alschneider

I would recommend NOT going thru your insurance for something minor. Every claim raises your premiums. Even if you switch companies, they all share information and the additional costs will transfer with you. Insurance should only be used in catastrophic incidents and accidents. The money you save by not having your premuiums raised will more than cover the cost of getting your scratch fixed.Plus, the longer you go without a claim can lower your premiums over time.

I think it was standard equipment on my 2005 ES. The salesman made such a big deal about it but my 2000 Infiniti had it also. If you have nice tint, the screen is not necessary.

I had the exact same problem with my Infiniti I30. It happened twice and both times it was cylinder #5. They replaced the injector, the wiring, and all other stuff for that connection. Good thing it was under warranty!

Greetings: I did a search on this forum for headlight lens and found a lot about cleaning and polishing, but I could not find reference to a product that removed small fine scratches from a clear headlight lens. I was replacing a bulb in my wifes car and scratched the lens during install. Not a deep scratch, but noticeable. I am hoping to get it taken care of before she notices. Any pointers or recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

My Infiniti was OK. Its hard to compare since it was a 2000 and my Lexus is a 2005. The only problem I had with it was that the #5 cylinder stopped firing twice and had to have the whole wiring and firing mechanism replaced. Not a big deal since it was covered by warranty and they always gave a nice loaner car. The bad thing was that since only 5 cylinders were firing, I looked like I drove a POS as it shakes and rattles at the stoplights on the way to the dealership. Personally, I liked the interior of my 2000 Infiniti better than the 2005 models. They tried to make it all 'industrial'. Not nearly as classy as the Lexus. Also, over the 5 year period, the dealership turned into one of those 'let me run this by my manager' type places. I HATE those. Tell me the price one time and I'll either walk or buy. I don't have time for a stream of high pressure miscreants to act like my 'friend' as long as they think I'll buy today then walk away in disgust when you say you want to think about it. I realize they have to make a living but, damn, how do they sleep at night? Went to Lexus 3 times. The price was the same with NO pressure. They let me test drive it repeatedly and never hit me with a "whats it gonna take to get you into this car today'

Had an Infiniti I30 since 2000. Needed a new car but when I went back to Infiniti, the interiors were so bad (industrial looking plastic). Also, their NAV system wasn't the best. Looked at Mercedes and it was a lot of money for a car with questionable reliability. Went to the BMW lot... Their SUV's drove too much like a truck and their cars aren't that impressive to me. Looked at Lexus and that was the end. Everything I needed. Great NAV system, great reliability and resale.

Same on my 2005. It even re-locks after 25-30 seconds if you only open the trunk! A door must be open in that time or it does re-lock.

It definately makes typing simpler. Buttons are big and easy to press on screen. My friend has a Dodge Durango and to type information in requires moving a joystick to the letter. Fingerprints come off by using wipes made for LCD screens, available at any computer store.

Not that expensive, it is $10.95 for a 8 oz. bottle at their website. If you are looking for a great leather conditioner and want the new leather smell, this is it. The negative is that you can not get it locally and have to pay the shipping. SO, if you add the shipping to the cost then SW03ES is right at it being significantly more expensive. B) ← Thanks for the info. I'm going to order it today before I forget the name again ;)

There are a couple of people in the electronics section that have either purchased a harness from doctorbypass or have made minor wiring 'corrections'directly behind the unit. I'm not sure if these cover the newer NAV systems, but maybe contacting them directly will get some answers. The listings are under Lexus Owners Club Forums -> General Lexus Forums -> Audio / Video / Electronics Forums. Hope this helps.

I have a 4 month old ES330. I'll admint the shifting at slow speeds (10-25MPH) was hard to get used to, but I haven't noticed it in quite a long time. I guess its like they said earlier... you get used to it and subconciously work around it. Although it has plenty of power for me (I'm an old !Removed! at 40), it is by no means a sports car. If you want a super-quiet, classy car, this is it. Everyione who gets in compliments the trim, the quietness of the ride, the nav system, the seats, and a lot of other things. So... If it is for your dad, I would definately recommend it as it is a very 'professional' looking classy car. Not too flashy or brazen (like an H2 or a boxy Caddy), just a good quality vehicle that you can drive with pride.

I saw a thread in the electronics section of this forum that had a way to disable the screen deactivation when the car is moving. It didn't say how to make it only work if there is a passenger on board, but it will be active the whole time, whether or not you are moving. BTW: I haven't tried this method but there are a few people in these forums that have. Mine is only 4 months old and I don't want to mess with anything that might 'disable' my warranty. :(

Check out Vizualogic website They list all of the Lexus models and headrests they support. BTW: Their stuff is more expensive than $298. Another consideration: I sent them an email but have not received an answer on whether the wiring run down the inside of the seat will interfere with the heated / air conditioned seats.

