steviej

I split your posts off into it's own thread because they really didn't go with the flow of the pinned "clearing corners" thread. If you would like a different title, let me know. steviej

if you are going to dump the car in FEB, why even waste the money on window tint? Put it in the bank and save it for tint on your future Lex. steviej

never seen this happen without some sort of impact and haven't heard of it on this forum or CL in the 2 years I have been on. This is not to say that it couldn't happen. steviej

so why don't you both fix your burnt out plate bulbs and see if both of your dash lights go out?!!!!! steviej

only offered in the very beginning of the ES300 history. Discontinued in the 1994. steviej

jumping does not work for your OBDII system. like sk stated, go to Autozone or the like to have it read for free. Post the code(s) here, then we can help. steviej

go to www.lexus.com and click on "owners" register yourself and your new car. You can request a free owners manual and supplemental owners manual. steviej

the main reason why I didn't get the IS was my size. My shoulders would be bumping the passenger and the window. Not enough cross room for me. The GS was just too much money and I wanted new. Trade off is the ES is limited to the number of mods possible, unlike the IS or the GS. steviej

no, Toyota T-IV fluid is not the same as Dexron III. It is Toyota's next step up in fluid quality and specifics. If the manual says D-III and the dipstick says T-IV, then I would go with the T-IV. The question that comes to mind is what was in the tranny, D-III, T-IV or a mixture of both? steviej

welcome to the club. please take a few minutes and read the rules and guidelines to the forum. Also of note, please read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) section above and make full use of the search function. Many of your questions about the 97 ES probably have been asked and answered. As for the CD problem, if you can get the cartidge out, throw it away and get a new one. They are always available on ebay and plenty of online dealers have them for about $20. ERR 1 indicates the disc is dirty, damaged or the disc was inserted up-side down. I have heard of ERR 1 being obtained when a homemade discs are used and the disc was not formated correctly. steviej

Welcome to the club. As for your search for the IS, get the best of both worlds. Find one with the e-shift. you can use it as and automatic or click the lever for rapid shifting in the gears (like a manual without the clutch). Ask lots of quesitons, but please use the search funciton first as your question has most likely already been asked and answered. You are also in the New England, keep an eye on the CLub Event and Meetings Forum as we try to have several Lexus Meets thoughout the spring and summer. Lastly, since you are in CT (the neutral zone as I call it), tell me you are a Red Sox fan and not one for the pinstipes. Don't worry, it has no berring on how I will respond to any question you ask. :whistles: steviej

that is how I figure it too and have experienced both systems in action. steviej

it is sad. I met him once. He had a house on Martha's Vineyard. Very pleasant gentleman. He will be missed. steviej

As much as I would like to come, it would be a hell of a ride. Dave, count me in on the North/South Eastcoast meet that is brewing for 2005. I will do what I can to bring the LOC troops. Enjoy the day and take lots of pics. steviej

more brake dust is produced in the front because 70-80% of the braking is done with the front brakes. steviej

There will be some dust after some constant city driving where you use your brakes a lot. Stevie probably doesn't notice it because he takes better care of his car than I do. heehee :) ← nah, I just never take it into the city. It's all out twisty country roads and rural highways for my Lex. :P B) sj

awesome!!!!, nice to see you in my playground SICK. make yourself at home. steviej

that's how my dad taught me, except we used a long socket wrench and let it rest on the ground. Works great. can you give an estimate of the cost of what you did vs. what it would have cost at the dealer. steviej

use Toyota/Lexus OEM. not dust on my wheels. :whistles: steviej

As a new IS300 2004 owner, I am considering the Blizzak LM-22 or Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2. They look to be better rated by customers than the Toyo Proxes TPT. I would appreciate all comments. Thanks. Larry ← Blizzaks and Alpins are dedicated winter snow tires and will be counter productive in the spring, summer and fall. However, if you are looking for a dedicated snow/winter tire then you got two of the best. The Toyo TPT are a superior ALL-season radial. steviej

1. -Don't forget that the rear wheels are just wheels on spindles. They will move freely than the front wheels. -The front wheels are attached to half shafts that rotate in the tranny. When the front are spinning you have wheels shafts and gears moving. This will cause increased drag so the overall rotation duration will be shorter. 2. It is normal for brake pads to slightly touch the discs. There is only about a half of a thousandths of an inch space. (not much wiggle room there). The caliper retration is cause by the reshaping of a "square O-ring" after the pressure is released on the caliper plunger. Not alot of return force here, so the plunger doesn't come back very far. 3. It sounds as if your brakes are normal so far. Remove each wheel and see if you can't measure the thickness of each pad and compare to each other to see if you have abnormal wear. 4. A possible problem could be that if the pads where ever replaced, the shop may have clamped off the brake lines with a pair of vise grips. This can crush the rubber is such a way that that fluid flow to the caliper was uneffected but return flow of the fluid was impeeded. This impeeded flow would result in poor caliper return travel, thus leaving a pad in hard contact with the rotor. (This was common practice in many shops in the 90's, especially Goodyear shops. This practice has since been abandoned.) 5. Excessive brake dust can be from inferior pads, especially metalic pads. Metallic pads will also create a more noticable noise. steviej

of course the dealer can get one as well as online lexus parts dealers. But try to save some money. option 1: ebay option 2: if it is the same rim as your spare, swap them. use the scuffed rim as your spare and move the spare to the scuffed postion. If you want the rubber to stay the same, any reputable tire shop can swap the tires on the rims for cheap money. steviej

I have used www.irontoad.com, www.lexus-parts.com and www.newlexusparts.com with good success and no problems. haven't tried the one you posted yet. steviej

I agree with Alan. In situation number 1, it may just be your car coming out of OD (4th gear in yours) with the change in speed from stepping on the brake. When your car goes into 3rd from 4th you are actually engine braking and you may feel a sudden but not harsh buck. Pertaining to the tranny, I would do a simple tranny drain and fill. I posted a thread in the Workshop Tutorial section of this web site. It is very easy to do this in your driveway. I would do 2 of them over the course of 5000 miles. This will yield a gradual cleansing of the tranny and replacement with fresher fluid. Do you have any maintenance records from the previous owner. Have you had you Lexus dealer attempt to look up the maint. history of the car on there computer (assuming the previous owner had the work done at a Lexus dealership). I wouldn't be surprised if you still have all the orginal tranny fluid in there. steviej

nope, 2002-04, 2005 ES, GS and LS headlamp unit will fit. (not without major body work) the headlight units from a 00-01 ES may fint the 98-99, though. steviej