REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

[Hoges Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoges]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

Thanks for the positive feedback regarding my post.

It did take some time to compile and I was concerned it may be too long and readers may lose interest, but I wanted to provide as much detail as I could.

Quick Update: am booked in at the local dealer next Wednesday for the 10,000k service. I'll let you all know how I go.

If there are others out there who have experienced similar issues to me and the others who have posted, please throw up a few lines regarding your experiences as I'd like to provide the Service Mgr with some examples of what I told them I was enduring.

[Gav&Jo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gav&Jo]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

Hi Hoges,

I've just picked up our 150 GXL Prado T/D Auto. Loaded it up last weekend and did a trip from Rocky to Bne and back. Wanted to see what goodies I could find for it at the 4X4 show in Bris.

This is my third Prado. The first was a 2003 GXL T/D manual (older 3ltr T/D), then a 2008 GXL D4D T/D Auto. The 150 is definately much more refined and at this stage, I'd say a little quicker when overtaking (probably just a perception as it's the same engine as the 120).

Like you, it's the auto box that has me concerned. The downshift lag is appauling. The first, second and third time it did it, I thought something was wrong. It seems to do it in the lower gears, not for example, when it jumps back from 5th to 4th to overtake on the highway at 100kms. It could be bloody dangerous if you were in traffic around town and found yourself having to get out of the way of something that wanted to share the same piece of realestate!!!! I had the vehicle in at Rocky Toyota just this week for it's 1000km service. I had the engine oil and filter changed even though the service book says you don't have to. I asked them to check out the lag issue and was told that " no faults found - all normal". Well, that lag is anything but normal. I've sold my 120 series to my parents, so I took it for a quick drive again just yesterday, just to satisfy myself. It definately doesn't have a lag issue down low, up high, or anywhere for that matter.

I've just had the towbar fitted today and can't wait to pop the 20ft van or 19ft boat behind and see if this lag is even more pronounced when towing. If it is, I won't be happy and will probably end up back at Toyota. As you said, when it happens, you feel like a dill as the wife or kids blurt out "oh, dad, what are you doing!!!" - You know it can't be right when the 9 and 4 year olds in the back notice it enough to make comment!!

Like you, the set up behind the rear seats is a shocker, but we still managed to pack everything in for the four of us to spend a weekend away, including the Waeco CF50. My thoughts re the inverter in the back - why???? I don't get it. How about a 12 volt plug like the 120 series?

I've yet to set mine up. Nothing is really available up here in Rocky yet. I've done the tyres, but that's about it. Bar, Suspension (oh, I can't wait to get suspension like the 120 series has under it), decent 12vot plugs in the front, middle and back, Snorkle, HID spotties and dual batt system are on the shopping list. Then I can get the phone kit and UHF put in.

Please keep us updated re the lag issue. I'm sure for all of us,we wanting Toyota to fix this. Mind you, it's the only real issue I can find with the car, so it's not all that bad.

Stay safe,

Gav

[BenTas Member Find all posts View Profile Close BenTas]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

Someone mentioned I while back on here that the lag can be alleviated by turning the traction control off, but it did'nt seem to make any difference to me !

Will be keen to hear you feedback from toyota though Hoges, I will be doing same when i'm at the 10k mark.

I'm suspicious the problem may stem from what the individual wheel speeds are feeding back to the tranmission, as the problem seems at its worst when coming out of a corner ?

[rumy Member Find all posts View Profile Close rumy]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

I have got a new Kakadu and don't seem to have this lag problem? I have read this forum and while driving think about the lag problem but don't seem to experience it? I am a little disappointed with the lack of power overall but it does drive smooth as and when I put my foot down it does respond accordingly.
I haven't towed anything yet, 500 km's only on the clock.

[mcsumway Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcsumway]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

I thought the reason the auto gave better economy than the manual was due to "matching the auto tune to the engine to hold a higher gear for longer?"

Could this problem be due to the new electronic tuning of the auto with a view to better economy? Is it trying to hold a higher gear longer?

[rumjungle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rumjungle]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

This lag seems to be after coasting. For example when I approach a roundabout to go straight across your coasting up to the intersection (no throttle) You are clear to the right and so coast into the roundabout but when you go to accelerate out of the round about......theres that lag.....as you observe the B Double enter to your right :shock:

I think the transmission getting lost and the computer needs a moment to catch up, but you may not have that moment to spare.

[Newby Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Newby]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

well by the sounds of all this, I think that i am glad that we got a Manual GLX instead of Auto. After 7000kms the only issue we have with the manual is that sometimes it is a little hard to get into reverse. Apart from that, absolutely love it.

