1990LS400

I like the air suspension. Knowing what I know now about the advantages of air suspension for the type of driving I do and the loads I carry, I wouldn't shy away from an LS430 with air suspension and I wouldn't convert to standard suspension unless the car had far higher miles on it. I suggest replacing just the one bad air shock. The other air shocks could last another 100,000 miles or more. There are a number of on-line sellers of discount Lexus parts in case you could buy the parts and have an indie repair shop install them for you. Do a search of the LS400 for the word "discount" and you will find a few. It is amazing how much the air suspension cost to fix. Back in 2000 when air suspension was last available as a separate option (on the LS400), it was a quite inexpensive option-- less than $2000 retail. If you don't do the work yourself, an LS can be a fairly expensive car to maintain but centainly far less than the cost of maintaining a large European car. I've dropped $1,000 to $2,000 at a time on maintenance or repairs a number of times on LS cars over the past 19 years -- it's just part of owning an expensive car.

You can read at the following link what the various Platinum Series versions included: http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2000/2000GSspecs.pdf I've never seen separate production numbers for the Platinum Series for the 2000 LS, GS or ES. I've noticed that the Platinum Series ES is by far the most common in my area which makes sense since 37,960 ES300's were produced. I regularly see Platinum Series versions of the GS -- total production of the GS400 in 2000 was 5,089 and of the GS300 was 21,616 for a total of 26,705. I've seen only two other Platinum Series LS400's -- probably because the total production for the LS400 in 2000 was only 11,098.

As a "studdable snow tire", the Winterforce is in sort of a different class. It is the only one of seven winter tires Tire Rack sells in 225/60-16 that can accept studs. If it gotten better ratings on ride comfort and noise in the Tire Rack surveys, the $73 Winterforce tire might have been rated higher than the $101 Blizzak WS60 "Ice and Snow" tire.

Hard to say -- you might send a PM to dcfish to ask -- he's the expert on Lexus audio systems.

I thought you were asking if information about options is embedded in the 17 character VIN. Of course a Lexus dealer can look up information if you supply the VIN and companies like CarFax compile their records based on the VIN. The VIN itself, however, contains very limited information.

Here are instructions: http://lexusbluetooth.letstalk.com/brands/.../399_05Navi.pdf

http://www.lexus.com/models/RX/accessories...t_for_iPod.html

No and No. Many TSIBs are implemented only if an owner complains about a problem described in the TSIB. Information about options is not stored in the 17 character VIN although I think a Lexus dealer can pull up records about how the car is equipped. It sounds like you have already purchased the car so you must be satisfied with how it is equipped. I recommend you get a list of available options and personally verify which options the car has -- you can get the list from the CPO model library on the Lexus website. If you find the car doesn't not have the options you want, simply cancel the purchase -- you have a legal right to do so without even giving the dealer a reason. Sooo many people buy a car without the options they want and try to add them later -- completely pointless and very expensive ... it is often impossible to add options (e.g. HID) so that they work as well as they would when installed at the factory.

There is also a front license plate bracket available from Lexus in 12 different colors ... $35.25 from http://www.lexuspartsonline.com/index2.htm...p;siteid=214281

Yes, I mean the "hard key" -- the key that has limited function and is intended for use by parking lot attendants.

Can you manually lock the car door with your valet key? I'm surprised it gets cold enough in Virginia to need to warm up a car. Even during frequent trips to northern Iowa where it was -15° F where I was over the holidays, I idle the engine for only a few seconds before driving gently away. A car warms up more in one minute of gentle driving than in five minutes of idling.

Here are instructions I found from a member of another forum for removing the center console in an 04 RX330 -- I don't know if it is the same for your 07 RX350: 1. Move the seats all the way forward, slide the console all the way back 2. From the rear seat, you will see a plastic panel on each side of the sliding part of the console. It is 250mm long or so and roughly rectangular 3. Put a putty knife or something thin in and pop that out from each side 4. Now you can remove the 6 bolts. The forward most bolt is a little tough, you need to move the seat all the way forward. 5. Now you can lift the console enough to remove the wiring harnesses that are attached at the front of the console. 6. Remove the two screws from the front part, and now you can remove the whole thing.

