HankJ

I just had a new windshield put on my LS, but now I can't see the VIN from the outside. There's some tape or something covering it. My dealer says that's fine, even a good thing. This way, he says, theives can't copy the VIN and order keys to steal my car.

I think that this is cr#p, but I'm not sure about the legality.

Anyone out there know?

Thanks,

Hank

I have a 2004 LS430 with Nav and am concidering the Nav update due out in November. Does anyone have any comments or insight as to the new features, or is it just route inhancement.

Thanks,

Hank

Hello,

Has anyone checked out this year's upgrade yet?

I think that'll work for the standard rear seat, but mine is the split ultra luxury seat where the arm reat/consule is attached to one side.

I have a 2004 LS430 with Nav and am concidering the Nav update due out in November. Does anyone have any comments or insight as to the new features, or is it just route inhancement.

Thanks,

Hank

Let me try to rephrase, I just need to seperate the center arm rest/consule from the rear seat. In my old Audi, there was a clip to squeeze to release it, but I cannot find such a feature in this car.

Thanks,

Hank

I need to replace the switch section of my rear arm rest console of my LS430 UL (the one with the radio, hvac etc controls). Looks like I need to seperate it from the rear seat so that I can access the screws to take it appart.

Thanks,

Hank

my 2004 LS430 now has 120,000 miles.

My 2004 LS430 has just crossed over 110,000 miles.

Had to replace both front air struts, and both side view mirrors and repair the left front damage from hitting Bambi.

Other than that, I love this car, Pearl White with Saddle interior, very rare...

So, is this a crap shoot? Other than forking out a grand, or so, is there any other way to assure quality and perfromance?

Thanks to all y'all who did give input,

Hank

So what do you want - a guarantee from us? I've used PPG glass on at least two cars in the past, so has Tropheus, and PPG is a industry leader so there's the quality for you. Performance is what I said in the beginning as the variable ain't the glass it's the installer. THEY are the ones that can mess up the job, not the part.

Now it's up to you.

Yea, whatever, SRK. A guarantee is always nice, isn't it?

In this thread, there are opinions both way, OEM or aftermarket. So, given that, I do see it as a bit of a crap shoot. However, with those who did have a good experience with PPG and using the glass guy that the Lexus Body Shop uses, I'm feeling somewhat safe in going that direction.

If not, maybe I can reboot the whole thing.

Thanks to all for inputs and thoughts

If I was reading lauer's initial post correctly, he asked for our "thoughts about which color combination" looked the best on the LS and noted the fact that color is subjective. So, to answer his question, my personal preference is the Black Sapphire Pearl matched with the Alabaster and Dark Brown Ash Burl Accent. In my opinion, this gives the car a classic, elogant look.

My LS430 has a "Saddle" interior, is this availble on the 460?

I've recieved so many positive comments, and have yet to see another. By the way the exterior is moonlite pearl.

So, is this a crap shoot? Other than forking out a grand, or so, is there any other way to assure quality and perfromance?

Thanks to all y'all who did give input,

Hank

So what do you want - a guarantee from us? I've used PPG glass on at least two cars in the past, so has Tropheus, and PPG is a industry leader so there's the quality for you. Performance is what I said in the beginning as the variable ain't the glass it's the installer. THEY are the ones that can mess up the job, not the part.

Now it's up to you.

Yea, whatever, SRK. A guarantee is always nice, isn't it?

In this thread, there are opinions both way, OEM or aftermarket. So, given that, I do see it as a bit of a crap shoot. However, with those who did have a good experience with PPG and using the glass guy that the Lexus Body Shop uses, I'm feeling somewhat safe in going that direction.

If not, maybe I can reboot the whole thing.

Thanks to all for inputs and thoughts

Just had mine replaced with PPG glass. Very good quality with no distortion whatsoever. The OEM glass has a light bronze tint which I don't see on the PPG. Water seems to bead better on OEM. If you pay out of your pocket then I would definitely recommend aftermarket PPG glass.

So, is this a crap shoot? Other than forking out a grand, or so, is there any other way to assure quality and perfromance?

Thanks to all y'all who did give input,

Hank

Out of curiosity, where is yours cracked? Mine cracked at the base where the windshield wipers are so it's not really all that noticable...

Yep, that is where mine is cracked as well, looks like a piece of christmas tinsle across.

