New to me 02 Avalon XLS?

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???

Using higher octane gas will most likely give you the results that the
owner's manual says it will, i.e., better performance. Since higher octane
fuel is generally more expensive, you have to decide if you need or want
that additional performance and whether you are willing to pay more for it.
>
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>

You cannot tell whether motor oil is synthetic or conventional just by
looking at it. The sure way to tell what kind of oil is in it now would be
an oil analysis, which could cost more than an oil change.

If you are good at getting the oil and filter changed at reasonable
intervals, then conventional oil should be good enough. If you are not so
good, then synthetic *may* tolerate a little more abuse.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???

Using higher octane gas will most likely give you the results that the
owner's manual says it will, i.e., better performance. Since higher octane
fuel is generally more expensive, you have to decide if you need or want
that additional performance and whether you are willing to pay more for it.
>
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>

You cannot tell whether motor oil is synthetic or conventional just by
looking at it. The sure way to tell what kind of oil is in it now would be
an oil analysis, which could cost more than an oil change.

If you are good at getting the oil and filter changed at reasonable
intervals, then conventional oil should be good enough. If you are not so
good, then synthetic *may* tolerate a little more abuse.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???

Using higher octane gas will most likely give you the results that the
owner's manual says it will, i.e., better performance. Since higher octane
fuel is generally more expensive, you have to decide if you need or want
that additional performance and whether you are willing to pay more for it.
>
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>

You cannot tell whether motor oil is synthetic or conventional just by
looking at it. The sure way to tell what kind of oil is in it now would be
an oil analysis, which could cost more than an oil change.

If you are good at getting the oil and filter changed at reasonable
intervals, then conventional oil should be good enough. If you are not so
good, then synthetic *may* tolerate a little more abuse.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???

Using higher octane gas will most likely give you the results that the
owner's manual says it will, i.e., better performance. Since higher octane
fuel is generally more expensive, you have to decide if you need or want
that additional performance and whether you are willing to pay more for it.
>
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>

You cannot tell whether motor oil is synthetic or conventional just by
looking at it. The sure way to tell what kind of oil is in it now would be
an oil analysis, which could cost more than an oil change.

If you are good at getting the oil and filter changed at reasonable
intervals, then conventional oil should be good enough. If you are not so
good, then synthetic *may* tolerate a little more abuse.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???

Using higher octane gas will most likely give you the results that the
owner's manual says it will, i.e., better performance. Since higher octane
fuel is generally more expensive, you have to decide if you need or want
that additional performance and whether you are willing to pay more for it.
>
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>

You cannot tell whether motor oil is synthetic or conventional just by
looking at it. The sure way to tell what kind of oil is in it now would be
an oil analysis, which could cost more than an oil change.

If you are good at getting the oil and filter changed at reasonable
intervals, then conventional oil should be good enough. If you are not so
good, then synthetic *may* tolerate a little more abuse.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

"comcastss news groups" wrote in message

> Last night I traded in my 97 Camry XLE with 120,000 miles for a 02 Avalon
> XLS with 37,000 miles.
>
> Disappointed in the Camry. Was hoping to go 200,000 miles but it was in
> need
> of to much repair to keep.
>
> Hopefully the Avalon works out better.
>
> I was never happy with the suspension of the Camry. .
>
>
> two questions..
>
> the manual says to use 87 octane gas but higher octane would give better
> performance???
> Is the higher octain advisable or a waste of money???
>
Congratulations! You're much like me in my history...The 97 camry was
getting a little long in the tooth for long trips (not that it failed us,
but at (now) 135K miles we didn't want to chance it) so relegated its use to
around town, and got an 03 Avalon XLS in May '04 with 28,000 on the clock.
I've never put premium gas in it, regular 87 is just fine and the
performance is fine (which you'll find out when you merge into freeway
traffic) your speed will jump up.
>
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?

Never used synthetic oil...just good quality regular 5w/30.


> Salesman said it was Synthetic....( He also told me that the valet key was
> the "master key" and I should put it in a safe place because I would need
> it
> if I ever needed a key made )....

Never had a valet key...is it one without the chip so that only the door and
trunk will open with it? I should think any key would do to make a new
one, but as an ignition key, you'll need one with a chip.
>
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
>
>
> Thanks for any input on this new to me car....
>
>
> Steve


Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with no
problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to figure
out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

comcastss news groups wrote:
> Is there a way to tell what kind of oil is in it now?
> Salesman said it was Synthetic.
> Reguardless of whats in there now would I be better off with regular dino
> oil or a synthetic oil...
=====

I'm not an expert, but I'd choose synthetic over dino for
the 02 Avalon XLS with 37k miles.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS? 

>
>
> Steve, you're gonna love it! We've put almost 25k on ours so far, with
no
> problems. (Just make sure you tighten the gas cap....we evidently didn't
> recently and got a "check engine" light which cost an hour's labor to
figure
> out that nothing was wrong. ($88 investigative fee, sheesh )
>
>

I do love it!
The ride is sooo much better than our Camry was...

I do worry about the sludge issue though...

Any way to tell if this car is affected?

Steve
 >> Stay informed about: New to me 02 Avalon XLS?