Rojie

Hello Francis, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Ben, Welcome to the Forum.

Yes you should check with your local Toyota Dealer what their scope of services are. Most, if not all, Alphards/Vellfires in the UK are Grey Imports; that is not imported through the 'normal' channels. If 10years old or more they escape certain regulations for the UK. However, as they are an unofficial (but entirely legal) import most, but not all, official Toyota Dealers will not work on them. You should check the import status in Tasmania with your local dealers. It makes it so much easier, if not less expensive, to have them be able to work on your vehicle. No rear seats? Do you mean no middle seats as well ? My guess is you are too tall to sleep (comfortably) lengthwise solely on a middle seat. However, sleeping on a (skinny) single mattress on the floor alongside your bikes would be feasible. The latter vehicles do not have the seating flexibility of some of the older models.

I am a little confused. Are you talking cycles, or motor cycles ? IMHO, with the rear seats removed, I believe you will get two motorcycles in abreast of each other; but you will need to remove the middle seats. Depends on the bike width, and will be 'tight'. I believe with the rear seats folded outwards (and upwards) as per Gen 1, you will get one motorcycle inside; you will need to remove one middle seat. The width of my Gen 1 facelift is 5 feet between the middle doors when closed. Between the rear wheel arches is the narrowest position which I cannot measure as I have a rear conversion. Height ? The tailgate opening is the limiting factor if you are loading the items in a vertical position. If you are speaking about cycles, many have quick release wheels which reduce the cycle size significantly. With a little carpentry to separate cycle to cycle and prevent cycle to cycle damage; I would guess you can get 4 to six in easily. It depends on how many spares you carry to the races, and your sleeping requirements. At 6'2" you will not be able to use a hammock across the front seats; so will probably need to retain at least one middle seat and a folded rear (if they fold on a Gen 3). Beware middle that may not fully recline, and those with fixed armrests; as they can compromise sleeping options. MOST important, with whatever you decide is ensure you have a opportunity for local Hybrid servicing which can be very difficult here in the UK. A source for parts is important, and a competent mechanic is essential unless you are capable.

I have had to reset my windows more than once following battery charges and a new battery. My tailgate has never been effected. It is a simple procedure, as above, but you must use the door switches, not the switches on the drivers door. You may need to reset the sunroof too. Make sure your starter battery is full of charge.

Hello David, Welcome to the Forum. Third generation models are quite rare, so far, in the UK. Roof racks for generation 1 are also rare. Bikes (cycles) can be carried on a tow bar, although they are not easy to come by either. Do you intent to remove the rear seats?

Hello Shan, Welcome to the Forum. Are you sure it is a tappet ? Not a blown head gasket ? I am trying to imagine how a broken tappet would produce the "white smoke". White smoke is normally excessive steam due to a failed head gasket (or worse). Check your oil cap for an emulsion with the engine not running. Either way, you are still in need of a competent mechanic.

Hello Ross, Welcome to the Forum.

I have used Turtle Wax compound (not sure if it was heavy duty) on another vehicle and was very happy with the results.

I don't have the same problem. I don't lock our doors. I do have another problem though. At 3am all you can see of my black dog is a large number of glistening sharp white teeth ! Fortunately, his bark is worse than his bite. I have yet to receive many complaints regarding how loud I get whilst trying to quieten HIM !

Hello Hannah, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Tim, Welcome to the Forum. Are you a new owner ? Did the tailgate used to open OK ? Do you have smart locking? Presumably with a fob Do you have an electric tailgate ? Does tailgate open and close with the dash switches ? Has the tailgate been disabled from the dash? Tailgate may not open if starter battery is partially discharged. Renew the fob battery. Need to press for a second or more; it's not instantaneous. Which interior lights are you referring to ? The lights by the rear view mirror; or the room/mood lights ? The lights above the side doors ? The room lights are controlled by a switch. The lights above the doors have a switch above the doors. Cuttothechase has a video on Youtube of how to open the tailgate

As you probably know, you have 10 days to get it retested at the same facility for free. As you don't have the test report; you could do worse than to rebook it, without touching anything, and get the emission test results. Even ask them for an opinion on the cause. Lee' suggestion is also a potential quick fix, but whatever you do you won't know it's effective until the retest !

Sorry ! My mistake !

Hello Craig, Please clarify. The mileage on Facebook is 66,000 kms, whereas DVLA has it recorded as 66,000 miles. Which is it please? Interested parties should note that the MOT is due within two months.

Hello Glen, Welcome to the Forum for you too.

Hello Ezwan, Welcome to the Forum

I was teasing you. I am not aware of any comprehensive Maintenance Manual for the Gen 1 vehicles; or indeed later models.

Hello Jay, Welcome to the Forum

Thank you for the clarity. I was aware of the 10 year situation, but not the term IVA in this context. Thanks for explaining it to me.

Please advise me where I can purchase a Haynes for my Alphie ! I do admire your achievement, but not for me, far too risky when looking through my eyes and using my fingers.

Does that include replacing all that 'gubbins' ? It looks a huge job to me. I think you are very competent, or brave, or both !

A 2014 without IVA (VAT) ? Please elaborate for us all.

I omitted to say the wheels may need balancing. Oopps. Full wheel alignment data is available in this Forum. I think the rear geometry is fixed (notwithstanding excessive wear) but perhaps not for your hybrid. Search Picasso, I think Lee was the last person to publish the data. Check out the technical section too, it is here somewhere !

An hour ?