jragosta
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Posts posted by jragosta
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It's worth noting that there's another active thread right now where someone used Seafoam and is now looking at a new engine.
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=22839
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I'm trying find any charts / tables that show rolling resistance for dif tires, so far no luck :cries:
Consumer Report has some data, but no real numbers
I've replaced OEM tires (no on Lexus) with LS-T and MPG dropped about 10% - that's my fact.
Yes, I got (on another car) better ride, less noise and less MPG
The next time I'll check for MXV's as those have the lowest rolling resistance in its group - IMHO.
Here's an article that covers it. They calculate that a 20% drop in rolling resistance will only increase mileage by about 3%.
Another report says that 20-30% difference from the highest to lowest rolling resistance is typical. They calculate a MAXIMUM mpg improvement of under 6%.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/05/low_rolling_res.php
HOWEVER, the stock tires already have very low rolling resistance (for CAFE reasons), so most aftermarket tires will increase rolling resistance rather than decrease it.
Both numbers are based on how much energy is actually used to overcome rolling resistance.
There's another article which gives more information - and the PDF file on their site lists rolling resistances for a bunch of tires.
http://www.gotoreviews.com/archives/cars/r...ance-tires.html
The Michelin MX4 is about middle of the pack. This article also confirms that CAFE standards require new cars to have low rolling resistance tires. Almost all replacement tires are higher than the stock tires that came with your car.
You brought up the Prius. That's actually going to be a worst case scenario - because rolling resistance is a higher percentage of total energy usage on a tiny car like that than on a larger, more powerful car like the Lexus. Even there, I'm finding claims of no more than 10%.
Overall, based on published reports, single digit increases might be possible, probably toward the low end.
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Once I did the math it wound up to be less than 20%, sorry. Why would I lie about something like this? Do you think that I have that little to do in my life that I would engineer a lie about MPG relative to tires? If you don't want to believe me, fine
Tire pressures are 30 all the way around, same they've been on the car since the day I bought it. There was some experimentation with as high as 32 and as low as 29, but I decided on 30 and have kept it there. The tire pressure is checked and maintained weekly when I clean the car up.
As for trips, maybe but I've been driving on these tires for getting close to 10k miles now and the difference in mileage is still there. I used to get 17MPG or so in the city, 24 or 25 on the highway and somewhere in between in mixed driving. Now I never see mileage under 19 and have seen 27-28 routinely during highway trips. I really don't track my mileage any more outside of that. Definately an improvement, and definately an improvement of 11.76-16.67% per my calculations (precise enough?) Anyways I don't see how a couple MPG is that "massive" as you stated it an increase anyways.
I post on and off on some of the Prius boards, these guys are SERIOUS about MPG and they're all incredibly intelligent and mathmatically minded people who keep long records and analysis of their gas mileage. You'd be shocked how much new tires change their mileage.
If you want to have a discussion about this, thats great I'd love to have one. If you're going to insinuate that I fabricated MPG figures and deliberately backed off from the % improvement I stated previously with some goal of what? Save it.
Sorry if you felt that I was saying that you were lying.
My point is that when people report huge mileage improvements, they're usually mistaken for one reason or another. It could be simply memory (as in your case, it seems) or it could be that something else changed (they got the car tuned up at the same time), or the driving conditions could be different (they liked how quiet the car was so they went on a long road trip). I believe that's a pretty universal truth - people almost always overstate the mileage improvement from changes like this, but that doesn't mean that they're lying.
Bottom line is that it's possible to improve the mileage of a vehicle by a little bit, but there's no magic bullet that increases the mileage dramatically (and, yes, a 20% increase in mileage is a dramatic improvement).
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Same conditions, I drive exactly as I have driven the car for the last 50k miles, since I've installed the MXV4s my mileage is consistently 1.8-2.5 MPG better (10-15%).
What else would have caused this significant change, I drive the same speeds and places as I always have, and what are the odds whatever change has occured occured right after I replaced the tires?
The rolling resistance rating of a tire can have a significant impact on your MPG. Deflate your tires 1PSI and see what an impact it'll have.
So we're down from '20%' to '10-15%'. As I said, 20% didn't sound realistic and you're already dropping back.
Furthermore, what were your tire pressures before and after? And are you sure you didn't drive any long trips to try out your new tires?
Bottom line is that I'm skeptical of any claims of massive mileage improvements from simple things. Almost always, the improvement is overstated (by at least as much as you overstated it).
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You might actually be surprised. I've seen MPG fluctuate by as much as 10% or more because of tires. My MPG improved by 20% at least when I replaced the TPTs with the MXV4s. Still really happy with them too BTW.
