amf1932

The auto dimming mirrors are electrically controlled. There also is a built in compass on the mirror of my '03ES. I don't know what year ES's the compass was included as part of the mirror. I would assume that if you changed your mirror that you'd have to find some way of hooking up a 12 volt feed. Alan

Green colored coolant in your radiator is WRONG!!! You should have had the red coolant. As I said previously, you should take the car to a reliable radiator shop and have them test out the whole system. Alan

That price seems awfully high to just change the valve cover gaskets! I would price out this job to other places before I'd do it. Alan

There's a good chance that a partially clogged radiator core is the source of this problem. There are many fine passages in the core and after so many miles on this car there could be a buildup of rust or other stuff that's not removed after a coolant flush. The fact that using the heater fan to help cool it down makes me think that the water pump is working properly. In my opinion I would have the radiator core replaced. ;) Alan

My Lexus dealer changed the right Tail Lamp Assembly on my '94 ES while the car was still under warranty. I was told that the gasket dried up, hence the moisture drops inside the lens. I think you can buy the gasket to make this repair from Lexus, otherwise it's an expensive deal to buy the complete assembly. As far as the moisture in the AC panel, I can't help you there. Are you sure this car was never submerged? I would run a Carfax to check this out. Alan

The timing belt should have been changed at 90,000 miles. As far as the shakes......I would take the car into a good tire shop that has High Speed Balancing equipment and balance all four tires. Alan

The fog lights should go on when you have the lower beam headlights on and you have the fog light switch on. They would go out if you have the upper headlight beam on. If that doesn't work it may be a burned out fog light fuse or burned out bulbs. Alan

I always had this problem with my 1994 Lexus even when it was brand new and the dealer never corrected it! I even read writeups in 1994 about this model having the wind noise problem so I don't think it was caused by dried up insulation. :) Alan

That was always a problem with the earlier ES's and that's why they finally changed the door insulation design in the '02 ES. Sorry I can't help you but maybe somebody out there came up with a solution. Alan

It's not a neccessity unless you're in the habit of driving your car hard, like diving into and out of corners. IMHO ;) Alan

It could be mold or mildew that's making this odor. Check out this product: http://www.ultrashield.com/odortreatment.htm Alan

Speaking of NAV systems on ES's.....I was at my dealer today and I was looking at the new unsold cars. I was surprised to see about 1 in 20 cars had the NAV system installed. I thought that this feature was more popular but I guess people don't like to shell out the big bucks for them. I love it! Alan

Every window motor and gears are shaped differently especially from another auto manufacturer, so I doubt whether you'll be able to make it fit without a lot of modifications. Yes, The Toyota power window motors are slower moving than other car makers. :( Alan

steviej: I also noticed that the noise happened mostly when the outside temperature was below 40°F. Maybe you should see your dealer and have him do the repair 'cause as you said the noise didn't happen when it was warmer. It's a free repair besides. ;) Alan

I brought the car to my Lexus dealer this morning and they did their thing. No more rear door rattles!!! Besides while waiting for the car to be repaired(2 hours) I went into the customers lounge and read the daily newspaper and had a delicious cup of coffee and a danish. Now the car is quiet as a mouse. :D Alan

I hear the rattle coming from the right rear door so when the dealer repairs it do they do the left rear door as well? Alan

I'm sorry to hear that you're not satisfied with the quality of your car. This is my 3rd. Lexus since 1991 and I'm totally satisfied with the reliability, build quality, performance, quietness of their vehicles. My brother bought a new Bentley Continental R a couple of years ago and he was plagued with some rattles & squeaks also but these were all eliminated by the dealer as I'm sure yours will be too. I look at it this way.....An automobile, just as in any piece of complex mechanical equipment can have certain problems that in most cases can be remedied. I agree that this is an annoyance, but I'm sure that other manufacturers such as Infiniti also run into these situations. Good luck & keep me informed. Alan

I have an '03 ES300 and I also have a rattle in the right rear. I have found out from Lexus Corporation that there is a service bulletin issued for this problem. I also spoke to my dealer and he told me to bring the car in for the modifcation to eliminate the rattle. He also told me that they have to remove the rear door panel and do something to the insulation to correct it. I don't notice a rattle in the dash though. Do you have the Navigation in your car? I do, so I'm wondering whether cars equipped with this feature is prone to rattling in this area. My car has about 600 miles on it. Alan

As far as labor costs to do this job I can't be very helpful, but make sure the mechanic that does this job is skilled in this type of repair. Alan

Always try to fill your tank at the same pump when doing this test. Fill it up as much as possible. Reset the trip odometer. Drive the car until you have about 1/4 of a tank left. Once again fill the tank the same as before. You than divide how many miles are on the odometer by how many gallons you used. That'll give you a pretty accurate idea of how many Miles per gallon you are getting. Alan

I was looking at the lineup of dealers but I had to scroll to the bottom and that's where Bay Ridge Lexus was located. It's not where the rest of the New York dealers are located. Could that be moved? Thanks. :) Alan

Yes, white smoke coming out of your tailpipe is a good indication that you have a significant head gasket leak. That's where your coolant is going. If you pull out the oil dipstick do you see any droplets of moisture alongside with the oil? If you open the oil filler cap do you see any moisture there as well? Even though you might not notice that it still points to the head gasket. With so much coolant going into the cylinders it would cause your spark plugs to misfire and that would also give you a strong smell of gasoline. Alan

Yes Matt, That is the correct listing. "New York : Bay Ridge Lexus" Thank you. ;) Alan

I couldn't find my Lexus dealer located in the list, so naturally I couldn't give a review. Is there anyway to get this dealer listed? The dealers name is Bay Ridge Lexus, Brooklyn, NY Alan

I got my '03 last month and I love it as I'm sure you will too. Only one little minor annoyance is a slight rattling noise that comes from the right back door. This happens when the weather outside is about 30 degrees or lower. I took the car back to the dealer and they told me there's a Service Bulletin issued for this problem. They have to take off the door panel and refasten the insulation. So if you hear that noise you now know what to do. :) I'll bring mine in at the first oil change to correct it. Good Luck with your new car. Alan