CLightning

What does your car do (time) in the quarter? I believe the E55's do low 12's stock.

If the tire says 44psi you should put in 44psi, unless you are off roading in sand with big tires then let out 50%, If you are carrying alot of weight in the car, or you and your family are seriously obese, you should probably inflate to 34psi, so you don't blow the tires apart. If you drag racing and you want better traction you should take out 30% of the air in the rear tires, or 25 psi. If you want to save gas and fly on the freeway and around corners inflate to 48psi, but that is not recommended. Got all that, and I am not even a tire expert, but lots of experience.

Last time I exceeded a tad past max pressure, I ended up with separated tread/belts (tires were now useless trash). Setting 48 psi on a 44psi max-rated tire & flying on the freeway is just asking for trouble. In other words, youre greatly increasing the risk of blowing out a tire(s). -and when that happens during a high speed cruise on the freeway, your life will be in a world of !Removed!.

I just wanted a little info on the range of psi I should set my tires to because I know the pressure on a 'cold' tire differs from that of a tire on a hot day or tires that have just been driven on. I know for one thing that setting 44 psi on a 44psi max-rated tire on 'cold' tires is not recommended because when the tire starts to heat up, the pressure will eventually go up past 44psi, exceeding the max-rated psi. That's a no-no!

I noticed you are a sunny California boy yourself and drive a 1993 sc400, curuius do you have anything special going on under your hood of your car?

←

This car is new to me so I don't know what power adders that will make a significant difference other than a rebuilt engine/turbo which require very deep pockets +constant maintainence. Since I'm making this car as my daily driver, I will only go as far putting in a C.A.R.B cert intake, not for power, but just because of its reusable filter. I'll leave the modifying to you guys, which I admire.

I see you're from LA. Are these headers C.A.R.B. certified? Just curious.

I just passed my emissions flawlessly on a 92 sc400 with 230,000 km on it.

My tricks for emission tests,

1.  new air filter

2.  fresh oil change

3.  full tank of sunoco 94 octane fuel

4.  a good 20 minute run up and down the highway

But if your numbers are way off - then you may have sensors issues and depending on the test results, then a good dealer should be able to diagnose the cause of the failed test...

←

I second that. Take your car for a long drive on the highway/freeway right before your smog test.

Not to worry, most cars are designed to do that. Feel free to add me as another member of the High Idle Cold Start Club.

How does everyone warm up their car in the morning (...or the first start up of the day)?

1. How long do you let the engine run before taking off?

2. With respect to #1, how do you drive the car when you first take off? Easy? Moderate? Hard?

I was just wondering because there are times in the cold morning when I'm late for work, and i'm just too anxious to wait for the car and warm up. A few times I let it run under a minute, then take off and drive like a mad man trying to rush for work.

I especially see this quite often after work when people are just so anxious to get home, they don't even bother warming their car.

Thanks in advance.

"For most cars and most tires today, 34 PSI is a good general rule."

34PSI, is that on a cold tire? Thanks.

If a tire is rated at 44PSI Max, then how much pressure should I put in? Thanks in advance.

I know that you can have them turn on with your head lights or parking lights using relays, but I don't think they will become functional fog lights. All just for decoration. I think you'd have to change the housing, bulbs and harness kit to have fully functioning fog lights. There are several posts on this, try the search feature.

Anyone have any how-to's or pics to check the heater control valve? Thanks in advance.

Found this at another website:

http://www.ehubcap.com/search_results.asp?...arch=fromSearch

My SC300 came with chrome rims that had chrome finished plastic center caps (hub caps). I as well need one replacement cap too. Thanks.

What happened is I drove the car for a little while and parked it. I just picked it up from the dealer who was doing a used car inspection on it because I just bought it.  I drove the car home and I needed to drive to the store a bout two hours later and I started it up and a bunch of blue smoke came out the tail pipes.  It looked like it stopped after a few second, but *&*@@#:( I didnt want to see that coming from my car!  I dont know how much it consumes because I just bought it and the dealer changed the oil while they had it.  Will switching to a full synthetic help this problem or will it make it worse?

