New Carina Owner...a Few Questions ?

[newwy]

Hello everyone,

Just discovered this site and it is very helpful. I have been driving a wonderfully reliable Toyota Corolla 1.6 Gli liftback (1992) for the past almost 10 years...what a car. It has done 171,000 without much ado, it still has its original exhaust. When I tell people that, they don't beleive me...but its true. The car is carved out of granite. But alas, she is getting a bit tired now and I have to think about a replacement. I will continue to drive the Corolla for a bit longer. (I just can't bear the thought of getting rid).

Anyway, I bought a Carina last week in anticipation of retiring my Corolla.

The Carina is a superb example, almost mint. It is from November 1996, (P reg.) with 41,000 genuine miles on the clock, full Toyota history, and 1 owner from new. It is a 1.8CD AUTO.

First impressions are good, I have been driving it a week. The build quality doesn't seem quite as good as my Jap built Corolla, but everything functions as it should.

My questions are :

1. What sort of miles per gallon can I expect from it (mostly town driving and lots of short stop/starts) ? Bearing in mind its an automatic.

2. The spark plugs look at bit worn to me and I want to replace them. Should I buy Platinum or iradium plugs??

3. Can I put larger tyres on the standard wheels ??, they currently have 175/70/14...I was thinking about 185's ??

4.There appears to be quite a bit of road noise..is this normal ??

5. What oil should I use??

Hope you don't mind me asking so many questions and I hope I can get your opinions.

If this Carina is half as good as my Corolla, then I will be happy.

Thanks in advance...

[gazza1286]

Hi

1. What sort of miles per gallon can I expect from it (mostly town driving and lots of short stop/starts) ? Bearing in mind its an automatic.

You should get about 35+ MPG around town

2. The spark plugs look at bit worn to me and I want to replace them. Should I buy Platinum or iradium plugs??

I've fitted Platinum - they last 63K. They are pretty expensive but a branded set NKG are heavily discounted on eBay

3. Can I put larger tyres on the standard wheels ??, they currently have 175/70/14...I was thinking about 185's ??

I use 175s - can't comment but I'm happy with those.

4.There appears to be quite a bit of road noise..is this normal ??

They are a bit noisy compared to the later Avensis.

5. What oil should I use??

I always use semi synthetic 10/40W. Burns about 1lt in 2-3K miles

Hope you don't mind me asking so many questions and I hope I can get your opinions.

If this Carina is half as good as my Corolla, then I will be happy.

I've had 4 years and 40K out of mine and although not Jap built it's been extremely reliable for a 1994 car

[newwy]

Thanks Gazza, most useful information....thanks for taking the time...

Cheers

Newwy

[dave48703]

As for the noise, even though it maybe noisier than an Avensis it shouldn't seem noisy compared to your corolla. It should be quieter (you say the corolla is carved out of granite, well I would have thought that term even more appropriate for the carina). So I guess the answer is that it isn't normal if you are indeed comparing it to your last car.

I don't really understand tyre sizes but would suggest to see what it says in the manual for your particular engine/model. See no reason to change from that (do you have a reason for wanting 185 rather than 175?), assuming your wheels are original spec. If you look in the manual there is also a good chance you'll see that the speed rating of the tires should be one higher than the ones actually fitted as this has happened to me a few times (e.g. my 1.6gli carina had T rated tyres (115 mph) when it should have had H rated tyres (130 mph). Not sure if it really matters as long as it is well above any speeds you are going but I've read it may cause probs with insurance. The reason they fit T alot I think is because they are more widely available (and generally cheaper) than the higher rated H and V.

I use Castrol gtx high mileage oil for my carina that has done 150,000 plus as I found it used less oil with that but you probably don't need that yet. Might be worth a try if you do find oil consumption is high though, but it is recommended for engines over 75,000 miles (not sure if it can actually do any harm to engines less).

Good luck with the auto gearbox - I have auto and it has lasted 150,000 as I say. If I were you though I'd check the auto fluid. I never did change mine and the gearbox has lasted amazingly even though the fluid does smell a bit burnt. Changing the fluid if it is in bad condition should give the gearbox a better chance.

[dave48703]

Of course with the oil, and with you having got such a good car with low miles, I guess the most important thing is to change it (and filter) regularly (at least what the service intervals say, if not more frequently). I'm sure most carinas are good for 150,000 even with serious neglect, but who knows you may even get 300,000 if you look after the engine and you are in a good position to start doing so.

Oh, and don't assume toyota have done things at the regular intervals just because they have had the service stamp - I would try and check what work has actually been done. E.g. toyota might have recommended a coolant change and the owner didn't want to pay for it or somethign else went wrong. I am increasingly of the opinion that so called service histories are regarded too highly because ralely (even with main dealers) do they scrupulously record exactly what they have done and when - they just sprawl some illegible things, hardly ever tick the relevant boxes and then just stamp. (In fact, going through the invoices is usually more helpful than looking in the service book).

