Duckman

Yeah - they added buttons to the access panel, even if they do nothing. For instance, I have a button for head light washer fluid, but I do not have the needed reservoirs for spraying the headlights. I also have a button for the parking assist, but I don't have the parking assist option. I guess they decided to create the access panels with all of the buttons, rather than customize them to the specific needs of the car. --Duckman

Bummer about the sunroof, but it should still be under warranty for you. As for the side mirrors in reverse, in order to have them point down, you have to make sure that you have one of the mirrors selected. So, open up the access panel to the left of the steering wheel and make sure that either the L or the R light is lit up for mirror movement. Then put it in reverse and the mirrors should go down. If they don't, get them replaced...should also be under warranty. I have just over 26k miles on mine and had them replaced for free last week. --Duckman

I just did a search on the Lexus website for Certified Preowned 2006 GS's. Here is one of the returned cars: http://www.lcpo.com/cpo_podetails.psp?ID=1...0&year=2006 If you open up the Standard Features button near the bottom of the page then scroll to the Comfort and Convenience section, Bluetooth Technology is listed. I would concur with steviej that it is a standard feature. --Duckman

Service was done yesterday...and the mirrors both operate as they should. I have decided that I am only going to use the auto tilt feature when necessary, like backing out of a winding driveway or backing into a parking spot, so I can see the lines. For most reverse driving situations, I should not need them to tilt...and hopefully it will save me from having to do this again. --Duckman

26,000 miles on my 06 GS and they are replacing my mirrors. As I stated earlier in this thread, I had the same problem in my 05 RX. I took my car in for an oil change this weekend and told them about it. They knew the problem immediately and ordered up the parts, should be here Tuesday/Wednesday of next week. --Duckman

Steviej: I haven't experienced the same clutter you have when it is cloudy/stormy etc.... I know of one bridge that I pass under that the XM signal disappears until I reach the other side, but not during storms. My office desk XM radio doesn't seem to have any issues either. Now, XM radio uses a series of "Terrestrial" towers, much like cell phone towers, to boost their signal if the satellite signal is impaired in any way. Being in Massachusetts, I can only imagine you have enough terrestrial towers to aid in your signal, but, maybe in your area, they are light on towers..... --Duckman

My car did not come with the sharkfin, which is why they installed the antenna by the trunk. If yours has a sharkfin, they may be able to connect it to your XM radio, without having to install another antenna - just like nuzbear said. Regardless, the sound quality should be no different. --Duckman

Drbrog: I thoroughly enjoy my XM radio. My GS did not have it factory installed so I had the dealer install it after purchasing the car. The antenna is a small 1.5" x 1.5" piece about a half inch thick. It comes out of the trunk and is fastened on the back right side, (if you are facing the trunk). It is almost unnoticeable. I had had XM for a few years prior to this, so, I already knew the quality of the sound...and had never been disappointed. Through my car it sounds wonderful. I don't hear any distortions or "less than CD quality" audio. Most of all, I love the channel selection. I give it a thumbs up! --Duckman

I have an 06 300 and have noticed the squeaks, mostly in the winter months. They are fairly well documented, in fact there are TSB's about them, many discussed in detail on the forum. Personally, I had them remove the center console unit last December and they wrapped it in felt. Once they did this, the squeaks in my console disappeared. The dealer did this for no charge. I began noticing squeaks in the dash as well...coming from the area around the speakers, up against the windshield. I have not had them do anything with that yet...but this coming fall, I am going to have them fix it up. Other than those, I have not noticed any other noises while driving....and during the warm weather, the car is very silent, other than stuff rolling around in my glove compartment. (Wife keeps leaving stuff in there....that's gotta stop!) I will admit...I was disappointed when the squeaks began. My two RX's didn't have any squeaking problems...they were built really tight. But hey...if they can fix them...and for no charge...I won't complain about it too much. --Duckman

You should replace it with a new CR1632 battery. --Duckman

That's extremely interesting!! When I purchased my 2005 RX300, the saleswoman, when reviewing all of the features of the car, told me to leave the AC on all of the time...even in the winter. I did...so I never had any issues. Maybe she knew something about it. I guess one question becomes...do you turn your AC off? I had my GS's AC turned off for the entire winter, but have not noticed a funny smell this year (other than my wise crack stated above). --Duckman

Nothing out of the ordinary on my 06.....only when my kids leave their sweaty/dirty soccer shoes in the back. How many times does a person have to tell their kids to take their shoes out of the car when we get home??? --Duckman

I added this to my car when I purchased it. There are different areas you can cover. I did just the nose of the car, from the front of the hood to about a foot and a half back. You can also have your side mirrors covered as well as the front bumper. I would give it a big thumbs up.

