steviej

I would live in constant fear of damage or dings. But it is a piece of work. steviej

I absolutely love it!! steviej

You were lucky. NEVER disconnect the positive side of your battery first. ALWAYS disconnect the negative terminal!!!

what he said. The windshield alignment pins are covered by a TSB and warranty. They should not be charging you a thing. TSBs invloved are NV005-06 (windshield ticking), NV004-06 (instrument panel rattle) and NV002-05 (creaking noise from back glass area) steviej

go to your dealership and test drive another GS350 and see if that does it too. If not, have service look at yours. The look see is covered under warranty. steveij

very reputable name. I believe 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

First off, drop the attitude if you want any help from people around here. To help you, I have modified the title of this thread to lesson the bad first impression you have made. To answer you question, it is always a good idea to disconnect the negative on your battery when doing any kind of substantial electrical work. What kind of intake did you get: K&N, Injen, ?? I assume you intake is outfitted with a new fitting or a work around for the current MAF sensor? If not, you will most likely set off some kind of trouble code when you get the car running. Also keep in mind, when you disconnect the negative you will lose all you presets in the radio, seat position and any other memory settings that may exist. The ECU will also revert back to the factory default settings and any "learned" characteristics of the ECU or tranny will be lost......only to have to be relearned again. This may not be a bad idea if you are the new owner of the car as the ECU and tranny will learn you style of driving. As for anyone else that is reading this thread the original title was: How About A Little Help To Install My Intake? A Little Help Is All I A, If you're not going to answer then *BLEEP*ing leave, Why waste you steviej LOC Management

The RE92 is the worst tire ever made. Very quiet tire but only good for dry pavement. In rain and snow......they are are worst. In my opinion, they should be discontinued. I think you will find the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S a great compromise between performance and price for an all season radial that is decent in light to moderate snow, outstanding in rain and on dry pavement and is very quiet. steviej

Anytime I buy anything online, I completely read and review their return and refund policy. TireRack's return policy clearly states in the first paragraph that once a tire is ridden on it is non-returnable: "If you need to return or exchange an item, please call 1-888-541-1777 (ext. 360, customer service) for a Return Authorization Number. We will accept returns within 30 days of delivery. Only unused product that has not been driven on is eligible for return." This is probably the main reason why I always go to a local tire shop that I have built up a good relationship with. They will take back tires on a prorated mileage basis up to 30 days from purchase and they will try their best to meet TireRacks pricing. They may not be able to match them since they still have to pay their distibutor for the tires, but they can make it up on other services like alignments or balancing. steviej

you need to read your owners manual. when these three lights are on, the car has gone into "safety mode" and engine performance will be governed. We can't help you any further until you provide us with the trouble codes that are now set in the ECU. Take it to AutoZone as they will read the codes for free. Port the codes up here and we will be able to better assist you then. There are hundreds of codes and combinations of codes that will set off the warning lights you describe. steviej

1. It all depends on what you are looking for. The IS and GS are two different cars. Given you experience in question 6, look at an IS 250 AWD (what price is that new.) Evidentally the GS is not the AWD version. As for price, consult KBB.com or vehix.com to see what dealerships should be getting for the same car with the same options in you area. 2. It all depends on the extended warranty you intend to get, what you have to pay out of pocket, what the plan covers, what you deductable is and how well you maintain your vehicle before the warrantly goes into effect. Personally, I have no need for extended warranties. They will cost me more than I will put into the car. However, keep in mind that one pricey service after the regular warrantly expires can be the price of the entire extended warratnly plan. So the bottom line is what is it worth to you to have piece of mind. 3. It will say Mark Levinson right on the face plate around the NAV screen. 4. you can look on www.alldata.com to get a list of all TSBs that have come out. There is one major one concerning an awful noise upon cold start and there has only been one recall for a fuel rail fix. 5. I have a 2006 GS300 AWD and get about 22-23 mpg around town and I can hit 30 mpg on all out highway cruising. The ECT selector is in the normal position. Mpg will be lower if you use the Power setting. 6. Tires can make or break a good vehicle. I am a firm believer of having a set of quality all season radials that are above average in the snow. If your car is RWD and you live in snow country, then I would say a dedicated set of winter snow tires is an absolute must. 7. The ECT switch controls the transmission. The snow setting is just that, for snow. It limits the revs of the engine to provide more torque and hopefully limit wheel spin. Your wife need to spend some quality windshield time behind both cars. Reliability should not be an issue since you are dealing with Lexus on both platforms. Each will have its own little quirks but overall, you will still be buying Toyota/Lexus quality. Most dealerships will let you take a car home overnight if you are a serious buyer. In this economy, they want to really make a sale. Take each for an extended period of time and let her decide. The major advantage the GS has over the IS is interior space. steviej

