Granvia Tyre Pressure

[zaphodbb]

Can anyone tell me what pressure(s) I should be running on my '96 4WD Granvia (Bridgestone 215/70 15's). I've bought a handbook (not bad, produced by www.JPNZ.co.nz) but it refers to a sticker on the drivers door, which on mine is missing!

TIA

Kevin

[raymundo]

Hi Kevin,

My owner's manual gives the original-equipment size as 205/70/15, which are fitted to my Granvia. My handbook says 35psi front, 30 rear normal, but 35 rear fully loaded.

I've only had my car 3 months and still have a lot to learn - for example, the handbook says to clean/replace the aircon pollen-filter at specified intervals, but not where the darn thing is! I can't find it - can you, or does your book help?

I've just done about 1500 miles in France and never had a vehicle that goes so effortlessly. 150 miles in 2 hours was great and at 25 to the gallon, too.

I run it on 50/50 diesel/homemade vegoil and hope to use more veg. when I've found out more about the injection system. I've seen the engine manual on the net, but it just explains repairs and tests, with no descriptions of the system or the purposes of all the sensors. Hey-Ho, someone someday will come up with the answers, I hope.

All the best

Raymundo

[zaphodbb]

Hi Raymundo

Thanks for the reply.

Your question first: My handbook also mentions the air-con air filter cleaning every 10k km, and also doesn't mention where it is! So it's either very obvious or well hidden (it tells you to contact your Toyota dealer for advice....). Now I'm aware of the need, I'll take a good look tomorrow (if possible) to see if I can find it (otherwise it'll be the weekend) and let you know.

Back to tyre pressures: While browseing through the handbook (it only arrived yesterday) I've found a reference in the 4WD section that states that all 4 tyres must be the same pressure (but no mention of what it should be) or else damage can occur to the 4WD system, Hmmm, so I guess that means 35psi all round then useing your figures? Is yours a 2 or 4 wheel drive?

Regarding the performance, yes-brilliant, so quick for such a large vehicle (too easy to speed!)

I've only had the Granvia since Saturday, so the learning curve is steep ATM

Kevin

[raymundo]

Kevin,

Mine's 2WD, and the handbook only gives one set of pressures, so presumably that's for all types. Certainly it's important to have all wheels the same effective diameter with 4WD, so I guess 35 all round it is.

Re the aircon, I've searched all under the dash, looking for access panels or obvious locations for the filter without success, but it gets worse than that. I've got a nasty smell when using the blower, so bought an aircon-cleaning aerosol that has to be emptied into the air inlet on recirculation setting - and can't even find that! I've lain under the dash with hands wriggled into impossible crannies, but apart from a slight draught, can't feel an obvious inlet opening. The local Toyota dealer is as helpful as he can be, but says that the Hiace/Powervan of the same model doesn't have a filter listed for the aircon, which may therefore be a different unit. Anyway, they've not seen a van with aircon yet.

I would advise a careful check on the fuel gauge, too. My tank drain-bung was leaking (I guess someone drains these imports somewhere along the import route), so I wanted to get it really low before removing the bung. The "empty" light flashed a couple of times as I neared my house, so I thought great, only 10 litres or so to drain. When I took out the plug - nothing! It must have been running on the smell of diesel for the last mile or so and when I put in 20 litres, the gauge showed over 1/3 full, instead of about 1/4.

Has yours got sat-nav? Mine has, but it thinks I live in Yokohama harbour and I've not yet found a way to convert it to UK. I'm told that it's only meant for Japan, but all the front is in English and I've seen a picture of the same model on an American website, so haven't given up yet. Anyway, it's cd & radio too, plus imputs for DVD and digital camera.

All the best,

Raymundo

[zaphodbb]

Raymundo

Thanks again for checking on the tyre info, I've set them to 35 all round - I'll see how we go.

Air-con: I've had a good look and like yourself I can't see any obvious indications of the filter. I've had the passenger-side knee panel off because it looked like it had been off several times before (judgeing by the screw heads) but nothing looks disturbed behind. I've also had a poke around the air intake vent below the windscreen - nothing there either. The search continues....

I've posted a question about this on a parts import forum - will let you know if I get a reply.

Fuel Tank: I've had a look - no leaks from the drain plug. Thanks for pointing it out though.

Sat Nav: Mine doesn't have it, but the first Granvia I put a deposit on did!

