26th Oct 2011, 22:25

The car is slightly younger than 5 years. Let me update with the latest. I just waxed it yesterday.

The driver door produces rickety sound. It could be due to a loose door trim due to the exposure to the hot outdoor sun, causing a plastic part to warp slightly that caused a small gap. Cannot ask too much from such an excellent workhorse.

Recently, I sent it back to authorised agent servicing, after being outside serviced after the 3 year warranty expired. I requested that they check and inform of any wear, tear or damage. Agent informed that a drive shaft boot was torn. Replaced both drive shaft boots at less than half the authorised agent price outside. That was about three months back.

The aircon fresh air duct vane dropped onto my aircon filter. The authorised agent put it back without charges earlier this year. Maybe, because I paid them to install an aircon tray and filter a few years back, or maybe it could be a defect.

One thing I continued to like about my toy is that it continues to return me the mileage of about 18.5km/ltr using the minimum grade of RON petrol approved. The driving pattern remained the same at about 80% highway.

21st Jul 2014, 03:10

Hi, my Toyota Vios is now 7.5 years old. After that drive shaft boot replacement, the following parts were replaced:

(a) Front and rear hydraulic suspension cylinders (due to one non performing cylinder in the front, replaced front and rear set anyway).

(b) Brake pedal button (causing brake light to be locked on).

(c) Wiper spray nozzle (apparently choked).

Other than above parts replaced, the vehicle also showed signs of age related quality problems.

The upholstery patterned cloth drapes down from door panels, cushions appear to shrink a bit, headlamp cover finishes have begun to peel, exposing the headlamp plastic to sunshine, tinting it yellowish (I hope that Toyota have addressed this by now?).

I still rate this Toyota Vios as excellent.

29th Mar 2018, 02:58

Hi people,

I've just bought a new lease of life for this car. In SG, we have to buy a new lease of life for the car once it is 10 years on the road.

The Vios is an excellent workhorse and transport. My Vios is now into its 12th year. I haven't encountered a breakdown that required an overnight stay in a workshop.

Just to update, those wear parts that I've changed so far from my previous comment:

1. Twice - front shock absorbers (as a pair).

2. Once - front shock absorber rubber mount (as a pair).

3. Once - rear shock absorbers (as a pair).

4. Twice - air con magnetic clutch relay.

5. Once - radiator-aircon condenser fan motor.

6. Once - front brake pads.

7. Thrice - front drive shaft boots (I always wonder why I change front drive shaft boots so many times).

8. Once - on a air bag replacement recall.

9. Once - engine mount at three locations suspending the 1NZFE engine.

The car traveled over 210,000km. One item was rectified. It had a toe out 7m/km, but was rectified back to 0m/km using laser alignment.

I used to use 5W40 engine oil, which is easily available here. However, over the years advanced low viscosity engine oil became price competitive, so I switched into that. My Vios recently passed its mandatory vehicle inspection with lower noise emission. 75.0dBA vs 73.2dBA using 0w30.

I learnt that if I drive the car like a heavy vehicle, i.e. moving off gradually from traffic, plus intelligently change up gear, and allow vehicle to slow down just a bit when traveling uphill, the vehicle can achieve a mileage of 20km/l (if you remember, mine is a manual transmission).

That's all for now. I'll be back with more. :)

31st Jul 2019, 07:52

Hi people,

For us who keep track of update of my Vios, I'm pleased to announce that it is still alive and kickin'.

It has done 248,000 km. The 1NZ-FE engine is still going wonderfully well.

My Vios has had its fair share of hiccups. Let me list them:

(1) Topped up air con gas (my car air con system is still original; sweet).

(2) Tightened negative wire connected to air con compressor (I tightened the compressor ground wire, problem gone... sweet).

(3) Changed out my right hand rear wheel bearing (banged it on a kerb more than enough times, past year, ouch).

(4) Greased the moving mechanism of the right hand rear automatic window (I guess it will need to be redone in the future because I forgot to ensure the gear teeth were thoroughly greased, other than moving pivots).

(5) Reverse gear switch failed to make contact (I exercise the reverse gear few times at one instance, problem solved... sweet).

I used my oscilloscope to test my fuel pump operating current, and engine starter cranking current. Their waveforms looked good.

My previous post was use 0W30 engine oil. I'm happy to declare that those 4 engine spark plugs are about 38,000km old. Still going good. I'm off.

Will be back.

6th Feb 2022, 09:14

This is Feb 2022. The VIOS is going strong. It has covered 284K km. Manual transmissions are getting rare. Will this manual transmission VIOS still be rolling, say, in maybe thirty years? Let’s look at the maintenance,

1. The four spark plugs were replaced when they reached 40K. The copper plug head still retained its clearance, albeit worn to one side by a bit.

2. The reverse switch finally failed, resulting in no reverse indicator lights when in reverse gear. The switch was replaced. 2019.

3. The air con experienced intermittent cooling again. Let’s recap the mitigating actions. The first was to replace the air con magnetic clutch relay. It returned again and the second replacement solved the problem for a shorter duration compared to the first replacement. This time, the third time, the replacement relay doesn’t seem to lead to a lasting solution. I tried tightening the electric cables but it didn’t help. Removed a spacer from the air con magnetic clutch assembly. The air con worked like new again. 2019.

4. The manual transmission clutch got stiff. The stiff made engaging first gear difficult and reverse gear a bit of an art. Replaced a new MT clutch kit. 2019.

5. The RHS control arm rubber bush cracked and its ball joint protective rubber split open. Replaced control arm. 2019.

6. Bled out the old brake fluid and replaced with new, changed the drive belt and its idle pulley. 2019.

7. One of the rear shock absorber hydraulic cylinder was found to leak oil. Replaced both cylinders. 2020.

8. The steering wheel turn with a tik-thak-tik-thak sound. Then it became increasingly difficult to left turn. Soon the check airbag light didn’t go away. Replaced the steering wheel clock spring. 2021.

9. The brake pedal button broke again. Replaced 2021.

10. A thud sound could be heard when negotiating a turn. The left steering rod end ball joint had gone bad. Replaced 2022.

11. The tyre air valve rubber stem had failed one by one i.e. the rubber body cracked open causing decompression. This third time, the affected tyre was damaged and couldn't be reused. Poor-quality air valve rubber stem..!?

This VIOS is a wonderful car, isn't it.