[Epiphany]

Hi everyone, After a lot of debate and introspection, our young family of four has decided on a 2015 Sienna Limited. At the end it was between an Infiniti QX60 and the Sienna.

I am told that there is not one available Sienna nearby that matched the colour and trim that we want. So it will be a few months wait for production and delivery.

Just a quick question. Have they gone back to halogen taillights for non SE Sienna models? If that is so, that really sucks, given that we had considerable debate comparing SE with the Limited. I simply neglected this prior to ordering.

 

[Geezer1]

I think you meant "incandescent tail lights" instead of "halogen tail lights". Yes, only the 2015 SE still has LED tail and brake lights. The rest have incandescent tail and brake light bulbs. I think all 2015 grades have incandenscent rear turn signal bulbs which is the same as on all grades of the 2011-2014. The high mounted rear stop light is still LED on all grades.

In my opinion, the main draws of the Limited are the optional HID headlights and Advanced Technology Package which includes Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and Hill Start Assist Control. We would not have considered a Sienna at all if PCS and DRCC had not been available.

I might have bought an SE if it had been available with PCS and DRCC.

By the way, an order of a Sienna can be modified until just a few days before it is manufacturered - at least that is how it worked last year when I ordered my fully optioned Limited in March and took delivery exactly four weeks later on April 22 - one year ago today which I am particularly aware of since I renewed my Safety Connect (SOS) subscription this morning.

 

[Epiphany]

Thanks Geezer. Yes incandescent was what I meant. SIENNA had LED tail lamps 2011-2014, if i am not mistaken. Not sure why would they go back when the originals looked pretty nice.

I live in Canada. The Canadian Limited version has 10 speaker JBL, lounge seating second row, HID, dual sunroof that SE doesn't have even with the add-on tech package. And the difference is just about 2,000 dollars.

It just came down to either the exterior looks of the SE, or the interior comfort of the Limited. Why can't we have both? Why?

It sometimes sucks to have the first world problems.

 

[Epiphany]

Sorry, forgot to add that I can get a Limited in brown leather that SE doesn't.
Guess, my first mod will be to replace the taillights to SE version if that's doable.

Would you know if anyone in the forum have done a SE mod on a non SE version? I would appreciate if you can lead me to one.

Thanks.

 

[Geezer1]

Ah, Canada. One of my grandfathers was a "frostback" from Ontario - doesn't look like he bothered with U.S. immigration! Yes, isn't it hard that we have to deal with these awful vehicle choices?

Look at it this way. How many vehicles have five different trim levels like the Sienna? That's a lot! I think Toyota is giving people a nice selection of trim levels although I agree it might seem nice to go back to the distant past when all vehicle options could be ordered individually.

I only like the SE for it's more fun handling. I like the exterior look of the Limited far more than the SE's exterior. And the Limited handles pretty nicely - substantially better than Sienna models with 17" wheels. I had only driven a rental Siennas with 17" tires and was very happy to discover when I got my Limited that its handling seemed much sharper.

There were other very important reasons we wanted the Limited other than the HID and ATP features - memory driver seat and turn signals on the exterior mirrors that can be seen from the sides. I couldn't care less about the twin sunroofs, rear entertainment system and ottoman second row seats but people (mostly old people like us) who ride back there seem amused that that these features are in a van. The "mood lights" around the rear sunroof are a hoot! And how many vehicles have electrically reclining third row seats?

Other important features like blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert and heated seats that were formerly available on on the Limited are now trickling down to other trim levels so the Limited does not seem to have as many advantages as it did before the 2015 models.

I think the incandescent tail lights on your Limited will be fine. I certainly don't care about the LED tail lights on my Sienna and particularly dislike the "clear" LED tail lights that are still used on the SE.

 

[Epiphany]

Yes, I forgot the power foldable mirror with puddle lights on the Limited, as well as memory seats that SE won't have either. Funny, I am about 36, but still was sold on the rear entertainment, dual sunroof and recliner seats ala S Class/ Maybach . I actually also liked the read tail light covers on the 2011-2014 models with LED inserts over the SE transparent ones. But I can't stand that when the entire world and it's satellite is moving towards LED, why would Toyota spend the effort to design, engineer and mold to go back to Halogen, sorry incandescent?