←

When I switched to synthetic, oil consumption got worse. I guess full synthetics are more thinner when comparing the same weight of dino oil. Dunno.

I wish thats all it is, but its blue smoke... oil.  I guess that its probably the valve guides but im not sure.  Is this ok or am I going to have to replace the motor soon?  The car only has 112k on it.

←

I don't know the answer to your problem but i'm just curious to know how much oil, if any, does your engine consume? My sc300 with 120,xxx miles consumes about 1 quart every 1000 to 1200 miles.

Black 1993 Lexus SC300

5 speed manual

Factory Gold Badging

Factory Chrome Wheels

120,xxx mi

100% Stock

2nd owner

Problems: (nothing major; just your common wear and tear stuff)

1. Condensation in discolored head lamps.

2. Cup holder flip cover in center console fails to remain shut

3. Throw out bearing going bad. (going from neutral to gear 1 is bad)

4. Front end now shakes at certain speeds when brakes applied (not a rotor or bearing problem).

5. No heated air coming out of the vents when temperature is set to hot.

6. Engine consumes about a quart of oil every 1200 miles.

7. Trunk shocks no longer hold up trunk lid.

8. CD Changer/Player skips while driving over mild terrain.

9. Speedo & Tacho Gauge needles go dim and sometimes blinks.

10. LCD AC/Temperature Display blacks out during cold weather.

11. Leaking Clutch Master Cylinder

12. Flaking chrome wheels and scuffed hubcaps with dulled emblems.

13. Driver Front Seat Leather Scuffed and Faded

14. Steering Wheel Leather Worn Down and Color Faded

15. Rattles here, rattles there.

16. Mildew odor from vents after a/c usage

17. Indicator lights work, but I dont really know what they "indicate" when we've got blinking signal lights???

Conclusion: Since there's no really major problem, this is one awsome car! (knock on wood)

I noticed today that when I started up my car that it smokes for a few seconds.  Is this a common problem?  I had my girlfriend drive behind me and watch to see if it smokes when I am driving and she said that it doesnt.  I floored it a few times and she said that it never smoked.  Is it ok to have some smoke come out of the pipes on start up?

←

I'm no automotive expert but i do know that if it's only on startup for a few seconds, then it's okay. Most likely it's just trapped water vaporizing, one of the main products an engine makes besides carbon monoxide. Same thing happens to me every morning.

Hi

I have a 2002 SC430 and recently equipped it with an Injen Air Intake. Great Sound...!

My bordcomputer shows quite an increase of gas usage (+15%). I thought the air intake could even reduce gas...

Some one here who can help?

Thanks

←

The cool new sound from your intake may have triggered your brain to mash your foot against gas pedal more than usual. Moreover, it has been known that this effect also occurs after having a new performance exhaust system put in. Try to keep your foot out of it.

Spank'in brand new shocks will pop that trunk fully open from just the press of the button. The install is easy too, do a search.

I've got a leftover recharge kit by K&N, you think it would hurt to use it on a foam airfilter? Any alternatives from buying 'special' oil made for foam? Like 30w oil perhaps?

I agree, gas tank is right under your nose!

I would try 10/40 & monitor oil consumption for the first couple of months to see it it slows down.

←

...will give that a try. thanks!

I like your wheels. What kind are they and what size?

If there are no external leaks then the engine may be burning oil.  1 qt per 1,000 miles is about average for a high mileage SC300.  The only way to determine if you're burning oil is to perform a compression test.  What viscosity oil are your using?  You may want to switch to a higher viscosity oil to slow down oil comsumption.

←

Royal Purple 10w30 is what I'm using. I live in Southern California where the weather averages around 80F. Daily driven about 1K per month. It's a 5 spd manual and I have a light foot. So what viscosity is recommended here? I will have it compression tested with my mechanic soon. Thanks -Mike

Looks like I will making the change to regular or synthetic blend. Once again, thank you all! -Mike