Fog Lamp Bulbs 2002 Es300

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Hello, I just bought my first Lexus, a 2002 ES300 and I am having difficulty changing the fog lamp bulbs.

Do I unbolt the black plastic shroud underneath the front bumper and come in from underneath or what?

I tried from top-side within the engine bay but I can't even see the fog lamp assemblies from overhead.

Anyone experienced with this would be appreciated (don't want to tear apart the front end for a few bulbs).

Thanks.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Forgot to add that my local Lexus dealer (Thompson) wanted to charge me 2 HOURS!

to change a couple of bulbs. That's TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS! I almost peed myself

I laughed so hard. I know owning a Lexus is not going to be cheap, but have they no shame?

($100 says it doesn't take them 10 minutes to change the fog lamp bulbs...both of them)

I guess Lexus has to pay for all that "free" bottled water somehow.

Had I known, I would've bought another BMW and paid for my own refreshments.

My wallet and I thank you for any useful information.

[steviej]

here snugglebunnies:

read this thread: 02 foglight bulb change

I must ammend, I now find it easier to just remove the 10 mm bolt hold the entire foglight in. The pinch the plastic clip opposite the 10 mm bolt. The foglight flops out forward. All the backing and clips are easier seen.

good luck, should take about 1/2 and hour.

steviej

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Thanks steviej, PIAA Star Whites going in the car tonight.

I'm curious, you mentioned that you wound up installing PIAA "Ion Crystal" H3

(Amber-Yellow), how do you like them so far?

I was also thinking about going this route (more effective in fog, snow, etc...)

than a standard "driving" lamp. Seems my Xenon low beams pretty much wipe

out any need for another "driving" lamp, but maybe a dedicated "fog" bulb may

be effective. But do they work as intended or are they just "show"?

Thanks.

[steviej]

Thanks Steviej, I'm going to install them after work tonight (PIAA Star White)

I'm curious, you mentioned that you wound up installing PIAA "Ion Crystal" H3

(Amber-Yellow), how do you like them so far?

I was also thinking about going this route (more effective in fog, snow, etc...)

than a standard driving lamp. Seems my Xenon low beams pretty much wipe

out any need for another "driving" lamp, but maybe a dedicated "fog" bulb may

be effective. But do they work as intended or are they just "show"?

Thanks again.

snuggles, that thread I linked you to is over three years old.

I have actually tried the following:

Ion Crystals (yellow), Xtreme White (4300k), Super Plasma GT-X (5000k), and Sylvania Silverstars (4000k).

The GT-X are nice but nothing came close to the HID white. Personally, I like the yellow (Ion Crystal) the best. It gives a GS/IS sort of look to the car, but they are not as yellow. Plus, they do add some help in fog and snow with the yellow. But like you said, the HID pretty much overshines any white fog bulb.

When the GT-X burn out, I will go back to the yellow.

steviej

steviej

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Today the windows get tinted (30%). I'd go darker,

but I don't want to be hassled by "The Man"

I took your advice and installed PIAA Ion Crystal

fog lamp bulbs. So far, so good. Haven't been able

to test them properly (fog, etc...) but asthetically,

I like the way they look (Euro MB)

Also installed PIAA Star White High beam bulbs.

When used in conjunction with the HID low beams,

night becomes day...simply amazing. I'm seeing ALL

the way down the road.

Update... Thompson Lexus (where I bought my ES),

wanted to charge me $200 (not including the bulbs)

to swap out the fog lamp bulbs. The service "advisor"

stated that it's a two hour job.

My first time under the car and it only took me 30 minutes.

(Lexus techs do this all day, everyday...two hours my !Removed!)

Where does Lexus get off charging me what would have

been over $200 to change a couple of lousy bulbs?!

From what I've recently read in other's experiences

with various Lexus dealerships this is not an uncommon

pratice. The word "gouging" immediately comes to mind.

Thankfully, I have a good independent (honest) mechanic

who works on these cars all day, everyday...

[lexusk8]

I wouldn't necessarily call it "price gouging". I think that term is better described for those gas stations who charge ridiculously high gas prices in a certain neighborhood where all other stations have comparable prices. Like you said, it's just common practice for all dealerships to charge an arm and a leg for any service related job, no matter how simple it is. For example, for an oil change, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $80 at a Lexus dealership. I'll just take my car and put her on ramps, and do the whole oil change by myself within one hour and save myself plenty of money, thank you very much ;)

[Guest snugglebunnies]

When I first got "serious" about buying a Lexus, one of the first things I

did was ask "What's an oil service gonna cost?" 42 bucks...not too bad.

(my BMW 540 was about the same so no big deal)

But...BMW didn't try to charge me over $200 to swap out fog lamp bulbs.

(same dealership)

Welcome to Lexus...

[SW03ES]

Its economics at work. They can charge what people will pay, people will pay $200 to replace those bulbs, so they can charge it. If you don't want to pay it, do exactly what you just did. BMW is no different.

As for why was everybody on the sales floor smiling, nobody on the sales floor makes a dime when you have your car serviced.

If you want to use the dealer (I exlusively use the dealer) then you need to find a good service rep that you trust. Service reps are paid on 100% commission just like salespeople. Good ones will learn that gouging the customer comes back to them in a negative way, and that building valued business relationships is more profitable in the long run than a quick buck now. That may or may not be easy, I went through 4 before I found mine.

Once you establish a relationship you'll be happier. I don't even get charged for stuff like that.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Thompson has several franchises in my area,

including BMW (were I bought my BMW 540),

and Lexus were I just bought my ES300.

Why does Lexus charge over $200 to swap out a

couple of bulbs when BMW will do it for substantially

less money? (sometimes they didn't charge me at all)

[SW03ES]

It makes a difference what service advisor you talk to, what kind of prior relationship you have with the dealer etc.

All the dealers are independently owned and operated, so if anybody's gouging its Thompson not Lexus. My dealer does stuff like that for free too, but they do get a lot of business from me.

Anyways if you just bought your Lexus, I'd want those bulbs replaced free...

It IS economics at work however, they can charge what people will pay. If you don't want to pay, don't but don't act surprised because the dealer is in business to make money. As for why BMW would do it and Lexus would not, who knows. They're owned by the same company, so I'd ask them. Maybe it has to do with the fact that BMW makes more in service than Lexus from the vehicles needing more service, who knows.

I've never owned a BMW, but I know people who do. On the whole, it costs way more to service a BMW than a Lexus.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

German cars can be somewhat pricey to maintain.

Before I had the BMW, I had a Mercedes Benz.

I still get chills when I recall some of the repair bills.

[SW03ES]

I can imagine LOL

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Before I forget...

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

[SW03ES]

Nada problemo ;)

[steviej]

Nada problemo ;)

Steve, you just said: "Nothing problem"

steviej

[SW03ES]

I never said I spoke spanish well :) :D

[Guest snugglebunnies]

tough crowd!

[SW03ES]

We're ruthless ;)