Few Prado questions from a new owner.

[claymore666 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close claymore666]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster.

I recently bought a Prado (2005 GXL Diesel Auto) and have a few questions.

#1: I've noticed this over the last few days, but when i leave my driveway there is a small puddle of water as if my aircon was on for a while, or my radiator is leaking. I'm firstly asking is this normal and does it happen to you guys a lot?

#2: Is the fuel gauge on the sub tank linear? I ask because I only got 150km out the top quarter of the tank, started a trip monitor when the sub kicked in. It's early days and hard to tell the true consumption of my car but would like to know what you guys know (I'm basically trying to figure out how far my 90L sub tank will take me).

#3: Since the Prado is fulltime 4wd, can I put on the high range 4wd on while i'm still driving? I ask cause I am simply not in the know.

Thanks all, in advance.

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

Claymore666,

#1 - yep the aircon will leave a heap of water but just to be sure keep an eye on your radiator and overflow bottles. My 90 series leaves a heap of water from the aircon everywhere it goes.

#2 - cant answer that with any accuracy cos mine has a different setup to a 120 series.

#3 - I will let a 120 series owner explain this to you too.

Chriso

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

1. Have you been using the aircon when you noticed the puddle of water?
2. Travelling 150km after using 1/4 of the 90L tank seems quite normal for the 1KZ.
3. The 120 as you said is full time 4WD. Under normal conditions, you are driving in high range. When driving on slippery surfaces, you can put it into high lock which puts the car in high range but with the centre diff locked. Best not to lock the centre diff under normal driving conditions.

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

# 3 - do you have the prado owner manual? I found after i got my 1st 4wd 90 series, sitting in the car going thru the book answered most quetsions regarding 4wd. I have done same in this one, but rest assured i will be digging the book out again when i take it off road for the 1st time, and then hopefully it becomes second nature like the first prado was. if you dont have the prado book, i noticed someone on ebay selling them, have fun....

[switched Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close switched]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

#3: Ive locked the centre diff in 4H plenty of times while driving on the go... obviously on loose gravel, dirt roads or on in the sand. Same goes when unlocking the centre diff.
You have to stop, place the rig in Neutral before chucking it in 4L though.

[claymore666 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close claymore666]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

Hey, thanks for the replies!

In response to the water buildup (#1), i'm referring to when i park and leave the prado for the night, then goto work the next morning i've been noticing a puddle of water outside (what you'd expect to evaporate up overnight).

In response to #3, I'm asking if it's safe to luck HUBS/ go from 2h to 4h while driving/ on the fly.

Thanks again, in advance.

[dereki Member Find all posts View Profile Close dereki]

Re: Few Prado questions from a new owner.

#1, if the puddle is at the firewall on the passenger side, its the air conditioner and is fine. My air cond condensation puddle is always there in the morning. I think it drips all night.

#3, Its full time 4wd, that is 4H all the time, there is no 2H, no locking hubs etc to worry about. The difference with H and HL is that the center diff in the transfer case gets locked. From memory, there is a card on the drivers sun visor with instructions for the 4wd lever. I am pretty sure it says you can go from H to HL and back again at up to 40km/h. (I have a second stick, not a lock button, so might be different if you have the button.)