cardona6569

Great Car at a great price, enjoy! Wash it one day, and the next take it for a long drive and listen to your soul! C. PR

Hi: Stant was the OEM on my 2003 Murano, so is just like OEM. Before replacing anything unless it is obvious, you need to replace that radiator cap if the car is consuming coolant. \\ C. PR ez: You can get a Stant (brand) at somebody like Autozone, which is what I did. I would have preferred an OEM cap, but I pretty much refuse to buy from the local dealers because of their predatory pricing policies. I needed it quickly and couldn't wait for delivery from Texas. Park Place is good, and they are fair. The Stant cap is working fine so far, after about 20K miles.

HI: Unless you are buying the TRD Toyota Oil Filter that fits the Lexus, you are not really using the real or original OEM oil filter, the Thailand made OEM is a "cheaper" filter. This means the Toyota/Lexus engineers are not that concerned with problems deriving from oil filtration, since they used a cheaper filter. Purolator meets the specification being even less expense. Second even as I am not yet able to buy a new LS, (I am able to afford a brand new ES 350 at the moment), I am doing very well in the money department. But I find that if you can get the same quality for less and not risking the motor, there is not a problem. It is like the old myth of changing the oil at 3,000 miles, the master mechanics and engineers will tell us that this was overkill, (check cartalk), even our Lexus manual, Ford manuals did not specify in most instances a 3000 mile oil change. I had a supra that called for oil filter change every 10,000 miles, or 7,500 miles if used in a more aggressive manner, that was an 87 car. The only problems I have seen related to oil is when people just do not change the oil at all, but anyone that follows the prescribed maintenance should be ok with a quality non-OEM filter, specially if you are using synthetic oil, since it does not create as much residue as the regular oil. This is my case. I am not against using OEM filters if so desired! I usually when I find them at a good price do buy them. The price for the OEM, Thailand made filter from the dealer is $5.05, including tax, it is just more convenient as I am not sacrificing quality to buy the Purolators which cost less and the store is like a 10 minute drive from my house that the Lexus dealer that is a 45 minute drive plus a toll which makes the filter cost double it's price factoring all the logistics involved. C. PR

Hi: I am using the OEM filter, and after I use the other new one in existance I will use Purolator Premium Plus. I have also used K & N on this Lex, but I find the K & N is not as good for the application as the OEM or Purolator. Second, the first oil filter used on a car was made from Purolator and was called a Purolator. That fact and some reading I have done indicates that the above mentioned brand is as good as the Thailand made OEM Toyota filter now being sold as OEM replacement part for the LS 400. I have read you can still buy the original OEM in the Toyota TRD brand but they cost about 19.75. I replace them every 5000 as per specifications. C. PR

Hi: ] I would hold on the recommendation of changing the oxygen sensors since he is not/ you are not having check engine light problems, and they are expensive items. Doing all the other recommendations will probably cure the problems you have. I had a bad O2 sensor and the idle was perfect and everything else but the check engine light that indicated something was wrong. C. PR

HI, Just read your owners manual, it probably recommends the minimum drives you should do to keep the a/c and other systems in good condition. To me you are not over using your SUV and with the gas prices so high you are doing the best you can do. C. PR PD. I agree you should drive the Lex more...

HI; Quite possibly if you keep running the car with the bad alternator, you will damage also the battery and the starter, I seen it happen in the ole days. But make sure this is not hapening because of the P/S Pump leaking which it usually comes from the High Pressure hose fitting. Most likely is the fitting itself that is removable and the burr can be fixed with P/S fluid and sandpaper, like done on plumbing, I fixed mine; likewise the dealer wanted to put a new High PS hose costing 500 plus maintenance fee, when in all reality all it needed was to the sandpaper trick. The Pump has a packing but it is on the inside of the pump, if that be broken is an easy fix also, but is is not visible, so must likely the leak is from the fitting that goes to the pump from the Hi-press side and can be fix with the above procedure, and doing it until it is somooth again. Mine already has a year no leaks at all. I also used a Barrs no-leak transmission treatment. I know many do not reccommend, my experience with is has been great. Remembering that your PS system uses Tranny fluid of the Dextron Family. C. PR