17" wheels were neither standard or optional on the 92 ES300. Only 15" wheels came on the 92 ES. I wouldn't have any idea if those particular 17" wheels would fit on a 94 LS400. 16" OEM wheels from a 94 LS400 should fit a 92 ES300.

I honestly don't know if there are any issues with using aftermarket brands of coolant in Lexus vehicles. I play it safe and use premixed Toyota coolant I buy at a nearby Toyota dealer. I have the coolant changed every 30,000 miles in our cars and rarely have to top up the coolant in either our LS400 or Camry -- the one gallon of Toyota coolant I bought is probably going to last "forever".

I've never seen the lens for any Lexus headlight being available separately like they are on some European cars. I think you are stuck with buying the whole assembly. There are a bunch of on-line sellers that discount Lexus parts ... like http://www.lexuspartsonline.com/index2.htm...p;siteid=214281 You might check Sewell Lexus: http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/ I see a used right side LX470 headlight assembly on eBay today for $149 although the description says it has a small chip in the lens. Or check a salvage yard including the ones with websites -- most are in networks that can find parts. You might try using some clear epoxy to close up the hole on your damaged lens unless it is completely trashed.

You might be able to find the part by navigating around these drawings: http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_1999_LEXU...GKA_8414.2.html It might be good to go back to http://www.toyodiy.com and start over -- not sure if I chose the correct version of the 99 RX. These diagrams don't show all parts but they are often helpful.

A "filter, air purifier" (labeled 88926 in the drawing) is illustrated here --> http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_2003_LEXU...EAGKA_8724.html

Yes, I really do think 215/65-16 tires on an LS430 are not a good idea. It is not like Lake George is in the Yukon. Even in winter, your roads are dry much of the time. I know you can get some snow -- I used to make regular trips to Albany and I've driven through Lake George in the winter to go skiing at Gore Mountain and Whiteface up at Lake Placid. Just be sure to get "real" snow tires -- ones with the mountain/snowflake certification symbol on the sideswalls. Don't settle for less. For best performance in snow, buy "Studless Ice and Snow" tires and avoid "Performance Snow" tires. The LS430 has VSC and a snow mode transmission setting like my 2000 LS400. With real winter tires (mountain/snowflake logo!), the LS430 will get around incredibly well even in fairly deep snow. It will actually be quite fun to drive in in snow if properly equipped.

Yes, it is odd that Tire Rack doesn't show 16" wheels for the LS430 -- its more on oddity/problem of its website. Try choosing a winter package for a 2000 LS400. A 2000 LS400 like mine has the same "big brakes" the LS430 has. In fact, the wheels that came standard on the variation of the LS400 I have were also standard on the 01-02 LS430. I see one 16" wheel on Tire Rack that fits the 2000 LS400 which would also fit the LS430. I recommend that you instead look for a set of used Lexus wheels. I bought a set of Milla Miglia Bello wheels from Tire Rack in a snow tire package for my 00 LS400 and wish I hadn't. Aftermarket wheel models tend to get discontinued pretty quickly. My Bello wheels are no longer available -- if I bend/ruin one, I'm SOL. You might check Craiglist or the Lexus dealer for a set of used or take-off wheels. I've seen decent 16" LS430 wheels on Craigslist for around $50. Or you could use the car's current 16" wheels (if it has 16" instead of 17" wheels) for the snow tires and take the rest of the winter to assemble a set of wheels to use with the summer tires. You can always buy one or two wheels at a time -- no need to look for a set of four. There is no good reason to downsize to 215/65-16 tires. My 00 LS400 has done just great with 225/60-16 Blizzak winter tires in deep snow. The LS430 is a big car and the 225 tire width is needed for safe braking on dry pavement -- especially with snow tires. If you do buy a set of 16" wheels in a tire package from Tire Rack, be sure to emphasize that you have an LS430 with big calipers that have almost zero clearance between the wheel rim and caliper. I strongly recommend that you avoid wheels that do not have a wheel rim lip that can carry hammer-on balancing weights. Even with 16" Lexus wheels made for the LS430, there is not enough clearance between the wheel rim and the brake calipers to use stick-on, hidden balancing weights and also do a dynamic balance of the wheel. If you buy wheels that can't carry hammer-on balancing weights and don't have enough clearance between the rim and caliper for stickon weights, then you are stuck with having the wheels statically balanced.

