SLORICK

I read a lot about this lately, WHY DONT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO DO? Wife drives rentals with new pushbutton start. SO, EVERYONE SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT TO DO... 1. Shift into NEUTRAL, coast to side of road. (Doesnt matter if engine races...still have power steer, brakes, etc) 2. TURN ENGINE OFF. Press Start/Stop Button 3 TIMES. PRESS AND HOLD BUTTON if needed. (covers various makes)

I think owners manual says switch is in the trunk on the left side. Only going to replace DRIVERS side shocks? Is this a good idea? Shouldn't you do an axle at a time, so do all 4? Instructions? Shop Manual printout? .... oh, nevermind......

Ya gotta be able to put on a spare if you have a flat... Isnt it on the end of the lug nut wrench in the trunk? Does Owners Manual in glovebox tell you where to look? Near the spare?

Hi Smooth1, I'm smiling. Thanks for the tap on the shoulder. That "Ad" is a come-on to get you in the door. All the price is for is tape and spray. An "integrated" color/clear coat. The Maaco national website explains that they can match lots of colors, and do a separate color, then clear coat, but that is near or beyond their highest level paint job of $1,000, and again, body repairs and paint prep are extra. So... $2,500 is probably ballpark for a same color repaint (no doorjambs, etc) and one poster talking about a $12K paint job on a custom car classic rebuild is understandable too. Bad News is each Maaco is a FRANCHISE, so lots depends on the owner and staff at each different Maaco. Me? I would ask Lexus Dealer to do it, after lots of questions, and asking what kind of warranty I would get. They would probably sublet to their own dealer body and collision repair shop, or one they recommend, but I would want the Lexus Dealer to stand behind the work.

C.Ward, this is a half-serious reply for all models. Food for thought about a Philosophy... I like SUBTLE things, that make knowledgable guys go "HUH?" For example, I wanna take the black stubby GPS antenna on my wife's 02 LS430 rear window, and glue on onto my 94 LS400 rear roof/window. No wires or GPS, just the antenna, as a fake out. I have also seen black covers for the side mirrors, and black side curtains one can install as if a VIP is cheauffered around in that car. During car shows, I have seen things that make people go "Huh?" On my Yellow 76 Corvette, I drove around in SD with a front plate that said "Move Over" in reverse lettering like Ambulances use...It reads correctly when the guy in front of you looks in his rear view mirror. also had a clear window sticker, inside, on front edge of glass near outside mirror, and on sunroof, that a passenger could read that said: "Caution: Do Not Open Windows Above 120 MPH". also brought home an airline barf bag from a trip and put it in the passenger dash pocket. also, while detailing vette during "Show And Shines", I got one of those orange ribbons from the Air Force and put it on my rear antenna that said "Remove Before Flight". Now, ONE THING I saw at a car show, was someone had pinstriped inside the Door Jams, that NO ONE EVER TOUCHES. Another had painted murals, like you see on side of vans. Only visible when doors, trunk or hood were open. I have been thinking about pinstrips on my lexus doorjambs too. ANOTHER THING: Know how you parallel park, open your door a crack, then wait for traffic or bicycles to pass before you open the door all the way? I have seen and used press=on sticky reflectors on the inside edges of doors, and tunks, so when they are open, traffic or bicycles can see them. Gotta be careful about the thickness so there is no interference when you close the door or trunk or hood. Been thinking about real thin 3M reflective tape in red or white or silver to apply to all four door edges of my lexus and trunk lid inside edges that would only be visible when they are open. Think: Emergency stop on roadside with no electrical power, so open trunk as warning with that reflective tape on it.

Jeesh, lighten up, you guru gearheads,,, I feel like I just been "Super Moderated"... I went to catholic school in 1960's, so I understand, and will consider my knuckles slapped. Mea Culpa. Technically, I understand your position, BUT, being a 60 year old retired USAF officer, who worked in a gas station garage in high school, college, owing several vehicles, where I traded off dealer/DIY decisions, from corvette to finally two lexus vehicles. I got some maturity. I had just spent a month reading EVERY thread on this LOC, and also on Club Lexus, and other sites like Lextreme, Meguires, and googling LS400 and Detailing,,,so,,,, When I saw recent posts on here, I think I WAS answering from "personal experience" of ALL THE OTHER POSTS I HAVE READ. Wanted to save the Newbie some time and effort. Now, I think I am a comedian too, so my replys get a little outrageous... (drafting semi's but ice sloshes out of my martini glass; inflating tires to sidewall pressure; squeeling tires by reving to 3Krpm in neutral then slamming it into Drive,,, most should realize those are JOKES) I like the reply about free interior paint job if you leave the windows down... Another said he would paint car for $500 with a paintball gun. Hehehe (I shoulda figured that posting a topic with the word "Maaco" in a Lexus Forum would be like tossing a grenade into the Lounge)

Some idiot once told me: Just put Regular in it, and the ECU computer will adjust for it and make it run fine. I think that is like the sign i saw in a motorcycle shop: "If you got a $10 head, then buy a $10 helmet" Original Poster DID say his experience was with a 99 Mustang V6 When an automaker RECOMMENDS something (PREMIUM), who am I to question their engineers? I am no "engineer". Just because Kerosene is cheaper, and Water is free, I am not going to put THEM in my Lexus either, but the idea of higher octane Airplane Racing Fuel for a boost has tempted me... I could win $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos too, if I video my attempt. . . or "World's Dumbest..."

No, not recently. Back in 1970 in Ohio, brother had Earl Scheib paint job, not sure if Maaco was invented then or in Ohio. Many recent questions and posts about "cheap" paint jobs, and just got that sale brochure the next day in mail, so thought I would post it. Big catch is "removal of old paint and sanding=EXTRA" I am 60 now and agree with all the moderators and old posters on here that: you get what you pay for, $2,500 is about right. My 94 LS400 has blue book of about $4,000 now. SmoothDaddyK from Atlanta said he just paid $500 for his car and was looking for a cheap but decent paint job for under $500. Maybe this should be under THAT thread, but wanted the subject to stand out for other readers.

Caution: when you CHANGE COLOR (like your original post says), you ALSO have to paint: door jams, interior edge of all doors, underside of hood and trunk lid, interior edges of engine hood and trunk area. VERY EXPENSIVE. When you look at a blonde, brunette or redhead for a wife, you can always ask her to wear a wig to bed. It's different with a Lexus.

Ooops, wrong link... figsprops.com was for hood support struts. Here, this japanese soarer site is for suspension bushings: www.vftbushes.com/

Hey Prix, I am confused. I am mixing up sway bars/bushings and control arm bushings. Kelly Blue Book yesterday said my 1994 LS400 with 135K miles was worth about $4,000, but there is a range. Check out kbb.com Also, most cars in junkyards have been in front or rear collision, so you will want to know where it came from. You dont want parts off a front end collision, only from a rear collision. Cant tell from just the part itself. Pull-A-Part is better. Note: Dealer just replaced lower control arm bushings on wife's 02 LS430 at 90K service for $241.62 Parts, $720 Labor on Feb 2, 2010 in Oxnard.

Hey Prix, I am confused. I am mixing up sway bars/bushings and control arm bushings. Kelly Blue Book yesterday said my 1994 LS400 with 135K miles was worth about $4,000, but there is a range. Check out kbb.com Also, most cars in junkyards have been in front or rear collision, so you will want to know where it came from. You dont want parts off a front end collision, only from a rear collision. Cant tell from just the part itself. Pull-A-Part is better. Note: Dealer just replaced lower control arm bushings on wife's 02 LS430 at 90K service for $241.62 Parts, $720 Labor on Feb 2, 2010 in Oxnard.

Dont know why anyone would quibble about $15. Parts.com seems reputable compared to "someone on ebay". I have read alot about this lately... Most are not happy with polyurethane and either wish they went with OEM or something like this: http://www.figsprops.com/oemstrut.htm Also, I read in tutorial on that or another site, or in lexus shop manual that some make mistake of tightening bolts while car is in air. When lowered, bushings are stressed, then when you hit a bump the bushings tear. Instead, lower car to ground, THEN tighten bolts, so bushings have correct setting to travel UP and DOWN when you hit a bump without tearing. Some geezer said check price of new sway bar with bushings already installed. Not much more cost and then simple unbolt, bolt on new sway bar, as opposed to changing bushings only.

Should he check timing with a timing light? Could a vacuum hose have come undone? Duct Tape should fix anything.

Sebastor, I have a couple ideas: 1. Besides the Lexus Owners Club (LOC) there are a few other websites, like ClubLexus, Lexstacy, Lexsreme, etc. Type "1990 LS400 ps pump leak" or "noise" or "altenator noise" into GOOGLE and see what you get. 2. Act dumb, and take you car to lexus or toyota dealer, then one or two other mechanics, and just say " I'm getting a noise that doesnt seem right" and see what they diagnose for you. 3. I watched mechanic use stethoscope (like doctors use), with foot long metal probe, listen for "bearing noise" by putting probe on altenator housing or ps pump housing to hear. You could do same with length of garden hose, heater hose or vacuum hose, putting one end to your ear, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE REAL CAREFUL, because if you play this game with the engine running, you have a whirling fan blade and serpentine belt real close, and you could hurt yourself. When the belt grabs the hose out of your hand and starts whipping it around, smacking you in the head, you could win $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos. Normal pumps humm, if bearings are going out, it sounds like a garbage disposal grinding things up. (actually touch the item, so you hear vibrations, like putting your skull against anothers while they chew or humm, it sounds different,,,see?) You dont have to touch near rotating shaft, just anywhere on the housing to pickup vibrations. Maybe garden hose inches away from ps pump, or closer to altenator would be enough to tell which one the weird noise is coming from.

Sebastor, BEWARE, common problem with our series Lexus, besides burnt out clock LCD, is leaky PS pumps. Problem is, it leaks onto Altenator below, harming it and it's a real expensive part. So, pay attention to PS leaks. I have a leaky ps rack and pinion assy, so fluid drips onto ground (or bottom engine cover) but not altenator. When fluid gets least bit low, my ps pump growls, and topping it off with a little more fluid makes growl go away. Check your ps fluid level to see if it is full and if that might be causing your noise. If leak, then find out where the leak is to see if you can let it go or need to fix it ASAP. I also learned that ps pump has small hole in bottom, like many water pumps (other makes of cars, not lexus, i dont think) that signal when the seal is leaking. If you see/feel water coming out of pump weep hole, or ps fluid coming out of ps pump weep hole, then the seal is going bad, and you need to rebuild it yourself, buy a rebuilt or new pump before it damages your altenator. I gotta check mine, so will feel weep hole below main shaft to feel/see if any ps fluid is coming out. Google "ps pump weep hole" and see if you get photo.

Hey wuzzy1, your 92 is like my 94 LS400: It was sold with EPA Estimate of 18mpg City, 23mpg Hwy, so you were doing freeway driving, probably driving conservatively on cruise control (not rapid start/stops like a teenager). fueleconomy.gov says they revised numbers down in 2008 to match current rating method, so mine is now 16/22, but I get 19 around town. Tire pressure is usually at 30psi?, so did you bump it to 35psi? How about inflating to max sidewall listed pressure, like 45psi?, then drafting REAL CLOSE behind a big rig semi truck so he can suck you along with him? I dont like doing that, because if he ever lets off the gas, or hits his brakes, I gotta brake real quick and the ice sloshes out of my martini glass into my lap. If you want to learn a lot about your car, type your year, model number into GOOGLE follwed by the word "wiki"... read the wikipedia article that pops up about your car, then scan all the other results. Edmonds.com has car reviews, etc. Seems like the first generation Lexus was one of the top five cars built in the last century. The LS430 series was rated top luxury car each year. Latest LS460 series has fantastic electronics that amaze even Neil Armstrong. (if there isnt a software glitch) ... "Watch This, this car parks itself"...WOAH, What's Going On?, Hey, Hey, Hey...

Hey billydpowell, thanks for the neat parts link, you old dinosaur (hehehe) Hey sebastor, I would read that history as all that having been done. Methinks present tense is when work order is started, and assume it is completed, while past tense is used if work is found during inspections and added on when bill is totaled, or added by different tech who uses past tense. So that was 10 years ago, how many miles ago? Hey fiveofakind, didnt mean to light your fire. Just read lots of posts on LOC about timing belts and also on Club Lexus, as I had dealer do Timing Belt in Feb. You are different, do your own work, so you're the expert. Others were newbies, just learned about need for timing belt and water pump every 90K/72months, didnt seem to have maintenence manuals like you and me to see what was involved in the job, and some just bought old lexus for $3K and first time with "luxury" car and prices. I never saw mention of "The Bigger Picture" and they seemed to be "Penny Wise but Pound Foolish", so that's why I posted what I did. For others to read and consider. Why junk car at 300K? Your classic is supposed to be bullet-proof. Hand it down to younger generation? Let THEM learn about DIY and Junkyards, etc.

Hey 1990LS400, nice reply. I wanna post like you when I grow up. Thanks for the link. I love this Forum. Info like that is worth the monthly dues... (joking) <grin>

Wow, billydpowell, neat reply. A quote and attached thumb. I wanna post like you when I grow up. Hey fiveofakind, I thought the same way you did at first... but then I thought... if/when belt breaks, engine dies, I loose power steering, and have to pull car to side of road immediately, or wife does, and on freeways, I risk causing an accident, and hurting my lexus, or me, or my wife or kids, or causing a chain reaction collision that hurts others on the public roadways... I thought of legal terms like "negligent homicide" or "involuntary manslaughter" and thought maybe a new timing belt (and serpintine drive belt) is worthwhile after all.

Also, beware of "bargain" airfares, cruises, vacations to Chile, Haiti, Iraq or Afghanistan. Oh, and "vacation property" in the Florida Everglades. Notice how vacation spots like Vegas, Hawaii and Caribbean are hurting? Good Deals Now. Hummers on sale. Used Oldsmobiles real bargain now. Hehehe

Dealer finally fixed shell of passenger side mirror for $110 (+ $60 labor) after previous quotes from him and different dealer that only $500 (guts with mirror) or $700 option (complete side mirror) were available. Wife damaged outside front shell of passenger side mirror on 02 LS430 and it fell off in car wash. She freaked once home and saw electronic guts without front shell. We drove back to car wash and found it. Seems some tabs were broken, so it would fit back on, but not hold, so we taped it around the edge with fiberglass strapping tape (thin width) to hold it together temporarily. Mirror was OK. We live on the Central California Coast, so nearest dealers are 3 hours North, East or South. Wife drove to San Francisco East Bay Area for business (4 hours North) so I went with her, and took car to Lexus Dealer during business hours, saying I had a day for them to repair mirror if price was reasonable. Service Tech returned from Parts Dept saying only options were complete mirror ($700) or internal guts with mirror ($500) and that there was no option for just mirror glass or external shell (body and front cover: I just needed front cover). I said I would fix it with super glue around the edges before spending that much. I am 60 now, worked at a gas station in High School, and driven six cars now over 200,000 miles each, so know about dealers vs indies vs junkyard parts and DIY. Rather pay Dealer to fix now, if reasonable. Next business trip south to Los Angeles, stopped in at our regular Oxnard/Ventura Lexus Dealer. Told them predicament and what SF Bay Area dealer said; A Service Tech said same thing: Parts Dept showed numbers to get complete unit or guts only, but not just the shell or cover. Super Glue was next, but I am lazy. Finally, month or two later, it was time for 90K service, Timing Belt, and tires were near the wear bars. Oxnard Dealer could see we used him for major checkups and warranty work, but had local indie do oil changes. Dealer could expect $1000 each for 90K & TBelt & Tires (5 tires x $250 each) and we had subwoofer replaced free under Certified Pre-Owned Warranty (Purchased at 40K miles) just before it expired last year. I told dealer our additional problems were brake squeek, RF passenger door speaker now out, RF door mirror shell and pitted windshield. Service Tech said he would see what he could do. He knew warranty expired and insurance wouldnt cover $2000 lexus windshield, so all this was coming out of our own pocket. Maybe because I went along with recommendations for fluid flushes, lower control arm bushings ($242 parts, $720 labor), allignment, turn brake rotors (pads OK), Lo and Behold, the side mirror shell WAS available for just $110 and $60 labor. (PN: 87915-5003-B0 Cover, Outer Mirror). THAT's more like it. I also got RF door speaker ($183 spkr, $180 labor) and aftermarket windshield for $371. Total $4448 after 20% OFF cupon received in mailbox weekend before scheduled appointment. There IS a God. Car is paid off, so Total is like six months worth of car payments ($750 x 6) to go another 90K miles. (until the next thing breaks) (Life is Fun. . . wondering what's next.!!!)

Note: Wife's 02 LS430 was going into Dealer for 90K checkup & Timing Belt when I read about sticker usually placed near radiator saying Belt was done. I asked Dealer Service Tech if that would be done to my wife's car. Tech said usually only Indie's did that, and Dealers don't because Dealers enter the info into the Lexus Computer Database that can be seen by any other dealer or the owner (Register your VIN at Lexus.com to see/print your repair history).

Got Flyer/Cupon in Mailbox. BIG PRINT: $500 Paint Job for $250. $700 Paint Job for $350 (Both include integrated Clear Coat) Small Print: Body Work, Rust Repair, Stripping of old paint: Extra. Checkout www.maaco.com I read about 4 paint Jobs: Basic about $300, two above are called Presidential & Supreme, Best is about $1000 for Color & Clear. They can do spot painting and Body Work too. 500 shops nationwide are independent franchises, but honor same warranty. Body Work about 33% cheaper than Dealers and Body Shops. Paint Jobs cheaper too, because of volume of jobs and Group Purchasing power for paint and materials.

Dealer replaced windshield on my 02 LS430 for $371 on Feb 2, 2010. Used Aftermarket PPG glass installed by Pacific Auto Glass. I think Dealer supplied part and third party contractor came to dealer to do actual installation. OEM Lexus Windshield quoted at $2000. My Insurance USAA would only allow $350 for a windshield, and had $250 deductible, so I didnt file claim to get only $100, and couldnt pay for Lexus windshield. I had read everything on Forum and Internet about aftermarkets. Pro: PPG certified to meet USA standards for safety. Con: Reports that inside mirror doesnt stick as well on aftermarkets and rain sensor problems, but Dealer asked Installer and said Installer never has had those kind of problems, so we went ahead with it. Glass Company will come to your home or office and fix in 2 hours.