I'd be absolutely shocked if the mpg increased by 20% simply by changing the tires UNDER IDENTICAL TEST CONDITIONS.
The problem is that in the real world, you don't have identical test conditions. You probably were on the highway more after the change.
Tires only contribute a few HP of energy loss. Even if you drove that to zero, it's not going to increase your mileage by 20%.
If you believe all the mileage claims here, all you have to do is change the tires, install an aftermarket air filter, adjust the timing, and use synthetic oil and you'll get 50 mpg.
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it also has a boiling point that is very low 180 degrees F.
So by it turning to a gas and vaporizing once the engine is hot it will be induced into the pvc system and burned off. Meaning it would only be in there for a short time.
That means it will burn off rather quickly even before the engine reaches normal operating temps.
I would use it before an oil change not after to remove gum and varnishes.
That's rather silly. If you let it boil off, the sludge remains in the engine.
If you put it in just before an oil change, it probably won't do too much harm. Just remove ALL the oil and the filter and you're probably OK.
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As I reported earlier, I put a set of Turanza LSVs on my ES330 last month. I just wanted to provide a quick update. Today was the first signifcant rain storm since I put the tires on. I was very, very impressed. The tires stuck to the road as well as any tires I've ever driven (better than most). Not only that, but the noise level was much lower than normal on a rainy day for this car (using the older Turanza tires).
Overall, I can't say enough good things about the LSVs. The only thing I haven't been able to check is snow and ice. If you have much snow an ice, you might want to do some more research, but if you have that much snow, you'll probably want winter treads, anyway.
Would you comment your car MPG after you put those tires? Please.
The LS-x tires have worst rolling resistance around that makes MPG down about 10%.
The good part of LS-x is high life.
tnx.
Actually, the best part of the tire is the ride quality and noise level. Tire life isn't a concern for m. As for mileage, I don't measure it. I doubt if the tires are going to cause that much difference. My guess is that you'd need to measure mileage under very carefully controlled conditions to see the difference. I really can't imagine a 10% difference.
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Sorry... Just ranting. Nissan really has me *BLEEP*ed off right now.
Seafoam (for engine's) is 45% Naptha oil & you're only using a cup of it.
It would be like putting a half cup of kerosene, or light weight oil into the oil instead of putting a full quart, or running it off straight light weight oil to flush it out. (Or god forbid some people still lubricate off straight kerosene, or desil fuel during a flush!)
It's a safer version of flushing. Think of it as flushing for dummies. ;)
Well, I'm not calling people who use this product dummies, but if you wish to, I won't stop you.
It's very different from flushing. You're diluting the oil with a solvent (unlike flushing where you drain the oil and replace it with new oil). That means that the viscosity drops by at least a grade, maybe 2. You're going to have much less protection than if you use the factory recommendations. Look at the increased maintenance requirements for severe usage conditions. You're basically worse off then even that.
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I can understand putting it in your gas every now and then, but if you put it in the oil and run for 3,000 miles... I don't know about that. It has to realy thin your oil out! After all it is made to be a solvent. As for sucking it into the engine from the booster vac. I would think you are going to "gum" up your plugs, and put the cats though hell???
I would like to hear from more folks that have done this, or will not do it and why?
Now you can see why the car manufacturers don't recommend additives.
Cars are designed very carefully so everything works well together. The industry spends BILLIONS of dollars on this. Now along comes someone who thinks they know better than the car manufacturers and they dupe people into paying for their product. I'll create a new product that's pure kerosene. Put it in the crankcase and I guarantee you'll have less sludge in your engine. When you fry your bearings, I'll say it's not my problem - the engine must have had that problem before you put kerosene into the crankcase. Or maybe you did it wrong.
While it would be nice to have systems that don't get dirty, it's not going to happen. While people are free to do what they want with their own engines, I think it's wrong to try to pawn these things off on someone who doesn't know what the tradeoffs are.
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As I reported earlier, I put a set of Turanza LSVs on my ES330 last month. I just wanted to provide a quick update. Today was the first signifcant rain storm since I put the tires on. I was very, very impressed. The tires stuck to the road as well as any tires I've ever driven (better than most). Not only that, but the noise level was much lower than normal on a rainy day for this car (using the older Turanza tires).
Overall, I can't say enough good things about the LSVs. The only thing I haven't been able to check is snow and ice. If you have much snow an ice, you might want to do some more research, but if you have that much snow, you'll probably want winter treads, anyway.
