lexmex

If you are going to change your brake fluid (have had problems with Toyota's DOT3 fluid getting contaminated where I live), I switched to Valvoline Synpower Brake Fluid and a much better pedal feel and shorter stops.

Not sure I have felt what you are describing. Sometimes I feel a bad downshift going down a hill or my brake pedal has a lot of play in it. What part of what is happening worries you most. When I have something I know is related to transmission, I usually pull the negative cable on my battery to reset it. With where I live, the terrain changes so much the car feels funny on occasion.

Frank, You cannot go to 245s on 16s as they will rub on turns. You might try spacers but this could be hard on your suspension just like lowering springs. 225s or 235s (that I now have) are your best bet and no rubbing. Only thing you might find is that 235s (for some odd reason) have less treadlife. A lot of SUVs use 235-70-16. I have been actually working on getting some Racing Hart rims and moving toward a 225-50-16 Michelin Pilot Sport. Only problem is in Mexico City any tires will last literally from sunrise to sunset given the roads we have down here. My 235s only last about 1 year here.

1. Check her air filter to see if it is clean or needs replacing. I often recommend trying to drive around the block with the air filter out to see if that is the problem and if it will stall. It won't hurt the car unless you are in a duststorm 2. On the tube from the throttle body to the airbox there is a sensor attached with two small screws. This is the MAF sensor. Unscrew it and pull it out and see if their gunk on the little red diode. Clean it off using carb cleaner or brake dust cleaner. Sometimes, you won't get a check engine light for this. If you do, pull the negative battery cable off or take the EFI fuse (20 amp yellow fuse in the fusebox) out for a second. In both cases, DO NOT have the key in the ignition. 3. Take off the rubber connection hoses from the throttle body to the airbox. Get some carburator cleaner (like the stuff made by GUNK) and a bottle that will spray not stream water (like old Armor All bottles). Have your sister turn on the car and give it gas all the way. Start spraying in the carburator cleaner into the throttle body for about 30 seconds. Then have her step off the gas and wait 30 seconds. Then have her floor it again and spray the water in the throttle body for 30 seconds. Repeat this two more times. Note: You will get a check engine light after this so either pull the EFI fuse or the negative battery cable as I mentioned earlier. 4. Use some fuel injector cleaner. I highly recommend Chevron's Techron or two bottle of their Progard, NOS fuel injector cleaner or Restore fuel injector cleaner. 5. Take the RX somewhere where you can get the engine steamed. You would be surprised how much dirty and much is in the engine compartment and what an improvement you will feel in performance after this.

Right underneath the engine manifold. Probably a black Toyota oil filter that makes it difficult to see it. I would also recommend that you switch to a K&N oil filter, an HP1002 model number, as it has a bolt on top for easy removal. I don't even have to open up the bottom of the car to get at it. I just wait until it gets cool and then reach underneath the manifold with a wrench and take it off very gently.