reynoldston

As a mechanic I have have had good luck with used parts. You will pay 1/2 the price of new for used. But yes you do take a chance of getting bad parts so it depends on who is doing the labor if the job has to be done more then once. This is the reason most repair shops will only use new parts.

I have been using Amsoil Signature Synthetic 0W-20 in my 2.4 Camay. I use it like Amsoil recommends as being the 25,000 mile oil change and once a year oil filter change. Has anybody else tried this oil out and if so what are your thoughts on it?

I don't know much about hybrids and you will find that they don't recommend towing with Camry. My 09 Camry has a 2.4 engine and I have been towing a utility trailer for many miles ever since I have own the car. I will find that the car will tow OK, but to install a hitch there isn't much to fasten it to in a Camry but sheet metal. I have even taken trips towing my trailer with my motorcycle on it and the bike weights 700 lbs. + the weight of the trailer. So for what little you will be towing I really don't see a problem.

Sounds more like mice then rats. Rats or squirrels will make a bigger hole and will do a lot more damage. Mice can get into some very small places. I just got into somewhat the same problem. Mice built a nest under the intake manifold in my 09 2.4 Camry. They did a very good job of eating the wiring harness to the engine knock sensor. What a pain to repair seeing I had to remove the intake manifold which is located on the back side of the engine to repair the 22 gage wires which runs inside a shield harness. Seeing I have a repair shop and do a lot of lawn equipment repairs I run into this type of problem often.

New to Forum, Bought the car used in 2010 and found the car to be very maintenance free. The only repairs to date is a complete brake job and a knock sensor. I am a retired mechanic so I do all my own repairs.