But I will follow your advice and tone down my rhetoric; and actually wait for my car to be delivered first before deciding to modify it. Of course, I will depend on advice from the learned ones like you on this, and on many other things. It's going to be a long ride. My older child is now 3. I can't wait to hand her this car on her 16th birthday

Oh, I didn't know that the Limited handled much nicer than the ones with 17 inch wheels. It was my wife that liked the SE more than me because of the handling (and the entry height). We tried the SE and the LE version before I persuaded her to go with the Limited. She hated the LE because of the ride. Hopefully she'll like the Limited.

 

[cwcwoo]

I agree. I have an SE, but there are some things that are only available on the Limited that I wish we could get. List includes power 3/4 windows, backup camera display with the lines, puddle lamps and the rear entertainment system (note: I am in Canada and the 2014 SE back then did not have RES option.)

As for changing taillights, I read that the wiring harness on 2015's are different from the 2014's.

 

[onexcite]

They moved back to incandescent bulbs on the tail light so they will have something to call significantly improved for the 2016 models. The same with other Toyota and Lexus, even the current gen Lexus RX are down grade to halogen headlights and HID only come in option. Another reason is they are cost less to built than LED.

I have 2011 Limited if I could do it again I would opt out for rear sear entertainment and put 2 ipad on the headrest. The color on the screen are like VGA 256 colors.

 

[Geezer1]

Yes, I forgot the power foldable mirror with puddle lights on the Limited, as well as memory seats that SE won't have either. Funny, I am about 36, but still was sold on the rear entertainment, dual sunroof and recliner seats ala S Class/ Maybach . I actually also liked the read tail light covers on the 2011-2014 models with LED inserts over the SE transparent ones. But I can't stand that when the entire world and it's satellite is moving towards LED, why would Toyota spend the effort to design, engineer and mold to go back to Halogen, sorry incandescent?

But I will follow your advice and tone down my rhetoric; and actually wait for my car to be delivered first before deciding to modify it. Of course, I will depend on advice from the learned ones like you on this, and on many other things. It's going to be a long ride. My older child is now 3. I can't wait to hand her this car on her 16th birthday

Oh, I didn't know that the Limited handled much nicer than the ones with 17 inch wheels. It was my wife that liked the SE more than me because of the handling (and the entry height). We tried the SE and the LE version before I persuaded her to go with the Limited. She hated the LE because of the ride. Hopefully she'll like the Limited.

I think that kids will enjoy the rear seat amenities of the Sienna Limited more than adults. Older adults like us see the Sienna more as a rolling living room and are going to talk to each other instead of watching a video on the overhead screen or gaze out the moon roofs. The rear video in our Sienna has been used exactly once in the entire first year we have had it and that was on the night I picked my wife up at the airport and she saw the Sienna for the first time.

The ottoman second row seats certainly emulate those in the S-class pullman and defunct Maybach except without their electrical adjustments, heating/cooling and massage features. I was a huge Mercedes fan as teenager in the 60's ... until I learned with my own hard earned money as an adult how awful Mercedes quality really was (and still is) after owning three of my own - one each: SL convertible, E-Class, S-Class. It may not be as flashy but, in my opinion, the quality of engineering and materials in a Sienna exceeds that of a Mercedes S-Class. The Sienna Limited's ottoman feature is not supposed to be used while the vehicle is in motion but I think the danger is higher for children and small adults who might "submarine" out of their seat belts.

The Sienna LE and Limited use different springs and shock absorbers but I think the tire/wheel size makes the most difference. I downsized to 17" Blizzak WS80 tires on LE wheels for the winter that has just mostly ended. I know I should not compare 17" winter tires with all-season 17" tires but those 17" Blizzaks provided very squishy handling compared to the 18" wheels and tires that came on my Limited. The Blizzaks did provide wonderful traction on ice and on the low amount of snow we had this winter.

As cwcwoo just mentioned, it has been reported on this forum that the wiring harness and connectors on the 2015 Sienna rear tail lights with incandescent bulbs are different than the 2011-2014 with LED tail lights and "probably" the 2015 SE that still has LED tail lights.