Hi: I would also replace the ignotion coils, they must be going bad by this mileage and time, and could be the cause of the problem, it shold be electrical since your prlblem comes and goes, it looks like and electrical electronic problem. C.PR

Hi: I do believe you will need a new alternator. Had a problem like that on an 87 Cougar, the battery was fine, the car while on, had no problem it even charged fine, the electric metter read in the normal, just leave it couple of hours off and the car would not crank. Check the cable connections and voltage output if the battery is normal then go for the Alternator. The night before this I even ran the car at 80 to make sure the battery charged the next morning did not crank, went to change battery, the store said my battery was good as new, then replaced the alternator, problem solved til the day I sold the car. It is that somewhere in your car ther is an open circuit when your turn it off make sure you do not leave any lights on! C. PR

HI: Check the motor and tranny mounts as told in the forum, also, clean the Throtle Body, Idle valve, they tend to rough idle when the AC is not on, a cleaning will help it a lot. C. PR

Hi: Since the bonfire has been lit, I would like to add a new member, naph·tha·lene Etymology: alteration of earlier naphthaline, irregular from naphtha : a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C 10 H 8 usually obtained by distillation of coal tar and used especially in organic synthesis I used it more now than acetone since acetone is a bit expensive and this additive is cheaper. For 2 dollars you can use it like for a year. It does the same as acetone, more efficiently. Opinions please.

Hello: http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Ace...t_your_own_risk The above link is the one that came up missing about the use of acetone. I have been using acetone in my Lex with no adverse results and no need to use premium, because the acetone ups the octane. The car feels the same as when I put 91 or higher. My car passed the tests no engine light. I have been using it also in a Murano 2003 and a Pontiac Grand Prix 1989 with no problems. The best acetone to use is the clear color pure, not the others that have color and fragance. Second to the topic originator, you need to check if your plugs, air filter, Mass airflow sensor needs to be clean, because unless you drive the car in the power mode all the time there is a problem somewhere with your MPG, I get 20 even in the city, it drops if I get into a traffic jam, to about 18 mpg. Highway I get between 25-29 MPG depending on hills and jams that, yes they occur in the highways here. This is not going over 65- MPH. Third get ready for even more usage of ethanol since that seems to be the way of the US government until the prices go down, which they should in a couple of years. I believe that if there is a crisis, how is it that the Petrol Companies are making record profits, something does not follow in the equation, and the Federal Trade Commision should take a hard look into it. We as consumers are getting the worst part of the raw deal. I have no problem paying for the gas as it is, but if it should be cheaper, or it could depress the economy and the people, because the people will adjust their spending to accomodate the energy needs, which translate into every product going up due to their increasing costs. Sincerely, C PR

I agree with the usage of Plexus. I just bought Plexus and it is great and does not seem harsh on the surfaces it is used uipon. C. PR "I wouldnt use any abrasive...." a mostly forgotten fact; detailer's clay is a mildly abrasive surface preparation, with an average particle size of 1- micron of Kaolin abrasives that polish and exfoliate contaminants by shearing and / or encapsulation Instead use a plastic cleaner like Plexus

It has been used in Millitary aircraft tires in the US millitary at least for the last 20 years. Jet engines placed into metal shipping containers were filled with 3 psi nitrogen in the summer and 5 psi in the winter. As some pointed out, you are just increasing the nitrogen. Oxygen is corrosive towards metal, nitrogen delays the natural corrosion process, which is basically that the negative particles transfer from the metal to another location, and their by-product is rust. C. PR

Hi: I think he is an agent for some rival car company that is not selling many cars because of how good the Lexus brand is! But I am happy he got his issue resolved! C. PR

I bought one and it works fine. But if I had black paint I would be very careful, black paint damages easily. It helps to take the excess water off, but I would not use it versus a drying MF towel, it is just to accelerate the time it takes to dry the car. The time you save in the drying can used to do other things. Never press on it hard, use it very light over the excess water, when you get like a fine mist use the MF towel et cetera. C. PR

