Southern_NJ

It means that you probably need to grab the steering wheel and turn it as you turn the key. For some reason the key locks in place when the wheel is in a certain location. Let us know how you make out. GDF

I am selling my 2000 ls 400 and have owned in for 3 years. I put a KN filter in it, cleaned the throttle body and MAS run semi syn oil. At 65 mph without the ac I can get over 30 MPG on the highway. Around town maybe 20 mpg. Check your spark plus too and make sure they are gapped right. Also make sure you fluids are up to spec too. You should be fine after all that. GDF

I recently purchased a 2005 LS 430...is there anyone local who has slightly customized their 430? If so, let me know as I would like to see one first hand. I like some of the Wald upgrades but I will not do anything until I see one up close. Thanks guys. GDF

How many miles are on it? It's a shame you are not in the philadelphia area or you could buy my 2000 LS 400. Here is a link for my car. http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1245955898.html It has 157,000 miles on it. GDF

I wouldn't worry whether or not you use reg oil, syn blend or straight syn...I would use 10w 30 during the summer months. Like everyone says, if you are not having problems, why worry about it. I go to wally world and just pickup their syn blend of 10w 30. I would be more worried about your tranny fluid than anything else. GDF

Get your tranny flushed at a toyo or lexus dealer. Use the OEM tranny fluid. One of the biggest issues w trannies come from the fluid breaking down. I would not suggest going to Jiffy lube or anyone else. Flush it and you will be happy. GDF

Welcome to the forum. I am surprised to hear a dealer wants 600 for the waterpump. Odd...and yes, you are well overdue for that timing belt. I would get it done asap. Also, you should clean your throttlebody out and MAF sensor. There are directions to clean it on the forum. I live in southern NJ (past cherry hill) and I can think of only a handful of people who can do the job right. There is an independent by me that I am going to talk to on my 05 LS430. Anyway, enjoy the ride and drive safe. GDF

sweet will check it out never heard of em before Or you can just drill them out. They serve no purpose except to hold the rotor on during production. The wheel lug nuts do all the work. Mine were stuck too. GDF

Wow, sounds like you already went through a litany of steps to diagnose the problem. Sounds like a malfuntion on the fuel/air flow mix in regards to a sensor. I am not close to being a mechanic, but it sounds like something is trying to adjust itself to accomondate a problem. Good luck and keep us posted. BTW, how difficult is it replace a fuel filter on a lexus? I know it is easy, once you locate it. I have a 2005 LS 430 and I want to change it. Do I just follow the line from the tank under the car? Does it just get clamped like a typical inline filter? TTYS GDF

Excellent choice on doing the powerflush. One thing I would recommend is to always use OEM tranny fluids. They really do make a difference. BTW, clean your throttle body and MAF sensor ASAP. My 2000 LS400 had a huge build up on carbon inside. Use Valvoline cleaner...there is a thread on the forumn that will guide you through the process. Also, I like my KN filter too. GDF

Replace the hose...it runs at a super high pressure. That is my 2 cents.

Don: First and foremost yes as you have 10 years on the parts. It's great preventative maintenance. Secondly, change the plugs as it can't hurt. More importantly, I would do the following: 1. Change the tranny fluid. Lexus calls for a chance every 25k - 35k miles (personally I would flush the system) 2. Clean the Throttle body and MAF. The website has an outline of how to do it. Good luck on your car. I have a 2000 LS 400 (I am trying to sell it) and a 2005 LS430 that I just bought. The LS400 is a great car and the car mileage is close to 31 on the highway w/o the air and running at 65 mph. GDF

Don;t worry about it as people have been driving in the snow since they invented the automobile. I grew up in New England on rear wheel drive cars. All you have to do is get a nice set of snow tires for the rear and two 40 lbs bags of dirt and a shovel. Put the tires on about Thanksgiving and you will be fine. Place the bags on the left and right side in your truck and you will be amazed what you can drive through. In fact, I have a set of 16 or 17 inch OEM lexus rims for sale if you want them. They looked great on my 91 lexus although i think they will bolt up to a wheels but they did not work on my 2000 ls. If you want me to send off some pictures, let me know. GDF

Just a quick chime in from the NJ/Philly area...I just bought a 2005 LS430 85,000 miles for 18,000 USD. The car was the basic low end ls but it rides great. No problems for the few miles that I drove it...although my truck doesn't want to open errrrrrh. Sounds like your prices are a tad higher but I would try and get the car a lot lower price wise. The replacement for the timing belt is a known cost... GDF

