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My 1998 GS 400 (85,000 miles) runs great with regular 5W-30 oil and regular changes at 3,000 miles. With so many good reports on Synthetic oil , I may change to a Synthetic oil like Mobil 1 on the next oil change and keep the vehicle using a synthetic oil for the future. Has any one done this and are there any advantages besides longer change intervals. I know the cost per quart will be considerably higher.

Similar problem, my 1998 GS 400 quit on highway then started right up . Had it checked on computer noted "lost communication". Technician suggested changing to spare key. Changed key and since then after 3, 00 miles no problem.

I wax the car evey year but have not waxed the luggage rack bars. I still am disappointed that a 5 year old top quality vehicle should have this problem. I don't wax the black wiper arms and they haven't lost their paint so why should the luggage racks?

The under side of the rear black luggage rack on top of my 2004 RX 330 has spots on driver's and passenger's side where paint is pealing from the black metal rails. With the paint missing the bare metal looks like a white powdery badly pitted aluminum material. Anyone else had a similar problem and can I expect Lexus will cover a paint repair for a 5 yr old vehicle? Can't imagine Lexus quality standard would allow this to happen.

I had car checked and there was a computer code notation (B2796) that stated "no communication" , Trained Toyota tech said the engine quiting probably an anomoly and could have been caused by (1) damaged ignition key or (2) freak electrical interference to my ignition key which is on same key ring that holds an additional key for another Lexus vehicle that I own (RX330). Tech suggested (1) replace key with my spare key, (2) removing the RX 330 key from the key ring. If engine quits again, next step could be to replace ignition switch or computer module. So far car has been running great..hope it keeps going that way

On a 400 mile trip today, my 1998 GS 400 w/80,000 mi. just quit (motor just shut down) at 70 MPH highway speed. Car rolled to a stop with engine off and ignition on, I put car in park , restarted and went on my way for another 200 miles with no problem. Has anyone had a similar problem and should I do anything about having the car repaired although it is running just fine so far? Car has great power , runs smooth and quiet but I am a little concerned. Is there a computer that needs to be checked by a Toyota or Lexus tech. Any advice or similar experience noted will be appreciated.

An important item not mentioned in that link. If your batt is severely discharged or cold, never start a charge at the maximum rate of the charger. Always start at the lowest rate. Observe that the batt is accepting the charge properly before leaving it for the duration of the recharge cycle. You can increase the rate later. I would also strongly rec using a charger with an auto cutoff. +1 on using a charger with an auto cutoff... I tried taking battery out of car but could not figure how to remove the plastic battery cover as it was connected to the positive and negative cables. Tough on the fingers too at 15 degrees F in Buffalo.

An important item not mentioned in that link. If your batt is severely discharged or cold, never start a charge at the maximum rate of the charger. Always start at the lowest rate. Observe that the batt is accepting the charge properly before leaving it for the duration of the recharge cycle. You can increase the rate later. I would also strongly rec using a charger with an auto cutoff. +1 on using a charger with an auto cutoff...

I wish to charge battery on my 1998 GS 400. Can it be charged while on the car or must battery be removed before charging. What percautions are necessary for charging. Will my electronics be messed up by charging? Help, need instructions before using my battery charger.

Can't find easy way to check and ad air to spare tire in my 2004 RX 330 . Is it necessary to get under the car or somehow drop the tire on the ground to check the air in the spare tire?

Besides deminished performance by using 87 octane in '98 GS 400 what other harmful effect would be expected. Owners manual recommends 91 octane but 87 octane can be used on temporary basis. Anyone had any long term experience using 87 octane in the GS 400 model? I am reluctant to try it, but ($4 plus) gas price has me wondering.

My 2004 RX 330 has a loose putty type sealer below the spoiler on the rear hatch door. This sealer was applied at factory at the junction of the lower spoiler and the rear glass of the rear hatch door. I wonder if any other owners of this model have had this problenm and what was the best fix to remedy the problem.

I Have an engine air filter for my RX 330 (2004). Can someone please tell me where the filter housing is located and instructions for removal of old filter so new filter can be installed.

I Have an engine air filter for my GS 400 (1998). Can someone please tell me where the filter housing is located and instructions for removal of old filter so new filter can be installed.

