steviej

Ok, now I got to do a thread like this. I'm not jealous, just envious cause your car looks freshly detailed and mine is being rained on as we type. Hey steve, how did you get that scratch? gotcha.......just kidding my friend. (I just had to do that) My friend just got the same color ES. I even got $200 from Lexus when she bought it just for referring her. $$$$ ching ching $$$$

At 25.5 mpg, you probably won't squeak out much more. You fail to mention if this is combined, city or just highway. If it is soley "around town" anything you squeeze out after this is sauce for the goose. Although not stated, my impression from your post is that you are already using 87 octane, right? Good possibilities to try for instant ROI and most definately will save on overall maint. costs in the long run. Use Mobil 1 synthetic 10W-30 for high mileage vehicles. Get it on sale and in the 4 or 5 qt jug (usually around $18 at wal-mart) Use Toyota OEM filters and buy them in bulk from www.irontoad.com. Change oil and filter every 5k miles. Drop in a bottle of Chevron w/Techron fuel injector/system cleaner every other oil change. Can't hurt/can help and only cost $5.00 bottle. K&N drop in filter is awesome but can be variable. I personally picked up 3mpg city driving, some have actually had decreases. But is saves from ever having to buy a paper filter again. Don't bother with the CAI, you may forfeit MPG with the reworking/repositioning of sensors. Properly inflate you tires. I run at 32 psi for stock tires and 40 for the low profiles. Check every other week or once a month. Synthetic tranny fluid is another remote possibility but may not yield much of a ROI in one year as the benefits may be realized with lack of tranny maintenance in the long run. Lastly, buy a bicycle and use it for any trip that is less than 3 miles. :chairshot: good luck steviej

what a good little salesman, already pitching the 04's! get to the good stuff, what did he quote you for the price? If you don't want to reveal your exact price, tell us what the list price is/was. steviej

that ECU is $1700 in the US if you buy it yourself. According to a post on Edmunds.com it is the fix for the canadian version ES. I do not think they are releasing this as the fix in the states cause it does not make the car ULEV compliant and is too expensive. Hence the software upgrade for the present ECU in the car. my guess from what I have read. steviej

I have noticed this, too. It does blow hard out the back when the blower is on full or 3/4. When on the first one or two settings, not much out the back. I also noticed that this changes with the setting of the direction of the blowers up front (feet and face, just face, just feet, def and feet, etc.) I did notice that last winter the heat comes out better than the cold air. Funny, cause I thought it was all the same air. Do what I do, if they complain.....tell them to walk. steviej

try www.vehix.com plug in the car info, then click on the button for detailed car specs. It might be listed in there. steviej

the tranny dipstick: look for a brick red "T" pull handle. Mine has a safety clip on it that has to be slightly moved aside with your thumb before you can pull up the dipstick. It also has a blue mark on it to align when replacing. The spout that the dipstick comes out of is also where the tranny fluid goes in. If you check the tranny fluid, do it right. Car should be on level ground, warm to normal operating temperature, running and in P or N when you pull the stick. You can't just pull the dipstick out and look at it like you do oil after the car has been shut off. If you can't find it, I will snap a picture to show you. It did note in my manual ('02) that if tranny fluid other than Toyota Type T-IV is not used in my car it may cause vibrations. The kind that yours requires should be printed on the stick and stated in the owners manual. I wonder if the previous owner had it flushed with the wrong kind. If you haven't had one, a tranny flush (not drain and fill) with the proper type may be something to look into. As for the battery, if you have any concerns, take it to Autozone. I saw and add on TV where they are now offering free battery inspections and load testing. It goes along with a promo add for Optima Batteries. As for the oil, it will turn dark over time and use. I just changed mine and it looked like it was supposed to. Like it needed changing. I think Alan meant to say, when it is new you can clearly see the level line on the dipstick, not "hardly". When in doubt, change it out. I am a firm believer that when you get a car (new to you) with miles on it, change out all the fluids if you don't have previous maintenance records that are accurate. This way you are starting at square one with all the fluids and it will be easier for you to track. good luck amanda. steviej

my guess is that they were not balanced properly to begin with, or the balance is not right this time. third time is a charm, but the proof will be whether or not there is any vibration now. steviej

now I thought Faulkens were in the same category as Sumotumos. They give a longer tread life cause they are a harder rubber. This would give a slightly stiffer ride. I really shouldn't talk as I haven't ridden on them. The bridgies are crap. although they give a nice soft ride, they barely made 24k miles. It is either Michelin Energy Plus' or Continental ExtremContacts. latah, steviej

no food allowed in my Lex!!!!! :chairshot: steviej

it costs nothing to call them and ask. Explain the situation to them. They may just do it for nothing. It couldn't hurt and it won't cost a thing to ask. You know what the problem is and what the cause was. There is no diagnostic in this case. You just want the light turned out. steviej

