A coupl'a questions

[jig47]

I've got about 350 miles now on my 2005 sle V-6 and have a couple of general questions.
1) my brakes seem to groan when releasing the pedal, especially when cold. Is this normal or does it go away once broken in.
2) The temperature gauge seems to hover just left of the center point which is a little higher than I am used to. Is this typical.
3) Is there any mileage advantage to using high test over regular or vice-versa. In mixed city only driving(no highway) I only achieved 16.3 mpg which seems rather poor. Ny Acura TL 3.2 averaged 19.
4) RPM at idle seems a little higher than I am used to. On average it seems to be around 750-800. While idle is absolutely flawless, this seems a little high.
5) After playing around with different tire pressures, I am currently running with 28 all around. This may account for poorer mileage but I like the plushness of the ride. After the suspension brakes in more, I will probably
go to 30. 32 seems to stiff for my tastes. What are you currently running?
Thanks All, Jeff

[online]

I just turned 1000 miles (changed oil)

I never experience any groaning from the brakes. You may want to have the dealer check it out.

Octane - I find it interesting that the owner's manual dances around any recommendations. I've been using 89 with no issues. Haven't check mileage yet since it should improve now that it is broken in.

Temperature gauge - mine hovers about a third of the way up.

Good luck with your new ride

[Willy7o2]

My '04 Solara has been running flawlessly ever since I got it. City driving, I get an average of 21.2mpg. Highway, I get around 32. Well, considering that everyone in Vegas drivers 5-10 miles over speed limit, 50mi/hr on city may contribute to the better mileage. I do hear a little groan voice when the brakes are still cold, but no major problems there. All-n-all ... a good car.

[mmcdonald]

When I release the brakes and roll backward in the morning, mine groan a little too. This is somewhat normal until the pads get heated up. If they groan when you stop, that is way past time to get new brakes. But a little groaning in the morning is okay.

I use 93 octane. There is a knock sensor that will prevent detonation with lower octanes, but you will not get all the power the engine has to offer unless you use 93 (or an additive!) The sensor robs you of power. The lower you go, the slower you go. I think this will also rob you of some mileage.

That being said, I do mixed city highway and get around 27mpg. I have done 30.5mpg over 400 miles highway fully loaded. If you are getting this low mileage, you are either idling a lot at lights, and/or jackrabbiting between lights. The longer you sit idle, the lower your fuel mileage will go because the computer calculates idle speed (which is 0 gas mileage.) I would recommend a manual calculation of mileage at the pump. Also, stop chirping the tires

In any event, I do about 25,000 miles per year. If the difference between 87 and 93 is $.20 per gallon, then over a year it only costs me an additional $185.00 per year to use 93 (average 27mpg). I calculated this BEFORE I bought the car, and this influenced my decision. I am sticking to 93.

My ride idles at around 750-800, which is normal.

Lower tire pressure will NOT improve handling. Since the sidewalls flex more, the ride is sloppier with lower pressures. Lower pressures may also cause your tires to wear along the edges, which may help grip initially, but very soon you will have NO grip as the tread edges get scraped off. I didn't get the Sport for its plush ride, so I keep mine at 32psi.

[mmcdonald]

The ride FEELS better with lower pressure, but the handling is sloppier. Jiffy Lube uses the lowest pressure recommended by the manufacturer. That is why I always tell them not to flatten my tires when they do service.

Handling IS improved off-road with lower pressures, however.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Handling IS improved off-road with lower pressures, however.

But why would anyone want to go offroading with a solara (granted that coming from a dude who took his dad's cressida station wagon to the middle of the deset and got stuck!!!!).

[cablemn]

i think he meant in a general way. that off road vehicles, as a rule, handle better with lower tire pressure.