A person on another Lexus forum reported using 17" wheels from a Lexus GS with snow tires on his SC430. I can't find threads where your question has really been discussed. Does your car have run-flat tires? Most people with run-flats on 18" wheels are extremely happy (and relieved) with the ride after they get rid of of the run-flats and get regular tires -- which means getting the spare tire kit that came with SC430's without run-flats or taking a chance on having to call a two truck if you have a flat tire. If you are intent on getting 17" wheels and tires, a good place to start might be a wheel shop or even a Lexus dealer. Lexus dealers sometimes have "take-off" wheels from when new car buyers buy optional wheels. I bought a set of new LS take-off wheels from a Lexus dealer to use with snow tires on my first LS almost 20 years ago ... still remember the price ... $400 for the set of four wheels.

It's hard to help a person that doesn't give the model year of his car. Would you put it in the "Car Model" field in your profile or in a signature? I'll randomly assume you have a 1990 LS400. Here is a link to a diagram of the shifer assembly: http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_1990_LEXU...EPGKA_8410.html I'm guessing that you knocked something loose when you ran your wires,

Wait a while and you will probably get used to the skinnier steering wheel. I drove Mercedes cars for most of the twenty years before I bought my first Lexus LS in 1990. As you may know, older Mercedes cars had big beefy steering wheels. The Lexus steering wheels felt tiny at first but I no longer notice. You could install a nice high quality lace-on leather steering wheel cover. This is the first thing that came up when I googled for "lace on steering wheel cover": http://www.autoseatskins.com/v/steeringwheel.htm

It's been widely reported on a number of forums that the iPhone has little compatibility with the Lexus Bluetooth system. I was surprised when I just checked that the iPhone is no longer listed: http://www.lexus.com/models/LS/accessories/bluetooth.html I distinctly remember it was listed the last time I checked but that it had very little compatibility. I think people have been able to pair the iPhone and receive calls but that is about all. The iPhone contact list can not be sync'ed with the Lexus Bluetooth system. It's been reported that some Lexus dealers have moved the iPhone contact list to compatible phones they keep on hand just for this purpose and then they upload the contact list from the compatible phone to the Lexus Bluetooth system.

There are a number of online sellers of discount Lexus parts. I've gotten some great discounts at Sewell Lexus without supplying one of their bogus discount codes: http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/ There are other sellers that might give a better discount. What's the problem with your headrest? If the leather is torn, perhaps it could be recovered by an upholstery shop. "Ivory" leather may vary a little but I'd bet you can find some that matches almost perfectly in color and texture.

Well, whatever "floats your boat". I used to be the same way and even put the cradle for my portable Nokia phone in the center console of my previous 90 LS400 after its original fixed phone died in 1999. The main reason to put the Bluetooth kit controls where you can easily see and reach them is SAFETY. Especially if the Bluetooth kit has an LCD display, you want it high on the dash to minimize the angle between looking at the road and looking at the LCD display -- Sorry Jainla, I still think your Parrot install is cool! I suggest you research the features of various Bluetooth phone kits and look at the features of your current phone and other phones that are available. A big reason I didn't pursue using the Lexus phone command module on the steering wheels is that more modern phone kits and phones have features that make the steering wheel phone controls superfluous -- features like voice and speed dialing, auto answer, auto hangup. I'd hate to see handsfree banned but there is currently discussion in some jurisdictions about banning the use of both handheld cell phones and handsfree phone devices by drivers. I definitely agree with the studies that have shown that handsfree is no safer than holding a handset to one's ear while driving.