ebridges

Silvermate, what differences did you notice with the 16" wheels, ie speed/speedometer readings, ride, power, mileage etc. Thanks. EarlB

Here's a neat site with pics http://www.pearsonimaging.com/LS/ls400.html also you can compare cars, specs etc on http://www.fueleconomy.gov

WOW, lots of good info and opinions in this thread. I've gotten more tickets and stops driving my LS than any other car my previous 40 yrs of driving. Main reason seems to be that I'm going much faster without noticing it. So many senarios - lots of revenue hungary cops (mostly in the urban areas), legit state patrolmen, speed traps, etc etc... My recommendation is to buy the best you can afford - but don't bet your life or license on it. Any good detector will improve your odds, but is definitely NOT "save" you 100% of the time. If you consistantly "speed", eventually you'll get caught. Naturally, the more you drive, the higher the risk. Like life itself, know the rules etc, and make your decisions. Sometimes life is "unfair". Sometimes you may just be the innocent victim. I personally "upgraded" to the Passport 8500 after getting busted head on on a lonesome hilly country road by a state patrolman while I was depending on my $85 detector which was 3 yrs old. Speed limit was 55, 2 lane straight and unpopulated road for past 20 miles and had seen two cars in past 15 minutes. The Escort has "saved" me several times this past year. Very few false alarms (I have turned off the X mode in my area). I like the early detection it affords, but it only works if the police are "active", ie radar on, or laser being used on someone else (or a long distance away). Keep in mind that anyone using a laser is definitely out to get you - ie setting the trap. Same with "instant on" radar, usually parked and waiting. Flying solo or attempting to get to a front solo position - is definitely the highest risk. Once you're stopped - Be very polite ie humble. Again, some cops will be forgiving and others will need the "bust". Some will have had a bad day or night. ( double D's might help :-) I still have the "need for speed", but if I'm NOT paying attention, I often find myself "well" over the changing speed limit. Please be careful around highly populated areas, esp. schools and residential districts. There are too many "unpredictables" and the risk to others is way too high to not obey the speed limit. eb

Time for new tires on one of my two LS's. I've always had Michlein's V rated for my 96 LS (which we've put on 185,000 mi - lots of sets). But my recently purchased 91 LS with 87,000 has Michlein Pilot H rated, (I think)and they will soon need replacing. I've been looking at tirerack.com and they have a lot of very good comments and reviews for the Kumho ECSTA KH11 205/65/15 (V rating). skperformance is obviously down on this brand, but I'm not sure why he keeps buying Kumho's and if he's ever tried the rather new KH11's. I've had bad tires including Michleins as well. I would appreciate anyone's comments on the new KH11 from personal experience. Thanks. eb

Here's a very useful site with pics and all for front door panel removal (and lots of other good stuff) http://www.cureline.net/lex/howtos/howto_f...nel_removal.htm

vmf, are the Denso plugs really worth the costs? The NGK plugs are about $55 shipped vs. close to $100 for the Denso's shipped-these are prices on ebay. I'm in high school, so money isn't superflous; otherwise, I'd go for the ND's 100% ;)! What do you think?? FYI, I got the Denso plugs (identical to the OEM plugs) at local Autozone for $6, dealer wanted $12. Not iridium however. Earl

Thanks a bunch, Monarch. Better get hoppin' on Both cars. This forum is GREAT! ebridges

Does anybody know the recommended interval on changing this fuel filter? I've got 180k on the original one and the car still runs quite well. Couldn't find anything in the manual regarding changing it. Thanks Earl

Leo, Added 1/2 qt oil and sure enough, so far at least, the light has not yet illuminated. That's in about 300 miles of driving. Although I bought a new oil pressure switch from Napa, may have to return it. We'll see... Sent oil sample for analysis "just to know" what it will say. Always wanted to have one of those done. Perhaps I'm getting a bit lazy in my old age, but, getting tired of doing oil changes every month or two, on two cars. Will let you know results of oil analysis on my Amsoil. Thanks for the tips and ideas.

Looking for an experienced person/shop to do a really conscientious and good balancing job is a bit like trying to find a good barber. I got new Micheleins from Sears (on sale), and their balancing job, done on a Sunday, was the worst I've ever encountered. Then took the 96 LS to NTB, and finally got them (same guarantee), to get a satisfactory balance. It was a pain, but they did take it for a test drive - twice - having to index the tires (guess that means to rotate the tire on the rim 1/4 turn or so). I kinda had to "challange" them to "get it right", since Sears didn't. Found a good FireStone dealership across from the above Sears for balancing and aligning my newly acquired - bouncing :-) 91 LS, (sure wasn't going back to Sears - until I "found" a talented guy there later). They seemed to do a good job on the 91 twice now. I get it realigned and balanced every 5,000 miles there with their "life time warrenty". It seems that there some individuals are simply "better" at their job. This is assuming their equipment is up to par. Sometimes, it too gets out of whack. When you do get a good job, be sure to insist that the same person do the work the next time. Good shops seem to honor that. Places like Sams, etc, seem to have a high turnover of personnel. They rarely seem to know much, or care for that matter. (Kinda wish I were back in Germany where they expect you to drive 149 mph - always got good balances there). The Lexus is sensitive plus we seem to notice it more :-).

Jets & LSes - probably a personality type - I remember a long long time ago, answering the question to get into the AF, "Do you like to drive fast?" Silly Question, now at a more "mature" point in life, I like comfort, reliability, class, and speed. Even a fast mono hull sailboat will do for cruising and racing. Bought the 96 LS new - when I thought we had a lot of money. Put all 180,000 on it ourselves. Watch out for some of us "old geezers" eb

What a great forum. Yes, time for an oil & filter change, this weekend. I was hoping that the light was from a malfunctioning pressure switch and need your input BEFORE I changed the oil, just in case it was a bigger problem and needed the pump replaced (along with the "new oil"). So, it's checking the price for a new oil pressure switch, cleaning this one, then oil and filter. Thanks 99lsguy, 90LS400, and skperformance for your replies. Most helpful. BTW, the struts have not been replaced on either vehicle. We still drive the 96 LS with 180,000 and have had no problems at all, besides the dealer replacing the PS pump - supposedly due to leaking onto the alternator at 99,000 when they did the timing belt change. Fantastic car, that's why I replaced my 89 Honda at 260,000 with the 91 LS. (the poor little honda's radiator burst and it overheated etc. without any temp indication at all - at night). Only other problem with the 96LS has been the brakes. The rear pads wore out while the front pads were only about 1/2 worn. And both cars now need new front rotors. Turned rotors the 96's at around 100,000. Just gaining experience 99lsguy, I had been using Mobile One for the last 100,000 on my 96 and decided to try Amsoil, since they have the 25,000 guarantee (with a 6mos/12,500mile filter change). My experience using synthetics is mostly with the jet engines I flew and am a "believer" in its value.

About 6 months ago I purchased a very nice 92 LS400 with only 72,000 miles. I've put on about 11,000 since then, "highway miles". The previous two owners were "mature" in age and took car to dealer for most of services. The second owner decided to quit paying $90/hr and took it to another place, who decided to do a lot of preventative maintainance, such as put in the green anti freeze, put in Dextron III ATF, and "clean the distributor rotors", and some other mysterious "repairs". No wonder the 2nd owner was so willing to part with this "hanger queen". Fortunately this took place within the past year, not not too many miles of "after market" maintainance. My first tasks, after getting the vibrations out, alignment and balancing, and getting right rear wheel "straightened", was to immediately put in Amsoil in engine, tranny, and differential. Also a radiator flush. with Toyota/Lexus red stuff. It's been running very fine, but a bit harder ride than my wife's 96 with 185,000 miles. Problem is for the past few weeks, while cruising (about 80 mph), just going with the flow ;) , the low oil pressure light illuminates. I let off gas, and the light goes out. This has happened about 15 times so far, and the light never stays on more than 2 or 3 seconds, once about 5 seconds. The temperature gage is always stable (both cars always at just under 1/2 heat range). Of course the manual tells me to pull off the road immediately and call the Lexus dealer. The oil level is full, and no other indications of a problem. Has anyone else ever experienced this with their LS ? Trying to decide next step. Not willing to open up my wallet and ask the dealer to help themselves. They are definitely in it for the "business". Thanks for suggestions. Earl