1. Once the wheel/tire set up has been balanced they usually don't need balancing each year unless you have hit a pot hole, lost a weight, etc. This is usually made evident by vibration. However, most tire dealerships offer lifetime balance and winter tire swapping with the purchase of a set of tires. You have to read the fine print and all requirement for those packages as this does not usually apply to dismounting one tire and mounting another on the same rim. This usually means having the winter set on a set of separate rims. Again, consult you selected tire dealership for specific details that they may or may not offer. 2. Of course having a second set of dedicated winter rims/tires is easier. This will also involve the purchase of a second set of TPMS sensors (unless you want to face a winter of the TPMS warning light constantly lit up. In the long run, it is worth the purchase. Personally, this is the route that I took. 3. Definately not recomended. It is best to have the same tread and traction on all four corners regardless if you are 2WD or 4WD. 4. I have never heard of a car or tire dealership storing wheels and tires for a fee, but that doesn't mean it does not exist. I keep mine up in the rafters or my garage. If you have a finished ceiling in your garage then this would not be an option. This device might be a wise investment. I refer you to www.tirerack.com for any further information you may need regarding a dedicated set of winter tires. Personally, it was the best decision I made in regards to the purchase of my GS. I just got close to 18" of snow and slush over the past two days and the car didn't skid, slip or skip a beat. steviej

What does it say in the supplemental owners manual under the maintenance schedule. Mostly this will be listed in the 15k, 30k, 45k, etc services. If you have a drain plug AND a dipstick, I would do this: Call you dealership and ask the service department what is included in their 30,000 mile service. This is usually a major fluid change service. If they say they drain and fill then tranny, then there you have it. I would do a simple drain and fill on the 15s. I used to do this on my 02 ES and never had a problem. At 108k miles the fluid was still cherry red and sweet smelling. As you know, simple drain and fills are actually less expensive than oil and filter changes (easier, too). If they don't list the drain and fill as part of their service, ask them what they recommend. Then call another dealership and see what they do. Don't just take one dealeships word for what should be done. steviej

the book says change them during the 90k miles service, but I changed mine out at the 60k miles. The plugs looked pristine and probably could have gone for the next 30k. Just remember to replace with what came out. steviej

the front three are a piece of cake. take the 10mm nuts off the coil packs, uncover the plugs, remove with spark plug socket and extension. the back three are a bietch. It helps to take the strut tower brace off, then use some 6" extensions and some knuckles to get at the coil packs and plugs. Use a milk crate or something to give you some added height/lean over. Good luck. steviej

dude, you need to read pages 587-592 of YOUR owners manual, then bring that manual to that service manager, then tell him you would like to speak to his boss before you take your business to a dealership that knows what they are doing. steviej

1. remove the splash guards (a bunch of 10mm bolts and some push pins). 2 remove the 10mm bolt from the side on the foglight assembly. 3. on the opposite side of the assembly, this is a clip, just push it in toward the assembly then the whole lamp will fall out the front of the vehicle. 4. unscrew the cap to where you access the bulb. you can get these assemblies new on ebay for cheap money. steviej

Ok, I have trying that for the past six weeks, and still nothing. Extreme heat and extreme cold, no vibrations. steviej

I have an after market windshield by Pinkerton in my 06 GS. You can't tell the difference. It has the black area around the sensors and the tint is the same as OEM. Unfortuneately in MA, if I want my insurance to pay for the whole thing with no deductable, I have to go with what the glass guy uses. I called my Lexus dealer and asked who they subbed this work out to. They told me, I called them and they did an incredible job. I used them on my 02 ES as well. Like I said, if done right, you can't tell the difference. steviej

if you don't have enough money for another car then get this one fixed. you most likely will not get all the money you want parting it out in a timely manner. do get me wrong, you will sell the parts but in time. steviej