(can't say anymore about it for now).

The sat nav system is obsolete or at least the one I nearly bought was (it uses vector maps and has been superceeded) - which model do you have? Take a look at this thread anyway Satr Nav link.. The TV is NTSC so you won't see much on that either!

What sort of consumption are you getting? (apart from your trip to France).

Cheers

Kevin

[raymundo]

Kevin,

Thanks for your posting and sorry for this delayed reply, but I've been away again.

Glad you've got no fuel leaks, but do check the gauge accuracy. I have to remove my tank because the leak's not from the bung. Not looking forward to that one!

Sat Nav is a Matsu****a model 86120 - 26010, ref No CQ-TT5550A. It's basically square, with a dropdown screen to allow CD or cassette use. It has menu after menu, all in Jap except for "enter" on one. It would be great to have it working and I just wonder if a UK CD-ROM from another make of the same era might work. No joy with the link you kindly mentioned, by the way.

Fuel consumption is difficult to assess with a leak and an inaccurate gauge, but 25-6mpg seems about right. I've had no problems with 50-60% vegoil so far and every litre I make saves me at least 50p.

Is yours a 7 or 8 seater? Mine is 8, although I'd have preferred 7 with the nice armrests. I've modified the twin-seat so that it can be turned 90 or 180 degrees - gives more space options for picnics or loading.

Hope you are getting on well with yours.

All the best,

raymundo

[zaphodbb]

Hi Raymundo

I've been off a few weeks myself - just returned last night.

When I bought mine, the low fuel light was on so I put £10 in and it hardly made the guage move, so I guess it's opposite to yours!

Are you sure the Sat Nav is Matsu****a? (AKA National Panasonic or Technics) most are Fujitsu-Ten. I'll trawl for more info on the model No. you gave (no time at present).

Two questions on your fuel mix - I thought vegoil had to be 'cooked' with some pretty nasty chemicals before it became bio or am I on the wrong track?. Does mixing give you worse fuel consumption?

Mines a 7 seater - thats what I wanted :) as it means you can walk right through to the back seat/boot, very handy when you have kids (or when it's raining).

I've just replaced the instrument panel illumination bulbs, and can now see the fuel guage at last! These bulbs are very special beeing 14V 3W but in a very small size and having a blue filter over them (I found that 3 of them had been replaced with 1.7W clear bulbs - that would explaine why it was soo dark!). Had to go through my local dealer to get them as I couldn't find anyone who had them even without the filter (no problem at all other than them being on back order), still £1.74 each plus VAT isn't bad. Dont ever loose the holders though - they're over £4 each!

Let me know if you need the part No's (or any part no's for that matter)

No reply from the other forum re air con filter so far - I'm off this week so may get a chance to look again during daylight

Still very pleased ATM although a little concerned with possible high fuel consumption (or higher than I was lead to beleive).

Does yours have the 'easy-close' boot as well as the slideing door?

Looking into a tow-bar for cycle carrying use - found a firm local to me that makes them, hope to pay them a visit if I have time this week.

Cheers for now - need to sleep (jet lag)

Kevin

[brindleberry]

Hi Raymundo

I've been off a few weeks myself - just returned last night.

When I bought mine, the low fuel light was on so I put £10 in and it hardly made the guage move, so I guess it's opposite to yours!

Are you sure the Sat Nav is Matsu****a? (AKA National Panasonic or Technics) most are Fujitsu-Ten. I'll trawl for more info on the model No. you gave (no time at present).

Two questions on your fuel mix - I thought vegoil had to be 'cooked' with some pretty nasty chemicals before it became bio or am I on the wrong track?. Does mixing give you worse fuel consumption?

Mines a 7 seater - thats what I wanted  :) as it means you can walk right through to the back seat/boot, very handy when you have kids (or when it's raining).

I've just replaced the instrument panel illumination bulbs, and can now see the fuel guage at last! These bulbs are very special beeing 14V 3W but in a very small size and having a blue filter over them (I found that 3 of them had been replaced with 1.7W clear bulbs - that would explaine why it was soo dark!). Had to go through my local dealer to get them as I couldn't find anyone who had them even without the filter (no problem at all other than them being on back order), still £1.74 each plus VAT isn't bad. Dont ever loose the holders though - they're over £4 each!