[bettsy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bettsy]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

Hi All

I have had my 150 GXL TD Auto now for 2 weeks, and just clocked over 2300km. We were travelling on Friday night through the Kangarro Valley region, up and down some farily steep roads (all sealed highway). We got caught behind a slower vehicle for approx 20 minutes up a hill, with the auto in D, and the transmission temperature waring light came on. I pulled over, left the car idling, and it went off after about a minute. This is a bit of a woory, especially considering I tow a 2 tonne boat. I am also having the issue of the delay with the transmission after coming down a hill, going through the rounabout and acceleting out up the hill. Happens every time. This is my 2nd Prado, and I didn't have this issue with the 120 D4D.

Apart from that, all is well and happy with the car.

Regards
Bettsy

[BenTas Member Find all posts View Profile Close BenTas]

Re: Dec 2009 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week) Review

Thanks for the positive feedback regarding my post.

It did take some time to compile and I was concerned it may be too long and readers may lose interest, but I wanted to provide as much detail as I could.

Quick Update: am booked in at the local dealer next Wednesday for the 10,000k service. I'll let you all know how I go.

If there are others out there who have experienced similar issues to me and the others who have posted, please throw up a few lines regarding your experiences as I'd like to provide the Service Mgr with some examples of what I told them I was enduring.

G'day Hoges,

You mentioned you were up for 1st service last wednesday, wondered how you went with auto discussion with your dealership ? Did you get any light shed ?

[Jase150 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jase150]

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

I certainly have had the overheating problem but only when climbing a very very steep rocky and long track (straight up a mountain in fact). This is my first 4WD (and automatic) and the lag issue hasn't really been noticeable, perhaps as its a 3door SX and significantly lighter, for the same reason I could NOT be happier with the performance (considering I've just stepped out of V8 Commodores all my life), easily enough grunt to throw every passenger back in their seats!

I will be reporting the AT over heat issue on my first service next week.

Overall it's a great rig and am very impressed with its on and off road performance - go the shorties!!!

[Simba2212 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Simba2212]

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

Hi All,

My Kakadu does not lag out of a corner, but the A/T has over heated about 3 times now. Well I can't say I've had an older model Prado to compare to... but, I did have a little Rav4, anf it was a 4 speed auto and never had any warning about over heated A/T, even towing our 1.5 tonne van up steep hills??

Mr Toyota needs to address this problem. Can we start a registry form that we all could fill out some details, and send to toyota?

And the other thing is about being able to see your tow bar in the rear view camera on Kakadu's, you can not! The other person that posted stated it was the VX L (Kakadu). This means it is the over seas model that has the camera in the back bumper, not the spare wheel cover. The cover puts the camera out a little to far past the tip of the tow bar. :cry:

Let make Toyota fix the Auto's together!!

[Jase150 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jase150]

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

You are correct Simba - definitely cannot see the towbar through the camera even in a shorty.

As far as the A/T warning light I read this on another thread today -

"I just spoke to a couple of services mangers about the over heating, they said they just received a bullitin from Toyota that the auto will be rejigged so this doesn't happened. They both said that the light shouldn't come on and by re jigging it and reburning(????) the auto will fix the problem. One of the mangers said the auto is not over heating its just the light coming on when it shouldn't So next time your in for service ask them to repair it or give them a ring. The Bullitin came out today 23/4/2010. We will see!!!!!!"

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

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

if its "only the light coming on and not an overheating tranny" why have some smelt hot oil at the same time.......coincidence maybe lol, agree with a couple of posts up the line about formalizing something in regards to a format like the for sale section ie set questions so we can take to respective dealers maybe???

[BenTas Member Find all posts View Profile Close BenTas]

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

Took my 150 for a decent run today, at Jeffries Track in Tassie..............

I'm most impressed with her off road. Up and down very steep rocky Tracks..........No problem at all, over mounds of Clayee poo like stuff, No problem.

What's most effective seems to be the traction control, it's amazing in it's ability to keep the correct amount of power to all wheels, irrespective of whether
they're attached to the ground or not !

I'm very happy with her. I can only suggest removing side steps though.........They are a waste of time. Mine are now shaped like a frown face.
The are too low, and are the first thing to hit when on tight trails, and going "Belly up".

Looks like I may have to get a decent Bar now too...........factory bumper has a bit more character due to approach angle :cry:

Hope video link below works !




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zk5iT1nwiY

and here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SropF2-6Fx8

Nice to finally have a good run off the blacktop.

Cheers

BenTas

[Foxy49 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy49]

Re: REVIEW : 150 Diesel Auto GXL 7000k (5 1/2 week)

Hi people ,We have a shortie SX coming in June after ordering it in early Feb .I think they only come in Auto but stand to be corrected .One thing I will be definitely doing will be adding a extra 20,000btu oil cooler with a in line K&N filter and a Temp gauge on the OUT line .I had this on my Explorer and it worked well as I also changed the oil with a flush every 25K .We have a van and do a lot of towing . The biggest killer of auto transmissions is HEAT and they cost a fortune to repair Regardless of warrenty prevention is better than cure Cheers Foxy :mrgreen: