Victor

Thanks much DobieG. Victor

This is amazing. I just put up a post about my daughter who also did some drawing on my leather seats with an ink PILOT pen. What's the deal with daughters, leather seats and PILOT pens anyway? I happened to be at my Lexus dealer yesterday for routine service and inquired about how to deal with it. They told me to use Denatured Alcohol. He said that's what the pros use. He just warned me to be very gentle with it as hard rubbing would take the dye right out of the seats. Sounds like based on your experience the alcohol worked. Thanks, Victor

Thanks Ford212, I did try that first, but got no response. I've tried again and it's still a no-go. I used ink and ink*. Any other ideas? Thanks, Victor

Last weekend I had my 2 daughters in the backseat of my LX470 going to our cabin. My 6-year old apparently got bored and got a hold of a blue pilot pen. She made some markings on the gray leather seat. When I got home I tried to remove the ink with my Lexol cleaner. It did fade the markings some but I can still see them. Is there anything out there that will safely remove pen markings. New rule - Keep no pens in the car. Thanks, Victor

Hi Madkow70, I also have a 2002 LX470. I researched the database update situation too. There was an update made as of November 2004. I'm not aware of anything new since then, but I don't know for sure. I've been trying to find an inexpensive way to upgrade. My Lexus dealer wants $675 for the update. Too expensive in my books. I've read on this forum of others that updated it themselves. Some were successful and others were not. I get a little nervous about this. If you find anything that works. Please advise me. Thanks, Victor

Hi Marty, Here is a number I have for 1Source, 1-800-905-5700. Good Luck, Victor B)

Drb, Where can you obtain the disk to do it? Thanks,

I've wondered about this suspension fluid. During routine 60,000 mile scheduled maintenance on my 2002 LX, my Lexus dealer told me that the suspension fluid needed to be replaced. I got a price from a local repair shop that I used to take my Landcruiser to for half the price of what Lexus was going to charge me for the fluid flush. When I went to go pick up the vehicle, I asked the mechanic if he could tell or see any difference between the old fluid and the new. He claimed that there was no visible difference in the fluids appearance, smell or touch. Of course he's not a Lexus dealer either, but it makes me a little suspicious. Is it reasonable to assume that the fluid would begin to break down at 60,000 miles? Victor

Hi Everybody, I have a 2002 LX-470. The database in the Nav unit is a 2001 version and I've learned that a new updated version of the database was made available last November. The dealer must install it and it costs about $650 for the update. It would be nice to get the update but I'm not sure if it's $650 nice if you know what I mean. Does anyone know of any other means to get it without having to pay an arm and a leg for it? Thanks, Cheapskate in Seattle :whistles:

Hi Curious1, So far, everything has been fine. I've only had to take my Lexus in for service once and it was only for a blown out subwoofer. I know it seems like a silly thing for just a speaker and all but I was curious how well 1Source would respond and react. My Lexus dealer told me that he never heard of a 3rd party warranty company paying for something like this before. 1SourceAW came through with flying colors and paid for the whole thing. I initially thought it might be about a $150 repair. With labor and speaker the bill came up to $521.00 for one speaker. I couldn't believe it. I have the Mark Levinson system, but holy cow!!! I practically kissed my warranty paperwork when I got into my car. I can say that I'm extremely satisfied with 1Source. It was simple and easy and completely painless. There's a great deal of piece of mind too knowing that you're protected. Who needs a $2K or $3K repair bill anyway. I suppose some repairs can go much higher. I may never need it again as long as I have my LX470, but at least I know it's there just in case. I give 1SourceAutoWarranty thumbs up. Good Luck Victor :) ←

I owned a 1995 Landcruiser for 4 years and this light came on twice. The first time was for worn out oxygen sensors. There are 2 of them and I believe they were nearly $200 each to replace. About 1 1/2 years later the light came on again. I took it in for diagnostics and they told me it was the catalytic converter this time. This is where it gets interesting. I called my cousin who owns a high end mechanic and car sales shop. He said that it might only be a bad tank of gas setting off the light. He told me to disconnect the battery cables for about 3 minutes and then reconnect them. If the light comes back on, then it's likely the diagnosis was correct. If not, then probably just bad gas. I disconnected the battery and reconnected per his advice and the light did not come back on. This simple little test saved me about $800.00. My wife has a Toyota Sienna. Her engine light came on about the same time as mine. It turned out that we had both purchased gas at the same station about the same time. I did the battery disconnect thing with hers and the light went out as well. I think this is a great and cheap way to double check your dummy lights.

Since the GPS system already has a DVD player included in the package, how hard would it be to have the DVD signal diverted to rear monitor(s)? It can bypass the GPS screen as I don't need anymore distraction. Has anyone ever tried this? If possible, I could save the space and expense of another DVD player in the vehicle. I'd like to pursue this idea. What are the downsides to this concept? Thanks, Victor

Hi Gang, I have a 2002 LX470 and 2 daughters aged 6 and 9. This recipe calls for a rear entertainment system. I've gone to the local Car Toys shop and looked at headrest unit monitors and ceiling mounts. I'd rather have a Lexus designed system but was told that it wouldn't work in the 2002. I think they said it only came out in 2003. Somehow the aftermarket ceiling mount systems don't look all that great. Something about them looks so aftermarket that I'd have a hard time putting one in. The headrest models are pretty pricey and then you have to find somewhere to put the DVD player itself. I'd like a ceiling mount that looks like it belongs with the vehicle. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks, Victor

Thanks Glenn, Mystery solved. I guess I should pull out all of the manuals and start reviewing them again in case I missed anything else. Victor :D

I've had nothing but success with the Michelin LTX M/S. I'll never buy another tire for my rig. Used them on my Landcruiser too. Awesome tires. Victor