Let me know if you need the part No's (or any part no's for that matter)

No reply from the other forum re air con filter so far - I'm off this week so may get a chance to look again during daylight

Still very pleased ATM although a little concerned with possible high fuel consumption (or higher than I was lead to beleive).

Does yours have the 'easy-close' boot as well as the slideing door?

Looking into a tow-bar for cycle carrying use - found a firm local to me that makes them, hope to pay them a visit if I have time this week.

Cheers for now - need to sleep (jet lag)

Kevin

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[brindleberry]

Hi you two

I bought a 1996 Granvia last month and am delighted with it, performance, space, comfort, trim etc, all excellently done. Can't grumble about the mpg as it is a 3litre after all.

I need the power to pull a double axle caravan and have recently had a Towequipe towbar fitted. However, it is very close to the ground and if you back up to a kerb it only just clears it, obviously depending on the depth of the kerb. I have been advised that the bottom of the towball needs to be not less than 350mm from the ground (centre 13 3/4" to 16 1/2"). It seems very low to me.

What I was wondering was if I could fit larger wheels to bring the car body up higher. Does anyone know what size I can fit. It has been suggested that I upgrade the rear suspension. What do you reckon?

As regards the SatNav, I would be interested to know if you can buy English CDs.

Brindleberry

[raymundo]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the reply and continuing to look for satnav help. Mine's definitely Matsu****a.

Re vegoil, you're right to think that BIODIESEL needs nasty chemicals for production, but waste vegetable oil (WVO) is a different matter. It just has to be strained (sat. dish over 40-gal drum), left for a week to settle, heated to about 50-60 deg C, (I use an ancient Burco washing machine), then run through a filter (good-quality pillow case in a salad-strainer) into a drum primed with 5% diesel. It's then left to stand for 3-4 weeks, then syphoned or pumped, preferably through a scrapyard diesel filter, into containers, leaving any sediment behind. It then goes into your tank, at a mix between 80% and 25% depending on seasonal temperature.

My family use it in a Discovery, a Pajero, a Defender, a Fiat Ducato, an Astra, plus, of course, the Granvia. I also used it for several thousand miles in the Master Ace before getting the Granvia. No problems with any of them so far, nor with Customs, who sorted out my registration for duty-payment OK. I get around 25/6 mpg, loads of power and a much better smell!

Have a look at WWW.bio-power.co.uk for fuller info, but note that they're apparently wrong to suggest white spirit, turps or turps substitute as a solvent, as these are not acceptable to Customs, 'cos they're not listed as road-vehicle fuel, or so Customs told me. Anyway, regular diesel's about the same price - although I use BP Ultimate for its better scouring properties. Every litre of vegoil I use saves me 50p, if I don't count my time.

All the best,

Raymundo

[raymundo]

Hello Brindleberry,

Glad you're happy with the Granvia. Shame about the towbar.

Some cars now have removeable towbar arms, which means that all the other metalwork is well up out of harm's way. I think your supplier should look for an alternative - if 350mm is recommended, then lower fitting should be cause for complaint. It may also be possible to have the bar pass through a hole in the bumper. If you had a removeable type, a coverplate would be fitted when you weren't using the bar.

I don't think that bigger wheels are an option - you'd alter the gearing and the speedo, for a start. The rear suspension is adjustable, quite easily, and your local dealer should be able to give the max/min figures for a Powervan, which would be a good guide. Much uplift will spoil the ride, however and, if you try it, remember to set the lights up afterwards.

Actually, I find the ride on mine a bit soft, so, for towing, a bit stiffer at the rear end may be a good thing.

Hope that helps

Raymundo

[zaphodbb]

Hi Raymundo, Hi Brindleberry,

Raymundo - thanks for clearing-up the bio/WVO issue, I understand now :)

No luck with your Sat Nav - I can't find any mention of that model anywhere. Do you see any display at all when in Nav mode? If you do, what does the screen look like ie can you see roads similar to the way Autoroute shows them or are they all thin lnes? (Raster vs Vector type).

I'm beginning to think we're on a wild goose chase re the air-con filter - I still can't find anything that unclips or pulls-out in the air intake (for the air-con). I've found a couple of Japanese Granvia owners web sites and plan to mail them with this question (amongst others) so we may have an answer yet!

