amf1932

A non-dash CD player is usually mounted in the trunk or the center console. Actually it's called the CD Changer. My '03 has a single CD player in the dashboard and the 6 CD Changer in the center console.

The glove compartment is considered part of the dashboard. :D

If you have a simple volt-ohmmeter, you can do the following as initial checks. The numbers below may vary from car to car, so I have indicated them as ranges. With the engine running, measure the voltage at the battery terminals. If the charging circuit is working, the meter should read more than 12.6 V and should increase with more engine speed to a max of about 14.2 to 14.5V. If it's much less than that or greater than that, there is a problem with either the alternator or the voltage regulator. With the engine running, measure the voltage from the alternator output post (B+ post) to the battery positive terminal. This should be 0.3V or less. Higher readings indicate too much resistance somewhere in the circuit or an alternator that is trying too hard to generate amps. There are ways to test more, but require more equipment. As I said in my previous post, I would check the battery first to make sure that it's in good condition! I sorta disagree with this statement: "the battery is not used for running the car in anyway". The electrical system in any car is usually a balanced affair designed by the manufacturer to give satisfactory performance under average driving conditions with the installed factory accessories. If all these parameters are met than you shouldn't have to change things such as, alternator pulley diameters, battery size, alternator size(output). I don't like to "jump the gun". I like to do these initial checks first. ;)

I don't think you'd go that far.

I would check the battery at a place that has a load tester just to make sure the battery is in decent shape. Make sure that there is no corrosion on the battery posts also. I noticed this dimming on my '94 ES also, yet the battery tested OK and the alternator was putting out the correct voltage. When you hit the brakes a lot of lamps go on so there's quite a drain on the battery.

You're assuming that the '04 will have corrected all the transmission problems. I doubt it, but when my dealer gets them in and it's fixed it's going to be bye,bye to my '03. ;)

Also, Canadian Lexus's have the speedometer/odometer in Kilometers. I know that the US models have the outer reading in MPH and the smaller reading towards the center of the speedometer in KPH. The Canadian cars are the opposite.

My sentiments, EXACTLY!

The fact that Lexus lowered the sticker price on the '04 will make it even more difficult to get a good deal on a trade in of an '03! I sorta doubt that they corrected anything in the '04 transmission. I'll drive one soon and I'll report back.

I have used Castrol oil for the last 20 years in all my cars and followed the manufacturers service intervals. These cars, Honda Accords, Acura Integra, Lexus's(ES250,ES300),Cadillacs, etc. have never burned any oil between oil & filter changes and these cars traveled more than 150K miles each. I never had problems with hydraulic lifters in the Cadillac engines. As far as I'm concerned the most important thing to keep an engine running great is to follow the proper service intervals with the best quality oil. I never had the need to use synthetic oil in any of my vehicles.

You'll NEVER put in an oil additive once you've read some of these articles: www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=oil+additives

Hmmm.....White smoke usually indicates moisture(water or coolant) in the combustion chamber. I hope you didn't blow a head gasket with all the racing of the engine. :o

Look around this board and you'll see posts about what you're asking! :chairshot:

I thought a fusable link acts similar to a fuse?? Either it's good or it's blown.

How do you know the engine is bouncing up & down if you're inside driving the car.

I spoke to Lexus headquarters and also paint shops about the clearcoat on Black '02-'03 Lexus's and I was told that they DON'T use a clearcoat!! Maybe the previous models of the ES's did.

Yeah, Whats that?

Yes, it's for automatic transmissions on the '02-'03 ES300's! If you peruse this board with threads about transmissions you might get a better understanding what all the fuss is about. ;)

Ohhhh, SpeedRacer959, Did you notice the nail in your tire on the picture you posted!!!

Steve, Yup, this is the latest Audi A8L. The car was delivered last Friday at a cost of close to 80K to my rich cousin.:) He got all the bells & whistles available. My first impressions of this car were very positive. I was looking at the enormous Owners Manual and I realized that the learning curve to master all the accessories would take quite some time. It feels like a limousine inside.....tremendous leg room for the rear seat passengers, front and rear reading lights, a mirror in the sun visors that can either be used normally or magnified, a great navigation system (although I like the voice of the girl better in my Lexus):), plus too many other toys to mention here. Performance wise, this car accelerates and in general runs extremely smoothly and quietly(330HP). All and all this automobile exudes pure luxury in every respect. I don't know how it would compare to the LS430 though.

You must be very lucky! I have driven more than 12 '02-'03 ES's and they ALL had the same problem!! I betcha I could reproduce it on your car too. ;)

I have NO problems downshifting at road speeds above 50mph. It downshifts perfectly! Where I do have the problem is tromping the accelerator(flooring it) around 40mph. At this speed the engine RPM increases to about redline before it finally decides what lower gear to go into. If I don't floor the accelerator, but push it down gingerly it'll downshift OK. In other words, the transmission doesn't like rough treatment. That's why I feel it has something to do with the "Fly by Wire" electronic linkage. Since I'm aware of these idiosyncrasies, I'm learning how to get around this problem. I still think this can be corrected! As an aside: I drove my cousins 2004 Audi A8L a few days ago and tried putting the car through it's paces by upshifting and downshifting at various speeds and it performed flawlessly. Why can't Lexus's do the same thing???

Yes, the airflow thru the back vents has a lower air velocity. This was designed this way since the front vents supply most of the cooling/heating of the car. Think of it this way: All the rear vents have to do is add a slight boost for the rear passengers. It balances out the air flow within the cabin. If you feel you want more airflow to these back vents, just close some of the front vents and manually put the fan speed on high. ;)

Please let us know as soon as you get a chance to drive the '04. This is the big question that we've been wondering about.

BAD,BAD,BAD.........I agree with bbsal. If you do this type of driving continously you'll definitely shorten the life of the transmission & engine!! :chairshot: