Rojie

Brake fluid is hydroscopic, it absorbs moisture. It is important to keep the cap on the brake reservoir tightly; and any brake fluid you may have at home. If the brakes are 'spongey', need pumping, I think a brake fluid change will improve the braking efficiency. Furthermore, brake fluid that has absorbed moisure can be very dangerous. Under severe braking, the brake fluid will get hot, and the moisture absorbed within in it can boil. The nearer the moisure is to the disc, the higher the tendency to 'boil' You cannot compress hydraulic fliud, or water (but you can increase the pressure of both), but water vapour can be compressed. Changing your brake fluid is not expensive. If the brakes have a better feel it's money well spent; if they don't at least you know the fluid is not the cause.

Hello Michael, The bushes are, as I am sure you know, a common maintenance issue. Not an easy job either, but most capable mechanics should be able to complete the job. So, another 60k miles before they need replacing again. Happy Alpharding.

Hello Calwu, You and Dan should check your tyre wear. I have read that uneven tyre wear and/or pressuree can effect the wheel speed sensing on 4wd vehicles. The tyres should be all of identical size and manufacture; and best to stay with the original tyre / wheel size combination; ie no larger wheels or lowering of the vehicle. At least it is a place to start your investigation

Braided brake pipes may help. I agree with the others; the brakes can feel a little soft. Of course you need to consider your driving style too. Comparison with other vehicles, although quite natural, may not be the best approach. I have another car with Brembo brakes, so any comparison I make is largely meaningless. Perhaps your VWs do have better brakes. Presumably you have checked the fluid level. Changing the fluid can do no harm. Are the disc rotors a little thin ? I respectfully suggest you find any empty car park and do some familiarisation stops. Try and sit closer to the pedals if you comfortably can, and try and avoid a (partially) reclined driving position. When is your MOT due ? I am sure your local guys can perform an objective brake test for you. Good Luck, I hope you find them satisfactory.

Hello Henry, Welcome to the Forum. Please send your VIN to Picasso. He will do what he can to help. You can send a personal message if you prefer. Onnea

Is Coventry too far ?

Agreeing with Chris, you should also consider where you will get the hybrid system checked, diagnosed, and repaired; should that become necessary. Do not assume that (most) Toyota dealers will help you, they won't. Even if they would, the cost would be considerable. Read all about it (Michael Brown) on this forum. Michael spent a small fortune but was very safified with the outcome, if not the expense !

Have you checked for recommendations in the servicing section of this Forum.

Any motorcycle shop will sell small stick-on reflectors.

There are some parking locations near me with excessive camber (or poor road laying skills). You must remain aware and cautious and avoid them. You could raise the height of the vehicle, which I would not recommend; and that appraoch is very expense.

Hello Charlotte, Most (if not all) Alphards/Vellfires have reclining seats, front and middle. Regarding the Welcab, a fantastic piece of equipment; but make sure you know where you will get it serviced / repaired. They are not common and therefore, imho, there won't be many servicing oportunities. The Welcab "on the other side" while embarking disembarking the middle row makes sense in Italy / The Continent, but could be very dangerous in the UK. Surely having the vehicle face the 'wrong' way may be a better idea. It depends on where the vehicle would see most use. UK or Continent. PS. Alphards and Vellfires are all Right Hand Drive. Good Luck

Hello Daniel, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Heather, Welcome to the Forum

Hello Chas, Welcome to the Forum. Is your battery fully charged ? That is where I would start. Probably won't hekp, but always worth ensuring you have it fully charged. Check all battery leads for tightness, at both ends too.

So, it sounds like your battery was fully discharged. On a previous battery I had a cell short out, which dropped the voltage to 10.5v; even on a fully charged battery. My symptoms were similar to those you have experienced. The goods new is that a new battery, after being fully charged by smart charger, cured all the issues. You may need to reset your windows and power roof. IF you battery won't fully charge, or discharges again quickly; you will need to find the faulty circuit draining the battery. One other thing to check is that you haven't left your room lights on dim. Quite difficult to see in daylight. Whichever, good luck.

Hello Kev, Welcome to the Forum

Did you ever get one ? JPNZ Owners Manual ?

Hello Pedro, Welcome to the Forum

Hello Brian, Welcome to the Forum. If you bought from a business get in touch with them; possible warranty claim. Have you tried pressing the TRC button ? Do you have a smart charger. How old is your battery? I would get it tested under load. Halfords or Kwik Fit. You need a good battery on the V6 or all sorts of little gremlins will appear. You may also have a wheel sensor issue. Call your local Toyota dealer, most will not work on a grey import; but some will. They will be able to read the codes.

Can you change your vehicle to a Gen 2 Vellfire please. Accordingly, you should maximise answers to your queries. I think you will find that the Gen 2 machines are not available with rotatable seating.

As I say, I don't have them but the benefit of armrests is that they can be moved 'out of the way'. I suggest you check access to the rearmost seats.

Hi Andy, I don't have these in my Gen 1 facelift, the MZ G Edition. It comes in the 7 seater version with 2 Captains seats, as you describe. The seats are not electric, but do have in-bulit moveable footrests; which, I think, are quite adequate. I would ask myself what 'type' of passenger will ride in those middle seats; and is that type of seating the most suitable for them. As a limousine taxi, I am sure passengers would love them.

The power of teamwork.

Hello Dave, Welcome to the Forum.

It could be your recent claim boosting your premium. Before I had my own van converted; I was with Aviva. Good Luck.