Blitz R-Vit

If you are an owner of Isis, you will notice that the car didn't come with a water temperature gauge, although this is a common practice on all new japanese car but I still prefer to know what's the water temperate while I am driving.
Why ? Because I had a bad experience with my other car which resulted the engine overheated and stranded me somewhere in the highway.
Lucky for me, I manage to get myself a Blitz R-Vit from my other car and installed it into my Isis. This devices comes with 3 set of wiring, one from the OBD port, the other one from the cigar lighter plug and last if for the device itself.
I prefer a clean interior and hide all the wiring away from view hence I cut a hole from the button cover and pull the wiring inside the dashboard. The display itself was glue on using double sided tape. So far the double sided tape works even on hot weather.

Next is the power point, I route the wiring into the cup holder area and last is the OBD port wiring that I hide all behind the dashboard. A cable tie secure everything behind. Toyota Isis OBD port are located at the bottom of the dashboard (driver side) next to the latch to open the bonnet.

R-Vit is capable to display up to 6 parameter of your choice in the same time, but I prefer to show on 3 parameter as the display is rather small and bigger font does help during viewing.
The parameter that I choose for Isis is "Gear", "Water Temp" & "ATF Temp". It is good to know your ATF oil temperature to help you guard and save your gearbox from going bad. High ATF temperature will shorten the lifespan of your gearbox. Repair of gearbox is costly and it is not easy too.

Replacing air filter

Do you know that using a clogged or dirty air filter will affect your fuel consumption ? Thats what happening to my car now. It clock 30k and I haven't change my air filter from day 1, so recently I went to my favourite spare part shop in Sentul and bought myself a Original Air Filter for Toyota Isis. I do expect that the air filter is the same parts as being used in the 1.8l Toyota Wish, after checking the parts catalogue the boss told me that it is the same. The air filter cost RM70.00 and made by Denso Japan. Parts number is 17801-22020.

I had snapped some photo of the before and after condition of the air filter. The darker on the top air filter is the original and replaced air filter while the bottom white colour is the new air filter. I yet to test the mileage I will get after changing this, but I expect some slight increase in power and mileage. For those who experience some drop in performance and mileage per tank, try to check your air filter and replace if necessary. Happy DIY.

Toyota Isis Magazine

I bought this magazine about a year ago when I Isis come into my family. Its an old magazine back in 2005 and it feature everything about Isis to the reader. It started with the development concept from Toyota to the comparison with Wish and Noah and close with the catalogue of Toyota Isis.
You could always order a copy from the local Kinokuniya and the details are as below :-

ISBN : 4-87904-821-6
Price : JPY 420 / RM 21.20

And a word of caution, it is entirely in Japanese as this is purely for the Japanese market only.

New Toyota Isis Commercial (Japan)

The above is the latest commercial for Toyota Isis. You can see the new design of the front grill of Toyota Isis.

Changing Air Cond Filter

Afte using Isis for a year, I think the air cond performance decreases maybe due to the air cond filter chocked with dust and dirt. So one day I open up my passenger side drawer and take out the filter to have a look, it was black and dirty. I remember take this out during the first day of owning the car 1 year ago that it is clean and white, never think it will change to this condition after 1 year.

To change the filter is easy, you just need to open up the drawer and remove the air cond filter holder and replace the filter only.
I bought a replacement filter from local denso supplier for around RM50.00 and replace it myself following the photo shown above. The filter that I bought are meant for Toyota Wish and I assume that it can be used in my Isis. The original filter were different because the side panel are square and thick, while the denso are thin.
Anyway the part number for this filter are :- 014520-0890

Reverse sensor

During my visit to CNAudio, I also take the opportunity to install a set of reverse sensor because of an parking incident by my wife the other day. After an explaination from the boss, I choose the more expensive model as he say it is much better and faster.

I don't really understand why and how but the price is not too much of a different between the cheaper model and this one, I just choose it. Plus the sensor have the same colour with my car then it will reduce the cost and time to paint match it.

I think most toyota have the reverse beeping sound as standard even without the reverse sensor. So by installing this, when I engage reverse I will hear 2 different beep as one from the toyota while the second sharper sound will come from the reverse sensor.

Personally, I feel the sensor is just a safety device, my other car have no reverse sensor and I have used to it for some time. Just remember to look at the side and rear windor more during reverse.

2nd row blower from Taiwan

A few months ago, I bought this item from a group buy in WishClubMalaysia and I been keeping it in the store because of lack of time to go to install it. However after a road trip during Hari Raya that my Isis need to carry 7 person including myself, I think its time to install it before the next road trip. Reasons ? During the afternoon the cold air at the front can't penetrate or reach the third row resulting a big complain and some comments.

This blower is not an air conditioner system, it is just a blower that function to blow air from one side to the other. Simply say it is a fan. It is made in Taiwan and I heard that the Toyota Wish at Taiwan do install it in their car. There are 2 speed for this blower, and the operation switch can be switch to I or II for the different fan speed and when you activate it, it will turned on the side led too.

A few days ago, I drop by CNAudio in Shah Alam to install this item, it is a highly recommened shop for its good workmanship. I do agree with it. The boss is friendly too.
Above is the photo of where it is fix in the car now. I had tested it and the 3 row passanger can really feel the air even on the low setting.

The second photo show when it is activated with the blue led glow at the side.

For those having a MPV same as me or wanted something like this for the comfort of the back passanger, it is a good upgrade for car in the hot and humid country same as Malaysia.