Question1) My Solara is a 2001 SE 4 cylider with 75,000 miles on it. It goes in for maintenance every 3750 miles to a Toyota dealer. At its 75,000 mile check I was told that I will need rotars and brake pads. I can understand the pads, but don't understand how I can need rotars. I was told they are rusted. This is my first set of pads. Most of the milage is highway milage, I drive 50 miles each way to work every day. I have the car exactly 3 years, so I am putting on 25, 000 miles a year. Is this normal to have rusting rotars?
2) For the second time, the discharge hose for my airconditioner has clogged, causing the carpets in the back seat to become wet. Is this an inherent problem with the Solara? The last time the dealer charged me to to unclog it. Is this something I can do, or is it too difficult for me to unclog. They got to the hose by removing the carpet below, the passengers side of the dash board, I think?
Beyond that I have had great success with my Solara. With regular maintenence, how long can I expect my Solar SE 4 cylinder to last? Should I be looking to trade it already?
Thanks
RJS
AnswerThe rotors normally need to be replaced if they are below the minimum thickness or if machining them will make them go below the minimum, in this case it is 26mm, just for your information. I don't know why they would need to be replaced because of the rust, ask them to tell you at what thickness the rotors are and the reason they can not be resurfaced.
The A/C drain hose problem is not inherent but does happen, why it keeps happening on yours I don't know, there may be some foreign matter like small leaves that came in through the vents that cause this, you can peel back the carpet and you should see the drain hose inside, you can also locate it under the car near the firewall and try to clean it out with a wire or try blowing some air in to it but unless whatever is clogging it is removed it will probably get clogged again.
The car should last well into the 200,000 mile range with proper maintenance.