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94 lex i am not sure what you don't like about 91's post but all of it makes perfect sense being quite clear and concise in points to be carried out.
Is there something specific about it you think was demeaning to you in some way?
I also felt that the post was demeaning and condescending.
While he made some good points, he came across as 'you must be pretty stupid since I have to tell you even the simplest things'. HOW you present something is often at least as important as what you say.
Just my $0.02.
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Sad news. The Mechanic i just went to (one i can trust) told me to sell the car. It apparently was in a very bad accident. We are reporting the mechanic who i bought it from, most likely taking him to court. I hope to get another lexus. Its a sad day. :(
Before you sue, I'd give the old mechanic the chance to refund all your money and expenses. He's like to be forced to do that by the court, anyway, but if he does it willingly, he'll save a ton of legal expenses (yours and his).
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The dealer is ripping you off, Take it to Toyota and get it done for half or 2/3 the cost of the Lexus dealership. Oh sorry, they may not wash your car, big deal. Take it around the corner and buy a real car wash with detailing, and then go to a nice resturant for the money you saved. Put the rest in the bank and enjoy.
I don't think you're going to find that a Toyota dealer can do the same job for half the cost. They're probably not doing everything. The savings are probably more like 1/4 - and not having to deal with rental car issues make up for most of that.
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Dang man!
Unfortunately there is not a whole lot you can do unless you and your mechanic signed a contract or an agreement.
We have all been nailed HARD at least a few times. This might be something that you have to stomach and hope never happens again.
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
I think I'd get an estimate for the repairs and head to small claims court. The dealer HAS to provide a car that passes inspection. Also, the fact that the dash is in the back seat is evidence that he planned to replace it.
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in my 2004 owner's manual supplement book it's stated that ATF has to be replaced at 60k!!! if vehicle is operated primarily while towing.
That's why I asked that question about 15k.
I don't mind to change ATF, but I'd like to comply with schedule maintance and do not void warranty - that's all.
Is everyone changing ATF every 15k?
I don't know about 'everyone', but I take the car in at the recommended intervals and have the recommended work done. Maintenance is one place I don't cut corners.
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well ended up getting the 04, can anyone help with this?
While there's no doubt that the in-dash units look best, you might want to consider another (less expensive) option. We're going to equip our sales force with dash-mounted units. I've ordered an iWay and a TomTom from Best Buy for evaluation. We'll buy whichever one we like best for the staff.
Each of these units costs about $800 and stores maps of the entire US. You can update them from your PC without buying a new DVD disk from Lexus. As an added advantage, you can easily move them from car to car.
This solution isn't for everyone, but looks like a good solution for us.
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According to consumers reports lease's in all forms are a rip off. Do your research. The only one making out are the dealerships.
Spoken by someone who doesn't at all understand leasing.
Leasing is most definately not a ripoff. Is it right for everyone? Definately not but for certain people leasing can be the only financially sound decision they can make. Leasing is a financial management tool, and for certain people in certains types of tax structure with certain type of cashflow requirements leasing can be the holy grail of finance.
I bought mine out of the lease cash to save on the monthly payment while I start a new business. I will definately lease my next one though. As a self employed person who trades cars every 3-4 years and needs the tax advantages leasing has over buying, it only makes sense for me to lease. Straight out of the mouth of my financial planner.
Don't immediately write off something you don't understand or that doesn't work for you. The "gurus" that down leasing are just as ignorant as the "gurus" that down interest only or negative am mortgages (like Suze Orman, yuck). These things are all financial management tools and all have value to specific consumers.
That's true. (Although I believe that both are abused).
A lot depends on the car you're buying. If you're getting a Ford (where the residual is low), leasing makes a lot less sense than if you're getting a Volvo (where the resiidual is high).
In our case, we leased a Volvo for my wife. Due to the extra incentives Volvo has for leases, we got the car for $292 per month - including most maintenance for free. My brother bought a new similar Volvo at about the same time.
After 9 years, if we get a similar deal, we'll have paid out about as much money as he did (on a time-adjusted basis). The difference is that we'll have driven 3 new cars in that time and he'll have driven on - but he will have a 9 year old 100,000+ mile car in his own name. Plus, he pays maintenance and we don't.
Neither of those appears to me to be a clear winner. Depending on how much you value driving a new car, either one makes sense. The point is that leasing clearly offers something that's comparable in value to his purchase- just a little different.
