Bahadur

I recently purchased a 2002 IS300. My wife and I both love the car! However, it came with only 1 master key, so we had a duplicate master key and a valet key made at a dealership. All was well... until yesterday. For some reason, the older master key fob stopped working remotely. I could not open doors and trunk or close doors with the buttons. At first, I thought it was a battery issue. But I noticed that the red light still works when I press the buttons. Then I tried the new master key -- presumably with a fresh battery -- and it would not work remotely either! For the life of me I cannot figure out what I did wrong! At one moment the fob was working, and the next moment it just stopped working. I was carrying groceries so I tried to work the key still in my pocket (pressed next to my mobile phone) while slamming the trunk shut. After that, the car just would not respond to either fobs! Obviously, I am taking the car in for service, but has anyone had a similar experience or does anyone have any idea what I could have done wrong?

First of all, thank you for the reply. The Falken and Bridgestone Turanza do not seem to be available (certainly not on tirerack.com) for the 17" wheels. So, I am left with Continental ContiExtreme Contact and Pirelli Nero M-S (?). Do you have any opinions on them?

steviej: So what tires do you have on your car OR plan to buy for your car in the future? What about Continental ContiExtreme Contact? Seems to have a good reputation for good ride quality and excellent snow/rain traction and above-average handling as well as longish treadwear (400). Also, what about Pirelli Nero M-S or something?

I think the stock tires ARE notorious for bad winter traction. I think Consumer Reports gave them the worst rating in terms of snow traction (solid black mark). The LS-H, on the other hand, was rated number 2 after the Falken tires. I think the past history of a company is not a bad guide to future products. On the other hand, I'm sure that Firestone learned a thing or two from their mistakes. I know the two companies are the "same," but the affected tires were only Firestone, weren't they?BTW, Am I supposed to use only 17" summer tires and 16" all-season tires? Or can I use 17" "high performance all-season" or "grand-touring all-season" tires?

I recently purchased a 2002 IS 300 (e-shift) for my wife. After the purchase I belatedly found out that the tires on them are Nankang Sport NS1 (215/45/17, I think). I couldn't find much information on the Web about the Nankang tires, except a handful of complaints that they are low quality tires made in Taiwan. My questions are: 1. Are the Nankang tires safe? Should I replace them immediately or keep them for 10,000 miles or so (the treads are 2/3 good, I think). 2. What size tires should I buy next? 17" or 16"? What's the difference? 3. What brand and type tires should I buy next? I always had Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires in our past cars. Consumer Reports seems to think very highly of Falken Ziex ZE 512 tires and Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires among the "high performance all-season" or "grand touring all-season" category, so I think I'll stick to what I know (Michelin) or try the Falken or Bridgestone Turanza tires. Oh, by the way, there is very little snow if any where I live (though there was an exceptionally unusual snow storm a couple of weeks ago, that is unlikely to recur in the next four years). There is some rain during winter. The terrain can also be hilly. So, basically, I'm looking for a good ride (rough ride is no, no), above average handling (it is appreciated, but not the first priority) and good rain traction/braking, with some light snow capability. Decent tread wear would help too. I'd appreciate any advice!

Thank you again for the reply. Yes, it is also my experience that the Michelin Energy tires are not the best on water. Out of curiosity, why do you dislike Bridgestone tires?

Thank you for the detailed response! After some e-mail exchanges, I found out the following: 1. A master key is about $186 at one local dealer. A valet key is $86. Reprogramming is $50 regardless of quantity of keys. Supposedly, reprogramming changes the frequency of the keys, so the other old keys not in my possession (possibly floating about there in the world) won't work with the engine (but still work to open doors). I think I'm okay with that (otherwise it is $4,000 to get all new keys and to disable the old key system according to another dealer!). More importantly, my wife is okay with that. 2. I'm getting the lights checked out at the dealer as soon as the keys are in. 3. I just found out (silly me again!) that the tires on the car are not stock. They are Nankang Sport NS1 (215/45/17, I think). From what I understand, these are pretty cheap Taiwanese tires with poor quality control. Yes, I know... I should've checked before I bought. But there were some unfortunate circumstances that led me to buy this car in a hurry. In any case, I always had Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires in our past cars. Consumer Reports seems to think very highly of Falken Ziex ZE 512 tires and Bridgestone Turanza LS-H tires, so I think I'll stick to what I know (Michelin) or try the Falken or Bridgestone Turanza tires. The current Nankang should be okay for about 10,000 miles (I hope...). Or should I be safe and get the "high performance all-season" Michelin, Falken or Bridgestone now? 4. Rear emblems are about $80 per set in chrome. Labor, though, is about $100 (ouch!). But my wife wants them, so she will get them. Thank you again for your detailed comments. I look forward to more comments and advice.

I recently purchased a 2002 IS300, have some questions that I hope someone will be able to answer. 1. Keys - I only received one master key with the purchase. Is it possible to obtain a spare master key and how much does it cost? Also, what about replacing the existing key with a new set of keys (master, emergency, valet) and disabling the current key? Is it even possible to do so? How much will that cost? 2. Lights - I feel rather silly for discovering this after the sale, but the fog lights, daytime running lights and high beam are not functioning (the HID lights work fine). Are they (especially the daytime running lights and high beam) tied together somehow? 3. Tires - I live in the Pacific Northwest where snow is rather rare (though there was an unusual snow storm of sorts recently). Typically, summers are very dry and sunny, with a bit of rain in the winter. Will I be okay with factory tires in the winter or should I replace them with "all-season" tires? 4. Rear emblems - For some reason, the car is missing the rear emblems (Lexus - L - IS300). Is this indicative of some sort of a repair? It's not a big issue for me, but my wife would like them. Does anyone have any idea if this is something that can be readily obtained and installed at a dealership and how much typically such would cost? I'd appreciate any comments and suggestions anyone may have about my questions.