If you are not driving the carina until the corolla goes (it could be some time!) you need to do some things to look after it while it is idle ... not sure about all of them off hand but don't leave it on the same spot for too long (tyre flat spots), try and drain the petorl I think .. others may be able to help.

[dave48703]

Spark plugs - your engine should be 7a-fe (but you should double check of course).

Those should be platinum spark plugs from the factory (Bosch FR 6 DP 1 X according to Haynes). If it is 7a-fe it is a leanburn engine and I think you have to use platinum.

But I wouldn't buy new ones just because they look a bit worn because they are supposed to last for 63,000 and the car has only done 41,000 miles, plus it has a full service history at toyota. I would change them as I approach 60,000. If they look really badly worn, or you have symptoms of spark plug problems then I'd take it up with the toyota garage that has been servicing it (most recently if a few) and ask them how this has come about with them (or at least Toyota if there have been a few dealers it's been taken to) having looked after it from the factory and with original plugs rated at 63,000 miles (maybe that service record might be worth something after all). Obviously you need to find the source of the problem as well as change the plugs if they are worn, as they shouldn't be worn yet (well as far as I am aware they do not wear with age or short journeys, just miles, but I could be wrong).

If they are not too badly worn but you get symptoms you could try setting the gap maybe - if they are as in Haynes - the Bosch I mentioned above, then the gap is 1.3 mm as per Haynes (but please double check) - but really you shouldn't need to do this if it is not in the service schedule, and if it is, toyota should have done it.

Whenever replacing spark plugs I would get as close to original spec as possible (different make should be Ok but it really should be almost identical to original spec). E.g. on a corsa I fitted NGK BK6KREK plugs which are a two electrode version of NGK BKR6E which was originally fitted. Even though some parts databases indicated this should be OK, in driving I get the same symptoms as if the spark plug gap is incorrect (you can't set the gap on the bkr6ek). On further research I saw a post by an engine engineer who said that two electrodes where there were originally one can impede the flow of gasses around the spark plug ,and the engine designers really do go into alot of detail on this matching the plug to the engine.

Plus there is the fact that although you aren't going to mix up the difference between a 10 and 14mm wide thread, the length of the thread can vary between plugs and may cause quite serious problems if incorrect.

[mudplugga]

I don't really understand tyre sizes but would suggest to see what it says in the manual for your particular engine/model. See no reason to change from that (do you have a reason for wanting 185 rather than 175?), assuming your wheels are original spec. If you look in the manual there is also a good chance you'll see that the speed rating of the tires should be one higher than the ones actually fitted as this has happened to me a few times (e.g. my 1.6gli carina had T rated tyres (115 mph) when it should have had H rated tyres (130 mph). Not sure if it really matters as long as it is well above any speeds you are going but I've read it may cause probs with insurance. The reason they fit T alot I think is because they are more widely available (and generally cheaper) than the higher rated H and V.

The west Mercia police have prosecuted people for not complying with the speed rating on tyres. When they do random roadside checks with VOSA they check against a database.

Bad news eh ?

Dave

[newwy]

Hi Dave4870

Many thanks for your detailed response to my questions re: my 'new' Carina.

The road noise isn't really that bad, just me being a bit picky, I reckon I'll stick with the standard 175 tyres. I just though it might be nicer (ride and handling) with a wider tyre.

The tyres that were on the car are pretty good condition so I won't need to change for a while.

As regards the spark plugs, although they look a wee bit worn, I don't have any firing or start up problems...I just wanted to put new ones in so I know where I was up to...if you know what I mean?? Although it is not urgent at the moment.

I though about gradually retiring my tired Corolla over the next 6 months and use both cars, but mainly the Corolla. Its been such a reliable car and I have had it so long (10 yrs)..and done so many miles in it, its like an extension to my body!! I know everything about it, every inch of it, every sound. I know this might sound silly but I will be sad to let it go. There is a nasty sound coming from the passanger side when turning right (CV joint) and a clanky sound from behind when going over any uneven surface, speed bumps (shockers?), so its time may well be nigh.

Along with the new Carina's service history came a load of main dealer invoices for the servicing, so I know pretty much whats been done (not a lot). One thing I didn't understand was a reciept for a new throttle body, done in Nov. 2000 (cost £44.00). Anyone know what a new throttle body is ??

Sorry to go on, but I have another question re: the timing belt. it was replaced in Dec. 2001 with the mileage at 24,275. That was 5 years ago. it now has 41,000 on the clock. Would it need replacing yet???