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Apologies if this had been addressed earlier. But I just had my 05 ES in for service. As usual I complained about the transmission which in my case meant the car occasionally seemed confused which gear to use and when coasting through a stop sign, no amount of throttle input would result in a smooth transition. The service manager said their had been two updates since my last complaint in April. The car is much improved, the stop sign thing isn’t perfect but about 90% better. Overall I’m very happy with the change and would recommend it to others.
I had the most recent one in June. It worked quite well for the first few hundred miles, then got progressively worse. After about 2,000 miles, it was terrible. Not the same hesitation at 40 mph when pulling onto a freeway, but a lot of very hard shifts at low speed.
They reflashed it in my last visit. Initially, it was great again, but then it started to stumble and shift hard. If they would reflash it again and somehow stop the transmission from learning all its bad habits again, it would be fine.
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Here's a review of the Affinity LH30 from an es300 owner on tirerack.com:
Vehicle: 1999 Lexus ES300
Location: jackson, ms
Driving Style: Spirited
Miles driven on tires: 4,000
Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 9.88 out of 10
Review Submitted: 2005-09-27
i have had this tire over a year now and it seems to get better and better now the steering is effortless,the ride is smoother and quieter.i see from some of the other reviews that people still dont know how to read the lettering on the tire to verify that they do the lh30s and not the affinity standard tires.ihave the bridgestone tranza ls-h on my 98 ls400 and i think the firestones give a better ride,not taking anything away from bridgestone because it is a great tire even much better than the michelins mx v4 that i once owned and will never buy again. this tire makes the lexus es300 drives the way i think it was ment to drive,very,very smooth and very,very quiet,get the firestone lh 30s and you wont have to look at another tire.
I found that interesting... but a lot of other reviewers gave them horrible ratings and said that they couldn't be balanced.
I don't know anything about the tire, but I've learned not to put too much faith in one review - either positive or negative - if it goes against a majority opinion. In this case, if lots of people are complaining about the tire and there's one strong review, I have to wonder if it's a Firestone sales person or something.
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Lexus has actually had a few decent programs here and theremainly on the old GS and RX's. I have a few salesman that actually took pre-owned leases because it was a good deal.
What would it cost to lease a 3 year old RX in top condition? Let's say 36 months, cap cost reduction of $1,000. My credit rating is very high.
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Latest update on the Bridgestone LSVs.
When I was having the tires replaced, the dealer told me that 3 of the struts were leaking. I took it to the Lexus dealer yesterday (they say only 1 strut is leaking and they'll change that one). The loaner was an '06 ES 330 with Michelin MXV4 tires.
In comparing the tires, the Michelins are much quieter than the original Turanzas, but iit seems to me that the LSVs are a bit quieter than the Michelins. Not a huge difference, but noticeable. Of course, the michelins have 6,000 miles and the LSVs have only 100, so I don't know what difference that makes.
Either one is dramatically better than the stock Turanzas, so you couldn't go wrong either way.
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98es
If you are putting the Turanzas on either ES, I would go for the LS-H or LS-V.
LS-T is two speed ratings below manufacturers recomendations. They will work, but you may find more "give" than you are used going around corners.
Too bad, I don't need tires right now, I would be getting a set of the LS-Vs at that 4 for 3 deal.
steviej
Is that 4 for 3 deal everywhere? If so, I need to go back to my dealer and ask for a refund. I just paid full price for 4 LSVs last week.
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Lexus now has a 06 ES program. Its $399 x 36 x a $1200. cap cost reduction good until Oct 31st
That's better than their usual deal, but is still $100 (33%) higher than the $299 lease rate for the Infiniti G35.
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A used car is ok to buy because its already taken a hit in value hopefully before you buy it. Occasionaly they run lease specials on the pre-owned. And with those cars there very little to pay to buy it at lease end.
That's true. However, you don't save as much as you should on a used car lease.
In principle, when you lease, you're payiing for the depreciation the car will have while you are driving it. While the numbers will vary, you might expect a car to lose half of its value every 3 years. That is, a $30,000 car would be worth $15,000 after 3 years, $7,500 after 6 years, and $3,750 after 9 years (the actual percentage will vary, but the progression should be similar).
If the lease were set up properly, it should cost roughly half as much to lease a 3 year old car as to lease a new one. From what I've seen, the actual lease rate is more like 75-80% of the new lease rate. That's a lousy deal, IMHO.
How To: Seafoam
in General Maintenance
Posted
That may be true. However, lots of people have given lots of reasons why using Seafoam might be a bad idea. The car manufacturers do not recommend it based on their tests and may void the warranty if you use it. This person used it and seized a crank.
You can believe there's no correlation if you wish, but those things are enough that I think it's pretty silly to use the stuff.