steviej

I have had my ES for two Boston winters now and both winters had a fair share of snow. The FWD and the TRAC control are key, the VSC is a plus but not a necessity. It all comes down to driving skill and the tires you ride on. As stated before, get a reliable all season radial tire. When in doubt, get a set of high quality snow tires that are also quiet on dry pavement to get you through Dec thru March. Almost every tire company has a well made dedicated snow tire now. steviej

I got it last May/June. It happens about once per year. The cabin filter for the AC system gets mold and mildew in it. The moisture allows for growth. It is not a sulfur smell at all, it is more like dirty feet or old potatoe chips and onion rings. Simple solution is to replace the filter. It is totally covered in your owner's manual and is a very simple DIY. The filters themselves are very expensive from the dealer and they will charge you a hour minimum to change it. I just bought two filters from www.irontoad.com for less then $30 each. You only need 5 minutes and a philips screwdriver to change it. steveij

I thought there are two filters: 90915-YZZD1 for the V6's and 90915-YZZD3 for the V8's. steviej

maaloxx, this is a ClubLexus organized meet. Trust me, they know. Over 200 posts and 15 pages in the thread and over 50 members signed up to go. steviej.

2GZ, I cannot pm you this because the messaging system is unavailable to you until your post count hits 20, so I have to post it here. Hi, I just want to offer a friendly reminder to you about posting in ALL CAPS. Some sites do not regard this as offensive and it is very common place in the world to text message and email in ALL CAPS. However, some forums and user groups still find typing in all caps as an offensive gesture, or a hightened tone of voice so to speak. To better yours and our enjoyment of this site, please refrain from using all caps. This message is not directed at you particularly, I send it to anyone that has posted several times using ALL CAPS. Thanks for your help on this issue and I look forward to further input from you on this site. Steve Johnson ES/IS Forum Moderator.

the moonroof deflector is a DIY and you can get one for short money on www.irontoad.com It should come with instructions. steviej.

the Toyo/Lex filters with a D (#-YZZD#) are the ones made in Thailand as of Dec. 2003. The jury is still out as to how they compare to the previous highly rated Toyo/Lex filters (-YZZB9) or the -20004 filters. I personally have used and trusted the Mobil 1 M-102 filter and am currently using the K&N Gold HP-1002 filter. steviej. PS. this was my 1000th post.

check alldata.com. I think there is a TSB about a dash rattle. There were several posts within the last 3 months also, if memory serves me correctly (but that has been know to fade in and out sometimes.) steviej

The J33 Toyos did have an extensive cupping problem. How many miles are on them? This may be why they are offering Michies at half price instead of swapping them out totally. There have been posts here and on CL about these poor performing tires. I believe Lexus stopped using them and went solely Michie Energy MXV4+ (or whatever the call letters are) with the 2003 model. The J33 I believe was offered on cars only and not sold separately. They were also not shipped on cars delivered above the snow belt. If your tires have over 25,000 miles on them, this is probably why they offered a half price deal on the michies, they are pro-rating the Toyos. When in doubt, call 1-800-25-LEXUS and discuss it there. Tell them you know of the Toyo J33 problem. They may instruct your dealership to just swap them out for a new set of Michies or Dunlops (shipped on the 2004 ES330). If you have a choice, go with the Dunnies. The Michies are poor in rain. steviej

take it back to the shop that repaired it. They should have done this. if you must do it yourself then try this. If you are talking about the turn signal, The amber bulb in the front light assembly is a 12v 21w single filament bulb. #7440. not many aftermarket stores carry them in amber. They go for about $5 at a Toyota dealership and about $10 at the Lexus dealership. If you are talking about the real tiny light at the top of the headlight assembly, it is a 5w wedge based bulb. #2825. This should be available at any autopart store. BUT it is not amber. They are a regular bulb so the color looks yellowish compared to the white of the HID. steviej

try the lamp relacement guide yourself. Here is the link, just click on it, then plug in you make year and model. http://www.sylvania.com/auto/carapp/ I can tell you that the 1998 and 1999 bulbs are the same. steviej

It's really not that difficult to install yourself. To take out your old bulbs, open the hood, and look for the electrical connection that provides power to the low beam bulbs (it contains red and black wiring). Carefully pull/disconnect the connection from the bulb (you may want to keep a clean towel handy to clean off any dirt/grime from the electrical connection). Then you will see that the back of the low beam bulb resembles an elbow-shaped frame. The bulb is locked into place by a twist, so you must remove the low beam bulb by grabbing and twisting the elbow-shaped frame in one direction (it's either clockwise or counter, but you'll find out there's only way to twist). Not quite!!!!!!! His low beam bulbs are H7. This means there is a metal spring clip that has to swing out of the way. These are not like the 9005 or 9006 bulbs that twist. There is no twisting with H7 bulbs. 1. Remove the large black rubber boot that covers the back of the bulb. The wiring goes through this boot. 2. Pull the wire connector off the back of the bulb. 3. Look at the set up carefully, there is a large metal clip that is anchored on one end and just hooked under a retaining peg on the other end. Gently apply pressure towards the front of the car then down or up on the end of the clip to get it out from under the retainer peg. 4. Now swing that large clip out of the way and the bulb is now free. 5. Put this bulb aside (don't confuse it with the one going in). 6. Put the new bulb in place, swing the clip back towards the bulb. This clip applys pressure to the back of the bulb to keep it in place. You have to get the clip to hoop behind the peg again to keep it locked closed. 7. Replace the connector to the back of the bulb. 8. Slide the black boot back up the wiring toward the back of the bulb housing and slip the boot back in place. This may take some wiggling of the boot. The high beam bulbs are 9005 and lexusk8's instructions are perfect for this type bulb. steviej

