the summer, I noticed that the main air vents weren't giving out as much cool air as it should but as it was that time of year, I didn't pay much attention to it. Now winter has arrived, I've noticed the air vents to unsteam the front and back windows are fine as the windows clear up but it's all cold air. It normally would help heat the car up but it doesn't. The main air vents don't give out any air or if they do, it's cold. What could be the reason?

2. Also, I've noticed when driving up really steep hills that my car loses power so I have to drop down a gear to get it moving better. I thought it could be because I sometimes go up in a higher gear so I tried to make sure I dropped to first but it still persists. I've heard it could be a case of cleaning the oil filter? There's no oil leaks although I've had issues of my dashboard alerting me to top up oil which I do.

3. I had an advisory to change my registration lamp light and one of my handbrake lights has died, are these easy to replace? My manual is helpful to guide me and if it's one less thing I can ask the ubiky mechanic to do that would be great.

4. I've looked in the manual which lists types of bulb required but wanted clarification on what it meant by Type, alongside voltage.

5. Related to question 1 but as it has been really freezing I have been able to clear my windows in the morning, plus I use de-icer and windscreen covers however I've noticed my windows have condensation from inside and besides using a cloth, I don't know how to clear it using the air con or heating buttons. Maybe it's a natural thing during these cold times but it annoys me.

Any help for this useless driver on the road would be much appreciated

Thanks!

[Harry Carri]

Well I think a service is certainly not going to do any harm. It sounds like the car hasn't has a service since you acquired it in 2019 which isn't ideal. The service schedule is likely to be annual or 12000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Changing bulbs, can be a fiddly job but definitely a diy job. If there is a friendly motor factor shop near you they can be very helpful, in my experience. If you remove the blown bulb and take it to a motor factor, show them the bulb they will probably have a suitable bulb in stock. Some may even offer to fit it for you. 

Car losing power when climbing hills. That could be all sorts of things. A good service might sort that out. Particularly if your car has a dirty air filter and worn spark plugs. 

Dipping the oil using the dipstick (owners manual will show you how if in doubt) will show you whether there is sufficient oil in the engine. If no leaks then then that is good. A service will include an oil and oil filter change anyway. 

Demisting windows, a new cabin filter can improve the heating and ventilation, again a service item. Using the air con to demist is effective. On heater controls, switch to recycle so outside air does not enter car interior, switch on a/c and heater with fan and that should clear screen and windows. The owners manual will have a chapter about heater controls. 

Good luck, I hope you resolve those niggles. 

[AbsolutelyClueless]

Hi,

For other reasons I'd rather not get into, the service didn't go as planned. I left my car at the garage to a mechanic whom I've never been comfortable with but take it to as other family members use him and I don't know anywhere else.

I explained the niggles above and trusted him to do it. I picked up the car, handed over cash (£70), and he said he'd cleaned the injectors(?). He left the remaining of an oil can so assume oil levels were topped up. The niggles clearly hadn't been focused on as I sensed on my way home.

I looked under the bonnet today to see the coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid empty. So he clearly hadn't done that as you should for a full service?

Anyways, I don't mean to bore you with the above but needed to vent at my inability to challenge him post "service" and I will take my services elsewhere.

So to top up the things he didn't do (coolant, brake fluid, windscreen washer), other than Halfords which is where I normally go to pick up bits, where do you go to get the above items? I see Asda and Tesco have motoring items but not sure if they meet my car requirements. 

Any words of help much appreciated. 

Thank you.

[Cyker]

I always got my fluids and filters directly from a Toyota dealer, with the exception of the screen wash - The oil especially is very cheap compared to others (0w20 and now 0w8 - I can't even find a shop that sells 0w8!!), and some dealers sell a bundle of stuff as a service kit which is either discounted or you get 5L of oil for free. The prices are acceptable and you're guaranteed they won't be fake or poor quality.

[Harry Carri]

If you are topping up the fluids yourself a Toyota dealer as mentioned above or a motor factor, for example Gsf and Euro car parts plus any number of smaller motor factors would be able to sell you fluids suitable for your car. All you would need to provide them would be the registration number or year of registration and engine size. Halfords will sell the things you need as you mentioned and yes screenwash and some oils are available at supermarkets. A motor factor would most likely be able to sell you all the oils and fluids you need. 

A full service would probably still help your car and it seems you aren't sure what work was done and what wasn't. In my experience £70 doesn't buy a lot of servicing. Maybe you got an oil and filter change. Was the oil on the dipstick an amber colour after the service? Cleaning injectors could mean a bottle of injector cleaner was added to fuel tank. 

In my mind there is more to service even if the oil and filter were changed, air filter, maybe spark plugs if a petrol engine and perhaps a cabin filter still to check and potentially replace.