Paste this link into your browser to see the thread I mentioned before

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2128

Brindleberry - The 4WD versions sit higher than the 2WD so maybe you can swap springs to raise the back a bit (or use spacers). Whatling Engineers in Park St, St Albans make bars for Granvias, but they also hang down low so maybe no better (I can email a drawing if you want) these are £150 +vat supplied (fitting extra).

What MPG are you seeing?

Which model Sat Nav is fitted to yours?

Cheers for now

Kevin

[Paul NZ]

Hi

I'm looking at getting a Granvia 4WD to convert into a campervan (I have a 2WD campervan at present, and NZ roads being what they are I sometimes get nervous about getting stuck). Can anyone tell me how capable they are as 4WD vehicles go; my other option is the Mitsi Delica, which I know is capable of quite challenging off-road stuff (there is an Aussie forum dedicated to these vehicles), but the Granvia strikes me as being roomier and easier to climb in and out of. I don't do any major off-road driving, but explore some forestry roads and farm tracks at times.

I would appreciate any comments or advice.

Thanks, Paul (New Zealand)

[zaphodbb]

Paul

I'd go with the Delica unless all your after is non-sealed road use- the Granivia handbook states the vehicle is not suitable for off-road use.

HTH

Kevin

[raymundo]

Hi Raymundo, Hi Brindleberry,

Raymundo - thanks for clearing-up the bio/WVO issue, I understand now  :)

No luck with your Sat Nav - I can't find any mention of that model anywhere. Do you see any display at all when in Nav mode? If you do, what does the screen look like ie can you see roads similar to the way Autoroute shows them or are they all thin lnes? (Raster vs Vector type).

I'm beginning to think we're on a wild goose chase re the air-con filter - I still can't find anything that unclips or pulls-out in the air intake (for the air-con). I've found a couple of Japanese Granvia owners web sites and plan to mail them with this question (amongst others) so we may have an answer yet!

Paste this link into your browser to see the thread I mentioned before

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2128

Brindleberry - The 4WD versions sit higher than the 2WD so maybe you can swap springs to raise the back a bit (or use spacers). Whatling Engineers in Park St, St Albans make bars for Granvias, but they also hang down low so maybe no better (I can email a drawing if you want) these are £150 +vat supplied (fitting extra).

What MPG are you seeing?

Which model Sat Nav is fitted to yours?

Cheers for now

Kevin

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[raymundo]

Kevin,

I've just re-read your note and realise that I didn't reply re the satnav. Sorry about that. Yes I do get a display. The trouble is, there are loads of japanese menus, all leading on to others, so it's a matter of luck to get a particular view. However, I have managed to reduce the scale and move about until roads are shown, but theses are just lcoloured lines, so probably vectors, as you suggest. I can sometimes find the mode where the cursor remains centred and the map rotates and moves during a journey. It's surprisingly accurate for what must be dead-reckoning, too, as I'm in the same place on the map each time I get home.

I just wondered if these devices used a ROM-chip to store info, and if so, would a chip from a UK system fit in and work? Or are the chips usually rewriteable from a CD?

I'd have thought that the components would be pretty well universal - I know this model is found in America - so maybe conversion is possible.

My digital camera has an NTSC output and works fine to show pictures on the satnav screen . I haven't tried the house DVD on it yet.

Thanks again for your interest.

Raymundo

[scorpiomann1951]

Hi Raymundo, Hi Brindleberry,

Raymundo - thanks for clearing-up the bio/WVO issue, I understand now  :)

No luck with your Sat Nav - I can't find any mention of that model anywhere. Do you see any display at all when in Nav mode? If you do, what does the screen look like ie can you see roads similar to the way Autoroute shows them or are they all thin lnes? (Raster vs Vector type).

I'm beginning to think we're on a wild goose chase re the air-con filter - I still can't find anything that unclips or pulls-out in the air intake (for the air-con). I've found a couple of Japanese Granvia owners web sites and plan to mail them with this question (amongst others) so we may have an answer yet!

Paste this link into your browser to see the thread I mentioned before

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2128

Brindleberry - The 4WD versions sit higher than the 2WD so maybe you can swap springs to raise the back a bit (or use spacers). Whatling Engineers in Park St, St Albans make bars for Granvias, but they also hang down low so maybe no better (I can email a drawing if you want) these are £150 +vat supplied (fitting extra).

What MPG are you seeing?

Which model Sat Nav is fitted to yours?

Cheers for now

Kevin

←