VBdenny

I stopped by Costco tire yesterday just to look at tires. After looking at the Michilens, I looked at the BF Goodrich Touring "V" tires. $86 each including mount and balance LT warrenty/rotations and such. Nice fat looking with good tread. I've had BFG before and liked them except that they wore out quickly. The Michilens were like $146 each. I was just looking because I like tires.

acf yes I did. Although they look kind of the same, the engineerers apparently wern't satisfied. I looked at a 97 or 98 in a parking lot today and noticed that while they retained similar characteristics, they are actually quite different. Oh well, live and learn. Happy New Year Denny

Good luck and Happy New year.

volfan, It really could be many things. Here is some things that might cause this. gummed up throttle body - easy to clean yourself -$ clogged fuel filter - fairly difficult job failing fuel pump - not likely, but quite expensive there could also be some type of electrical problem, but it doesn't sound like it. TO TRY TO FIX dump in two conatiners of Valoline Complete Fuel System Treatment ($10/bottle) disassemble and clean throttle body. Curt Oberg made a great tutorial and I can send it to you. Not too bad a job according to Curt. Otherwise, take it to Lexus, have the do a diagnosis, and find out what is wrong. It the check engine light comes on it stores a code. Finally, I would post a new topic and ask how to check the codes yourself. I have read it and you could do a search if you know how. Besides, since the crash, there are many good threads gone.

DON'T put regular gas in you Lexus. It makes terrible noises when you do. Why is a teenager driving a Lexus? Get yourself a tricked out civic ex Denny

Here is why it works sometimes and not others. The filiment in the bulb breaks loose at one end. It wiggles around and when it makes contact, it works. When the contact is broken again, it doesn't. You have a bad bulb, happens all the time. Replace it and everything will be fine. If you need instructions on how to replace the bulb, email me. dwmahony@cox.net VB denny

Hey rj I'd like to see a picture of your grill. That sounds cool.. How did you do it? denny

Interesting information. I had a rear brake light out and it put a little indicator on the dash on. I replaced the bulb and it went out. I didn't know about the cruise. I guess I just never use it so I didn't notice it didn't work. A safety feature ya think?

email me and I'll send you information. dwmahony@cox.net Denny

The first time you apply it, do rather small areas (like 1/4 hood) and wipe off right away. You will need a couple of clean rags. I know many people use some special filament towels but I use old teeshirts, nightgowns, and such. Work the stuff in then wipe off with opposing back and forth motions. Once you have the car sealed, the second and sunsequent applications are a breeze. I also do all my windows (except windshield) and all lenses, headlights, tailights etc. The stuff "feels" good on your car. Then when sitting at a stoplight with the window down, I can hang my hand out the window and rub the paint and feel it's smoothness. My wife says I am way overboard with cars anyway.

K9 The 26mph sounds like the NJ turnpike at rush hour. I figured that there probably wern't too many places where you can get on it in 50. That laser stuff the police use is nasty. I have a laser detector but when the beam hits you, you are already caught. I would certainly have your car repaired at Lexus as they typically do excellent bodywork. You will never know it was damaged. One thing to watch out for with your color car is to make sure the color matches in all light. Look during the day, and look under florescent llights as well. The most difficult part of the repair will be in this area. Sounds like you bring your car to the mainland with you? I get about 23 mpg on the Interstates but then again I cruise at about 85mph. In town I am at about 17. Premium is $1.43/gal here but I just paid $1.79 in Syracuse the other day. Luckily, I don't care about gas prices that much I just don't want to wait in lines to get it. Denny

Mine doesn't click Craig. My compliments on your hearing, you don't miss a noise. I'm glad I don't hear all of the noises as they bother me greatly. Denny

Pile the boys in there and cruise! I just did a trip to Syracuse with my LS absolutely loaded. Unlike my Chevy, the Lexus did not sag (even though I have regular suspension) nor did I notice any devrease in power. This car was made to carry a load and still cruise. denny

Basher Boy, you hit the nail on the head. Most people, even those who detail cars, couldn't care less. That is why I always clean my own cars. My neighbors think I'm nuts the time I spend cleaning my vehicles. Mine look great, their's look like crap!

Sorry about your car, very nasty dent. Driving around Hawaii in a Lexus sounds like a !Removed!! How fast can you go there?

I checked at my local Lexus dealer and there are three manuals (at least for the 1990). $350 for all three ($100 - $100 - $50). I wasn't going to buy them but I am now. with the help I get from everyone here, I am inspired.

W got back from syracuse and NJ last night. This morning I got up and washed both cars. Amazingly, the Lexus stayed almost perfectly clean despite 1500 miles of driving in NY and NJ during the winter. My Caprice was another matter. Filty from sitting many days at the Newark Airport and being driven around in nasty weather. Luckily, just before I took it up 3 months ago, I did a full treatment Collinite on the car. Considering all the soot and what looked like jet fuel on the car, it cleaned up rather nicely. I applyed another coat of #845 Insulator wax. It went on and off so easily, that I got inspired and did the Lexus. I gotta agree with SWO (Steve) Although right on the bottle it says to let dry to a haze, I found that wiping it off as soon as you apply it works much better.

You just might be able to pull it off. The hardest part will be blending the original paints with the new. I've noticed when I've had bodywork done in the past that they seem to paint the entire panels.

I'll cast my vote for true. I'm not sure why, but for me it often seems easier to feel defects in paint than see them.

I've had quite a few meatwagon cars in my days. The cars I had that were door poppers had been bent open too far. One by some previous owner and once when I was backing up in a snowstorm and caught it on a snowbank. I think it kind of bends the hine mounts. From then on they pop. I also found that nobody ever admits to doing it as I have found mysterious door poppers and slightly bent hinges that happened on their own.

I put about 1500 miles on my LS over Chrsitmas. The car is rock solid all the time. I did get up to 100 a couple of times. My wife was reading and didn't notice. She gets upset if I go over 85. I have original size tires and GoodYear Aquatred III tires. It might be because your tires are new. New tires are often squirrly as they have a lot of tread at that point. The Aguatreds were horrible when they were new but with 20K on them, they aren't bad.

I forgot to mention what my starter does. When the car is cold and you crank the engine, it seems as if the starter doesn't disengage properly. I can hear it still running longer than it needs. Apparently it has automatic cranking or something. If anyone has had this problem, I'd be interesting in hearing what it is. I know in the old days on GM cars, this behavior was caused by a worn Bendix spring.

It sounds as if the jury is still out on if you should drain the coolant and go the long route or jack up the harness and save that step. I'd rather hate to drain the coolant since I'm not sure what kind lexus put in when they flushed it last year. I believe it to be the long life since it's amber but with so many kinds available now some look the same. I would also like the photos on how you did the starter as it's another one of the jobs on my long list.

I like a littl wider tire and will probably go with the 225/60HR-15 tires when I upgrade. Since I don't usually go much over 100, I think they will give me closer to what I like. I might go with V rated, but not if they cost twice as much as I'd probably upgrade riim size at that point.

Thank you Michael and 91. I have been considering replacing the speakers in my car. Especially after my 18 year old daughter seemed to run them a little loud and create dust!