jbarhorst2

Sounds like a wet belt to me.

Dealers routinely send a sample of the fluid to the lab to be analyzed if there is a problem. An additive would be easily discovered. GC, MAS SPEC, IR - any one of these woud identify the constituents of the fluid submitted. Tom

Or, it could be that your pads are ready for replacement. This could be the "scraper" that glides against the rotor when the pads get worn down. The noise indicates that the brakes are in need of replacement. That was what mine was. Make sure you check the rear pads too. Once I changed my pads, problem solved for another 50,000 miles. Tom

When I did my last tune up, my dealer said that they use this rule of thumb. On my SC300, the plugs are due every 60,000 miles and they change the wires every 120,000 miles. So, if you're wires were changed 70,000 miles ago and they still test good, then I would assume you are OK for another cycle barring anything odd happening. Tom

Do you still need a picture?

I believe what SW is referring to is the method that Lexus uses to balance the tires. Acura does nearly the same thing (and they also have the same issue - several members of my family work for American Honda). Not many people are properly trained (or take the time needed) to accurately balance the wheels with the recommended method. SW - is that what you meant? Tom

The power steering pulley is pressed on in addition to having the bolt to hold it. You will need a puller to remove it without damaging it. Tom

As I remember from changing mine, the cap should come right off. To replace the seal you will actually have to remove the distributor from the engine, not just the cap. You will also need to take care to re-insert the distributor correctly and adjust the timing after the installation. Let me know if you need more direction. Tom

Hmmmmmm. Interesting... Sounds like maybe a connector somewhere is loose, but I don't know what connector would affect all of that. Tom

It sure sounds like the fuse has blown. I think it is fuse #10 that is in the drivers footwell on the left side covered by the carpet. Check that fuse and let me know. Before you install a new one, make sure there is nothing metal that has fallen down inside your cigarette lighter. Tom

Actually, Sirius will let you change your radio 3 times (for $75) if you buy the lifetime subscription. I have XM in my SC and my wife has Sirius in her RX. We like XM better, but I'm sure that others may have a different opinion. Tom

How about your cigarette lighter?

The snow switch starts you out in second gear so that you do not spin the tires. I know it's little consolation, but Honda is not perfect either. Their largest warranty item from the past several years has been automatic transmissions. I have family in the Engineering group for American Honda and even he was affected. The tranny in his Acura died and he had to get it replaced. I guess it is a big problem. There are facilites dedicated to rebuilding and modifying these transmissions sent back from the dealerships. Ugly situation. I bought a small pump that you hook up to a drill to run. I plan to use this soon to replace my gear oils as well. Hopefully it makes replacing the fluid easier. Tom

Here is my recommendation. Use only the fluids that your manual specifies. You can get a shop manual from the dealer or you can download it as described before. I personally like the one from the dealer, but to each his own. The small clips can be purchased at your Lexus or Toyota dealer. Just take one in and show them what you want. They are really pretty cheap. That capacity listed in your owners manual is for a pan drain and refill. The entire transmission and torque converter holds a lot more, but if you just drain the pan then that is the amount you need to replace. If you want to make sure it is correct you can capture the drained fluid in a pan and then measure it. Tom

I am positive that they made 5 speed manual SC300s longer than this. Do a search on Autotrader or something like that. You will find them if you are patient. Tom

When that "friend" is with you I would make him sit on his hands before you buckle him in. If he wants to play with buttons he can get his own...

Definitely change it. Even if you have to pay for it (but I don't think you will). Before mine died it cranked slowly about 3 times over the course of a month. Then one night it would not start the car. After I jumped it, it was fine for several days, but at that point I was worried and changed mine. I knew it was dying. Batteries do not cost very much. And they certainly are a lot less trouble than waiting for someone to pick you up when you are stranded. Tom

My battery just recently died on my 2001 RX300. My RX is still under the CPO warranty for another 7 months, but batteries are not covered under the CPO warranty. The retail price for the battery from the dealer was $97 or $98. I have a good relationship with my Parts Manager and he gives me a discount so I didn't pay that much. I know I could have gotten a cheaper battery elsewhere, but it is worth it to me to continue the good relationship with the delaership and the parts guy. It certainly has paid off for me in the past. Anyway, your battery (as my service advisor explained to me) is covered under the original Lexus warranty. You car is new enough (under 4 years or 50,000 miles) that you should have no problem getting them to replace it for free. If they do not want to do that for some reason, go buy one somewhere else. Tom

After you remove the carpet on the same wall as your taillight assemblies, you need to remove several nuts off of the studs sticking through the body panel. These studs come through the body panel from the taillight assembly. Once you remove the nuts you can wiggle the entire taillight from the outside and remove it. Be careful, it's easy to scratch your bumper if you are not taking great care in removing this assembly. Let me know if you need more info. Tom

Without actually seeing (hearing) the problem it is hard to tell, but my guess is that the starter or the solenoid is starting to die. Tom

Sorry SK.

I think he means your stereo. Does your stereo work when you remove the phone from its cradle?? Tom

I'm glad I could help. Tom

Actually I think it is your distributor O-ring. Not a big deal to replace it if you have done any car repairs yourself in the past. You should probably also replace the rotor, cap, and dust seal while you are at it because there will be a coating of oil all over the inside of the cap. The timing is not a big problem. You can use a timing light to adjust after you put it back together, or you can carefully mark the adjustment before you remove the distributor. Both will work well. I did mine last year with great results. Good luck. Tom

If you turn the dimmer adjust knob all the way to bright I believe it will click into place. Then they will be full brightness all the time. Tom