Lexusfreak

This is what is known as anecdotal evidence. It is the experience of an individual, and is not statistically based, or based on extensive independent testing. Unlike engine oils, automatic transmission oils have distinct properties which control the clutch, and if present, band, lock-up characteristics, especially near the slip-stick point as the relative motion approaches zero at the end of the shift. For this reason I stay with the factory recommended fluid in the absence of data which is supported through testing. I am not saying Amsoil is bad fluid, only that anecdotal evidence, or proprietary evidence, is not good enough for me. To claim that Amsoil is better than the fluid developed for these transmissions by the manufacturer of that transmission borders on presumption. ← The thing that I question on what you state is that, no fluid is developed for transmissions (most times). They select a fluid and design around that fluid. The fluid is the boundary conditions and they design around it. You do not design a tranny or anything and then make the fluid. If you did this you are a poor engineer or are designing into a corner. Is Amsoil the best fluid for a tranny, could be could not be; but it is better then most. Is what amosil states worth anything? Not really, but the endless users and there results do not lie. Is it based on unscientific views, could be; but it is real world empirical data & it is based on users. Is it good enough for me in my ES, sure is. I do not need a piece of paper to feel good. If the fluid, any, states it passes the proper spec it does. Remember the API spec’s only mean that is pass the min requirements. ….. If buying factory fluid is what makes you feel good inside then buy it. The kicker is the fluid is nothing special. Most times it is just normal fluid with a Lexus/Toyota bottle. Lexus does not make oils, then sell them. ← Well said mburn B) I was hoping that Army or JPI would weigh in on this as I have asked them to be more specific about the claim of first never doing a 100% fluid change & to ONLY use Toyota type IV fluid......as you can see, no answer back yet. :whistles: Messer, you will be just fine with the Amsoil synthetic ATF you have put in your car. Amsoil wouldn't state it's compatible with & meets Toyota type IV requirements if it didn't & get their butt's sued off! I have yet to see ANY Amsoil user of oil OR ATF complain of their performance & more, ever state their fluids ever have done any damage to their components they used them in. I'm looking forward to the switch myself in both my engine & tranny with Amsoil products! Best of luck!! B) ;)

Correct plus there are taxes on top of taxes! :chairshot: I don't think I will ever buy a 'brand new' vehicle ever again. :(

Take it to your mechanic for a complete inspection first off & since you mention this has been a 1 owner vehicle, Ask the owner for ALL service records(mileage on a car is not that important as long as the car was driven & maintained properly & not abused).....if the owner gives you a hard time with either.......RUN, don't walk away from th edeal. ;)

I think 15,000 miles is much too soon personally. What are the reasons why your dealer wants you to change it so soon? I assume your LS uses the Toyota type IV fluid? B) I'd consider using the Amsoil synthetic ATF when it does come time to change it......no worries as it is compatable with Toyota type IV fluid & will last much longer! B) Here is a link: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx

Why is that specifically? I've done a 100% fluid flush almost a year ago now & used Toyota Type IV fluid........cleaned the pan, filter mesh screen & replaced the gasket......the tranny shifts smoother now than it ever has when I purchased the car. :whistles: B) If the service is done professionally, what's the problem? ← Army, or JPI, any details & specifics on this? :whistles:

If they come in your size Ming, I would definately go with the Goodyear Triple Treads!! I was going to suggest the Falken Ziex ZE-512, but they are more on the 'performance' side of things & you would be sacrificing some ride quality & quiet for a little extra performance. You can check out both however. Goodyears will last 80,000 miles & the Falken's 60,000 miles. ;) www.goodyearassurance.com www.falkentire.com You can also find Falken tire reviews on www.tiretrends.com Good Luck! B)

Agreed, do a search on here first & hopfully most of your question will be answered. B)

There ya go! :D ;)

I beleive I have already suggested these tires in this thread. ;) B)

Here are my choices in order: - 2006 Lexus GS 300 AWD - 2005 Lexus ES 330 - 2005/6 Toyota Avalon Touring. :D B)

Try some auto wreckers or salvage yards....they should be dirt cheap compared to brand new ones form the parts department at your Lexus dealer. I'm sure with some time & patience, you should be able to locate some. B)

"Prices for the RX 330 with these option packages are $55,780 and $63,335 respectively. Prices for the RX 400h are expected to be announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto later this month, but buyers can expect a premium over and above these figures for a similarly equipped hybrid RX. " Boy, I'm glad I live here in the states! By the way, the latest issue of Car & Driver includes a road test as well. They achieved 0-60 in 6.9 seconds. One of the electric motors generates 650 lbs-ft of torque! This thing will throw you back in the seat like no other SUV on the planet. I think I'm going to like it - very much! ← Why did you mention your "glad I live in the states!" RX? the price?

Good Luck! They should perform quite well. B)

looks like Mobil is trying to step-up to where Amsoil was 30+ years ago and where Mobil itself was about 25 years ago... http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorO...e_Warranty.aspx ← Intresting article......I assume this 'extended Mobil' is a synthetic oil? If so, I wonder how different it is from the Mobil 1 with super syn? & I wonder why they are coming back with extended drain formulas now when they took them off the market years ago?

Get all service records if you can. Good Luck! B)

Why is that specifically? I've done a 100% fluid flush almost a year ago now & used Toyota Type IV fluid........cleaned the pan, filter mesh screen & replaced the gasket......the tranny shifts smoother now than it ever has when I purchased the car. :whistles: B) If the service is done professionally, what's the problem?

Just courious what you need the engine for? I noticed you didn't put any Lexus model down that you own. ;)

I wonder if they will add AWD as an option? B)

What are you looking for in a tire specifically? Do you perfer longer mileage, more on the performance & handling side of things or is a more comfortable ride more to your liking? B) What part of Toronto are you from?

Here you go everyone, a first drive of the 2006 RX 400h. B) Click the link: http://www.canadiandriver.com/roadtest/06rx400h.htm

GM's Saab recalls 400,000 cars over engine flaw AFX News Limited - January 28, 2005 Motor Trend General Motor Corp's Swedish subsidiary Saab Automobile AB said it is recalling up to 400,000 of its 9-5 and 9-3 cars worldwide due to an engine design flaw. The company said the flaw could lead to a rapid deterioration of oil quality and damage turbo-charged engines. "As many as 400,000 cars may be affected worldwide," Saab spokesman Oerjan Aaslund said, refusing to reveal how much money the company would be forced to spend on the repairs. The company said it will issue an 8-year retroactive engine guarantee for its 1998 to 2000 9-5 models and its 2000 to 2003 9-3 models. "The guarantee means that customers who have been affected by motor problems due to oil sludge will receive full financial compensation," Saab said in a statement, pointing out that the purchaser of a vehicle in 1998 would still have a valid guarantee through 2006. The car manufacturer said that about 4 pct of the 95,000 cars equipped with the engines in question circulating in Sweden appeared to have experienced problems. "Sweden has been more affected than many other markets... mainly due to the fact that it is colder here and it takes longer for the engines to warm up," Aaslund said. Copyright 2005. AFX News Ltd

Tom, What are the exact name of your current tires you want to do this with? Check you owners manual for specific info about tire chains as well. Considering your Lexus is RWD, failing the chains, you might want to take either a different car OR install winter rubber & put a decent amount of weight in the trunk to assist traction. B)

An excellent winter SUV tire would be the Toyo Open Country G-02 Plus. They come in the 17" tire size you need & you can just switch the tires on your existing rims if you choose to.......no need to get an additional set if you didn't want them. B)

What exactly do you mean by 'excellent high performance'? By definition there really is no 'high performance' all season tire. All season tires are not high performance in any category, no matter what the companies tell you. Summer tires will always perform better in the dry (a halfway decent street set will perform better in the wet too) and winter tires will always perform better in the snow/ice/freezing temperatures. All-season tires are never 'high performance' in anything, but rather a somewhat mediocre compromise in everything. They will never be able to offer the performance that season specialized tires will. As established already, I am the resident BMW auto-crosser :P ← Well as stated by Sport Cross earlier in his thread, he was having trouble with his car because of the snow & because it does not snow much where he is was wondering if it was necessary at all to put specific winter rubber on the car. I suggested a 'top shelf' high performance all season that should do the job. You haven't told us anything we did not know already with regards to actualy summer tires & winter tires & their specific functions.......some don't need 2 or more sets of wheels & tires, nor do they want them because of various reasons. Sport Cross did not mention anything about 'auto-crossing' either so I don't know exactly what point you were trying to make with that comment as it had nothing to do with the subject at hand. Also established already, I am one of the tire 'advisors' for both LOC & CL:whistles: :P There are many 'all season' tires in whatever category you want them to be classified as that will perform a more than admirable job to get one through winter driving conditions without much fuss. If the weather is that horrendous out....even with winter rubber & it's not an 'emergency', then why go out at all? :whistles: Exercising good common sense sometimes is better than any tire ever made no matter how good the traction is. :whistles: ;) ← I made the post 'cause one of my pet peeves is when people call all-seasons "high performance" ;) ← I use to own a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE 20th A.E. & I put Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on it.......they were in fact "high performance" (at $300+ Canadian...they had better be & they were). The tests done on tirerack support that as well. ;)

If you use a synthetic gear fluid, you can use most any fluid needed. Example, the pour point of 80w-90, 80, 90 or 75w-90 (all synthetics) are very very close. Plus I would stick with a multi grade for better adds. ← Agreed mburn! B) ;)