 

[Epiphany]

They moved back to incandescent bulbs on the tail light so they will have something to call significantly improved for the 2016 models. The same with other Toyota and Lexus, even the current gen Lexus RX are down grade to halogen headlights and HID only come in option. Another reason is they are cost less to built than LED.

I have 2011 Limited if I could do it again I would opt out for rear sear entertainment and put 2 ipad on the headrest. The color on the screen are like VGA 256 colors.

Ah well, I will get aftermarket LED tail lights down the road, hopefully they won't redesign it again until two three years, enough time for aftermarket demand to build up. I have wised up to decline extended warranty, as all it has ever done to me is stop me from doing any mods that I wanted.

I suggest that you get those ipad holder for headrests. They're pretty good from what I've heard. I will get them although I am getting the RES.

 

[onexcite]

Ah well, I will get aftermarket LED tail lights down the road, hopefully they won't redesign it again until two three years, enough time for aftermarket demand to build up. I have wised up to decline extended warranty, as all it has ever done to me is stop me from doing any mods that I wanted.

I suggest that you get those ipad holder for headrests. They're pretty good from what I've heard. I will get them although I am getting the RES.

This is what I got to mount the ipad on the headrest, very well construct and sturdy. My kids enjoy the high quality ipad screen with youtube and internet than the low resolution RSES.

http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Factory-U...53794&sr=8-1&keywords=joy+headrest+ipad+mount

Get these bulbs for your tail lights while waiting for LED aftermarket.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2D3W0A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VO3B6R3PF26D

Extended warranty, I would suggest wait until the factory warranty almost expire to see how the van performing, I'm glad I got it so far it already paid for itself 5-6 times. I got the front passenger seat lower frame motor stop working ($700 parts) driver window channel replaced (no idea $$), one ignition coil gone wild and they replaced all 6 ($600 parts alone), and last one the RSES screen making rattle because something broken inside and they replaced the whole assembly ($7000 for the assembly, yes seven grand)

 

[LetsGoPlaces]

Some reviews have pointed out that the 2015 sienna handles better than the previous model years due to the added rigidity of the frame/ front suspension to improve protection for small overlap collision.

 

[Epiphany]

Thanks for the input and links guys. Yes, this will be my first time without extended warranty, or so I thought. I will be carefully observing if there are any "lemony" indications prior to factory warranty expiration.

The Philips led rear lights you mentioned Onexcite, do they go on the lift gate or on the extension at the sides, or both (meaning, I would require 2 pairs)? Great iPad mount find by the way.

 

[onexcite]

This one for reverse backup light:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2D41OQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VO3B6R3PF26D

This one for the lift gate inner tail light (same as 2011), I also use this for all the interior dome lights, license plate, mirror foot lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-12799...id=1429808330&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+t10+led

The outer main stop light 7443:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2D3W0A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VO3B6R3PF26D

For the limited you can add a glove box light by using a LED strip and tap to the rear sunroof surrounding light, it will dim when driving and bright when park.

 

[Epiphany]

Great! Thanks.

 

[Epiphany]

This one for reverse backup light:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2D41OQ/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VO3B6R3PF26D

This one for the lift gate inner tail light (same as 2011), I also use this for all the interior dome lights, license plate, mirror foot lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-12799...id=1429808330&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+t10+led

The outer main stop light 7443:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2D3W0A/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3VO3B6R3PF26D

For the limited you can add a glove box light by using a LED strip and tap to the rear sunroof surrounding light, it will dim when driving and bright when park.

Couple questions:

Including the lift gate inner tail lights, dome lights, license plate and mirror foot (puddle) lights, how many t10 lights are we talking about? The Philips t10 is quite expensive than the other similar t10's, including those from China. But there must be a good reason to use this over other no-name t10's. Any other interior LED's that I'm missing? I'm sure this was discussed multiple times in other threads. My excuse perhaps is the experience forum members have gathered over time to give me a time tested answer.