sometimes the universal O2 sensors do not meet OEM specs and the CEL is set off. The O2 senosr market is a huge cash cow. My last car (93 SSEi) has one and it cost $30. Now I have three and they range from $100 to $300 for one sensor. OUTRAGEOUS!!! The CEL light should go out if the O2 sensor is sending the right signal. Turning the car off and then on should reset the code if the triggering agent is gone. Evidentally, the BOSCH sensor does not meet OEM rquirements or the culprit is still present. If it was truely working, then something knocked it out again. A little moisture is normal.....but your description conjours up an open hot water faucet. Does the white smoke dissapate immedaitely. Smell the white smoke. If you have the green coolant and it was leaking into the combustion chamber, then the exhaust should smell of a strong maple odor. The red coolant shouldn't smell that strong of maple. Are you loosing any coolant? steviej

posting a picture may help. while you are at it, stop by some aftermarket tire shops that sell rims. flip through some catalogs and see if you see what you got. steviej

yes, oil should be changed on a regular interval.....if not driven alot, then change the oil at least every 4-6 months. no, it is not weather related oil gelling is most prevelant with "normal" oils. yes I know what you mean.....my first car was a 1976 Corolla wagon (stop laughing). It was indestructable and wicked easy to fix. steviej

don't worry if you don't have a camera. There will be tons of pics taken and pics posted. Of course, if you want one, get one. But if you don't, there will always be downloadable pic posted. One meet I went to, someone took videos and posted them up for public viewing. I'll be in touch. As for meeting up, there is a major rendevous planned for the Vince Lombardi Service area on the Hutchinson Parkway. I think that is somewhere near CT/NY border. We will tighten up the details later this month. steviej

1999 ES: according to Sylvania.com automotive lamp guide. Low beam headlamp Part number = H7 Upgrade Part Number = H7ST Silverstar High Performance Halogen Upgrade - Whitest, Brightest, 100% Street Legal Upgrade Part Number = H7CB Cool Blue Halogen Upgrade - White Hot; Super Cool; 100% Street Legal High beam headlamp Part number = 9005 Upgrade Part Number = 9005ST Silverstar High Performance Halogen Upgrade - Whitest, Brightest, 100% Street Legal Upgrade Part Number = 9005CB Cool Blue Halogen Upgrade - White Hot; Super Cool; 100% Street Legal Fog/Driving light Part number = H3-55W Upgrade Part Number = H3ST Silverstar High Performance Halogen Upgrade - Whitest, Brightest, 100% Street Legal If you do the headlights.......match your fog bulbs too. :whistles: Life is all about color coordination. steviej

I will keep all posted as to last minute cancelations or reschedules. It would be nice if you could join us, but your venu sounds exciting, too. I was thinking of doing something like that on my next vacation. steviej

your fiance is a very lucky girl................and not just for the car. ;) sj

motor on dude. B) I will be sitting on the edge of my seat for the court room details....I love that crap. steviej

mitchel68, before you jump to struts don't overlook the wheel bearing. steviej

Paul, you're on the list. I will be in touch because there is a bunch of us from MA that are going to meet up and caravan it down there. Remind me, where you are in the Baystate. steviej

thanks for the definition, but I think I know what a bicyclist is. :chairshot: as for the homeless person, well I guess it is you can't get money from a stone. I would still run it past your insurance. They may waive your deductable. You won't know unless you ask. steviej

sit in the back seat facing out the rear window. grasp the third light cover with both hands and pull towards you. There are a couple of catches but with a little tug it should move and then pop up. steviej

check with your insurance company. It may be covered and you may be able to get your deductable waived or cut in half. The won't be able to go after the biker for insurance, but he hit you "parked" so he should be responcible for his actions. it doesn't cost to give your ins. company a call and see where you stand. You can get a copy of the police/paramedic report as proof that it is not some bullcrap story to get the ins. company to pay for some neighborhood vandels. Also inquire as to what a claim like this would do to your rates. It may be cheaper to just pay out of pocket. Get several quotes from body shops. Check into paintless dent removal specialists in your area.....a cheaper alternative to body shops somtimes. steviej