Welcome aboard. I was at the dealer the other day getting an oil change and I saw Lexus brand leather conditioner. I asked the guy at the counter who makes the product for Lexus and he did not know. <_< I had previously bought Turtle Wax leather cleaner / conditioner but it is crap so I was going to get another brand anyway. It was inexpensive (about $9 ) and seemed to work very well on the seats... They are clean and soft but not 'slick'. I saw they had a lot of other Lexus branded products but the only one I've tried is the leather conditioner. BTW: I saw a posting a while back about a leather conditioner that REALLY smelled like leather so it made the 'new car smell' last longer. I can't find the post and I forgot the brand. Anyone... anyone... Bueller.

I agree. I bought one and after a few minutes, the water just kinda dribbles out because of the short filter life. It was spot free though! When I did my last wash / wax, I took it to the car wash to use their sprayer and I saw a setting on their sprayer for "Spot Free Rinse". So, for 2$ I'll power wash it at the car wash from now on and clog their filter. :whistles: Although its probably just a false setting to give unsuspecting people the feeling their getting filtered spot free water! :P

I agree. I don't like the tilt down mirrors because you can't see whats in back of you, but you can see what your tires are about to run over. I've had a couple of close calls because of this. I still leave it on becuse when I pull into a parking space, I put it in reverse so I can make sure I am in the lines and in far enough. But for backing up its not that great. You can turn it off by moving the mirror adjustment L/R selection lever to the middle.

if it is the orginal remote, it may be gunk collecting under the remote button itself that does not allow contact to be made when the button is pressed. It may be moving around inside which is why it is an off / on problem. I've taken the FOB apart on my Infiniti and they get very gunky! :cries: Just a thought

Steve, the projector headlights on the 05 ES, do they swivel like the RX or GS when you go around a corner to help illuminate where the road goes and not so much where you are pointed? steviej ← Again, I have never owned a Lexus until this one, but my headlights do go up and down depending on distance to the object in front of you (at least thats how I think it works). They don't turn slightly left or right that I've noticed, but they do go up and down. As for brightness, they do have the blue-ish tinge and compared to my wife's new Equinox, they are much brighter and whiter.

I've only owned one Lexus, a 2005 ES330. I live in AZ, and believe me A/C in the seats is the greatest thing since sliced bread Anyway, the interior looks are what sold me on the car. I have the woodgrain but I know what you are saying about the trim in general. Most of the other cars I looked at were not layed out as ergonomically as this one. I looked at others including the Infiniti and man, that interior is garish! Enjoy the car. How does the old saying go.... Drive it like ya stole it!

I have a 2005 ES330 with the NAV system. I thought maybe you could answer a couple of questions since you have done these mods already: I looked at the Infiniti and the RX. A cool option was the backup camera. Is it possible to get this on the es330 by going through another installer? Also, I asked about playing DVD's on the nav console and they said the systyem did not work that way. It sounds like you found a mod that will make it work with DVD's? Or am I SOL with my factory NAV system? Thanks.

2005 ES330 - Me 2005 Chevy Equinox - Wife 1998 Nissan Maxima GLE - Son I can't believe my wife traded in my 2000 Infiniti for a CHEVY! :cries: At least I got the Lexus! :D

Just a thought, but if the oil light goes on and off it could have to do with the oil being OVER filled. When there is too much oil in the pan, the counterweights on the crankshaft will be submerged a little. This causes the oil to get 'whipped' with air. When this 'whipped' oil hits the intake at the bottom of the oil pan, the air bubbles can cause the sensor to show no oil. I know this used to happen in older cars. I am by no means an expert on new cars, but maybe this helps?!?!?!

I just turned 40. I bought a 2005 ES330 for a few reasons, none of which have to do with age. In my 20's, my wife and I wanted the cool cars like Mustang and Grand Prix. Then one kid came along and we moved to the new SUV's just as they were becoming popular. Then after the second kid, we bought a minivan (I know, I know... What was I thinking?). My kids are older, one is driving now, and I started looking for a new car. I chose the ES330 because it was a 'classy' car. I am a Realtor and having a 'classy' car with a cool talking nav system gives clients a favorable impression. BTW, I let me 16 year old drive it a couple of times and he does NOT like it. He says it feels like an old man car He would much rather drive his Maxima or my wife's SUV.

:chairshot: OK... I know I'll catch grief for this post, but I'm wondering if the AZ dealers application of a product called "AutoGuard" (Probably similar to AutoMate on GM vehicles) is any good? I searched the postings but could not find anything oon this subject (unless I did it wrong :( ) I just bought a 2005 ES330 (Sonora Gold Pearl). The dealer tried to get me to buy this AutoGuard product. They claim it is a polish and paint sealant that is re-applied every 6 months. Is anyone familiar with this product? Is it possible this would take the place of the clay / polish / sealant steps and all I need to do is wax? My 2000 Storm Gray Yukon had AutoMate re-applied every year. After 5 years, I gotta say it still looked shiny and sharp. I know there is no substitute for the multi step do-it-yourself approach, but will this work if it was done annually and then did the manual labor 6 onths in between?