I was told that the rain sensor might not work properly if I replaced the windshield with anything other than Lexus glass. Given the cost difference you were quoted (and the cost difference between a Lexus windshield with and w/o the sensor) you may have the same problem, I am not sure (is the rain sensing only after '04?). The cost I was quoted was about $500 w/o the sensor and about $1100 with. The list price was about $600 and $1200 respectively. All prices are for Lexus glass. They also talked about some subcontractor they use that uses non-Lexus glass and warantees all the work, but I don't remember the details. Sorry.

I was also told that the crack was the result of a "stress fracture" and that it probably wasn't worth replacing because of the trouble getting a good fit on the new glass (this by a lexus dealership). Granted, my crack is not visible when in the driver's seat... so I don't know what it's worth to you.

Anyways, good luck.

Yes, my heart wants to go with the OEM glass (if I do replace it as fencera commented above), but my head says to go with the aftermarket. I'm working with the local Lexus bodyshop and they are steering me towards the aftermarket, since it is coming out of my pocket.

The glass guy that the body shop uses told me that the OEM and the aftermarket replacement glass, both come from the same ppg plant in the US. According to him, sometimes when he has ordered aftermarket glass, Lexus glass showed up.

As far as the crack goes, I do see what appears to be two very small points of impact from which the crack grew. The points do not starburst, but could the the root cause of the crack.

Thanks for the comments,

Out of curiosity, where is yours cracked? Mine cracked at the base where the windshield wipers are so it's not really all that noticable...

Yep, that is where mine is cracked as well, looks like a piece of christmas tinsle across.

My windshield on my LS430 has become cracked.

The glass company wants $1500 for a genuine Lexus window vs $400 for an aftermwrket made at the same plant, but with ppg instead of Lexus on the window.

My question is are they the same qulity? Do they have the same coatings? etc. Since they are made at the same glass plant, are they the same specifications?

has anyone else been though this?

Thanks, the $1100 is significant.

See the attached, make sure the engine is running whaile you do the adjustments. I found I needed a slightly longer than normal Phillips screwdriver to reach both adjustors.

Great! Thanks for the info!!!!

What manual did this come from, and where can I get one?

Hank

I know that the owners manual has the instructions on the vertical adjustment, but does any one have the details and what the targets locations, dimensions etc ought to be?

Thanks

Hank

My 2004 LS430 has 105,000 miles and one Bambi under its belt!

Hello,

Is there an easy way to align my main and high beam highlites?

Unfortunatly, I killed Bambi on the road last week and had to have both light assemblies removed and replaced.

My LS430 have the mobile lights that adjust for body attitude and when rounding curves.

Thanks,

Hank B)

I guess tht we don't have a solution for the new upgrade yet, or do we???

B)

Thanks for the tip on checking the version, my LS430 has version 6.1.

Is there a lockout screen for that version?

Thanks

Hank

Happy correction, I found a thread on the GS forum for the GS 450 and it does work for the 2006 LS 430!!! The difference from my earlier post is that the last step was dropped.

PRESS IN SEQUENCE :

«MENU»

«Volume"«

touching the top left corner

bottom left corner

top left corner

bottom left corner

«Over Ride» for five second (until it comes up blue)

«back»

My sincere thanks to whoever worked this out on the GS forum.

My sincere thanks also. I'd like to add that the software on my are is 5.0 and everyone should check theirs

On my 430 you have to accept the language/warning screen before pressing "menu". Also when touching the screen corners, since nothing happens you are inclined to press harder. DON"T. just touch slowly and the internal menu screen will come up. On my software the override or any other item turns blue when you touch it. If you hold for five seconds a darker border comes up around the overide position. Then it bach and everything works. When you are on the internal menu screen touch version to check the level of your soft ware.

LanceK

I must be doing something wrong. When I try to follow these steps, nothing happens. I go to the menu, volume, touch top left, bottom left, top left, bottom left, and nothing changes.

I also tried the other approach of option, language, top left, btm left, top left, btm left, btm right and all still nothing.

I tried both moving and parked.

Any ideas of what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks

Hank ('06 LS430)

My 2004 LS430 (UL) just turned 105,000 miles. Other than two front air shockes, two side view mirrors, all has been fine!

Are you sure the dimmer switch isn't set on low?

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Yea, I've had that issue before. Took it to a car wash, they turned the dimmer down and I thought the dash lights were out.

After adjusting the knob, life was good again!

Where can I find information on how to remove the rear seat console, that is the one in the center arm rest between the two passenger seats? Several of the left side switch lights are out, the switches function, but don't light up at night.

The dealer wants over $500 to replace this, and although I want it fixed, I'm not willing to fork out that much money.

I found a place to buy a new one for $250, but they couldn't help me with R/R.

Thanks,

Hank