I have a set of Lexus OEM rims that came off a 92 - 93 GS that I put on my 91 LS400. They were a huge improvement off of the standard 15 inch rims...they were lighter, nicer looking and gave the car a huge new look. I paid 500 for them a few years back but I will sell them for $375....OK, Ok OK, I will sell them for $325. They are in very good condition and if you want some pictures of them. If you are looking for a sporter look to your lexus, either a gs or ls, you will want these rims. I live 20 mins from Philly so anyone local can stop by and see them first hand. GDF

Perhaps so, but that's still a pretty steep discount even at that mileage. He got a hell of a deal. My indie was trying to get a 05 Ultra from the local dealer here late last year and they wouldn't budge off of 50K according to him, so he went for a $70K 460 instead and is now crying about it due to the amount of money he paid. Apparently he financed a good portion of the purchase and now regrets being in debt. Just goes to prove that letting one's emotions get in the way of buying a car ensures that you'll overpay or just do something that you might regret. The guy who sold it to me inherited (sp) a 06 BMW 750 so the LS sat in his driveway...for about 2 months. He just got board with it. His list price was 20,900 on it in cars.com, then I saw an ad on craig's list for 19,500 or so. When I looked at it on Sunday. he told me all he wanted was 500 over wholesale price...basically, he wanted it moved. Trust me, the car was dirty. The good news it wasn't beat. The inside had surface dirt, the engine area dusty, and the outside was not shiney. Super nice guy though but he just lost interest. I called my local lexus dealer to see what work he had done as well as run a autocheck report 50% of the cost of carfax. Once I brought the car home, I took out the vaccuum, bucket, cleaning supplies (Tuff Stuff works great on removing stains on fabric) and went to work. Took a few hours to do the interior alone. In fact the grime was so deep in the leather, I had to get a little more aggressive cleaner to pull the grime out. Once done, I deep conditioned the leather and it came out great. So yes, I got a deal, but an 05 with 85,000 miles on it requires a special buyer when you are asking 20,000 dollars. This is my third LS, so I know I can get 150,000 - 175,000 car free miles from it plus it provides a certain status driving it. Enjoy your ride... GDF

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. And yes, simple is so much easier on these cars. I will end up with some slight window tinting and 18 inch rims/tires. BTW, does anyone know where to get OEM quality lexus floor mats. The ones that came with this car are shot. Thanks again. Lexus has OEM floormats ;) That's what I hear! Actually I just washed mine in the waasher and came out half way decent; however, the car needs a new set. I was hoping to have a few of you guys shed some light on things :D GDF

Well I just got it open after having a friend pull up and down on the trunk as I played with the trunk lever within the car. I am thinking this is a slight adjustment but it seems to be working well right now. However, I would still enjoy reading anyone's comments on the subject. Thanks!!!

I am the new guy here and my 05 LS430's truck is stuck in the closed position and my indicator dashboard light stills says it is open. The guy I bought it from told me that it happened to him a year ago and that the mechanic he took it to told him it was stuck "half way bewteen closed and open". He got it open by playing with the key and trying to "dislodge" the truck. Has anyone heard of this? How can I get the truck open? THANKS EVERYONE GDF

I have an 05 LS 430 that I just bought. Does anyone know of a good source to get OEM or quality equivilant (sp) floor mats. The one that came with the car are shot. Thanks everyone for your help.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. And yes, simple is so much easier on these cars. I will end up with some slight window tinting and 18 inch rims/tires. BTW, does anyone know where to get OEM quality lexus floor mats. The ones that came with this car are shot. Thanks again.

Hey guys..buying a 2005 LS 430 today with 85,000 for $18,000. Tell me, what are the best upgrades for this car for the money? This is my 3rd LS and I feel this car needs some exterior upgrades to make it stand out from looking like an old man's car (I am turning 50 this year - shhhh). Anyway, if you have ideas, pictures or thoughts, let them roll. Look forward to your threads. GDF

Try wd-40 ...did that today. Works fine. Just wash after you are done. Works wonders and its cheap. G

Hey guys. I am new to the forum, but not new to lexus. I had a 92 ls 400 that I sold a few years ago with 200K miles. I just bought a 2000 LS with 110,000 miles. Just noticed a few thing today - brought the car home yesterday. When I put the car in reverse to get out of the drive way..fine...when I put it in Drive the car wouldn't move that well. Yes, I checked the AT fluid...at the right level, and it seemed fine. Not real pink...but at the right level. The car seems to run fine nonetheless. any ideas. Also, the check engine light came on. I am assuming a O2 sensor bit the dust. How difficult are they to change. There are what 3 O2 sensors to change. THANKs guys. Glenn