1st Time Lexus Owner - Some Newbie Questions

sapana · July 9, 2003

I'm a 1st time Lexus owner and love driving it. This is a great site and appreciate all the feedback from other owners. I have a few questions of my own regarding my 2003 ES300.

1) Dealer recommended Premium Gasoline (91) - How important is it to use Premium?

2) Dealer said to use "4" for "regular driving" (whatever that means) and "D" when I want to save gas (such as freeway driving. I've never had a car where I needed to change from 4 to D periodically. I'm used to leaving it in D and just driving anywhere. Is it worth shifting from 4 to D as a normal course of driving the car everyday or mainly when I'm on long trips (leave it in D).

3) Is it worth it to get a new Lexus detailed and waxed professionally to protect the paint (not at the dealer but at a reputable detailer)?

Thanks for your input

Steve

SKperformance · July 9, 2003

1

glad you like the club and welcome

2

the engine is made for premium for timing , any thing less and you are short changing yourself on mileage and performance

3

leave it in d no need to change around

( some people like to talk just to hear there own voice ,by saying do somthing weird they think they are specialists)

d will make sure the torque convertor is engaged when needed

the tranny has a computer let it figure it out,the options are for when there is extra load or a need to use the minimal engine brakeing properties

4

a new car especially from lexus doesn't need cleaning they clean it at the dealer and when it is built befoer shipping from japan in the plant

only possibilities are for fabric or paint protection

5

enjoy the club and steviej has the most answers on your model year

amf1932 · July 9, 2003

Hi and welcome to the club.

I started using Premium fuel in my '94ES when I bought it new. I used Premium for about a year and than switched to Regular fuel for the next 8 years. I really didn't notice any difference in performance. I recently traded in the '94ES for an '03ES and once again I started out with Premium fuel and now I've switched to Regular and once again I didn't notice much if any difference to warrant spending the extra $$. Actually the Owners Manual mentions that the minimum fuel requirements for your ES are 87 octane(regular grade).

You can keep your transmission in D position for all types of normal driving whether you're in town or on the road. Using the 4 position will give you slightly better performance in stop and go traffic if you need it.

My '94 looked absolutely great after 9 years of outdoor use. The paint didn't look weathered in the least. All I did was to wash the car and wax it occasionally.

I hope this helps.

sapana · July 12, 2003

Thanks to both of you for your advice! I really appreciate it...

Steve :D

SW03ES · July 12, 2003

ANOTHER Steve LOL, welcome!

Congratulations on your purchase, its a GREAT car.

As for the transmission, the reason he told you to do that is because the ES transmission can have a hard shift pattern when in overdrive. Basically when driving in 4th, you're just driving without overdrive. See if it bothers you, if not, just leave it in D.

As for gas, there's different viewpoints here, but I say, hey, its a $40,000 car, run premium why take a chance.

Detailing. Again, its an expensive car, and with the proper care a Lexus can look amazing, better than new after a few years. Lexus actually selects their materials so they all wear and age at precisely the same rate, and with some regular upkeep the car will look like its never been driven, even with 100,000 miles on the clock.

Now, I'm a car detailler by hobby, its what I do to relax. Some people build things, some people work in their garden, I clean my car LOL. I wash once a week, and wax once a month. Luckily you chose one of the easiest colors to care for, it doesnt show much dirt, and it doesnt show ANY scratches. Basically you can run it through a carwash (a good, reputable brushless all soft cloth one) and wax it once a year and it'll look great. Now, if you're not willing to devote the time once or twice a year to protect the finish (which is fine, its not everybody's thing) then I do reccomend that you find a good detailer that can wax the car every once and a while. A full detail on an ES wont cost more than $120 or so, and I feel it would be money well spent. DO NOT let the dealer detail the car, I garuntee they'll do it wrong. I made them deliver mine to me still in the plastic wrapping lol

Treat it right, and it'll be as beautiful, reliable, and classy as it is right now for many many years to come ;)