Lexusfreak

I bet in 3 - 5+ years a Nav system will almost be standard equipment on even low priced vehicles &/or perhaps they will be a dirt cheap option that only cost a few hundred bucks instead of thousands B) In the meantime, I'll buy a map. ;)

There are certain personalized changes that require specialized equipment that only Lexus dealers have. That's why it says in the Owners Manual to contact your dealer. ;) ← I'll check my owners manual to see if mine has these features. Now, is this something we have to pay the dealer to do or are these 'adjustments' done for free?

Try to find one with all service records as well.......it will save time & a lot of money in the long run if you purchase a well maintained unit! B) Good Luck!

Sport Cross, did you end up getting winter rubber or a set of really good all seasons? B)

Due to the nature of a winter tire, you should expect a difference in dry road conditions. We purchase a winter tire for grip.......that what your going to get in any winter tire selection. Winter tires usually (although some are) have a lower speed rating than the summer or all season tire it replaces......who's going to do 120 MPH when it's icy out anyways & your not an ice race car driver? Hence the less quality handling. B) ;) Some winter tires are quieter than others......but not by very much. You never mentioned how many miles you have put on the tires since you installed them........they could just need some miles on them & they should quiet down somewhat. B)

Here is a Toronto GS owners thoughts on the Goodyear Triple Treads! & my response. :whistles: ;) QUOTE(Tekniq @ Jan 26 2005, 03:10 AM) I'm in Toronto, Canada. That would nearly make me an expert on the subject. This is my first Lexus Winter. The GS was testy with the old tires on the snow, but once I purchased a Great new All-Season from Goodyear: the TripleTred Assurance to be exact, it runs through the snow like it ain't nothing. Having driven SUV's all my life, I was concerned, but with good tires, attention to the road, and confident but sure driving, you will not have a problem in the snow with these tires. Now I look forward to the snow, if that's at all possible!! TEK I couldn't agree more tek! :D B) I have been trying to explain that to folks how good the Goodyear Triple Tread tires are in all weather conditions (including snow & ice)...... & especially on a RWD vehicle to boot! The good thing about it too is they come in my size & are H speed rated for my 01 ES when the time comes........I still like my Toyo's to be sure, but these new ones from GY are just awesome! :D ;) :whistles:

I couldn't agree more tek! :D B) I have been trying to explaint to folks how good the Goodyear Triple Tread tires are in all weather conditions (including snow & ice)...... & especially on a RWD vehicle to boot! :whistles: The good thing about it too is they come in my size & are H speed rated for my 01 ES when the time comes........I still like my Toyo's to be sure, but these new ones from GY are just awesome! ;)

I agree with sw! Call Lexus U.S. Head office to issue a formal complaint......their attitiude should change for the better after that I'd bet! B) ;)

I agree with cam.....in addition to what he mentioned, I also suggest getting ALL service records for the car (especially all oil change info because of the engine sludge problem that effects 97 - 01 ES'). Good Luck! B)

That's a good question......I should check the owners manual on my 01 ES to see if it's possible as well. If I find anything out, I will let you know.....surely if we can do this, we don't need to take it to hte dealer do we? Should be fairly simple if the instructions are followed? ;)

I can't speak for the ES specifically, but I do know that the 2005 RX 330 has been 'updated' large to include many more cities & suburban areas both in the united states & canada. The folks at the Lexus plant went to great lenghts to explain that to us on our tour of the plant. ;)

I'm still courious about this so called conspiracy theory Do tell. I must have missed something yesterday when I was touring the Canadian Lexus plant lol. :whistles:

Independent site? Not hardly. It's owned, administered and moderated buy a bunch of specialty lube and additive salesmen who don't have to make sales calls to industrial businesses anymore because nowadays they can all just sit at home at their computers and run the forum to generate consumer sales of $25 a bottle additives, $7 a quart motor oils and $200 oil filter bypass systems. They also kiss up to Walmart's Supertech labeled products because they hope to convince Walmart to someday start buying and stocking their specialty products. ← Again, this is all conjecture, show some proof! I hardly believe your little conspiracy theory. There's a conspiracy theory? :whistles: Oh my! :o <_<

:whistles:

Why?

