chajones

I have experienced the same thing. The dealer has said the steering wheel/column needed to be lubricated. Once that is done the sft sqeak goes away, at least for a while. I don't know how they lubricated it, or with what.

Thanks for the tip. I have fished down between the cushions and I can feel the middle belt, but not the female end of the outboard belt. If I had stuck my hand in any further I'd have to remove the seat to find my hand also!! Thanks again.

I have a 2001 ES and the female end of the seat belt is not visible. I suspect it is under the rear seat. How do I remove the rear seat to check? Thanks.

Thanks for the advice. I don't know when the belt was last serviced. I bought the car last fall with about 45,000 miles on it from a dealer as a CPO. I have only had it serviced at the dealer, including the 60,000 miles service. My guess is that at the 90,000 mile serve the belts will be replaced. I suspect you're correct though, becasue it only happened during torrential rains going through rather deep puddles, and has not happened before or since. Thanks again.

I has been raining a lot here lately, and while driving my wife's 2000 ES300 the AC light in the HVAC controls would start blinking after going through large puddles. The AC compressor apparently would stop as well, as the air through the vents became noticeably more humid. I could push the AC button and the light would go off, then push the auto button and everything would go back to normal. What is cauising this, and do I have a problem? Thanks.

I believe that model year ES300 had two settings for the wipers: a winter setting and a summer setting. The winter setting does not park the wipers all the way so the wipers do not freeze up. I don't remember how to change the settings, but I believe it is done under the hood. You''l have to check the owner's manual for that.

I have the same year ES300 and I have had the same problem before right after an oil change. Apparently the oil filter is difficult to get at and many mechanics end up leaving a little residual oil on some part near the filter. The oil then gradually drips off that part, giving the impression of an oil leak, when really it is just oil the mechanic spilled. See if it goes away in a few days. In the meantime park on the street so you don't mess up your driveway and find another place to get your oil changed.

I would try the new Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread.

I replied elsewhere that I have just had Goodyear Assurance (Triple Tread version) installed on my car. They are very quiet and provide good handling and a comforatble ride. The are warranted for 80,000 miles. The triple tread design is supposed to provide enhanced traction on ice and on wet roads. Goodyear just came out with this tire this past spring and it replaces the Aquatread.

I just replaced the original Michelins on my 1996 ES300 with Goodyear Assurance Triple Treads. So far I am very impressed. It is a quiet tire, good handling and comfort. It is supposed to be an 80,000 mile tire, and we'll see how it does in the rain and snow/ice. It is designed to handle all of these situations well.

Thanks for the responses. The problem is solved. I had, in addition to the license plate light, one of the center mounted brake lights out. Both lights were replaced and the rear lamp warning light is now out. I just though it strange because I thought the warning light would only come on when I applied the brakes, instead of staying on all the time. By the way, my car is a 1996 ES300.

My rear lamp indicator (orange light the dash) stays on all the time. The owners' manual states that it will come on when the brakes are applied if a brake light is out, or it will come on when the headlights are turned on if a tail light is out. None of these lights are out. I do have one of the license plate lights out. The light came on after going through a car wash and stays one every time the ignition is on. Do I have a short circuit, or what is the cause? Thanks for your help.

53,000 on my 1996 ES 300. It had 45,000 mileson it when I bought it almost three months ago.

The same thing happened to me on my previous car, a Pontiac Grand Prix. It is called a front air dam and its purpose is to push air up to the radiator for better cooling and to smoth the air flow under the car for better aerodynamics. I also left it off my previous car, but carefully watch the engine temperature for any changes if you do this. Good luck!

I just bought a 96 ES300 with only 46,000 miles and it is in excellent shape and well maintained. I bought it for $8500, private party sale, but from my wife's co-worker. In short, I believe I got a great deal. I drive about 35,000 miles a year and my next car will probably be a 2-5 year old Lexus. I am seeking advice as to when the best time to trade for the next car. Should I drive this one till it drops (hopefully about five years)? Or should I seek to drive it a shorter to and try to get some value for it?