1. Toyota Canada recommended 32000 km service.

• Oil and filter change--Done.
• Replace coolant--Done.
• Replace front differential fluid--Done.
• Replace transfer case fluid--Done.
• Lubricate propeller shaft--Done.
• Replace automatic transaxle fluid--Done.
• Replace rear differential fluid (synthetic)--NOT DONE

2. Adjust driver's door and repaint (3rd attempt)--Done.

3. Adjust automatic headlamps to maximum sensitivity. Remedy: New light sensor ordered.

4. Check seatbelt indents in 3rd bench leather. This was on the Sequoia even before it was delivered to us. Remedy: Attempt heating leather next week.

I called them in the afternoon and found out that they needed more time. The Sequoia was still in the body shop and they discovered that front brake pads needed replacing. I had a courtesy car (2004 Corolla SE) so it was not a big deal for me.

The service manager recommended not to replace the rear differential fluid until the 48000 km service. He said also that since it was synthetic, this procedure would be expensive.

Also, they noticed a potential problem with the Automatic headlamp control, so they ordered a light sensor ($229). I hadn't noticed anything before but at least it will be covered under warranty. 

New: One thing I did notice after picking the Sequoia that there is electrical interference whenever I fold (but not open) the power mirrors--I can hear it on the radio. Hopefully this will be corrected when I bring it in again.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the door being fixed correctly this time.

I asked for the old front brake pads and took a few pictures of them. Apparently the front pads were at 1.5 mm left while the rears are at 5.5. I guess replacing them now is better than wearing down to the metal like I did with the Passat!

2003 Toyota Sequoia Front Brake Pads (31681 km):

Replace front brake pads and turn rotors

Invoice page 1

Invoice page 2

Invoice page 3

Invoice page 4

Maintenance Service Report

after free oil change coupon ($29.95 value)

• No Touch Window Stripper
• Bosch 19" Micro Edge Excel Wipers

Visibility in the rain was never really good from the very beginning when we got the Sequoia. This was due mostly to the residue on the windows that would cause the wipers to streak. It was more than bugs and looked like hard water stains on all the glass. I suspected that someone who had washed the Sequoia in the past had allowed soap to dry on the vehicle (tsk, tsk!) and/or used some type of spray wax that coated the windows.

I tried new wiper refills to see if that would help but it didn't. I tried also number of different window cleaners but that didn't work either. I even did a search on the Internet and found a BMW Technical Service Bulletin that seemed to describe the problem that I was experiencing (see The Bon Ami FAQ).

That almost worked. I couldn't find any local stores that carried the general purpose Bon Ami cleaner, but Safeway had Bon Ami Glass Cleaner. The Bon Ami Glass Cleaner helped a little bit to get some of the residue off but before I do another application and really work my elbows into it, I found some No Touch Glass Stripper. It's supposed to remove silicone build-up, hard water stains, mud, oil and tar that other cleaners cannot.

Yaay! The No Touch Glass Stripper worked! It removed all residue from the areas that I applied it to. If you look at the picture below, you can see the area on the left of the rear window where I applied the Glass Stripper. The water is supposed to sheet (not bead) and you keep applying a small amount until that happens.

Glass Stripper used on left side of window: 

I cleaned the windshield, the back window and the two front side windows. I also changed to brand new Bosch Micro Edge Excel wipers. I read in Consumer Reports awhile ago that the Micro Edge Excel were good. They were really easy to remove and install.

The Bosch Micro Edge Excel wiper blades have a slightly different shape than the stock ones. In the picture below the stock blade is on top.

Stock wiper blade vs. Bosch Micro Edge Excel:

The results are amazing. I now have clear vision in the rain .

No Touch Glass Stripper

Bosch Micro Edge Excel

2004.02.27

• Replace Automatic Headlamp Sensor
• Radio static when power mirrors are folded
• Indents in 3rd row leather seat back

This was the follow-up to the 32000 km service where they found a potential problem with the automatic headlamp module. 

They were supposed to call me a week later after the part had arrived and give me a courtesy car but they never called. Then I got letter saying that someone would be following up about my recent service for the Sienna-?! 

I got a call a couple of weeks later and I told them I hadn't heard back about the special order part. A week after that I made an appointment--no courtesy car .

Results:

The automatic headlamp sensor was replaced under warranty. Although I asked them to set it to maximum sensitivity, I have not noticed a difference when the headlamps turn on .

The static from the mirrors was blamed on a weak radio station. They disregarded the fact that it occurs even when the CD is playing. The static is still there .

The service manager said heating up the leather didn't do anything to fix the indents in the leather. He didn't offer any other suggestions despite the fact that during the Toyota Owner Orientation night in November when I asked him, he said it could be replaced under warranty. I didn't push the point, but it would have been nice if he offered .

Overall, this service experience was far less than satisfying.

• Applied Eagle One NanoWax

Results: Details and pictures

Valvoline/Eagle One Website

• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO (LT265/65/70)

OEM tires Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 (P265/16/17) were nearly bald and two were unevenly worn on the outside edge. (It was like that when we bought the demo so I suspect the dealership never rotated the tires.) Also, another tire was starting to leak air badly after suffering an off-road puncture last September (See 2003.09.14 - Maintenance 2003).

BFGs are 1" bigger than stock size. Speedometer will be 3.4% too slow--at 60 mph, speed will really be 62 mph.

I debated between these tires and the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo right to the very end. Ultimately, I picked the BFGs because I wanted off-road durability.

Here's my list of pros and cons gathered in my research. The comments in italics are my impressions after living with the tires.

• Cost includes Environmental Levy, balancing, and taxes

• Additional pictures here.

• BFGoodrich All-Terrain tire information.

Volco Tire

• Replaced cracked driver-side signal lamp (See 2003.11.11 - Maintenance 2003)

Procedure: There are instructions in the owner manual for removing signal lamp.

I bought the replacement from ebay. It's a slightly used 2002 Sequoia signal lamp, but at least it's not cracked. The headlight covers should prevent any new cracks from showing up. The cost for a new lamp at the dealership is close to $100.

• Wheel alignment performed to "DJ's Specs." A lot of people have had good experience with these numbers and my goal was to get as close to these as possible.

I was actually happy with the way the Sequoia was handling but I was worried about preventing uneven tire wear. Two of the old tires were worn pretty badly on the outside edges. I suspect the dealer did not rotate the tires for the first 19000 km. Since I got the Sequoia almost a year ago, I've rotated the tires 3 times--but those two tires were probably a lost cause.

Anyway, I asked about this on the forums at TundraSolutions and got some very helpful advice. Here is the post as of June 28, 2004.

It was the toe that was really out, so now the Sequoia handles even better--I feel like I could drive down the road saying, "Look, Ma, no hands!"

Here are the numbers....

DJ's Specs

My Results