amf1932

chillaxin, Was your car equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension also? When I was shopping for my '03 ES I spoke to at least 5 dealers in my area(New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut) and that option and the variable height pedals were unavailable.

I just took a trip from New York City to Minnetonka, Minnesota. I was using the regular grade of gas on my way out and premium grade on the way back to see if I noticed a performance difference. I did this to check whether the transmission operated any better(shifting hesitation) with the premium over the regular. Well, it didn't perform any better as far as I was concerned! There was no difference as far as mpg.....I averaged between 27.5 and 29.5 mpg at speeds between 65mph and 85mph. This I might add was mostly turnpike driving. I never heard any pinging going up the Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania with the regular gas! The car had 1500 miles on the odometer when I started this trip and I ended up with about 4700 miles. Aside from the tranny glitches the car ran beautifully. I can't wait to get out on the open road again. :)

Here is what it says in my 2003 ES Owners Manual.

The wheel locks on your Lexus were originally supplied by: McGard, Inc. 3875 California Rd. Orchard Park, NY 14127-4198 or P.O. Box 102 Ft. Erie Ontario L2A 5M6 Toll Free: 1-800-444-5847 or Direct: 1-716-662-8980 The price of the Key is, $10 The price of the lock(4 required) is $7 each You can call them to find out what they require to replace the key.

If the bulbs lasted only 2 months I definitely would check out the voltage regulator and make sure that it's not charging at too high a rate since this would shorten the life of bulbs radically. Also, changing to the hyper white bulbs will not affect the dash needles.

Are you sure that you loosened the alternator pivot and locking bolt and moved the alternator all the way in before you tried installing the new belt? If you didn't do this first than the new belt cannot be installed.:)

1990-95 models, replace every 60,000mi. 1996-98 models except ES300, replace every 90,000mi. or 72mo. (normal service) or every 60,000mi. (severe service) 1996-98 ES300, replace every 90,000mi. or 72mo. 1999 and later RX300, replace every 90,000mi. (severe service)

MAF = Mass Airflow Sensor

Steve, The rear page of the 2003 Lexus Owner's Manual has the exact same information as the website. In fact the website copied this entire book. Also, there is additional information in the "Engine" part of the book on Pages 307 and 308. I'm sure that a Lexus dealer would let you read the '03 Owners Manual to compare the differences in reading from the '02.

The only problem when you get this type of manual on a CD is when you actually try to do the repair job. It's not as convenient as having the real book with you ....unless you have the computer nearby.

steviej, I actually got the information from the Lexus Corporation's website. If you register your car there you can see all the manuals that came with your car. I found the page about fuel requirements, than I pressed print screen and than went into Photoshop and resized and cropped what I wanted. I than uploaded this image into my webspace and put it into this thread. A lot of work just to show you what the 2003 ES manual said. hehehe. I couldn't scan it 'cause I'm still miles from home and these computers don't have their scanners working. BTW: The manuals are .pdf files so you'll need the Adobe Acrobat Viewer to see them. ;)

If you're interested in reading a discussion about octanes and such, click this link: http://www.epinions.com/content_1825742980

I think there is an 86 octane rated gasoline but I'm not too sure about that. It's true that higher mileage cars will do better with a higher octane fuel due to the carbon buildup in the cylinders. Generally, the ECU will compensate the engine timing when you are using a lower octane. If you don't get a ping when the engine is under load it won't cause engine any damage. If you do, go to a higher octane fuel.

This fuel information was taken directly from the 2003 Lexus ES Owners Manual. I think you're mixing up "Octane Rating" with "Research Octane Number". ;)

In the Owners Manual it says that you can use fuel that has at least an 87 octane rating......that is Regular fuel not Premium. I switched from Premium fuel to Regular fuel on both my '94ES and '03ES when I didn't notice any difference in performance. Also, I didn't notice any increase in fuel economy using either type of fuel. The call is yours.....if it makes you feel better psychologically.

Yup, silicon spray has been used for many years to lubricate rubber moldings and other things.

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.

I've seen many rear doggy seat covers but they are mainly the universal type. They range in price from about $49 to over $180. I doubt whether you'll find a custom cover for your Lexus. :( Maybe you could find an upholsterer that could manufacture one for your rear seat with a suitable material, or even ask your Lexus dealer....they might be able to send you in the right direction since there are many pet owners that have the same predicament. Just a thought. :)

That's a very shabby way of installing a CD Changer! You won't be able to increase the fidelity while playing CD's using this type of RF hookup. It now is actually transmitting the signal to the tuner section of the radio rather than it being hard wired into radio itself.

You could spend upwards of $399 for a Valentine Radar Detector. In my estimation they're one of the best units on the market. http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp There still is NO guarantee that you wouldn't get caught speeding. :( I think that the way technology is moving the cops will always be one jump ahead of you. The only thing to do is slow down.....that's your best guarantee. ;)

Assuming you have a moonroof there should be a 12 volt wire up at the top of the windshield. That would be the only switched power source in that area. The map light wire would be unswitched so I don't think it would be a good idea to use that wire.

Brian.....I sure have spent a lot of time in California from Palm Springs than up to Santa Monica(Brentwood) and than up to San Francisco(Marin County). My relatives live all over the place. :) I even get the Seniors discount on the Catalina Flyer. hehehe BTW: I also love Newport Beach .

In Southern California if they catch you with a jammer they'll send you out to Catalina Island where you'll serve your time! A jammer would give the cops the wrong speed information. In other words they wouldn't know you're speeding.

Not true! When I step on the brake both the high mount stop light and the LED spoiler light works together. If you prefer it can be hooked up so only the LED in the spoiler works. I like it better that both are working since you really notify the driver behind you more so that you're braking. ;)

Some radar detectors use a step down transformer in the line cord to reduce the voltage to 9 volts. I'm not sure about the Valentine units though. If it's a 12 volt unit than you simply find a 12 volt wire under the dashboard and splice into it. The wire going to the cigarette lighter would be an excellent choice. Make sure that this source turns off the power with the ignition key. Yes, radar detectors work. They do this by picking up the signal from the radar guns that the police use. If they have their gun turned off it won't give you any kind of indication on the detector. Radar Jammers are illegal in California. Radar Detectors are legal.