A few years ago, Denso changed manufacturing of their filters. I don't know if the newer style Denso filters have anti-drain back valves. I do know Mobil 1 and K&N do. Start small and easy first by changing just the oil filter to one that has an anti drain back valve . . . Mobil 1 filter (M1-102) or the K&N Gold (HP-1002). You don't have to change the oil, just let the engine sit, swap out the filter, all of the oil will be in the pan so you will only loose what is in the current filter. Put on a new filter, get and check it as you would over an extended period to see if just by changing the filter brand eliminates the noise. You brief description sounds as if there is oil drainage from the top end of the vehicle. When you start the car, does the oil pressure and oil level indicatator lights go out immediately or do they take a few seconds? I would expect other issues and symptoms to present before this kind of noise if it were truely sludge. Is this recent or has it happened in the past? I am also wondering if it is a temperature related issue. There is a TSB for the 2006-2008 GS because it makes a terrible noise upon cold start up. Mine has not done it, knock wood, but I have heard recordings of the sound. It is actually cam gear related but complaints are similar to what you describe. If the oil filter change does not work, post up, I have more suggestions. When you do start it up, have someone else to the starting, you stand by the front wheel on the passenger side. When the car is started, see if you can pinpoint the noise (if it is made). Is it coming from the valve cover, the timing cover, the left side, right side, etc. The class action settlement mentioned above pertained to the 1997-2002 ES and other Toyota/Lexus Vehicles. steviej

18X8" Enkei with 40mm offset, tire was 235/40-18. steviej

I speak from experience of a 2002 ES, but it is virtually the same body as the 2005. The stock wheel on the 2005 is either a 16" or 17" wheel depending on the package. The gap with the stock tire appears less on the 2005 than there was with the 2002 ES. The 40mm offset will work fine, but do NOT go with the 235 tire. Go with the 225. I put a set of 235s on my 02 and with an adult in the back seat if I hit a bump or dip in the road, the outside of the tire would scrape the inside edge of the fender. The 225 would just clear it. Here are some shots of my previous 02 with 18"s and a totally stock suspension. steviej

10 days is the standard wait time after most title releases, not just toyota credit. You can get them overnight but it takes coordination of the two institutions involved and a bunch of faxes. I had to do it once but was able to get a title released overnight with confirmed electronic payment and a conference call between my bank and the bank holding the title. Whenever you buy a used car, it is helpful to know if the seller "has title in hand". It takes time when your payment to the seller is needed by the seller to pay off their note and then get title. steviej

I just recently bought a GS460. With run-flats having a reputation for repair problems, high cost, quickly wearing out, and rough ride, I asked my dealer to swap out the Dunlops for regular Michlein P/S tires on the same rims. He even threw in the doughnut spare. I'm very happy with the results. It's probably too late to ask your dealer to swap yours, but maybe you could find a buyer for your run-flats and bite the bullet for the extra cost of a new set of regulars, knowing you probably have saved money in the long run -- plus get a smoother ride, fewer flats, and a longer lasting tire. In my opinion, run-flats are not yet ready for prime-time. The technology is not quite there yet. They've been pushed onto consumers my manufacturers attempting to save weight, space, and improve average gas mileage (by removing the spare) to meet government mandates -- while trying to convince consumers that they should feel more secure, but failing to point out the negative factors. Actually the idea of driving 50 miles on a tire that will probably get destroyed and not being able to find a shop with the equipment to repair or replace it doesn't make me feel any more secure. How many miles on the car/tires? Is is too late to cancel the sale of the Ls (or at least threaten too?). Those tires are crap. Keep complaining to your Lexus dealership and to Lexus customer service. See if they will swap out the tires, at least meet you half way on a set of decent shoes. If not, bite the bullet, spend some good money on a decent set of tires. Sell the crap Bridgestones on eBay cheap so you recoop some money. steviej