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Very basic problems with my car?

So the car that I have been driving for quite a while since getting my license, officially belongs to me now. It's a Toyota 2004 Highlander (4WD), with 110,000 miles still running perfectly, and has never broken down in its entire life span. I've had a couple of very small problems, elementary problems most likely, but regardless, I'm not a huge car person, so I don't know their causes/solutions. I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me why any of these problems would be occurring and/or how I would fix them (and if it would be a practical fix). 1) Drift Regardless of terrain, weather, elevation, incline, etc. my car drifts ever so slightly to the right. Is this due to a balance or alignment issue? 2) Steering wheel vibration This may be natural, but the very moment my car reaches 65 or 70mph, there is a sudden, fairly powerful vibration in the steering wheel. I was made to believe that this was natural for a large car traveling at those speeds, but I don't know. 3) Oil Are there indicators to mark when an oil change is necessary? I know that it's supposed to be done every 3,000 miles, but the sticker indicating when the next change was necessary fell off at some point, so Im wondering if there are other ways of telling when that needs to be done. 4) Windshield wiper annoyance I have just changed my wiper blades for brand new ones, and I still get long semi-circles of rain/wiper fluid that the wipers have not pushed aside. There is also occasional smearing. I believe the last brand I was using was Rain X, and they ended their life span with *terrible* smearing and missed sections. I literally just put a pair of brand new duralast wipers on, and they immediately began to leave sections uneffected.

Public Comments

  1. why it is drifting i carnt help you steering wheel vibration might be because the wheels were out of alignment and slipping slighty causing vibrations oil if you have a look on the dipstick im not to sure but i think it is the secong marker at bottom someone correct me if im wrong if the original ones worked fine i wud just get same make tbh
  2. The drifting could be dry ball joints or upper strut mounts binding. I'm taking for granted you've had the front end aligned already. Steering wheel vibration is always balancing, bent wheel or bad belt shifting in tire. If the oil is not caramel colored and looks black change it. Don't use Fram oil filters, the factory told us the cause lash adjuster noise. Lash adjusters are similar to hydraulic lifters. Make sure the blade length is correct. Also make sure the wiper arm is not rusted at the pivot point and that the spring pulls it down fast and tight when lifting the arm 3" off the window and released. PB Blaster and working the pivot helps. Bosch Icon blades are what I recommend, mine have lasted 4 seasons. Clean the rubber blade with rubbing alcohol.
  3. 1) Drift Regardless of terrain, weather, elevation, incline, etc. my car drifts ever so slightly to the right. Is this due to a balance or alignment issue? Have the wheels aligned. 2) Steering wheel vibration This may be natural, but the very moment my car reaches 65 or 70mph, there is a sudden, fairly powerful vibration in the steering wheel. I was made to believe that this was natural for a large car traveling at those speeds, but I don't know. Have the wheels aligned 3) Oil Are there indicators to mark when an oil change is necessary? I know that it's supposed to be done every 3,000 miles, but the sticker indicating when the next change was necessary fell off at some point, so Im wondering if there are other ways of telling when that needs to be done. Kepp a notepad in the glove compartment and keep notes on your maintenance, 4) Windshield wiper annoyance I have just changed my wiper blades for brand new ones, and I still get long semi-circles of rain/wiper fluid that the wipers have not pushed aside. There is also occasional smearing. I believe the last brand I was using was Rain X, and they ended their life span with *terrible* smearing and missed sections. I literally just put a pair of brand new duralast wipers on, and they immediately began to leave sections uneffected. Wipe your wiper blades with a soft towel and a bit of soapy water to remove crud. Wash your windshield with detergent to remove crud.
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