They are probably OEM, but it seems the previos owner had them shined etc, so from the start they were faded. Thanks for your advice, I have another SUV which I bought new, I will not put it on that one. C. PR

Hello: I recently bought Eagle One Never Dull Wadding Polish and it is pretty good to clean and polish the chrome wheels on my Lexus. It does it with minimum effort. The product is very affordable also. Does anybody else uses it? Costs about $4.00 C. PR Link to see it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008D6NK...&n=15684181

Hello, hopes this helps! You will have to use the Lexol cleaner then use the conditioner in the area you cleaned. Only do spot cleaning and re-treatment in the areas affected. I learned with the club this site that you can Also see: www.autopia-carcare.com , in there they will answer your question more in detail. You can also see www.autogeek.com . C. PR

Hi: Use Aerospace Protectant 303 it will take the spots out and leave them like new! Just spray onto aplicator spread the product use the microfiber towel to leave it spotless. C. PR

I would suggest a Turtle Wax product, or when you apply the others mentioned do not apply it directly to the board just to an applicator which will not leave as much shine. C. PR

I was the other day looking to buy products and a customer to whom I recommended Invisible Glass, (thanks to this Club forums, which he bought a bottle after foretold) when I talked about car waxes he told me the following: "I do not use car wax on my car anymore since the marine wax lasts longer and even as it is a little more expensive is pretty good, it lasts longer and shines just as good as the car ones". Please opine on the matter, or shine the light. Sincerely, C PR

Hello: If I were you I would keep filling and draining and not risk the car in a flush. I would do it only if you kept the tranny fluid changes in accordance with the specs, or not at all. C. PR

Synthetic tends to leak more, but is has to do a lot with, how good your seals were from the begining. The Lexus LS tend to leak from the valve covers; before going into Sync, check the condition of those gaskets, if they are leaking adjust the torque, or retorque and add a No-Leak oil sealing product and you should be ok. If you want to up the ante, replace the valve cover gaskets, then start using the new oil. If you use a 50w instead of the 30W you are sacrificing fuel economy. Second, the Japanese engines tend to have smaller lubrication ports, thus your engine may not lubricate as it should so it is in the best interest to keep using the recommended grade oil. I have switched to Mobil 15,000 and is working fine, no leaks or problems. C. PR The reason synthetic oil leaks more on higher mileage engines is because A the oil molecules are consistently one size and B the seal tension is not set up for synthetic oil. Conventional oil's molecules are a great jumble of sizes; 20w50, just to pick a grade, is a mean average of molecule sizes to meet the API specification, for a conventional oil, while for a synthetic, it meets spec with a very consistent molecule size. A conventional oil will tend to have the largest molecules clump next to the seals, blocking the smaller ones. That won't happen with a synthetic of the same viscosity. Thus a synthetic loves to wick past the seals. New manufacturers that specify synthetic oil have to have seals that are twice the clamping tension/force to minimize leakage. The drag from tighter seals is offset by synthetic oil's much higher lubricity. For an engine with higher miles, its safe to run a higher viscosity synthetic. I'm currently running conventional oil in my Lexus, but I am going to switch to synthetic. My last car I ran Mobil 1. But I had to go up two viscosity grades to stop seal creep. Doing that on a higher mileage engine won't be a problem, but on a new engine or a low mileage one DON'T DO THAT! Best to stay with the same grade oil or go up one grade, but it's best to err on the side of caution in that case. All in all, my last car was noticeably smoother and got better mileage with synthetic oil. I expect the same when I switch my Lexus over. There! I feel better now!

Hello to all the Club members: I found the Club while searching informaiton about the Lexus LS realibility. I was thinking about buying one. The Club site came up in the Google Options, since it was very useful information I kept reading. I read so much before I bought my car that I could have been a LS 400 salesperson. My aim was that before commiting to such a premium car to repair I decided to do all sorts of research, the LOC was the most useful and that is why I joined. During that research I found out how good the cars are, in contrast to MB that has to have its facilities open until 11 PM at night because they have so many customers because the cars are in more need for maintenance than the average Lexus. C. PR