I'm mulling between white LED H11 fog lamps vs yellow halogens. The low beam is supposed to be HID for my yet to be delivered Limited package. This being a blizzard pearl exterior, I'm not sure what would look nicer and work better. I'm guessing it is H11 for the fog lamps, am I correct? I have two pairs of new H11 yellow halogens lying around that I could use, or will have to buy LED's. I have used this LED as low beams on my other car with very nice results.

Thanks,

 

[onexcite]

Couple questions:

Including the lift gate inner tail lights, dome lights, license plate and mirror foot (puddle) lights, how many t10 lights are we talking about? The Philips t10 is quite expensive than the other similar t10's, including those from China. But there must be a good reason to use this over other no-name t10's. Any other interior LED's that I'm missing? I'm sure this was discussed multiple times in other threads. My excuse perhaps is the experience forum members have gathered over time to give me a time tested answer.

I'm mulling between white LED H11 fog lamps vs yellow halogens. The low beam is supposed to be HID for my yet to be delivered Limited package. This being a blizzard pearl exterior, I'm not sure what would look nicer and work better. I'm guessing it is H11 for the fog lamps, am I correct? I have two pairs of new H11 yellow halogens lying around that I could use, or will have to buy LED's. I have used this LED as low beams on my other car with very nice results.

Thanks,

The limited will required 8 pair of T10 for dome, mirror puddle, license plate & lift gate tail lights.

You lucky Philips just came out their T10 for cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-12799...F8&qid=1429897310&sr=8-1&keywords=philips+t10

Before I had to buy the Sylvania T10 for $10 each:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AIJY2ZM/ref=pd_luc_rh_bxgy_01_03_t_ttl_lh?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the front door puddle lights (not mirror puddle lights) I would recommended this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-PHILIPS-...864?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f9e61518

The trunk area only 1 festoon bulb (double check for the correct size first):
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-12941...897745&sr=1-6&keywords=philips+led+automotive

Sun visor mirror vanity bulbs 4 pieces:
http://www.vleds.com/shop-bulb-numb...3-chip-2-led-vanity-sun-visor-light-bulb.html

The vleds 5K will match perfectly the Philips ultinon 6K. They are both bright pure white without any hint of blue and show factory look. That's the main reason go with brand name LED and they will last for the life of your car with 12 years warranty from Philips. Both Philips & Osram use only 1 LED chip in their T10 but brighter than other ebay T10 5 SMD bulbs. I got about 50pcs T10 SMD laying around broken and useless. The china T10 will burn out after few days/week use and won't match color even from the same batch. You'll also want the interior color are matching bright white so pick all the bulbs from the same brand. The dome lights on the Sienna are pretty hard to take out and replace so you don't want to fix it every other week.

For the front signal I used this, I would recommend amber/amber for the front turn signal rather than white/amber:
http://www.vleds.com/v3-triton/bulb-system/amber/v3-aa.html

And the rear turn signal:
http://www.vleds.com/v3-triton/bulb-system/amber/v3-a.html

The high beam I have the 9005 LED and they are super bright even more than stock HID, if you prefer you can put this H11 in fog light. Now I'm thinking how to dump the factory HID and put this in low beam:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371285443211?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Epiphany]

Wow great links, onexcite! Thanks.

Actually, I was trying to search for dome and other lights installation. Not that I don't know how to do it in general, but if you have posted some pictures somewhere, a link to those threads will be of great help. Thanks again.

 

[onexcite]

Wow great links, onexcite! Thanks.

Actually, I was trying to search for dome and other lights installation. Not that I don't know how to do it in general, but if you have posted some pictures somewhere, a link to those threads will be of great help. Thanks again.

Here is the link to other thread how to replace the dome and mirror puddle lights:
http://www.siennachat.com/forum/89-...ght-replacement-how-remove-panels-covers.html

 

[myfirstsienna]

What I like about the non-LED light is you only have to replace one burnt out bulb instead of the entire housing. save $$$. I had a 2012 Mazda3 with LED tail light and I didn't realize two "pixels" (?) burnt out and the inspector wouldn't pass it (Virginia requires safety inspection every year). Instead of buying a $3 light bulb, I had to spent $250 for the entire housing; plus the car was "out of commission" for a week waiting for the light. I was too worry driving around with an X (failed safety) on the windscreen risking getting pull over by the police.