1. Take out the mechanical key from your fob. 2. Put a flat head screwdriver into the inset space...just inside of the mechanical key slot....and turn it. This will pry open the fob. 3. Remove the old battery and replace with a new CR1632 battery..positive side facing up. 4. Replace the cover of the fob by first pressing on the bottom then the top (The top is the side where the mechanical key is inserted) --Duckman

I posted about this same issue not too long ago, and the topic received quite a few suggestions/theories. Here it is: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=46847 I have switched from regular to premium and have noticed an increased performance in acceleration and I have also noticed an increase in gas mileage...which is opposite of what you have seen. My increase is more than likely due to a change in driving times.....I drive less in rush hours now. --Duckman

BrooklineMark: Although I have an AWD GS300, I posted this in December about my first winter driving experience with my car: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;#entry277977 Now...after having gone through the entire winter...I have to say that I am totally satisfied moving from the RX models I owned to the GS. We received a couple of decent winter storms in the Twin Cities this year, and I never had any problems with control or driveablilty. --Duckman

Make sure that your dealer does what I stated above. I had squeaking that was unnerving from my center display (Nav system). Have them take it out and wrap it. The squeak has not returned. --Duckman

Thanks G-Man. I have had the car since last August and had never filled it with premium until last night. I am going to bite the bullet and fill with premium exclusively now. I am assuming that by making the switch, my engine performance will increase with the first tank. I don't have any loud knocking noises, so I can only hope that I have not done any damage to the engine. --Duckman

Got it....I took the time to search the forum and found this post: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=30609 --Duckman

I have been filling my car with standard unleaded gasoline, 87 octane. Now...I am doing this because I have seen news reports that the 92 octane premium gasoline is not worth the extra money. Reports done in Minnesota news have concluded that it is more marketing than substance. So, this week I was speaking to my father. He is a car guy. He has an Audi S8 and an Audi S6 (which he races...oh yeah...it's a fast car). He said that he fills his cars with premium only. That the premium gives him a substantial difference in engine performance. I asked him if I was damaging my engine by filling it with regular, and he said no, but I am not doing what is best for the engine in my car. He suggested that a good compromise would be to fill it with premium, then go with a mid-grade on the next fill up, then premium, and so on. This evening I filled it up with 92 octane premium. Ugh...nice price on that one. What are your thoughts, does premium make that much of a difference? Does it damage the engine to use regular unleaded? --Duckman

"Out of the box" there is no way to use it while driving. It was designed as a safety feature, so you would keep your eyes on the road. That being said - there are a few posts in this forum on how to override the system. The stickied post at the top of the forum is one of them. --Duckman

I have the same rattling noise coming from the same area. Generally only happens when it is below freezing. If I place my hand in between the speaker and the windshield and push a little, the noise disappears. (Not a safe way to drive.... :P ) I haven't had the time to go in and have them fix it, and now that it is getting warmer, I may wait until next winter. Anyway...try pushing on it near the windshield. The more info you can give them, the better off you will be in getting it fixed. Let me know if you do get it fixed...so I know what to expect when and if I take it in. I had one other rattling noise. It came from the center display unit. It was not a proper fit. In December, I had them take it out wrapped felt around it, and then wrap more felt around the connection points. Haven't had a problem with that rattle ever since. The car had only 19,000 miles on it at the time so they did it for no charge. --Duckman EDIT - I just put two and two together...when you said front left speaker area, I thought you meant the speaker on the dash by the windshield. Sorry...after re-reading your post, it appears that you meant the speaker in the door.

Unbelieveable. I have owned three Lexus vehicles, all from the same dealership - Lexus of Wayzata in Minnesota. Never once have I experience any issues with them not taking care of me, going the extra mile, whatever..... I find it really interesting the number of dissatisfied Lexus customers seems to have a direct corrollation to the dealership from which they purchased the vehicles. That is just a surface obvservation...no science to it at all, mind you. I know that Lexus does not have large clusters of dealerships, but, living in California, I bet you could find a dealership which would service you the way you expect. I would google to find out if there are any dealership ratings sites out there...that may lead you to a positive experience. --Duckman

Daepp You may want to read this post from earlier in the year about similar problems with 2008 GS350's: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=44609 It goes into some detail about issues with certain production runs that have start/turn over issues. You are going to want to talk to your dealer about what options you might have. Duckman

Scott: I did a google on "automobile data recorder" and a couple of interesting returns came up. Here is a group in Florida that appears to be able to assist with the crash data recorder: http://www.harristechnical.com/cdr.htm The site has some links (which I admittadly did not click because I did not have the time) to cases where the information from the crash data recorder were introduced into evidence. So...it appears that you might be able to use it, but I would guess it depends on your states statutes. I found another one in Kansas. He appears to work with lawyers that you have working on your behalf: http://www.crashforensics.com/automobiledatarecorders.cfm Anyway - one of these groups might know of someone closer to your area who may be able to help you out. Duckman