Amsoil now has the 0W 40 grade 'European' formula as well. ;) B)

I currently have Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic in my 01 ES, but will be switching to Amsoil 5W30 (ASL) synthetic. It protects better overall in every category over Mobil 1. Here is one example of that proof.......although some with argue it's biased because the tests were conducted by Amsoil itself. One might want to remember that if the claims that Amsoil made, are false, they could be sued huge! :whistles: http://www.amsoil.com/performancetests/amsoil_vs_mobil1.aspx

Amsoil & Mobil 1 trump Royal purple also. B) I'm not going to say anything negative about Mobil 1.....I still have it in my engine as we speak. After much research however (not just on the Mobil 1 or Amsoil sites), I have discovered that both are premium synthetic oils to be sure.......sorry to say that Amsoil is just a notch higher in the rankings with slightly better protection in every category in the API & SAE oil tests. :whistles: ;)

There is a similar type on bob the oil guy as well. :D I have no reason to suspect that Amsoil is making false claims.......they could be sued huge! Bottom line, Amsoil trumps Mobil 1 B) A thread on bob the oil guy also backs that up which as far as I know.....is also independent. ;)

That's why this reply was meant for VGR, I don't see LEXUSFREAK anywhere in this reply? <_< ← Sorry dude, my mistake........I thought one of those posts you quoted was mine. My bad! ;)

Here is a link that compares Amsoil to Mobil 1......Enjoy! B) :whistles: http://www.amsoil.com/performancetests/amsoil_vs_mobil1.aspx

DOT 5 synthetic brake fluid has been available in the USA for more than 10 years. In the official Toyota Technician Brake Systems Training manual, Toyota acknowledges the existence of DOT 5 and DOT 4 Brake fluids, but recommends only the use DOT 3 fluid. And the brake master cylinder reservoir cap of all Lexus brake systems says "Use ONLY DOT 3 fluid" Although the boiling point of DOT 3 fluid is lower than DOT 4 fluid, DOT 3 fluid preserves the life of the hydraulic seals in the brake system better than DOT 4 fluid and that's why the makers of the most durable cars in the world (Toyota/Honda/Nissan) all recommend only DOT 3 fluid. Durability is not a priority with the European and American car makers so it's no surprize some of them recommend DOT 4 or 5.x fluids. ← As i said in my first post DOT 5 is garbage, not even used in Europe anymore. I agree with the DOT 3 & DOT 4 points you've brought up. However, you've really said nothing about 5.1 . I don't believe Mercedes or BMW thinks that durability is not a priority nor would they use something that wouldn't provide maximum benefit or be compatible in their brake systems. Unless you've got some facts to point to with 5.1 not being compatible or causing problems then their is no discussion. <_< ← It was another member that brought up dot 5 brake fluid.....I never mentioned anything about it.

what OE size tire ht? Your 98 is a different generation & thus a different car. The Pirelli 4000 in travel's size are not available in a V speed rated version (only T speed rating which she can also get in the Goodyear Triple Treads - Max speed of 118 MPH). In a V speed rated tire, choices are the Toyo Proxes TPT, Falken Ziex ZE-512, Michelin MXV4 & Continential Extreme Contact (all are available in H & V speed rated except the Conti). B)

Fair enough, but am I reading into this correctly that in the long run, I (we - those who use synthetic fluids) that I might end up doing more damage then helping my cause.....even if we can get a synthetic oil change for roughly the same price as a dino oil change at the dealer? (I get my synthetic fluids & filters at wholesale). B) I'm not talking about using 'miracle' additives like Dura Lube or Slick 50 which we all know are bogus & a rip off in a bottle now. :whistles: