gojo

I'll call them today. sounds good!

Mount your spare, let the bent one be your spare. no spent dollars, unless you need to remount the tires, cheaper than a wheel. cheers, bp That would be an excellent idea, except that the spare isbrushed aluminum, not chrome. go figure.

Somehow I've managed to bend a wheel. It's not bad, definitely driveable with no noticable shake or wobble appearance. But it still won't balance true. I've looked into a replacement and apparantly this is a very hard to find item. I will not purchase brand new from the dealer. I was thinking about having the wheel bent back into shape, if possible (?). Does anyone out there have any ideas or better suggestions? This is a '99 LS400 with chrome wheels.

This is a horse of an entirely different color. Checking the the tranny fluid level is a good idea, also check it for color and odor. If it's brown and smells burn't, you may be overdue for routine tranny service, or possibly something more serious. A shelled out torque converter can also be noisey. Although I've never heard of that happening to a Lexus. Good luck with it and let us know how you make out.

The transmission in that '90 needs to warm up a bit before it will shift into high. That may be the whinning you're hearing. If so, this is normal. Try letting the car warm up for 10 minutes before driving. I'll give it another shot today. What do you mean by 'shift into high'? 3rd gear. It kinda just hangs in second, the rpms go up but the speed doesn't. It sounds like it's whinning. My wifes car does the same thing. Once the engine is warm, the computer is happy and allows the transmission to upshift no delay, no whinning. The dealer tells me that they all have this feature built in to prevent you from stressing the engine while it's still cold.

The transmission in that '90 needs to warm up a bit before it will shift into high. That may be the whinning you're hearing. If so, this is normal. Try letting the car warm up for 10 minutes before driving.

I just had the timimng belt replaced on my '99 at 90,000 and my mechanic told me that the old belt was still in great shape. Irregardless, I'll stick with the 90,000 mile routine. I plan to run this car for many more happy years. Caio!

I feel compelled to put in my 2 cents. :D I love my '99. Yes there was a brief moment when I thought of selling it and purchasing a new turbo diesel Jetta for the gas mileage. That spell lasted for for about a minute max. OMG! What was I thinking? What a nightmare. Well, My LS will be hitting the 100,000 mile mark soon. This calls for a bottle Champagne,.... Does it not? B)

Same here. 1999 LS400, Premium fuel, A/C on. Average 24-25 mpg. Hwy only 28-29 mpg (75 -80 mph). This car is amazing, but everyone here already knows. ;)

Python, Thanks for the info. I've been using the O.E.M. oil filter on my LS. Do you recommend the Napa filter over Toyota? That could simplify my shopping trips for parts. My mechanic outright recommends WIX filters as well. I have also installed the Napa Ceramix brake pads on my LS with no regrets what so ever. Looks like I may be doing a lot more one-stop-shopping at my local Napa dealer.

Yes, It's been a very seasonable spring. Enjoy it while you still can!

Thanks for the response. I found a replacement filter at the local Napa dealer for $22.00. The price is much better than the Lexus dealer and a lot more convenient to home. Another Tampa person. I'm bracing for the hot and humid summer....good thing I got the A/C ready (LOL). :)

Just had my '99 LS serviced at 90,000. The timing belt was replaced, power steering flushed, transmission fluid changed and A/C evacuated and recharged. The passenger compartment air filter was also replaced. The mechanic saved it to show me. Let's just say I was a little embarrassed by the condition of it. It's never been replaced and looked like it! A lesson well learned. Apparently it is strictly a dealer item. Does anyone know where to get one after market? So, did I miss anything else besides that filter (yuck)?? I love my LS. It has been a wonderful car over the years. We're getting 24 miles per gallon on average. How can I complain about that? Paying $3.75 a gallon is painful, but the car is great! ;)

I used NAPA Ceramix Pads: Front, CMX7544 Rear, CMX7491 on my '99 LS. I haven't needed to replace rotors yet.

My '99 has 75,000 miles. Still love the car. My wife will actually let me drive it now and then. Aparantely she still loves the car too! ;)