All in all, the car is very nice and in first class condition. People have made comment that it doesn't look 10 years old it is in such pristine condition. I am very happy with my purchase. I paid £1480 for it and went from Liverpool to Colchester for it...a long way (12 hour round trip)... thanks to my sister who took me there...in her Carina...of course!!!

Thanks again guys for your detailed input/responses.....I'm sure I'll have more questions to ask you all another time.

Best regards

Dave (newwy)

[gazza1286]

A CV joint for your Corolla will only be around £40 plus labour. The clunking from the rear may be a loose/broken anti-roll bar link.

http://www.partsinabox.co.uk/

The manufacturers advice is 60K or 5 years.

I've been changing timing belts at 50K intervals (I've never followed the '5 year' advice). My parents old Corolla had the original for 12 years (but only 35K though)

[dave48703]

". .. whats been done (not a lot)"

That is usually the best way. How often things start going wrong when you do have work done - even if just minor things even the better garages seem to forget to put wires back in clips etc and you get new niggles.

Not sure about the timing belt though - you could liken it to tyres where the rubber degrades through age not just miles. Most car manufacturers mention some kind of age as well as miles. However in Haynes it doesn't mention a particular age at which you should change the timing belt although (one would hope) that age was the reason they changed the timing belt at the toyota garage. (And also gazza says it is 5 years so maybe Toyota updated this and I have an old Haynes - usually they put hte most recent manf advice.)

"A CV joint for your Corolla will only be around £40 plus labour"

Yes, if I were you I wouldn't write it off just yet, but good that you have prepared with a new car. You could try selling it "as a going concern", if only because then you don't have to see the day when it is eventually taken for scrap. P.s My brother has a corsa that has done the clanky thing from the rear over speedbumps and it has done it for about 5 years but never failed an MOT and on the whole handling is OK, so it may not be too bad. The werid thing was I thought it was shocks but on doing the basic test (pushing down, even getting the car bouncing up and down rythmically), it comes to a complete stop without any going up and down as soon as you let go. So, I must check the anti-roll bar link as gazza suggests ...

Not too sure what a throttle body does exactly, think it is referred to as throttle housing in Haynes.

"The west Mercia police have prosecuted people for not complying with the speed rating on tyres. When they do random roadside checks with VOSA they check against a database."

That is interesting, and would be really mean if they did it for if you had T instead of H say, considering you can only legally drive at 70 anyway, which is well below either (are there any speed ratings anywhere near as low as 70?). Well, it is just really mean anyway. I bet under most driving conditions a T tyre with 6mm tread is safer than a H tyre with 3mm tread. And please, why do I see so many cars spewing out hideous amounts of black smoke on the roads, which never seem to get pulled over, then there are the taligaters and choppers and changerss.. . .ok rant over

BTW, for that price the carina sounds like an amazing buy. Still seen dealers selling them for £3000 with that kind of service histrry and low miles. I would love a carina with that low miles so it was like starting with an almost new one again. Just don't like the avensises apart from the really new ones which I can't afford.

Don't know if you know this but don't foget that with the carina autos the cooling system cools the automatic fluid as well (two pipes come into the rad from the auto box - they do not under normal circumtances mix the fluid with coolant, just allow heat transfer through the pipes, but I have heard that this can occasionally happen if there is an internal leak, creating probs of course!) so there is another reason to look after your cooling system, as if the auto fluid gets too hot (or stays too cold for too long - not as big a prob I think but could happen if your thermostat isn't working and is stuck open) it will wear out the auto box quicker.

[newwy]

Thanks again Dave for yet another detailed reply. You seem very knowledgeable. I will keep the Corolla for a while yet. I was hoping to do 200,000 miles in it (a big milestone), its currently on 171,300, so a bit to go yet...To be honest, I have only had the oil and filter changed regulary at Kwik Fit...no 'proper' servicing since I bought it almost 10 years ago. What a reliable car.

When I saw the Carina, I knew it would be a good car, with such low mileage but I suppose it was still a bit of a risk to drive from Liverpool to Colchester (6 hours each way) having only seen a photo on the web....yeah, it was a good price for what is like a new car. It was £1480 and came with 6 months tax and 12 months MOT, so pretty chuffed really. Man, its even got air con...I won't know myself in the summer!!!

Downside for me was electric windows...I hate them...call me old fashioned but give me wind -ups any day!!

I will keep the forum informed on my transition from Corolla to Carina over the next few months....like I said in the first post, if this Carina is HALF as good/reliable as the old Corolla then its gonna be a good car...I'll keep it as long as the Corolla...(10 years)

Thanks for the great replies guys. What a nice friendly place to come to and talk Toyota's. I wouldn't have anything else....The car in front REALLY is a Toyota.!!