Senior Hematology Technologist at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. steviej

I really like the wheels. Me and my cat give the whole package two thumbs up (ok...so he's got a paw in the air...close enough). steviej

amanda, I think you hit on something when you stated it goes away as soon as you start to pull away. one question, is the AC on when you hear the purr/humm and feel the vibration. If it is, turn it OFF and see if the purr/humm and vibration are there and then go away when a load is placed on the engine. couple of things to look for: 1. serpentine belts and PS pump, AC compressor and Alternator. You may have a lose belt setting up the noise and the vibration may be from a component bracket that is loose at idle. When load is placed on the engine, the belts tighten, which in turn stops the component from vibrating. 2. an engine mount may be loose or getting worn. have them checked out. DIY: start you car while in park, put on the e-brake. Have someone or yourself, stand next to the car with hood open and try to pinpoint the purr/humm and see if anything sounds like it is shaking. While you are standing there, have someone else apply a little gas (keep the car in PARK). See if any noise goes away. post back with results. As for the windows, pre'02 cars have no frames on the window as was stated. This leaves the window more vulnerable to be grabbed when closing the door, which will alter their positions. The rubber window seals are exposed more and suffer more drying out and cracking for the sun and elements. Try rejuventating them with Tri-Flo, silicone, or tire dressing. The can be replaced if necessary. And as stated, the window can be readjusted. Also check the sunroof gasket, it dries and cracks too. This can let in lots of sound and air/wind. good luck. steviej

I was actually bopping around quite briskly. Ever since the strut noise has gone, I have to say, I push the car a little now. and it's FUN. :D :D :D It is so very comfortable. I love getting off the boat from work and then sliding into the car and traveling home with no worries. The ECU between my ears has adapted well and I haven't had the "fix" yet. I am still waiting. Every once in a while I think about trading in for an 04 if they turn out to be better. But then again, I really love my car now. (oh my god, I am starting to sound like piggyncsu. :D :P ;) ) go with your instinct. steviej what toys are in the Saab 9-5 that we ain't got? you see I love the toys if they can be functional too.

I wish Yankee Candle would come up with a car air freshener that smelled like new car leather. steviej

struts can go anytime, especially if you hit a pothole. I know a guy who took out a racoon and his left front strut in one shot. Sadly, neither survived. :( I just had a front strut replaced cause something was loose/broke inside. My 02 ES only had 27k miles on it and now its got a new strut. The noise/rattle with every bump and brake application is gone. steviej

If the engine is the 3VZFE, same as the 1993 Lexus ES, then it would be 0.044. check it out. http://www.ngk.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1387021 steviej

FLIP, I think this link will help. I put in 98 ES300. click and scroll. your blinkers are about $2.99 for a package of 2 at Walmart, AutoZone, etc. http://www.sylvania.com/bin/carApp/carApp_...S300&x=25&y=9#1 good luck. steviej

the thing to check in addtion is whether or not the 04 Camry/Solara has the electronic throttle system. I think this further eccentuates any tranny problems that we see. We can only wait till late Sept/October to see. steviej

what struts are you gonna pair up with the springs, KYB? sj

piggy and mark, those sound more tranny fluid pressure related than temperature related. Have you checked you tranny fluid levels and color lately? There is a right way and a wrong way to check the level. sj

I'm just south of Boston, the only thing not lighting up here are the Red Sox. :( Actually sk hasn't posted for a few days previous to the blackout. I wonder if he is on a vacation without a computer. We all need to do that once in a while. If not, I hope all is well. steviej

in the movie Good Morning Vietnam Robin Williams has the best line for this, he looks at Forrest Whitaker and says: "it's a simple concept, if the car is running, don't try to start it." you have to see the movie. sj

pull a name out of a hat. all three are very reputable companies. I probably would go with Mobil 1 just cause I have used their products and have been content with their quality. I have yet to use any amsoil or redline products. I just don't see them around here like I see Mobil 1. steviej