What is the history of the Toyota Camry (1996-2002)?

Toyota Camry

1996. The all-new Camry debuts: over two hundred improvements, lower price. The model is equipped with a 2.2-litre 133bhp 4-cylinder engine or a 3-litre 194bhp V6.

1998. Preloaded seat belts, side airbags, immobiliser, thicker windscreen; improved water drainage.

1999. The vehicle is available in five variants: CE, LE, XLE, LE V6 and XLE V6. Equipped with two front airbags and optional side airbags, child safety locks and ABS. CE, the basic configuration, includes a 5-speed manual transmission, folding rear seats, windshield defroster, height-adjustable steering wheel and AM/FM stereo. The LE is supplemented by air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and central locking. XLE gets remote door opener, anti-skid system, automatic front seats, CD player, heated mirrors, adjustable pause wipers and alloy wheels.

Body

The designers' desire to make the new car look better than the old one is not always justified. Especially if it radically differs from the previous one: the probability to lose regular customers is great. This has happened to Toyota Camry after updating in 1996. In Russia, the car, as they say, did not sell (unlike in the USA, where it was very well received), although its specifications and consumer qualities are practically on a par with any of its classmates, and it surpasses many of them in terms of reliability.

The body of the Camry has a rather high torsional strength. It is proved by the fact, that even after 5-6 years of exploitation you hardly have to hear noise from interior upholstery or resort to adjustment of door locks.

Body is not galvanized, but due to application of other protection ways it successfully reflects moisture and salt for several years. It is quite easy, however, to spoil the glossy look of the car. Paint coatings are not very abrasion-resistant, and car paint will fade after two-three visits of car washes. It is therefore better not to use them.

Engine

One by one. Toyota Camry (1996-2002)

Toyota Camry

The car is powered by the 5S-FE inline four or the 1MZ-FE V-six. The former engine has a displacement of 2164 cc and the latter has a displacement of 2995 cc. Both engines are reliable enough, but the "four" as a rule, begins to "sweat" after 100 thousand km. They have to change virtually all the gaskets, which is not so cheap: at a company repair shop – 200 USD. It is better to time the repair to planned replacement of a timing belt.

Even after that the oil from the engine will disappear somewhere. One litre of waste per 1000 kilometres of run in both engines is considered a norm. By the way, you will need 3.6 litres of oil in 5S-FE engine, and 4.7 liters in 1MZ-FE.

Both power units consume petrol with octane number not less than 95. The spark plugs there and there are twin electrodes, but in the "four" they have a conventional core, and in the "six" - a platinum tip. On all the plugs it is strictly forbidden to adjust the gap. At most you can afford to change these parts. According to the regulations usual plugs require replacement after 20 thousand kilometers run, "platinum" - after 100 thousand.

Transmission

Five-speed automatic or four-speed automatic. It is difficult to give a preference to one or the other. They are very reliable, so it all depends on your preferences.

The 5S-FE and 1MZ-FE engines are mated to different automatic transmissions. In both, the oil, in the box itself and in the differential, is identical (Dexron III). In the manual transmission, combined with the differential, transmission oil GL-4 or GL-5 with the recommended viscosity SAE 75W-90 is used.

In case of dismantling the gearbox it is more convenient to remove it together with the engine. It is not too difficult, as it is disassembled together with a subframe.

Suspension .

By the screw. Toyota Camry (1996-2002)

Toyota Camry: front strut upper support is probably the only suspension part which requires unscheduled replacement.

Independent front and rear. As a whole, the suspension doesn't cause any particular complaints. Is that the front struts upper supports, withstanding a maximum of 30 thousand kilometres on our roads, break down a little prematurely.

The camber adjustment is carried out for all four wheels. Backlash may occur in the steering rack on many cars. It has an adjusting bolt, but it is often not possible to correct the fault, the probability of hitting the target is 50%. The rack must be adjusted with the engine warmed up to pick out all the thermal clearances, as heat from the engine is also transferred to it when driving.

Brakes

Discs, and the front ones are ventilated. The Camry, unlike other Toyota's, does not 'drive' the front discs, and they last for the entire period given to them by the designers. Many owners mistakenly demand premature replacement of discs - as they say, they make shrill whistling when braking. Actually, pads, which need replacement, whistle; the indication - you can't think of anything better, and it is structurally laid.

Many cars have failures of wheel sensors, which transmit a signal to ABS controller. One of reasons (if sensor is good) is its wrong position in a cam due to, for example, corrosion under the sensor contact plane (changing the angle of attack due to this) or unqualified installation. Many "craftsmen" do not clean the rust and dirt from the sensor's seat when replacing it. The part costs around 100 USD and will last a very long time if properly installed.

The electrical equipment

It is reliable and unpretentious. The only thing you may notice is that sometimes the automatic antenna stops working if there is dirt in the joints. The engine drums, but the aerial does not fly up. Conclusion: The gear insert is worn out. Replacing it is not a complicated operation, but the price of this insert is 30 USD.