Had Same problem found answer in owner's manual, good directions there. Had to press reset with engine off and it was easily reset.

My '04 RX 330 has all wheel drive but I can't find any description of how the system functions. Is it running on 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive at all times or 4 wheel drive only when conditions warrent the full 4 wheel function? Also is the power transmitted by transfer case via vicious coupling or is it fully mechanical? Really want a description of how it works in laymen's terms. No lexus brochures have any information.

Brake fluid shouldn't be "topped off" between fluid and pad changes. Your service station probably does this to add $5 to the bill for services rendered. Probably time for a new mechanic, or at the very least a discussion with your current mechanic. If the brake fluid is changed every time new pads are installed it will always be at the correct level. With new front and rear pads make sure the reservoir level is just below the Max line after properly bleeding the system. If you don't put a lot of mileage on your car (and all the pads are wearing well) then change your brake fluid every two (2) years. In this event, bleed the hydraulic system and refill the reservoir to the mid point between Min - Max. Same goes if you are only changing the front or rear pads. You'll never leak one drop of brake fluid if you follow these instructions. Does excess brake fluid leak only from the resevoir or somewhere elso under the car?

Brake fluid shouldn't be "topped off" between fluid and pad changes. Your service station probably does this to add $5 to the bill for services rendered. Probably time for a new mechanic, or at the very least a discussion with your current mechanic. If the brake fluid is changed every time new pads are installed it will always be at the correct level. With new front and rear pads make sure the reservoir level is just below the Max line after properly bleeding the system. If you don't put a lot of mileage on your car (and all the pads are wearing well) then change your brake fluid every two (2) years. In this event, bleed the hydraulic system and refill the reservoir to the mid point between Min - Max. Same goes if you are only changing the front or rear pads. You'll never leak one drop of brake fluid if you follow these instructions.

After changing my engine oil & filter on my 1998 GS 400, service station added brake fluid to max level in fluid resevoir on my last oil change about a month ago. Following that service I noticed a break fluid leak on the groud after car sat for a few days. I have since discovered that the GS 400 owners manual states "pump brake pedal 40 times with engine off before checking fluid". I did this, then had to remove excess fluid that was above the max level in the resevoir after the dealer serviced the car. This same thing happened last year and the fluid leaked for about a month before the problem stopped permanently until this last experience. Since the oil change a month ago, the fluid leak has deminished and hopefully it will stop completely as soon as the excess is gone from whever it is hiding somewhere under the car. Can't imagine that the 40 pump requirement as called for in owners manual has not caused problems for other "98 GS 400 owners. Normally the fluid level with the engine off for a while is at the "MIN" level. After pumping brake 40 times the level is at "MAX". I can undersand that service station attendant didn't know about the 40 pump requirement befor checking fluid and wanted to raise the level to maximum level. Any one else had this problem?

My 1998 GS 400 dash board gas gauge only reads to 7/8 full when my gas tank is filled to maximum. Is there an easy fix for this problem or does the gas tank need to be dropped to get at the sending unit in the tank? Anyone else had to deal with this issue?

My 1998 GS400 with standard OE radio now has a fading LED display. The display is 95% faded out so I can't see the stations. Is there a fix for this problem?

My 1998 GS 400 w/ 70K runs great on premium gas (91 octain). Now with premium gas selling at $3.20/gal in NY, will I harm or cause any negative effects by using regular (87 octain) or regular plus (89 octain) gasoline? I've heard that using less than 91 octain will cause engine ping or damage. Also, 91 octain gasoline is recommended in owners manual. I am a conservative driver and would like to hear from other GS 400 owners or technicians about experience with use of lower than 91 octain gas in their vehicles.

My 1998 GS 400 w/ 70K runs great on premium gas (91 octain). Now with premium gas selling at $3.20/gal in NY, will I harm or cause any negative effects by using regular (87 octain) or regular plus (89 octain) gasoline? I've heard that using less than 91 octain will cause engine ping or damage. Also, 91 octain gasoline is recommended in owners manual. I am a conservative driver and would like to hear from other GS 400 owners or technicians about experience with use of lower than 91 octain gas in their vehicles.