Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is among the most popular models in North Carolina. Many drivers especially appreciate this compact car’s rock-solid reliability and inexpensive upkeep. While the Toyota Corolla can last for more than 500,000 miles when properly maintained, it’s not completely invincible. Here are four common problems that owners may encounter.
1. Excessive Oil Consuming
Unfortunately, the Corolla is known for consuming an excessive amount of motor oil. This is especially true after its engine has started to rack up the miles. To prevent trouble, owners must develop a habit of checking the oil level more frequently.
Why does the Toyota Corolla have a tendency to guzzle more oil? For starters, Toyota designs its engine with low-tension piston rings. They effectively boost efficiency and help lower the amount of emissions being produced. The downside is that these modern piston rings can allow more oil to pass through, especially when routine servicing is neglected.
The good news is that there are preventive measures you can take. Owners are strongly advised to prioritize timely oil changes. They also need to invest in high-quality motor oil. These two things will help keep the piston rings in good condition for years to come.
2. Creaky Front Suspension
It’s not uncommon for Toyota Corolla owners to hear a creaking sound when driving over speed bumps and turning. In most instances, this noise can be traced to the front suspension. Luckily, the issue is unlikely to impact the car’s performance for a while. It’s more of an annoyance. Greasing the ends of the control arm will often quieten the suspension.
If the noise becomes progressively worse, there’s a good chance your lower control arm bushings have worn out. Expect to also experience sloppier handling and uneven tire wear. At this point, the only solution is to get the necessary repairs.
3. Transmission Slipping
Corolla models built prior to 2014 offered a four-speed automatic transmission. While this transmission is quite durable, it can experience problems when not servicing at the recommended intervals. Poor shifting and gear slipping tend to be the biggest issues. These problems are especially common after surpassing 125,000 miles on the odometer.
To avoid trouble, it’s important to change the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles or so. Old, dirty fluid causes greater friction between the internal parts. This may eventually lead to overheating, which could seriously damage the transmission.
4. Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) Complications
To help curb environmental pollution, the Toyota Corolla is equipped with an EVAP system. When this system starts to malfunction, your car may still drive perfectly fine. However, you may notice that the check engine light is on.
The first thing to do is to make sure the gas cap is not worn out. Your car’s onboard computer can quickly detect when excessive fumes are being released. If installing a new gas cap does not resolve the problem, you could be dealing with a bad charcoal canister. Taking your Corolla to a certified Toyota mechanic will help you to avoid a lot of unnecessary stress. With the use of advanced diagnostic equipment, they can precisely pinpoint the issue.