steviej

that's why I suggested he check his insurance.....my insurance gives full replacement with no deductible and I am allowed 1 claim/replacement per year. steviej

What size are your snow tires and are they on stock rims or aftermarket? If they are on stock, then you should be able to. The bolt pattern on the 98 ES I think is the same as newer models. (5x114.5) The OEM tires/wheels are the following: 1998: 205/65-15, 205/60-16 (will fit) 2002-2004: 215/60-16 2005-2006: 215/60-16, 215/55-17 2007-2009: 215/55-17 If your snows are on 15" rims they may appear small in the wheel well. You will also want to make sure that the difference in the speedometer is less than 2% given the OEM size and your size wheel. Here is a link to a useful wheel size calculator. Plug the OEM size in as reference 1 and your snows in as reference 2. Don't worry about the rim offset and width...just uncheck that box. Wheel size calculator steviej

I know the 2002+ ES's have an electric driver seat that you could make go really low. (I don't mean leaning back, I mean the seat part can be put really low to the floor). As far as the sunroof is concerned, I think that was one of those options that all ES's were shipped with. I have only heard of a few that didn't have one, but they were very early models (92, 93). steviej

what did you do with the set of wheels/tires that came with the ES initially? steviej

so now Bren, how many sets of wheels and tires you gonna have for this baby? :P I count three including your snows. your OCD is acting up again, just like mine. I had to stop at 2. steviej

I got your back. It's fixed. steviej

not me, I recommend the complete replacement. steviej

if memory serves me correctly, you might need spacers at least in the rear. steviej

check with your insurance. you may be eligible for a whole new windshield. steviej

I will be curious to see how they bypass the requirement that the brake pedal be pressed in order to start a vehicle using smart key/push button start technology. steviej

If the previous owner already had the SAT radio installed then you need only activate it with Sirius/XM. The radio in you car has a specific ID number that you can get by tuning to station 1 on the SAT radio. You will know it had previously been activated because you will already have an antenna and you will be able to get to SAT radio but you will not be able to listen to any station....just their message telling you how to subscribe. If you have no antenna, then shop around as you will want to find the best price. You will only need the antenna install as the radio is SAT ready. Activation and subscription is another fee. Find out what is included in the dealer quoted $795. It may include activation, a year subscription and the antenna install. steviej

Spend $50 and get a set of Sylvania Ultras or spend $75 and get a set of PIAA Xtreme Whites or PIAA Intense White bulbs. In any of those three sets, you will see a difference in brightness. steviej

Oh I didnt realize they had a rotor change...I will def. give an update on performance after a month or so! sorry, I meant calipers.

The easiest way is to remove the right front tire and the wheel well splash guard, then it is pretty self explanatory. The only reason I would take it to a mechanic is to get the proper belt tenison right. These don't have spring loaded belt tensioners that keep a constant variable pressure on the belt. They have to tension the belts up by moving the accessories. steviej

I think the rotors are totally different on the 07 and 08 from the 06s. Let me know how you like the ceramics, as I will be doing brakes in about 10k miles. steviej.

That's interesting. What you're saying makes sense, which is why I was quite surprised when my local dealer (Woodfield Lexus in Schaumburg, IL - who, by the way, I'm not too fond of) told me they'll fix one of my Dunlop runflats that has a nail in the tread. Wife hit a pothole over the weekend causing the side of one of my tires to rip. The dealer is saying that in addition to that tire, I have one with a nail in it (which can be repaired), and the other two need replacement. He told me about $1200 for a set of four!! What surprises me is that when we had a similar pothole incident last winter (God bless Midwestern winters), I had a different dealer look at all the tires for the notorious inside wear problem, and I was told they were all fine. Now, a year later, I'm being told that none of my tires are really good (three worn, one with a nail), and that I may want to get 4 new tires. Sounds a little fishy to me! This may be a good time for you to abandon the runflats and get a set of four tires for less money. You may want to consider getting a spare tire in that case as well. However, if you are going to continue with the runflats, I have one Dunlop runflat with about 3000 miles on it in perfect condition posted in the Buy and Sell forum if that helps you. here is the link steviej

take it in and have it looked at under warranty. While you are there, take out a new GS or a left over 08 GS and see if that car does it too. steviej

I drive on country roads, back roads, wooded roads, all kinds of roads. My high beams illuminate the area quiet well, as well as my 02 ES did. I did swap out the stock high beam bulb for a Sylvania Ultra bulb and that helped even more. bridlewood and John Stanley: Have you had you high beam aiming adjusted? The procedure is in you owners manual. steviej

set the tires to the pressure you want/like and then reinitialize the TPMS system. (instructions are in your manaul and very simple). This will set the target pressure to what you currently have in the tires. steviej

I find it hard to believe the offsets are the same since the IS is RWD and the ES is FWD, but they may be, or they may be such that the difference won't make a difference. (my god, I sound like yogi berra). I also think the IS is staggered so make sure that all four rims are in fact the same size. steviej

I used to use one in my ES for about three years. There was no difference that I could see in everyday use that would compel me to continue to use one. Washing and re-oiling was a pain in the azz. If you over oiled it, it caused problems. If you under oiled it then it wouldn't do its job. It was easier to just replace with a disposable filter annually. steviej

I haven't seen a difference in either my 02 ES or 06 GS with using the paper/foam filter over the charcoal filter. The only time I had a problem is when a mouse wee'ed in my duct system. Neither filter would have helped. I have also found that there are after market companies (fram, purolator, Bosch) that are now offering cabin filters for less money than OEM. steviej

The dealership will have all the info on the TSB but it applies to the 2007 and 2008 GS. If you have a 2006, then just put your ake's on. Your personal information only states that you have a GS but fails to state the year, I was assuming due to the dust problem that you had an 07 or 08. I found a previous post that I think you state you had an 06. steviej

correct the TPMS is built into the valve stem and base of the stem. Putting on a new tire will not effect the TPMS system. The tire shop may offer a TPMS service which simple consists of changing out the seals and gaskets. Most reputable shops know what they are doing because so many vehicles have TPMS nowadays. I just had mine done and there is no problem. The electronics stay put and don't have to be reprogrammed. steviej

very reputable name. I beleive akebono actually makes the Toyota/Lexus pads. Ceramics are great except they can be very harsh on the rotors so don't be surpirsed if you are replacing rotors in the next 25k miles. You will see a dramatic decrease in the amount of dust. steviej Thanks as always steviej.. I got them yesterday in the mail..Im going to put them on next week though.. they are oem so to speak for toyota I confirmed..Going on the GS on monday though..Just too much to do during xmas. And dont want to break in ceramics on my road trip to orlando this weekend in case something odd happens...My pads are good for another 1-2k per the dealer inspection, but figured Id just get rid of them now because the dust is just crazy..Worse than my BMW was. Had my first dealer service at Lexus of Tampa Bay in Clearwater and for 50 bucks they changed the oil, cleaned the car, and did the fluids and fixed my Navi rattle all in 4 hrs with a loaner..I was thrilled..Top notch lexus treatment..It was like royalty compared to the bmw and infiniti (nightmares) I had recently. Glad to be 4 miles from a solid lexus dealer! Happy Hoilidays to all!! did you check into the most recent TSB from Lexus for the dusty brake pads, you might have been able to get new pads for free. steviej